Christian Reflection and Prayer

A man was driving down the street frantically looking
for a parking space. He had an important meeting and
was running late. Not a space was in sight. In
desperation, the man turned toward heaven and prayed:
“God, if you find me a parking space, I promise to go to
church every Sunday and give up swearing for the rest
of my life!” Suddenly, the parking space in front of him
opened up. The man looked back up and said, “Never
mind, God, I found one!”

This story drives home two points. First, it
demonstrates our tendency to turn to God only in
times of trouble and crisis. Secondly, this story points
out that although we may make all kinds of changes
and commitments to God during our time of need, we
often forget about our promises when we no longer
“need” God’s assistance.

We can choose to remember God in good times as
well as in difficult times. We can choose to honor the
commitments we make when life gets tough, or even
better, we can dedicate ourselves to becoming better
people before we are in crisis.

Our God is good and faithful; He has done so much
kindness for us in the past. The best kind of gratitude
is to make Him the focus of our lives in the present

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.

(excerpts taken from Holy Land Moments)

"In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a
man of prayer." — Psalm 109:4

I really believe that God delivers to us exactly what we
need at that moment. Whatever happens as a result of
the enemies in my life was bound to happen to me one
way or another. This clarity allows me to let go of my
need to hate back or repay the hurt. It allows me to
choose love instead.

If you are like the rest of us, there are probably people
in your life who have hurt you at one time or another.
There are probably also people that you don't know –
even in other countries – who say and do things that
are hateful toward you. But remember – everything is
as it should be and they, too, are part of God's plan.
Lose the hate and choose to love.

Don't put your enemies in their place; instead place
them in your prayers.

Psalm 49:16-17

16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
    when the splendor of their houses increases;
17 for they will take nothing with them when they die,
    their splendor will not descend with them. (NIV)

There is a powerful story told about a member of the
famous wealthy Rothschild family. Someone asked
him, “Exactly how much wealth do you have?” In
response, Lord Rothschild answered, “Let me show
you.” He led the man to a room and showed him
many documents. They were receipts from charities
that he had supported. “These,” said Lord Rothschild,
“are my only true possessions. Only the money that
I have given away will accompany me to the grave.”

In the end, all possessions are meaningless; only our
good deeds will be with us forever. So let us convert
our wealth into charity and use our possessions to do
kindness. Then we will have something of true value
that will be with us forever.

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

(excerpts taken from Holy Land Moments)