Month: January 2012

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs

by , posted in Quotes

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. — Harold Whitman

A Lesson in Faith – True Story

by , posted in Shared Stories

The Charles Blondin Story

The amazing story of Charles Blondin, a famous French tightrope walker, is a wonderful illustration of what true faith is.

Blondin’s greatest fame came on September 14, 1860, when he became the first person to cross a tightrope stretched 11,000 feet (over a quarter of a mile) across the mighty Niagara Falls. People from both Canada and America came from miles away to see this great feat.

He walked across, 160 feet above the falls, several times… each time with a different daring feat – once in a sack, on stilts, on a bicycle, in the dark, and blindfolded. One time he even carried a stove and cooked an omelet in the middle of the rope!

A large crowd gathered and the buzz of excitement ran along both sides of the river bank. The crowd “Oohed and Aahed!” as Blondin carefully walked across – one dangerous step after another – pushing a wheelbarrow holding a sack of potatoes.

Then a one point, he asked for the participation of a volunteer. Upon reaching the other side, the crowd’s applause was louder than the roar of the falls!

Blondin suddenly stopped and addressed his audience: “Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow?”

The crowd enthusiastically yelled, “Yes! You are the greatest tightrope walker in the world. We believe!”

“Okay,” said Blondin, “Who wants to get into the wheelbarrow.”

As far as the Blondin story goes, no one did at the time!

This unique story illustrates a real life picture of what faith actually is. The crowd watched these daring feats. They said they believed. But… their actions proved they truly did not believe.

Similarly, it is one thing for us to say we believe in God. However, it’s true faith when we believe God and put our faith and trust in His Son, Jesus Christ.

—–

Note: In August of 1859, Blondin’s manager, Harry Colcord, did ride on Blondin’s back across the Falls.

Is he asking for Change, or is he asking for CHANGE?

by , posted in Inspiration

“Follow a man as he affects multiple peoples’ lives with just one dollar, proving that it doesn’t take much to be the change in someone’s life.” Don’t let the human experience trick you into believing that you can’t make a difference! We so often forget the power we are granted from God to help make change in each other’s lives.

Delicious Winter Soup from the Monastic Tradition

by , posted in recipes

Saint Basil Soup

6 T. olive oil                              2 cups water
4 garlic cloves                           2 cans chicken broth
1 large onion                             pepper
2 celery sticks                           1 T. dried parsley
2 carrots                                    1 potato, peeled and chopped
8 oz. sliced mushrooms

1. Wash and thinly sliced vegetables
2. Pour oil in soup pot. Add vegetables and saute for 3-4 minute
3. Add water, broth, and spices. Cook slowly in covered pot over low heat for 30 minutes. Blend soup in blender to make soup puree. Serve hot.