Gary Zimak's Blog, page 29

Advent Is Coming…Get Ready To Get Ready!

 

“We know that there are three comings of the Lord. The third lies between the other two. It is invisible, while the other two are visible. In the first coming he was seen on earth, dwelling among men; he himself testifies that they saw him and hated him. In the final coming all flesh will see the salvation of our God, and they will look on him whom they pierced. The intermediate coming is a hidden one; in it only the elect see the Lord within their own selves, and they are saved. In his first coming our Lord came in our flesh and in our weakness; in this middle coming he comes in spirit and in power; in the final coming he will be seen in glory and majesty.” (St. Bernard of Clairvaux)

Often times we’re too “busy” for spiritual matters, especially during the Christmas season. We’ve got presents to buy, parties to attend, greeting cards to mail and lots of things to do before Christmas. Although the Church tells us that Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation, we tell ourselves that it’s really a figurative preparation. After all, Jesus was already born two thousand years ago. And while we acknowledge that He will come again in glory at the end of the world, we generally assume that it won’t be for a while.

In the above excerpt from one of his sermons, St. Bernard of Clairvaux reminds us of another coming of Christ. It is one that lies between the other two and it’s every bit as real. Unlike the other two comings, however, it is one that we can reject. It is the coming of Christ into our hearts. Are you prepared to welcome him into your heart? That’s what Advent is all about!

Back by popular demand, the annual Following The Truth Advent Radio Retreat will begin on Monday, December 2nd! As in years past, we’ll journey together as we prepare to welcome Christ into our hearts. Each night on my BlogTalkRadio program, I’ll offer meditations designed to help you grow closer to the Lord. In addition, I’ll read and discuss the daily Mass Readings. If you would like to participate in the retreat and receive the weekly email summaries, enter your email address in the following form. Once you register, you will receive an email asking you to confirm your registration. Do not skip this step, as it’s necessary if you wish to receive the email updates.

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This year, we’ll be using the popular book by Fr. Michael Gaitley, Consoling the Heart of Jesus: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat- Inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

. You can order the book by going to the following link:

Advent is almost upon us. It is a time of preparing to welcome Jesus more deeply into our lives. He is knocking on the door of your heart. Will you answer?

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

Following The Truth Advent Retreat To Begin On December 2nd!

 

It’s that time again!

Back by popular demand, the annual Following The Truth Advent Radio Retreat will begin on Monday, December 2nd! As in years past, we’ll journey together as we prepare to welcome Christ into our hearts. Each night on my BlogTalkRadio program, I’ll offer meditations designed to help you grow closer to the Lord. In addition, I’ll read and discuss the daily Mass Readings.

This year, we’ll be using the popular book by Fr. Michael Gaitley, Consoling the Heart of Jesus: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat- Inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

. You can order the book by going to the link at the bottom of this post.

Get ready…it’s going to be GREAT!

Trusting God…Even In The Storm!

 

“Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you today and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.” (St. Francis de Sales)

Those of us who have a tendency to be anxious almost always have one weak spot. Mine has always involved death. Ever since I was a young child, I have spent many hours worrying about death…either my own or that of a family member. As I’ve struggled to overcome my anxiety, it has been necessary to face this fear multiple times. When my twin daughters were 3 years old, my wife began experiencing some unusual symptoms which required her to undergo a battery of tests. I remember thinking repeatedly, “What will I do if she dies?” I couldn’t imagine how I would be able to raise my children alone. Sadly for me at the time, I was so worried that I forgot all about God’s Divine Providence. As the saying goes, and what so many of us need to remember is “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it!” In his new book, It Is Well (Life In The Storm), Chris Faddis offers a powerful testimony reminding us just how true those words really are!

In 2011, Chris’ wife Angela was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. At the time, their children were 2 and 4 years old. Over the next 17 months, the family faced the ups and downs associated with a life threatening illness. On September 21, 2012, Angela Faddis died while holding the hand of her husband. On the surface, the story of the Faddis family appears to be a painful tragedy. In reality, however, nothing could be further from the truth. The story of their cancer journey, as told by Chris Faddis, is one of the most UPLIFTING stories that you’ll ever read. Why? Because it illustrates how faith in God can bring you peace and get you through the most difficult situations imaginable. It is a story that we all need to read!

How can a couple with two small children find peace in the midst of a cancer battle that threatened to (and ultimately did) take the life of a young wife and mother? It was possible due to their strong faith, even in the storm! I do a great deal of speaking about overcoming anxiety and this book perfectly sums up the message that I deliver…

God will always be there for you, EVEN in the storm!

