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Wisdom teachers throughout time have said, "Trust in God, but tie your camel."
For example, you may totally trust God to bring you what you need. And, at the same time you very likely seek some form of sustenance - whether it's a job, looking for work, building a business, or even in a worst-case scenario - standing on a corner begging for money and food.
Or we may have children whom we love and care for... and we trust them in the arms of God... yet at the same time, we take specific actions to support their development - be it school, a religious or spiritual foundation, athletics, tutoring, playing together, and so on.
In other words, while we can place full trust in the Divine to support us - we must also be Present enough with life to allow ourselves to receive that support.
Sometimes we can become stuck expecting the world to be a certain way. We can become stuck expecting the Divine to support us in specific ways.
And when we do that, we ironically remain blind to the support that the Divine is offering us as we stubbornly approach life with a limited perspective. In other words, we forget to tie our metaphorical camels.
To exemplify this idea in a different way, I share with you the story of the Drowning Man....
While out to sea, a large boat became shipwrecked and there was only a single survivor. This man prayed and asked God to save his life. Soon thereafter, another boat came by and offered the man some help.
"No thanks," he said. "I'm waiting for God to save me."
The men on the boat shrugged their shoulders and continued. As the man became more deeply concerned, another boat came by. Again, the people aboard offered this man some help, and again he politely decline. "I'm waiting for God to save me," he said again.
After some time, the man began to lose his faith, and soon after that he died. Upon reaching Heaven, he had a chance to speak with God briefly.
"Why did you let me die? Why didn't you answer my prayers?"
"Dude... I sent you two boats!"
The man blindly trusted God without looking at the nature of reality. He didn't look at his entire situation exactly as it was. He only saw it as he wanted to see it.
P.S. To be clear, I'm not suggesting any of us live in fear. Tying up your camel is best done from a place of Presence and awareness, not from insecurity or fear. Consider it an aspect of Being in the world... yet not of it.
In Mary Help of Christians,
I remain,
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
Director
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There's this parable of a Cherokee Native American who was teaching his grandchildren about life:
"A fight is going on inside of me... It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, pride and superiority.
The other wolf stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.
This same fight is going on inside of you and every other person too."
The grandkids thought about it for a while and then one of them asked:
"Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee answered:
"The one I feed."
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 You Can't Score a Goal Sitting on the Sidelines
by John Mason
After his first audition, a casting director told actor Sidney Poitier, "Why don't you stop wasting people's time and go out and become a dishwasher or something?" It was at that moment, recalls Poitier, that he decided to devote his life to acting. He wasn't going to let someone else decide his life path.
"There's nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes and dead armadillo," says Jim Hightower. Decide to do something now to make your life better. The choice is yours.
"My decision is maybe-and that's final." Is this you? Being decisive is essential for a successful life. If you deny yourself commitment, what will you do with your life? Every accomplishment, great or small, starts with a decision.
David Ambrose remarked, "If you have the will to win, you have achieved half your success; if you don't, you have achieved half your failure." The moment you definitely commit yourself, change begins. All sorts of things happen to help you that never would have otherwise occurred. Kenneth Blanchard observed, "There is a difference between interests and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you only do it when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results." Lack of decisiveness has caused more failures than lack of intelligence or ability.
Indecision often gives an advantage to the other person because they did their thinking beforehand. Helen Keller said, "Science may have found a cure for most evil, but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all-the apathy of human beings." Don't leave a decision for tomorrow that needs to be made today.
Remember, don't be a "middle-of-the-roader" because the middle of the road is the worst place to try to go forward. You can do everything you ought to do once you make a decision. Today, decide on your dream. | |
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 Laughter the best medicine
Transcribing Confusion
We were thoroughly confused. While transcribing medical audiotapes, my co-worker came upon the following garbled diagnosis: "This man has pholenfrometry."
Knowing nothing about that particular condition, she double-checked with Doctor Mike Wilson.
After listening to the tape, he shook his head.
"This man," he said, translating for her, "has fallen from a tree."
Dewey Check
I walked into my sister's kitchen and found my nephew, Dewey, having a snack.
"Where's your mother?" I asked.
"She said she was going to have a shower. Just a second, I'll see."
Dewey went to the kitchen tap and turned the hot water on full blast.
An indignant yell came from above.
Dewey calmly turned off the tap and said, "Yep, she's in the shower."
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 The Devotion of the Three Hail Mary's
The devotion of the THREE HAIL MARYS is a very simple yet most efficacious devotion.
Everyday, recite Three Hail Marys, adding the invocation: "O Mary, My Mother, keep me from mortal sin." Many people recite the Three Hail Marys as part of their morning and night prayers. To practice this devotion in time of danger, stress, special need or temptation, is a sure means to obtain Our Lady's help.
My sincere thanks to the Lord Jesus and Mary Help of Christians for all the favors we have received. Marge DeSilva, NY
My belated thanks to our Blessed Mother for giving me a healthy baby daughter. Everytime I pray to Jesus and Mother Mary they have miraculously saved me and my family from difficult situations. Anna, PA
Thank you dearest Mother for answering my prayers. Gail, TX
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In Closing
Dear devotees of Our Lady and Don Bosco,
If you have received a miracle through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, we would like to hear from you. Email us at MaryShrine@aol.com.
Bookstore hours: Monday - Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm, Sundays: 12 - 4 pm
Weekday Masses: 12 noon. Confessions on weekdays begin at 11.30 am.
Sunday Masses: 11 am and 12.30 pm
Other activities
Day Retreats, Weekend retreats, Don Bosco Summer Camp, Eucharistic Adoration, Friday night Lenten Dinners, 50/50 raffle, 350 club, Rosary Madonna Statue. Rent Lomagno Hall, Rent our Banquet Hall.
MEMORIES
Remember a Loved One: Engrave plaques on Wall of Memories, adopt a Tree, Engrave blocks on Walk of Honor, All Souls, All year Candle lighting, Holiday (Christmas and Easter), Flowers, Schedule a Mass, Bell Chimes.
MASS INTENTIONS
To offer a mass intention, please write to
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
174 Filors Lane,
Stony Point, NY 10980
mckennasdb@yahoo.com.
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Our ministry is only possible with your help.
Visit our website: www.marianshrine.org to donate.
Marian Shrine
174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980
www.marianshrine.org
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Your Inspiration For Today!
"Love is not just looking at each other; it's looking in the same direction."
~Antoine De Saint-Exupery
"If you have it [Love], you don't need to have anything else, and if you don't have it, it doesn't matter much what else you have."
~Sir James M. Barrie |
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