Gary Zimak's Blog, page 26

Book Review: Learning To Pray With Jesus

 

“Since the center of the person of Jesus is prayer, it is essential to participate in his prayer if we are to know and understand him.” (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, later known as Pope Benedict XVI)

Who doesn’t want to get to know Jesus better? As Christians, a closer personal relationship with the Lord should be a daily goal. As the above quote from Pope Benedict XVI points out, however, getting to know Jesus involves participating in His prayer life. Unfortunately, many individuals are confused by the prayer life of Jesus. In fact, many people question why Christ (who was Divine) had to pray at all. I have struggled with this question myself and, while I now understand why Jesus prayed, I need to learn more about how He prayed.

In his new book, Through, With, and In Him (The Prayer Life Of Jesus and How To Make It Our Own), author Shane Kapler does a great job unpacking the mystery of Jesus’ prayer life. He also explains that, since we are part of the Mystical Body of Christ (the Church), we are all called to participate in the prayer of Jesus to His Father. Fortunately for us, Kapler not only explains how this is possible, but he does it in very understandable language.

Using Scripture and history, Shane Kapler explores Jesus’ prayer and demonstrates how Catholic liturgy, sacraments, devotions, and practices allow us to not only understand it, but enter into it. I found the in-depth explanation of the Our Father to be especially helpful and I will never look at the Lord’s Prayer in the same way again. Each chapter also includes reflection questions that assist the reader in better understanding the concepts that are presented. This book is definitely a “keeper” and one that I’ll refer to again and again. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to grow closer to Jesus.

For more information or to order Through, With, and In Him by Shane Kapler click HERE.

It’s “No Complaint Friday”…How Are You Doing?

 

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad. (Psalm 118:24)

Earlier this week on my blog and radio show, I announced my 24 Hour Lenten Challenge, also known as “No Complaint Friday”. You can read the details HERE, but essentially the point is to spend an entire day without complaining about anything. And what better day of the week to choose than Friday, the day that Jesus suffered and died on the Cross in order to make it possible for us to go to Heaven? So, how’s it going? It’s difficult isn’t it? Believe me, I’m struggling with it too. On the other hand, doesn’t it give you a sense of accomplishment and peace? Here’s something to think about. If we can learn to thank God for the trials and suffering in our lives, can you imagine how peaceful we will be and what a great witness we will provide for others?

Keep up the good work and let’s pray for one another as we try (remember that it’s okay to fail, as long as we try) to finish the rest of the day without complaining about anything. And if you can do it for one day, you can probably do it for two, or three. You never know, my friends, we just might be trying this again next week

Give Up Worrying For Lent…It’s Easier Than You Think!

 

As I travel the country speaking about how to overcome anxiety, one question comes up repeatedly…

“How can I stop worrying?”

For many anxious individuals, a life without worry seems like an impossibility. The good news is that eliminating worrying is not only possible, but it is a very achievable goal. And that statement is coming from someone who has been a severe worrier for most of his life. In fact, not only have I suffered from anxiety from when I was a child, but I have been to the emergency room several times suffering from severe panic attacks. Therefore, if I can overcome worry so can you!

Here’s what you need to remember. Worrying is a choice. Unlike fear, it is not an emotion. We can’t control fear, but we can control worrying. Every time that we begin to worry about something, it involves a conscious (although for some of us it can become subconscious) decision on our part. Therefore, instead of choosing to worry (when we’re afraid), we can choose to pray, or read the Bible, or go to Mass, or spend time with Jesus in adoration. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? Whenever I’m tempted to start worrying, I can just as easily turn to the Lord instead. It also makes sense from a practical point of view. Worrying accomplishes nothing, but prayer always produces results.

Lent is the perfect time to try putting this into practice. And yes, I did say “try”. For many of us, worrying has become a habit. As a result, it will take some work to eliminate it from our lives and we will probably fail more than we succeed. But don’t give up. With God’s help, it is a winnable battle. Why not try it with the next problem that you encounter? Just one time. Try it and see how you feel. If you succeed then you can try it for the next problem, and the next. Before you know it, you’ll be giving up worrying for Lent. And, by the way, if you’re tempted to feel that it’s impossible to give up worrying, remember the words of the angel Gabriel to the Blessed Mother:

“…for nothing will be impossible for God.” (Luke 1:37)

Great Advice From Mom…”Do Whatever He Tells You!”