If you are anxious about the future, this book will provide the perfect antidote. You’ll read a first hand account of what it means to trust God at all times. Through the writing of someone who’s “been there, done that” you will learn that it is possible to face an uncertain future with the Lord by your side. Even if you’re not someone who tends to worry, this book will inspire you. I HIGHLY recommend it!

To order the book, visit the IT IS WELL website.

Would You Like To See A Miracle? Here Are Two Of Them…

 

As a full time Catholic lay evangelist, I spend a lot of time speaking and writing about God’s miraculous power. Even though the Bible assures us that “with God, nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37), our human side often says, “Yeah, right!”. We can read countless stories of miraculous healings in the pages of Sacred Scripture, but somehow we have difficulty trusting when faced with a crisis in our own life. Like the Apostle Thomas, we often need some visual proof that miracles really do happen.

Sixteen years ago, after struggling with infertility (and, believe me, it was a struggle), my wife Eileen and I were THRILLED to discover that she was pregnant. We were even MORE THRILLED to learn that we’d be having twins! That excitement lasted for one hour, when we received a call from the doctor informing us that both babies were in serious danger. The following day, we were told that our twin girls were suffering from Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, which is often fatal. What was especially difficult in our case was that Eileen was only in her 18th week of pregnancy. At the time, there was very little that could be done medically, but the doctors were going to “try” to do whatever they could. We were devastated.

Immediately, we named the girls (Mary and Elizabeth) and we began to pray. We wrote to newspapers, called into Catholic radio programs and asked everyone we could think of to intercede for the girls. Although my faith wasn’t the greatest at the time, I prayed as if their lives depended on my prayers. As the weeks progressed we were blessed with more prayers and inspirational messages than we could count. We were also told numerous times that the girls would die. Yes, the doctors didn’t pull any punches with us. Somehow, however, we felt a sense of peace throughout the entire ordeal.

On October 27, 1997, the girls were still alive (although Elizabeth had developed congestive heart failure and Mary was severely anemic) and the doctors decided that it was time to deliver them. Although Eileen was only in her 28th week, this would at least allow them to be treated medically. And so it happened…on this day sixteen years ago, Mary (1.5 lbs) and Elizabeth Zimak (2.5 lbs) were born. Here is what they looked like on that day:

Despite all of the warnings and dire predictions, Mary and Elizabeth were alive. In addition to battling all of their existing medical issues, they would now be faced with additional challenges, due to the fact that they were born three months premature. Eileen and I continued to pray and face life one day at a time. Although there have been many challenges, the Lord has always been there for us. Now, sixteen years later, we can honestly say that we’ve witnessed a miracle. Here’s a picture of the girls taken earlier today, on their 16th birthday:

Now, before you dismiss this post as the “cutesy” gushing of a proud father about his daughters, I want you to remember something. In your lives, you may be facing or will be facing many challenges. You may be told by doctors that you or someone you love has an incurable illness. You may be unemployed and feel that you will never get a job. You may wonder if your children will ever return to Church. In all of these cases, you will be tempted to accept the conventional wisdom of the world and stop believing in miracles. During those times, I’d ask you to remember the story of Mary and Elizabeth Zimak, who are alive and healthy. The Lord can AND DOES still perform miracles. Don’t ever stop believing that. He may not always answer your prayers in the way you’d like, but have confidence that He always answers them in the way that is best.

Finally, Eileen and I would like to wish Mary and Elizabeth a happy 16th birthday. Mom and I love you, girls. Thanks for being such great daughters and for reminding us that God still does perform miracles!

An Unlikely Bible Verse To Calm Your Nerves

 

This week on my Son Rise Morning Show feature, “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled” (You can listen to the podcast HERE), I discussed a very popular Bible verse:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16)

Who doesn’t know that verse, right? We see it on greeting cards and on signs at football games and hear it proclaimed by televangelists. And while it may be the most familiar verse in the Bible, however, you may wonder what it has to do with anxiety. In reality, it is a GREAT verse for calming our nerves and helping us to remember that God is in charge. Here are a few reasons why…

1. If God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to redeem you, don’t you think that He loves you enough to care about your personal problems?

2. Looking at the big picture (which is sometimes difficult), Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection makes it possible for each one of us to live forever in Heaven with NO PROBLEMS OR SUFFERING. What a sweet deal!

3. All we have to do is BELIEVE in Him and OBEY His commandments (don’t forget this part) and that possibility (of eternal life) will become a reality!

I recommend that you spend some time meditating on this verse, especially if you’re worried or suffering. Remember that God loves you and He knows what you’re going through. If He’s allowing you to suffer, know that some good will come out of that suffering. Remind yourself that He’s right there with you. Recall the fact that one day your earthly problems will be gone and that you’ll have the chance to live with Him in Heaven…FOREVER!

