Money makes the world go round. But, should this really be our main concern? Neumark wanted to expand her congregation so that she could make more room for the church members but was hit by a major obstacle, a lack of monetary resources. As Neumark depicts it, the other congregration was more focused on how they would get repaid than in helping out the community. Churches should be more interested in making money than in helping out those in need, this is the one place where material things need not be valued. Yet, there are some churches who value a dollar more than their church members. I hate this reality. For those who live like this are truly missing out on the true riches of life. As Cheryl said, "We may not have any money, but we're sure not broke" (p.122) Her words resonate with the truth. It is far more enriching to overcome addiction, to live to see another day, to bring joy to another's life. If only those who lived in the Manhattan area could see that one can be completely content even without the luxuries in life.

Breathing Space

Breathing Space is definitely not the type of book I expected it to be. I never thought I would be able to relate to it so well. The way the pastor describes everyone she has encountered and what they have been through astonishes me. I know the people she speaks of, I know plenty more just like Carmen, Burnice. I grew up with the same kind of people when I lived in New Jersey. I grew up knowing the immigrants who made so many sacrifices to give their lives in central america a better place. Unfortunately, what Neumark speaks about still goes on today. Not too much has changed in those parts, there are people that I know who still fight that same struggle. Yet, these people find their faith in the lord despite their circumstances. It is truly remarkable. I am interested to see how else God has played a major role in transforming all those on Prospect ave. throughout this book.

The Influence of Heschel

I would have never thought that Heschel would have had as much of an influence in our world as he did. Listening to these podcasts made me realize that he was an influential figure who strived to "embody the social activism he studied."Cornel West referred to him as a "poet of pros", as someone who loved kindly and walked proudly with his God. He was a Civil rights activist who fought for racial equality alongside Martin Luther King Jr. He also saw MLK as a prophet. He also influenced the younger generation of his time for the black jewish alliance which came from his alliance with MLK. He was a true believer in justice. Not only did he have quite an impact in the U.S., but his influence also reached overseas to Vietnam. He had a "universal vision that spoke to all."Most powerful text ever written of the jewish invention of the prophetic. He greatly advocated against the Vietnam war. He was an active individual who strived to bring justice to our world.