 

For most of my life as a Catholic, I was confused about the role of Mary. While I accepted the fact that she was important to Catholics, I didn’t understand WHY she was important. That changed BIG TIME for me a few years ago when I finally saw the light and accepted her as my spiritual mother. As a result, my life changed drastically and she has brought me closer to Jesus than I ever thought possible. I’d like to tell you about my “Mom” by looking at what is recorded about her in the Bible. Her message is a powerful one. I think you should listen!

Here’s what other Catholic authors are saying about my book, Listen To Your Blessed Mother:

“Biblical, personal, engaging, and thought provoking are just a few words that come to mind when reading this wonderful book! The Virgin Mary truly is our BLESSED Mother, and listening to her words in Scripture can help us to become blessed, too. Gary Zimak has done a great service for both Catholics and non-Catholics in offering a book that unpacks the biblical words of Mary in a very conversational and easy-to-follow style. The reflection questions and points to ponder at the end of each section will be of great benefit to the reader, too! I highly recommend this book!”

(Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, STL, Author – Under the Mantle: Marian Thoughts from a 21st Century Priest)

“Listen to your Mother! How many times did we hear those words growing up? How many times did we roll our eyes and ignore the sage advice only to find out later on that Mom indeed did and does know best, especially our Blessed Mother. Now, straight from Scripture, Gary Zimak has given us even more reason to pay close attention to what our Mother, as in Mary has to say about living a grace filled life in this world so we can be with her and her son in the next. This book will definitely bring you closer to the heart of Christ through the Immaculate Heart of the Mother of God.”

(Teresa Tomeo,Syndicated Catholic Talk Show Host,Best Selling Catholic Author)

“In Listen to Your Blessed Mother, using Scripture and personal stories, author Gary Zimak takes us by the hand and unambiguously leads us to a greater appreciation of our Mother in heaven so that we might strive to imitate her virtues while allowing Mary to take us by the hand to her Son Jesus. Highly recommended!”

(Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, EWTN TV Host and author of sixteen Catholic books including The Miraculous Medal: Stories, Prayers, and Devotions)

“With candor and simplicity, Gary Zimak reveals the power of Mary’s words in Sacred Scripture. No matter where you are in your spiritual life — or in your relationship with the Blessed Mother — this book will help you find new meaning and guidance in her words: words that Zimak shows are applicable to any of the problems or decisions you face each day.”

(Vinny Flynn, Author of 7 Secrets of the Eucharist, 7 Secrets of Confession, and 21 Ways to Worship)

“When I was given an opportunity to review Listen to your Blessed Mother, I hesitated only because of the full plate I was dealing with at the time. When I finally dove into this wonderful book, I realized that Gary Zimak has written a beautiful love story about our Blessed Mother and one which needs to be shared with everyone. His description of his growing love of Mary from his childhood to the powerful impact her intercession has had on his life as an adult is riveting. His use of scripture about the Blessed Mother and the few words spoken by her helps the reader share in her life and purpose. The reflection questions at the end of each chapter challenge us to grasp the role of the Blessed Mother in our own lives. I strongly recommend this book!”

(Randy Hain, author of Along the Way: Lessons for an Authentic Journey of Faith and co-founder of Integrated Catholic Life eMagazine)

“Jesus is our brother, and so his Father is our Father, his mother is our mother. How sad that so few Christians know the perfect maternal love that God has given us in his family. Jesus tells us beloved disciples, ‘Behold your mother.’ What a sweet command! And Gary Zimak has made it sweeter still.”

(Mike Aquilina, EWTN host and author of more than 30 books on Catholic history, doctrine and devotion)

“Gary has given us great insights about our Blessed Mother Mary in Scripture which makes this not only a wonderful book for Catholics but also a great resource for evangelizing those outside the Church. This is definitely a book you can share with your evangelical friends to help them come to know and love our Mother Mary.”

(Gail Buckley, Founder & President. Catholic Scripture Study International)

“It’s such an obvious way to follow Jesus through Mary, that I’m surprised this book was not written before. While some think going directly to Jesus is the fastest and surest way, Gary shows us how wrong that thinking is. He shares his own zig-zag journey to Mary as a way to grow closer to Christ. Though Mary in the Bible, Gary helps us to relish her role in salvation history, reflect on her life, and embrace her love for us.”