That should be enough to get you through even the most difficult struggles!

Listen to Gary Zimak’s “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled” segment every Wednesday at 6:35 AM Eastern on EWTN Radio’s Son Rise Morning Show. Based on his book, A Worrier’s Guide To The Bible, each week Gary presents a verse that will help you to break free from worrying!

I Am Yours…TOTALLY!

 

Earlier today, I renewed my Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary that I first made on October 7, 2011. Since consecrating my life for the first time, “Mom” has taken me to places that I could never have imagined. Not only have I grown to love her more, but I’ve grown to love her Son more than I ever thought possible. The fact that a lukewarm, comfort-loving coward like me is now working full time as a Catholic Evangelist is absolute proof that Total Consecration “works”! I owe everything to Mary’s intercession and I can’t begin to put my praise for Total Consecration into words. If you haven’t made your Total Consecration, you don’t know what you’re missing!

As I prayed the Morning Glory Consecration Prayer (composed by Fr. Michael Gaitley) earlier today, I was struck by the following line:

Mary, I give you my heart. Please set it on fire with love for Jesus. Make it always attentive to his burning thirst for love and for souls. Keep my heart in your most pure Heart that I may love Jesus and the members of his Body with your own perfect love.

Over the years, I’ve failed miserably at this. I haven’t loved souls…ALL SOULS…like Jesus does. I’ve ignored many individuals whom I’ve found difficult or annoying. I’ve turned my back on people who offended or insulted me. I haven’t shown them the mercy that Jesus has shown me. That chain in the picture above reminds me that I have a helper who will never leave my side. She will help me to love others with her Immaculate Heart and I need her help. As I look at the words, “I am yours TOTALLY” that I wear around my wrist, I’m reminded of the promise that I made two years ago. It is a promise that I renew today in a formal way. Although Mary is doing most of the work, I have to trust her and listen when she speaks. I’m gonna try to get better at that…I promise!

I love you, “Mom” and I’d be lost without you. I am yours…TOTALLY!

Total Consecration Retreat Summary

 

On September 4, 2013 approximately 1,400 of us embarked on a 33 day journey that was designed to prepare us for making (or renewing) our Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary. Using Fr. Michael Gaitley’s book, 33 Days To Morning Glory, we committed to a daily study of the teachings of St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Blessed Pope John Paul II. Using my daily radio show, I read and discussed the meditations on the air each day. Congratulations, my friends, we made it through and the BIG DAY is just about here. On October 7th (the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary), we will make (or renew) our Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary! Before we do, however, let’s review some of the key concepts that we discussed during our journey:

St. Louis de Montfort

Passion – Are we prepared to give ourselves to Mary with great zeal?

Baptism – Total Consecration will allow us to better live out our baptismal promises.

Gift – The more we give ourselves to Mary, the more we’ll experience the greatness of this gift.

St. Maximilian Kolbe

Mystery – We’re invited to ponder the relationship between Mary and the Holy Spirit.

Militia – Although the goal of Kolbe’s program is the conversion of the whole world, it begins with one person.

Love – We should love Mary by trusting in her, speaking to her and letting ourselves be led by her.

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Thirst – Jesus thirsts for our love. We can satiate his thirst by loving others.

Heart – We must let Our Lady lend us her heart and allow ourselves to enter her heart.

Covenant – When we make our Total Consecration, we have certain responsibilities and Mary has certain responsibilities.

Blessed Pope John Paul II

Mother – The Church points to Mary’s maternal mediation and tells us that she’s our spiritual mother.

Entrust-acration – Through Total Consecration, we officially let Mary into our lives.

Mercy – Marian Consecration leads us to Divine Mercy.

Now, in case you need it, here is the Consecration prayer…

Morning Glory Consecration Prayer

I, ___________________________ , a repentant sinner, renew and ratify today in your hands, O, Immaculate Mother, the vows of my Baptism. I renounce Satan and resolve to follow Jesus Christ even more closely than before. Mary, I give you my heart. Please set it on fire with love for Jesus. Make it always attentive to his burning thirst for love and for souls. Keep my heart in your most pure Heart that I may love Jesus and the members of his Body with your own perfect love.

Mary, I entrust myself totally to you: my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions. Please make of me, of all that I am and have, whatever most pleases you. Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for bringing the greatest possible glory to God. If I fall, please lead me back to Jesus. Wash me in the blood and water that flow from his pierced side, and help me never to lose my trust in this fountain of love and mercy.

With you, O Immaculate Mother – you who always do the will of God – I unite myself to the perfect consecration of Jesus as he offers himself in the Spirit to the Father for the life of the world. Amen.

To Jesus Through Mary!

