I Am a Pharisee
by Tara Stone on December 5, 2011
Hello, my name is Tara Stone, and I am a pharisee.
I came to JP Catholic to impact culture for my own sake. I want to inspire people to act and think just like me.
I want to show the world that I am right and Hollywood is wrong.
I want to win arguments against my audience.
I want to correct sinful actions, but I don’t really care if I convert hearts.
I want to rescue the film industry, but saving souls is really more like a bonus.
I want to make movies that glorify me and show everyone how smart and holy I am. They might even canonize me one day.
I refuse to watch and vow never to make a movie that shows or refers to bodily fluid of any kind.
Sin has no place in my films. My heroes are holy and virtuous through and through. Evil doesn’t exist in my scripts because films should show the ways things ought to be, not the way things are. And besides, being a Christian is easy – if you believe in Jesus, you will never be tempted again, and everything will go your way – and that’s exactly how my faith should be portrayed to the culture.
Hello, my name is Tara Stone, and I am a recovering pharisee.
I am at JP Catholic because I want to impact culture for Christ. I want to be the love of Christ for people so they’ll know that they have dignity and that they are precious in the eyes of the Lord.
I want to show the world that God is love, and Hollywood is searching for Him just like the rest of us.
I want to entertain and delight my audience.
I want to touch hearts.
I want all souls to know that heaven is waiting for them if they have the courage to choose it.
I want my films to give glory to God.
I will embrace and make movies that show that the body (with all its fluids) is good and beautiful. It is not dirty. It is not an object. It is the visible reality of the invisible soul, meant to reflect the beauty and goodness of our Creator.
I sin every day. My characters do too. Sin and evil do exist in my scripts because they will always exist in this fallen world, and films should speak truth. Being a Christian is hard and requires a lot of suffering, and the culture deserves to know that the path to eternal life includes the road to Calvary.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
http://fisheaters.com/quizm.html
Me
VI METHOD OF SELF-TRAINING FOR THE MELANCHOLIC PERSON
1. The melancholic must cultivate great confidence in God and love for suffering, for his spiritual and temporal welfare depend on these two virtues. Confidence in God and love of the Crucified are the two pillars on which he will rest so firmly, that he will not succumb to the most severe trials arising from his temperament. The misfortune of the melancholic consists in refusing to carry his cross; his salvation will be found in the voluntary and joyful bearing of that cross. Therefore, he should meditate often on the Providence of God, and the goodness of the Heavenly Father, who sends sufferings only for our spiritual welfare, and he must practice a fervent devotion to the Passion of Christ and His Sorrowful Mother Mary.
2. He should always, especially during attacks of melancholy, say to himself: ''It is not so bad as I imagine. I see things too darkly," or "I am a pessimist."
3. He must from the very beginning resist every feeling of aversion, diffidence, discouragement, or despondency, so that these evil impressions can take no root in the soul.
4. He must keep himself continually occupied, so that he finds no time for brooding. Persevering work will master all.
5. He is bound to cultivate the good side of his temperament and especially his inclination to interior life and his sympathy for suffering fellow men. He must struggle continually against his weaknesses.
6. St. Theresa devotes an entire chapter to the treatment of malicious melancholics. She writes: "Upon close observation you will notice that melancholic persons are especially inclined to have their own way, to say everything that comes into their mind, to watch for the faults of others in order to hide their own and to find peace in that which is according to their own liking." St. Theresa, in this chapter touches upon two points to which the melancholic person must pay special attention. He frequently is much excited, full of disgust and bitterness, because he occupies himself too much with the faults of others, and again because he would like to have everything according to his own will and notion.
He can get into bad humor and discouragement on account of the most insignificant things. If he feels very downcast he should ask himself whether he concerned himself too much about the faults of others. Let other people have their own way! Or whether perhaps things do not go according to his own will. Let him learn the truth of the words of the Imitation (I, 22), "Who is there that has all things according to his will? Neither I nor you, nor any man on earth. There is no man in the world without some trouble or affliction be he king or pope. Who then is the best off? Truly he that is able to suffer something for the love of God."
VII IMPORTANT POINTS IN THE TRAINING OF THE MELANCHOLIC
In the treatment of the melancholic special attention must be given to the following points:
1. It is necessary to have a sympathetic understanding of the melancholic. In his entire deportment he presents many riddles to those who do not understand the peculiarities of the melancholic temperament. It is necessary, therefore, to study it and at the same time to find out how this temperament manifests itself in each individual. Without this knowledge great mistakes cannot be avoided.
2. It is necessary to gain the confidence of the melancholic person. This is not at all easy and can be done only by giving him a good example in everything and by manifesting an unselfish and sincere love for him. Like an unfolding bud opens to the sun, so the heart of the melancholic person opens to the sunshine of kindness and love.
3. One must always encourage him. Rude reproach, harsh treatment, hardness of heart cast him down and paralyze his efforts. Friendly advice and patience with his slow actions give him courage and vigor. He will show himself very grateful for such kindness.
