Christian Reflection and Prayer

During the first Presidential Debate New York City
was used as an example of effective use of stop-
and frisk, when it was in effect.  Here are the
statistics.

 

..Stop-and-frisk, as it was practiced in New York City,
was ineffective in reducing violent crime. But it had an
overwhelmingly disproportionate impact on young
black and Latino men. The New York Police
Department’s data shows that 90 percent of stops
conducted under stop-and-frisk were young men of
color who had done nothing wrong. And the level of
racial profiling went from discriminatory to absurd:
In 2011, more young black men were stopped and
frisked than there were young black men living in
New York City. This suggests that many young men
were stopped multiple times. That same year,
weapons were found on 1.8 percent of black and
Latino people who were stopped, but on 3.8 percent
of white people who were stopped — nearly double
the rate.

 

Racism is America’s original sin, and we saw that
racial sin again in the first presidential debate.
—@jimwallis

Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the
heart,and good news gives health to the bones.
Proverbs 15:30

 

 Today, let’s greet everyone we see with a bright
and cheery disposition. Who might we bring joy
to today? Who can we get to smile? How can we
make someone else a little bit happier?

 

When we live our lives looking for ways to make
others more joyful, we are rewarded richly for our
kindness. God gives us joy in our own hearts and
strength to our spirits.

 

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

 "Father, forgive them for they don't know what
they are doing" (Luke 23:34a).

 

If you wish to see forgiveness, look to the cross
of Christ. There you will see forgiveness in its
purest form. Even as the Savior hung upon the
cross, even as every one of the world's sins --
your sins, my sins, everybody's sins -- rested
upon Him, even as men gambled for His clothing
and laughed at His pain, He called out: "Father,
forgive them for they don't know what they
are doing" (Luke 23:34a).

 

Do you prefer forgiveness to be more personal?

 

Look into your own heart, at your own conscience,
 and know the worst sins that you find there are --
because of Jesus' suffering, death, and
resurrection -- gone.

 

Forgiveness? Look to the cross and remember that
place where died all our dark and devious deeds,
all our foul and filthy feelings.

 

Forgiveness? Look to the cross where your
forgiveness was won. Look into the Savior's empty,
open tomb and see His victory. Because of Jesus,
the Father -- rather than cursing and condemning
us -- redeems and restores us.

 

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may my prayer echo that
of the tax collector, as I say, "Lord, be merciful to
me a sinner" (Luke 18:13b). Then, knowing that
through Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection,
I have been forgiven, may I lead a life that glorifies
You. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen. 

 

(taken from Lutheran Hour Ministries Daily Devotion­)