That's the Way God Planned It

My current book project, next in the holding pattern after the recent release of The Garden of Riches, is "Gates of Gratitude," the English version of Shaarav B'Toda, the latest book out by my beloved rabbi and spiritual guide, Rabbi Shalom Arush. Shaarav B'Toda has had a meteoric takeoff with Hashem's loving grace; it looks like it might become even a bigger smash bestseller than The Garden of Emuna, which has already sold way past a million copies.

Good Lord willing, "The Gates of Gratitude" will be a practical and inspiring guide to the meaning of individually-tailored Divine Providence and how expressing our gratitude to Hashem so dramatically influences our lives for the better.

Our job as "light unto the nations" is to get the whole world to thank Hashem and praise His name; this hastens Tikkun Olam, the correction of the world, when all men and all nations will live in harmony. That's what the Prophet alluded to (see Isaiah 11:6) when he said that the wolf shall dwell with the sheep and the cow and the bear shall graze together. 

With that in mind, here's a treat: Billy Preston singing his classic "That's the Way God Planned It" - soon, all the nations of the world will hopefully be singing Hashem's praise in their own beautiful way. The lyrics appear below the film clip.

Why can't we be humble
Like the good Lord say
He promised to exault us
But no-one is away
How men be so greedy
When there's so much left?
All things are God given
And they all have been blessed
That's the way God planned it
That's the way God wants it to be, be
That's the way God planned it
That's the way God wants it to be, be
Let not your heart be troubled
Let mourning sobbing cease
Learn to help one another
And live in perfect peace
If we'd just be humbler
Like the good Lord say
He promised to exault us
But love is the way
That's the way God planned it
That's the way God wants it to be, be
You better believe me
That's the way God planned it
That's the way God wants it to be, be
I hope you get this message
Where you won't others will
You don't understand me
But I'll love you still
That's the way God planned it
That's the way God wants it to be, be.

We miss you, Billy.

Have a great Shabbat and weekend!

A Bright Beams Blessing to my spiritual brother and cherished friend Menachem Herman for his contribution to today's post.