4. It is well to keep him always busy, but do not overburden him with work.
5. Because melancholics take everything to heart and are very sensitive, they are in great danger of weakening their nerves. It is necessary, therefore, to watch nervous troubles of those entrusted to one's care. Melancholics who suffer a nervous breakdown are in a very bad state and cannot recover very easily.
6. In the training of a melancholic child, special care must be taken to be always kind and friendly, to encourage and keep him busy. The child, moreover, must be taught always to pronounce words properly, to use his five senses, and to cultivate piety. Special care must be observed in the punishment of the melancholic child, otherwise obstinacy and excessive reserve may result. Necessary punishment must be given with precaution and great kindness and the slightest appearance of injustice must be carefully avoided.
Me
VI METHOD OF SELF-TRAINING FOR THE MELANCHOLIC PERSON
1. The melancholic must cultivate great confidence in God and love for suffering, for his spiritual and temporal welfare depend on these two virtues. Confidence in God and love of the Crucified are the two pillars on which he will rest so firmly, that he will not succumb to the most severe trials arising from his temperament. The misfortune of the melancholic consists in refusing to carry his cross; his salvation will be found in the voluntary and joyful bearing of that cross. Therefore, he should meditate often on the Providence of God, and the goodness of the Heavenly Father, who sends sufferings only for our spiritual welfare, and he must practice a fervent devotion to the Passion of Christ and His Sorrowful Mother Mary.
2. He should always, especially during attacks of melancholy, say to himself: ''It is not so bad as I imagine. I see things too darkly," or "I am a pessimist."
3. He must from the very beginning resist every feeling of aversion, diffidence, discouragement, or despondency, so that these evil impressions can take no root in the soul.
4. He must keep himself continually occupied, so that he finds no time for brooding. Persevering work will master all.
5. He is bound to cultivate the good side of his temperament and especially his inclination to interior life and his sympathy for suffering fellow men. He must struggle continually against his weaknesses.
6. St. Theresa devotes an entire chapter to the treatment of malicious melancholics. She writes: "Upon close observation you will notice that melancholic persons are especially inclined to have their own way, to say everything that comes into their mind, to watch for the faults of others in order to hide their own and to find peace in that which is according to their own liking." St. Theresa, in this chapter touches upon two points to which the melancholic person must pay special attention. He frequently is much excited, full of disgust and bitterness, because he occupies himself too much with the faults of others, and again because he would like to have everything according to his own will and notion.
He can get into bad humor and discouragement on account of the most insignificant things. If he feels very downcast he should ask himself whether he concerned himself too much about the faults of others. Let other people have their own way! Or whether perhaps things do not go according to his own will. Let him learn the truth of the words of the Imitation (I, 22), "Who is there that has all things according to his will? Neither I nor you, nor any man on earth. There is no man in the world without some trouble or affliction be he king or pope. Who then is the best off? Truly he that is able to suffer something for the love of God."
VII IMPORTANT POINTS IN THE TRAINING OF THE MELANCHOLIC
In the treatment of the melancholic special attention must be given to the following points:
1. It is necessary to have a sympathetic understanding of the melancholic. In his entire deportment he presents many riddles to those who do not understand the peculiarities of the melancholic temperament. It is necessary, therefore, to study it and at the same time to find out how this temperament manifests itself in each individual. Without this knowledge great mistakes cannot be avoided.
2. It is necessary to gain the confidence of the melancholic person. This is not at all easy and can be done only by giving him a good example in everything and by manifesting an unselfish and sincere love for him. Like an unfolding bud opens to the sun, so the heart of the melancholic person opens to the sunshine of kindness and love.
3. One must always encourage him. Rude reproach, harsh treatment, hardness of heart cast him down and paralyze his efforts. Friendly advice and patience with his slow actions give him courage and vigor. He will show himself very grateful for such kindness.
4. It is well to keep him always busy, but do not overburden him with work.
5. Because melancholics take everything to heart and are very sensitive, they are in great danger of weakening their nerves. It is necessary, therefore, to watch nervous troubles of those entrusted to one's care. Melancholics who suffer a nervous breakdown are in a very bad state and cannot recover very easily.
6. In the training of a melancholic child, special care must be taken to be always kind and friendly, to encourage and keep him busy. The child, moreover, must be taught always to pronounce words properly, to use his five senses, and to cultivate piety. Special care must be observed in the punishment of the melancholic child, otherwise obstinacy and excessive reserve may result. Necessary punishment must be given with precaution and great kindness and the slightest appearance of injustice must be carefully avoided.
"Behold this Heart which loves so much yet is so little loved."
What Jesus said to St Margaret Mary.
