Are You For REAL?

Pharmaceutical companies are losing ground..... so now more medication is being forced on people.....and, of course, vulnerable people suffering from diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis....Now I've learned that sudden bursts of laughter (or crying) are the result of a neurological disorder....  Unbelievable!!! 

What about the expression on someone's face that is ridiculously funny; a personality that shows up in lieu of a comment???   What about the divine spark my husband and I share when we look at each other and share our most personal thoughts? What about love and joy that GOD  has placed in our hearts?  What about baby's first babble or the things our pets do to get our attention? 

What about the fact that someone is trying to measure up to God and, instead, is making a complete fool of himself.....  Arguably, expressions do not have the same value for all. Why not try being yourself by acting human as God intended? While some express joy, others chose not to and undoubtedly devalue thier lives.    If we were all alike, the world would be so unamazing.....and, for many, it is!

Monday after Epiphany
Lectionary: 212

Reading 1 1 Jn 3:22–4:6

Beloved:
We receive from him whatever we ask,
because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this:
we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,
and the way we know that he remains in us
is from the Spirit whom he gave us.

Beloved, do not trust every spirit
but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God,
because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
This is how you can know the Spirit of God:
every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh
belongs to God,
and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus
does not belong to God.
This is the spirit of the antichrist
who, as you heard, is to come,
but in fact is already in the world.
You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them,
for the one who is in you
is greater than the one who is in the world.
They belong to the world;
accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world,
and the world listens to them.
We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us,
while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us.
This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.

Retrieved on: January 8th from: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010713.cfm

Remember, 2/3 will be sent to God, while 1/3 will go to Satan.  May God Bless you!

My response to Harvey's "If I were the Devil"

Here are some warning signs I've created for myself based on MY lifes experiences

The devil will try to trick you; his false promises will ultimately leave you in isolation.

 

Growing toward the Lord, and letting him know you need him, will bring you happiness, but first you must form a bond with him and him only.

 

Once you've formed a solid relationship with the Lord, through prayer and worship, and letting him fill your life, you will find love in your heart again.

 

Your spouse will adore and cherish you, but he too must stay constant with the Lord; pray together.

 

You will experience sudden bursts of joy and share love with your children once again.

 

When feeling doubtful, ask the Lord to get you through it. Ask him to walk you to where you are going (even if it's your mailbox).

 

The job that's meant for you will be given to you and you will prosper.

 

Never give up!  Remember the Lord walks with you, the Holy Spirit lives in you, Jesus Christ stands beside you at all times.

 

Hang Rosary Beads in your car, the one you drive the most! The Lord will be watching over you and people will understand you better.

 

Think of the things that made you happy as a child and mimic those things from time to time

Take out a photo album and look at pictures of a time you were most happy  

 

My last words: a quick blurb on the radio quoted this scripture from Timothy and it hasn't left me since.......'people examine acts of others, but the Lord examines the Heart"

 

Can you imagine devoting your entire life to a specific cause or ministry only to appear before Christ empty handed because your motive or attitude in carrying out that ministry was wrong? In eternity, everything we did for self will be abolished. Only what we did for love of Christ will remain.

When we give, we must learn to see ourselves as doing these things to Jesus and for love of Him. This is the only motive that will be rewarded by God in Heaven.

 

In the days when Jesus walked the earth, He clearly warned us about doing what we do with wrong motives. "Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in Heaven." [Mt 6:1]. This principle applies not only to fasting, prayer, and giving, but to anything we may do in this life.

 

In case you're wondering, The only two things I could think of that I did out of pure selflessness was go into education, where I spent time helping students that were classified as at-risk, eventhough I received no pay for my first two years. The second thing was.......I spent a candid day with someone who, for a second in time, I didn't want to be alone. 

May the Lord be with you.

Sharon Maria Perrotta-Thourot

Paul Harvey's "If I were the Devil"

A close family member recommended this article to me. A culmination of what people

could do to the world out of selfishness and greed. Paul Harvey Radio Commentator wrote this article in

1965, maybe earlier.