(Patti Maguire Armstrong, award-winning author and managing editor and co-author of Ascension Press’s Amazing Grace Series)

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!!!

Want To Make This A Great Lent? Try This Challenge…

 

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18)

As we approach the halfway point of Lent, I thought it would be a good idea to pose a question and to issue a challenge. Let’s begin with the question. Are you ready? Here goes…

Are you closer to Christ today than you were on Ash Wednesday?

Tricky, isn’t it? If I asked how you were making out with giving up sweets, coffee or Facebook you probably wouldn’t even have to think about it. On the other hand, trying to decide if you’re closer to Jesus than you were a few weeks ago can be challenging. In reality, however, that’s the point of Lent. If you abstained from candy for the entire forty days and ended up no closer to the Lord than when you started, you wasted your time. While fasting is an important part of the Lenten season, it is only part of the overall goal of growing closer to Jesus.

How can we tell if we are growing closer to Jesus? I recently wrote a blog about the topic which was also shared on the Catholic Stand website and linked to by the National Catholic Register. While I would strongly encourage you to read the entire article, I want to focus on my first question, which happens to be the subject for the challenge that I’m about to issue:

Was I grateful for everything that happened to me today (good and bad)?

If you find yourself cringing, don’t panic. That is a normal reaction. On the other hand, we shouldn’t be content with answering “no” to that question. If, for the remainder of Lent, we can make some progress in this area, there’s a very good chance that this could be our best Lent ever. Learning to be grateful for each day that the Lord gives us is a great way of expressing our love for Him. Put yourself in His shoes for a minute and think about what it would feel like to give someone a great gift and hear nothing but complaints. Every day that the Lord gives us is a gift. It is a chance to know, love and serve Him. It is a chance to gain merit and eventually live with Him in Heaven. Instead of being grateful, however, we complain…

It’s too hot.

It’s too cold.

My job is boring.

I’m tired.

I wish I had more money.

My coworkers are annoying.

If only I was better looking.

Everyone treats me unfairly.

My pastor’s homilies are too long.

My pastor’s homilies are too short.

You get the point, right? Now, here’s the challenge. Beginning on Friday, March 28, I challenge you to not complain about anything from the time you wake up until the time you go to sleep. No negative words, no negative thoughts. If something unpleasant happens to you, make it a point to thank the Lord for allowing it to happen.

What do you think? Are you ready to fast from complaining for one day? I know it will be difficult and many of us will slip up, but there is much to be gained from this sacrifice. If you can’t decide whether or not to participate, here’s something that might help. On the night before He died, Jesus suffered tremendously in the garden. One of the greatest sources of His suffering was the knowledge of all the sins that would be committed by each one of us. Yes, Jesus is God and He knew every sin that you and I would ever commit and it caused Him a great deal of anguish. On the other hand, He also saw every sacrifice and act of love that we would perform until the end of time. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that we were able to ease Jesus’ suffering a bit? Every time we refrain from complaining we do just that.

If you make it through one day without complaining (or maybe complaining a little bit less than normal), the possibilities are endless. How about two, three, four or more days? How about a month, six months or several years. This simple act of self-denial could change your life and the lives of those around us.

I’m going to try it. How about you?

“Living joyful, trustful acceptance isn’t complicated. One simply offers himself to God with confidence and then accepts everything with praise and thanksgiving, seeing all as coming from God’s loving, fatherly hands.” (Fr. Michael Gaitley, Consoling The Heart of Jesus, pg. 96)

Think You’re Doing Well This Lent? Here’s A Challenge…

 

How is your Lent going so far? Have you grown closer to Christ? Are you sure?

On Monday, March 24, on my Following The Truth radio show, I will reveal the details of my 24 hour Lenten challenge. While it doesn’t involve fasting from food, money or social media, it will be challenging. In fact, it may be the most challenging fast you’ve ever undertaken. It will also be the most productive.

Think you’re doing well this Lent? Tune in on Monday at 8 PM Eastern and we’ll see…

Catholic Speaker Gary Zimak – Coming To A City Near You!

