Category: Mind

A Living Saint

At church this past Sunday, the recessional hymn was Lift High The Cross, one of my favorites. Since we don’t hear it so often, I’m assuming it was played in anticipation of today’s feast of the Triumph of the Cross. This feast is linked to one of my favorite memories. The event took place at St. Mary’s Seminary and University, where I was once a student. It involved the man in the photo to the left, Archbishop Dominic Tang Yee-Ming, SJ (1908-1995).

When he was named the apostolic administrator of Canton, China in 1950, it didn’t sit well with the Communist leadership, and it was even more so when he was consecrated a titular bishop in 1951. The government indicted him as “the most faithful running-dog of the reactionary Vatican” and imprisoned him without a trial or conviction on February 5, 1958. He spent the next 22 years in prison, seven of which were in solitary confinement.

Inspiration Mind Prayer Spirit

Prepare For Rain

I want to keep going on my seedthrower image for just one more day. Thanks for bearing with me 🙂

In the movie Facing the Giants, Grant Taylor, a discouraged high school football coach, gets an unexpected visit from Mr. Bridges, a man who has been praying for the Christian school for years. When the coach tells Mr. Bridges “I just don’t see God at work here,” the man responded by telling a story:

Grant, I once heard a story about two farmers who desperately needed rain. Both of them prayed for rain, but only one of them went out and prepared his fields to receive it. “Which one do you think trusted God to send the rain?” “Well, the one who prepared his fields for it.”

“Which one are you? God will send the rain when He is ready. You need to prepare your field to receive it.”

I loved this movie from the first time I saw it, and I continue showing it to high school and college groups whenever I get the chance. It’s a wonderful reminder of how God works in the lives of people today. You can get it from Netflix, so if you haven’t seen it, put it in your queue.

Imagine if Mr. Bridges was talking to you instead of Coach Taylor. “Which one are you?”

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Make Us Instruments Of Your Peace

Post author By seedthrower1
Post date 09/11/2010
1 Comment on Make Us Instruments Of Your Peace

Most people don’t know that the first recorded victim of the terrorist attacks on 9/11 was a Franciscan priest.

Fr. Mychal Judge was a chaplain with the New York Fire Department and raced to the scene of the World Trade Center as soon as he got the news.

As he was giving last rites to one of the many fire fighters who lost their lives that day, both were struck by falling debris or bodies, and killed instantly. A spiritual son of the author of the Peace Prayer, Fr. Judge lost his life while serving to his last breath.

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Yes

Post author By seedthrower1
Post date 09/08/2010
No Comments on Yes

In the Catholic tradition, today is Mary’s birthday. This beautiful Madonna by Fra Angelico captures the youthfulness of Mary when Gabriel appeared to her with some history-changing news. Despite her virginity, she would bear a son, who would be named Jesus. There had never been an announcement like it before, or since.

Several years ago, I heard a wonderful reflection on this passage (Luke 1:26-38). I usually don’t have a great memory for such things, but whenever there is a Marian feast day, I easily recall the words Fr. Gerard spoke that day.

Inspiration Mind Prayer Spirit type II diabetes

Mindfulness

Happy Labor Day!

I hope you have the chance to relax today! I would be remise if I didn’t remind you to keep all the many, many folks who are unemployed in your prayers. These are difficult times.

This weekend, I’ve been reading Life Is An Attitude, written by Dottie Billington. It’s a little self-help book that was mentioned by someone in an on-line course I’m taking, and I thought I’d check it out. So far, I like what I’ve read.

Inspiration Mind Prayer

Opportunities Galore!

It is a beautiful morning here in Westminster, MD. I got an extra-long walk in today, and even saw the beginnings of some fall color on a young sugar maple. What a glorious day!

While walking, I was thinking about all opportunities to do something good this Labor Day weekend. As the spin doctors continue to paint a bleak a picture as possible on just about everything, I realized how important it is for us to focus on the good that we can do, and the good that is all around us.

Inspiration Mind Travel

The Weekend Is Here

I took a shopping trip into Baltimore today, trying to get some things for the three-day weekend. First, I wanted to get the ingredients for the Carrot Oatmeal cookies I was going to make. I found the recipe on-line, and since I love oatmeal cookies, I thought this would be the perfect way to try something new and use up a bunch of carrots I bought last weekend.

Inspiration Mind

Discipline

The other day, I jumped on the scale and realized that I’m starting to pick up a few pounds. Nothing major, but I made a commitment to myself to never get back where I was. I had promised myself that, when I got five pounds heavier, I’d cut back on what I was eating and exercise a bit more. Five pounds quickly turned to seven, and seven became nine. Sound familiar?

Inspiration Mind Prayer

Get Up And Get Going

In John’s Gospel (5:1-18), there’s a great story about a man who has waited for nearly a lifetime for healing. The guy had been crippled for thirty-eight years, and he spent his days lying on a mat by the pool of Bethesda, longing for a miracle. This man lived in agony, struggling with his condition.

Many people today struggle with their conditions. Some may have serious health issues, like the man lying by the pool. Others struggle with emotional issues, which can also be very painful and debilitating.

Inspiration Mind

What A Ride

For the last several weeks, we’ve been waiting to hear who are new pastor will be. We’re losing a much beloved and long-serving man, and it seems like we’re all on this crazy roller coaster ride of emotions as we await his replacement.

I’m sure you’ve found yourself in a similar situation, facing down the unknown with a bit of fear and apprehension. The rumors go flying, and everyone scrambles to get to the truth. We can’t wait to get off this ride.