PAUL HARVEY’S ‘IF I WERE THE DEVIL’ TRANSCRIPT
If I were the devil …
I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree — Thee.
So I’d set about however necessary to take over the United States. I’d subvert the churches first — I’d begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: ‘Do as you please.’

“To the young, I would whisper that ‘The Bible is a myth.’ I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what’s bad is good, and what’s good is ‘square.’
And the old, I would teach to pray, after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington…’

“And then I’d get organized. I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I’d pedal narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.

“If I were the devil I’d soon have families that war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed, and with promises of higher ratings I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.

If I were the devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions — just let those run wild, until before you knew it, you’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.

“Within a decade I’d have prisons overflowing, I’d have judges promoting pornography — soon I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls, and church money.

If I were the devil I’d make the symbols of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.

“If I were the devil I’d take from those, and who have, and give to those wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.

And what do you bet?
"I could get whole states to promote gambling as thee way to get rich?

I would caution against extremes and hard work, in Patriotism, in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun, that what you see on the TV is the way to be. And thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure.

In other words, if I were the devil I’d just keep right on doing on what he’s doing. Paul Harvey, good day.”




People judge actions, but God examines the heart; only he is able to judge fully and fairly.

The Behaviorist in You!

Dear Diary,

For years people have been approaching me with the idea that I am to withdraw my feelings. Isn't that what they meant when they said 'you need thicker skin?" or "Who cares what people think?" Well, I'd like the opportunity to say that I will have no remorse, no consciousness,  NONE whatsoever, when I see any one of them someday suffering.......or going through tough times. It will bare no meaning to me. In fact, all that remains for the vultures I once cared for is pity, I literally feel sorry for them now. They are stuck in their own skin.  Touch my skin if you wish, it is still soft as silk, I reassure you.

GOD continues to live in my heart; good people will see the GOOD in me, and I will share good times with them because I still have many good times ahead of me.

I feel free! I feel a heap of weight off my chest because the same people that said 'you care and that's your problem' have finally won!  God will take all the burden I had because this is the only way I will be set free from their ridiculous accusations, their insults, their criticism, their torment, their distorted way of thinking, their selfishness, their greed, my crucifixion.....

Thirty to one, that one being me. Ha! I laugh! Thirty to one.  Little ole me!   How ironic.

Me being number one to the most prominent powerful men in the world, God and his loving son Jesus.

I want to thank the LORD for living in my heart, and I want to thank Jesus for remaining by my side in this crazy world we live in!

May you all find the words 'I'm Sorry' of value to you someday. Remember, they're free!


Sharon Maria Perrotta-Thourot

An interesting article I read today:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markshea/2011/12/12-things-happy-people-do-differently.html/24183

Saying of the Day -- Let Your Appreciation For Jesus' Crucifixion Give You The Strength To Persevere No Matter What Obstacles You May Face.

"Pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness.
Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold on eternal life"
-1 Timothy 6:11-12

"Say It Isn't So"

The emotional uproar of those who are lost and have NOT found a better way out of the cycle of chronic distemper.........  Have you not discovered the value of life? Embrace the simple things surrounding you... If you want Newness in your lives then you have to start fresh, start new and embrace change.

God Loves You!  Haven't I told you this already?  Make light of whatever your circumstances are......This much is true......Stop battling the demons who haunt you.....and start loving everyone and everything around you.....  I don't mean you have to set yourself up for exploitation or humiliation........I simply mean keep life simple and love whatever you feel inside is important to you!

Stop the drama and live your lives.............No one could take something away from you what God has intended ....Whether it be your job/profession, just pray and you will see, God will answer your call.  You may not be doing something he feels is right for YOU, but there is something out there for you; you just have to make room in your heart; in your life, for Christ and for his plan for you.

Humbly Yours,
Sharon Maria-Perrotta Thourot
In God We Must Trust


I am confident of this,
that the one who began a good work among you
will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
The gospel of the Lord.