 

Lent is a busy time in the life of a Catholic Speaker! This week, I’ll be speaking at Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish in Glassboro, NJ (March 18) and then hopping a plane the following day to speak at a Catholic business dinner in Traverse City, Michigan on March 20.

Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to travel the country spreading the “Good News” of Jesus Christ. Here is a list of where I’ll be appearing in the next few months. If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by and say, “Hi”!

Upcoming Personal Appearances For Catholic Speaker Gary Zimak

March 18, 2014

Mary, Mother Of Mercy Parish

Glassboro, NJ

(7 PM) “Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry”

March 20, 2014

Martinus Of Northern Michigan

Traverse City, MI

(7 PM) Keynote Speaker, Monthly Dinner

March 25, 2014

Saint Maria Goretti Parish

Hatfield, PA

(7 PM) “Listen To Your Blessed Mother”

March 26, 2014

Saint Stephen’s Parish

Pennsauken, NJ

(7 PM) “Give Up Worrying For Lent”

March 31, 2014

Saint Philip Neri Parish

Lafayette Hill, PA

(7 PM) “Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry”

April 5, 2014

Malvern Retreat House

Malvern, PA

(1:30 PM) “Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry”

April 10, 2014

Sacred Heart Parish

Lyndhurst, NJ

(7:30 PM) “Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry”

April 18, 2014

Catholic Business Network of Greater Philadelphia Monthly Breakfast

Llanerch Country Club

Havertown, PA

(7:30 AM) Good Friday Mini-Retreat

April 26, 2014

Raising Kids Catholic Conference

Brookfield, WI

(8:30 AM – 3 PM) “Parenting Without The Worry”

April 29, 2014

Saint Rose Academy

Birmingham, AL

(6:30 PM) “Out Of Darkness Is Born The Light”

May 2, 2014

Our Lady Of The Valley Church

Birmingham, AL

(7 PM) “What If Mary Said ‘No’?”

May 17, 2014

Malvern Retreat House

Malvern, PA

(1:30 PM) “Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry”

May 24, 2014

C.H.A.P.L.E.T Homeschool Conference

Mater Ecclessiae Church

Berlin, NJ

(9 AM – 5 PM) “Be Not Afraid…To Homeschool!”

If you would like to invite me to speak at your parish or conference, please contact me HERE.

Want To Move From Fear To Faith? Join Me On Catholic Answers Live!

 

Need some help making the journey from fear to faith? No problem! Tune in to Catholic Answers Live on Friday, March 14 at 6 PM Eastern. I’ll be on for the full hour discussing my new book “From Fear To Faith: A Worrier’s Guide To Discovering Peace” (coming in August) and taking listener calls. If your local Catholic radio station doesn’t carry the show, you can listen live HERE.

Pray, Hope And Don’t Worry Comes To Philadelphia!

 

On Wednesday, March 12 at 7 PM, I’ll be speaking at St. Bede the Venerable Parish in Holland, PA. The topic will be one of my favorites, “Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry”, and I’ll be offering simple advice on how to overcome anxiety with the help of Jesus Christ. After the talk (which will last one hour), I’ll be signing copies of my books, “A Worrier’s Guide To The Bible” and “Listen To Your Blessed Mother”. If you live in the Philadelphia area, I hope you’re able to stop by. I’d love to meet you!

More information can be found on the parish website.

Overcoming Anxiety – My New Pinterest Board Is Now Available!

 

Let’s face it, anxiety is a serious problem for many individuals. Although the self help guides urge that we just put “mind over matter” and stop worrying, that’s generally not possible for the majority of serious worriers. As many of you know, the Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to reach out to my fellow “worriers” and share some advice that I’ve discovered over the years. Generally speaking, the best piece of advice I can give you is to grow closer to Jesus and that will bring you peace. While it sounds good, some of you will ask (justifiably), “how do we do that?”

In an effort to help you and to assure you that we’re in this together, I have just created a board on Pinterest designed to help you overcome anxiety in your life. I will continue to update it with a collection of items that will help you to move away from anxiety and toward Jesus. I urge you to follow this board and share it with your friends. You can experience peace in your life, my friends. Jesus will help you and so will I!

Follow Gary Zimak’s board Overcoming Anxiety on Pinterest.