Fr. Michael Gaitley LIVE On Following The Truth!

 

As we (all 1,400 of us!) head into the FINAL week of our 33 day Total Consecration retreat, I’m pleased to announce that Fr. Michael Gaitley (the author of 33 Days To Morning Glory) will be visiting the Following The Truth radio show TONIGHT (October 2nd) at 8 PM Eastern! Father Gaitley will spend 30 minutes with us, answering questions about Total Consecration and offering encouragement as we head into the final 5 days of our retreat. You can listen to the program (live, or by downloading the podcast after it airs) HERE.

Please let your friends know about this exciting opportunity to hear one of the foremost proponents of Marian Consecration. Even if you’re not making your Total Consecration, this is a great chance to learn more about a devotion that was very important to Blessed (soon to be Saint) Pope John Paul II, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, St. Maximilian Kolbe and many others. In his charismatic and “down to earth” style, Fr. Gaitley will help us understand the importance of accepting Mary as our spiritual mother and how she can draw us closer to Jesus!

To Jesus Through Mary!

Good News For All You “Worriers”

 

Beginning on Wednesday, September 25th, I’ll be joining Brian Patrick for a new weekly series on EWTN Radio’s Son Rise Morning Show:

“Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”

Each Wednesday at 6:35 AM Eastern, Brian and I will discuss a Bible verse designed to help you overcome the worrying habit. If there’s one thing we can be sure of, it’s that God doesn’t want us to worry. Tune in each week for some Biblical “medicine” designed to help you to experience His peace. If you know any other “worriers”, please spread the word. Be sure to tune in this Wednesday for the initial segment. The only thing you have to lose is…

your anxiety!

Print Version

Kindle Version

Total Consecration Begins TODAY!

 

The day has arrived! Beginning today, I’ll be leading 1,300 participants (you read that correctly…a new record!) through the preparation for Total Consecration To Jesus Through Mary on my daily BlogTalkRadio show. As most of you know, I’ll be using the acclaimed book 33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration by Fr. Michael Gaitley as the basis for our 33 day preparation. If you haven’t already done so, please visit the My Consecration website to order your FREE Total Consecration kit, which includes a copy of the book that we’ll be using. Obviously, if you’re ordering the book now you won’t receive it in time to begin our preparation, but don’t panic. Although it’s recommended that you have a copy of the book, it’s not mandatory. I will be reading the daily material on my radio show, so you can just listen along.

If you haven’t yet signed up for our email mailing list, you can do so HERE. Signing up for the list will ensure that you get my weekly email summaries. I’ll also use these emails to address common questions or areas of confusion. Rest assured that I will not share your email address with anyone.

What Is Total Consecration?

According to Fr. Gaitley, Marian consecration means “giving Mary our full permission to complete her motherly task in us, which is to form us into other Christs”. The preparation period will involve 33 days of meditation and prayer, based on the spirituality of St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximillian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa and Blessed Pope John Paul II. After making our way through the preparation phase we will then make (or renew) or Total Consecration To Jesus Through Mary on October 7th, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Got Questions?

As we journey through the 33 day preparation process, I encourage you to email me with ANY questions or concerns that you may have. We are on this journey together and I am available seven days a week to assist you in any way I can. My ministry is a full time occupation and I am honored to help you in any way I can. Since we have such a large number of participants, however, I will be dealing with numerous email requests. I ask for your patience, as it may take a day or two to respond to you questions.

How Can I Listen To Your Radio Show?

The Following The Truth Radio Show airs Monday – Friday at 8 PM Eastern and (for the duration of the Total Consecration preparation period) every Saturday – Sunday at 2 PM Eastern. You can also listen to or download the podcast from the BlogTalkRadio archives (immediately after the program airs) or from iTunes (the day after the program airs). To listen to the nightly show or download the podcasts, visit the Following TheTruth BlogTalkRadio page. Additionally, you can listen to the last 5 podcasts directly from my website.

How Does The Retreat Work?

The format of the retreat is simple. Each day, I’ll present the daily material during the first 30 minutes of my radio show. During the second half of the show, I’ll read and discuss the daily Mass readings as well as various Marian topics. Although I’d strongly encourage you to listen to the entire program (because I’ll tie the readings to the daily Consecration material), I’m placing the Total Consecration material at the beginning for the sake of those who don’t have the time to listen to the entire show.

Need More Information?

For the past 2 days, I have devoted my entire 60 minute show to the subject of Total Consecration. On Monday’s show (click HERE to listen), I explained more about Total Consecration. On Tuesday’s show (click HERE to listen), I discussed common questions and pitfalls associated with the process. I strongly recommend that you listen to those podcasts for more information.