From Catholic Encyclopedia :
"On 25 May, 1671, she entered the Visitation Convent at Paray, where she was subjected to many trials to prove her vocation, and in November, 1672, pronounced her final vows. She had a delicate constitution, but was gifted with intelligence and good judgement, and in the cloister she chose for herself what was most repugnant to her nature, making her life one of inconceivable sufferings, which were often relieved or instantly cured by our Lord, Who acted as her Director, appeared to her frequently and conversed with her, confiding to her the mission to establish the devotion to His Sacred Heart. These extraordinary occurrences drew upon her the adverse criticism of the community, who treated her as a visionary, and her superior commanded her to live the common life. But her obedience, her humility, and invariable charity towards those who persecuted her, finally prevailed, and her mission, accomplished in the crucible of suffering, was recognized even by those who had shown her the most bitter opposition.
Margaret Mary was inspired by Christ to establish the Holy Hour and to pray lying prostrate with her face to the ground from eleven till midnight on the eve of the first Friday of each month, to share in the mortal sadness He endured when abandoned by His Apostles in His Agony, and to receive holy Communion on the first Friday of every month. In the first great revelation, He made known to her His ardent desire to be loved by men and His design of manifesting His Heart with all Its treasures of love and mercy, of sanctification and salvation. He appointed the Friday after the octave of the feast of Corpus Christi as the feast of the Sacred Heart; He called her "the Beloved Disciple of the Sacred Heart", and the heiress of all Its treasures. The love of the Sacred Heart was the fire which consumed her, and devotion to the Sacred Heart is the refrain of all her writings. In her last illness she refused all alleviation, repeating frequently: "What have I in heaven and what do I desire on earth, but Thee alone, O my God", and died pronouncing the Holy Name of Jesus."
What Jesus said to St Margaret Mary.
From Catholic Encyclopedia :
"On 25 May, 1671, she entered the Visitation Convent at Paray, where she was subjected to many trials to prove her vocation, and in November, 1672, pronounced her final vows. She had a delicate constitution, but was gifted with intelligence and good judgement, and in the cloister she chose for herself what was most repugnant to her nature, making her life one of inconceivable sufferings, which were often relieved or instantly cured by our Lord, Who acted as her Director, appeared to her frequently and conversed with her, confiding to her the mission to establish the devotion to His Sacred Heart. These extraordinary occurrences drew upon her the adverse criticism of the community, who treated her as a visionary, and her superior commanded her to live the common life. But her obedience, her humility, and invariable charity towards those who persecuted her, finally prevailed, and her mission, accomplished in the crucible of suffering, was recognized even by those who had shown her the most bitter opposition.
Margaret Mary was inspired by Christ to establish the Holy Hour and to pray lying prostrate with her face to the ground from eleven till midnight on the eve of the first Friday of each month, to share in the mortal sadness He endured when abandoned by His Apostles in His Agony, and to receive holy Communion on the first Friday of every month. In the first great revelation, He made known to her His ardent desire to be loved by men and His design of manifesting His Heart with all Its treasures of love and mercy, of sanctification and salvation. He appointed the Friday after the octave of the feast of Corpus Christi as the feast of the Sacred Heart; He called her "the Beloved Disciple of the Sacred Heart", and the heiress of all Its treasures. The love of the Sacred Heart was the fire which consumed her, and devotion to the Sacred Heart is the refrain of all her writings. In her last illness she refused all alleviation, repeating frequently: "What have I in heaven and what do I desire on earth, but Thee alone, O my God", and died pronouncing the Holy Name of Jesus."
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Gospel Lk 21:5-11
While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, "All that you see here?
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."
Then they asked him,
"Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"
He answered,
"See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
"I am he," and "The time has come."
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end."
"Do not be terrified." Jesus tells me this over and over and in him there is such joy and peace. He is the strong quiet center.
Somedays are filled with turmoil and one thing after another. A friends illness, an accident, something traumatic at work and it seems like things all pile up at once so I feel that I am in the midst of a storm. I know what it means not to be able to pray. My thoughts go to God but they're empty and all I can manage is "help". Yet this has value. God loves when I turn to him even if I have no words, barely even formed thoughts. His is the heart that loves so many and yet is loved by so few. What love I can offer to him pleases him greatly. My suffering has value when I offer it to him. I am still learning how to do this. I didn't understand this about suffering until quite recently. Now that I understand it I have to remember it.
Walking about my daily life being mindful of God and how my life only makes sense in light of him. I often stray off the path that leads me to him. I am learning, but sometimes I'm so discouraged with myself. And that's a trick of the evil one. Part of the great lie. That I am unworthy of forgiveness and love. Jesus I trust in you. Your mercy saves me from myself.I ask for the grace to remember that this day.
While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, "All that you see here?
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."
Then they asked him,
"Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"
He answered,
"See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
"I am he," and "The time has come."
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end."
"Do not be terrified." Jesus tells me this over and over and in him there is such joy and peace. He is the strong quiet center.
Somedays are filled with turmoil and one thing after another. A friends illness, an accident, something traumatic at work and it seems like things all pile up at once so I feel that I am in the midst of a storm. I know what it means not to be able to pray. My thoughts go to God but they're empty and all I can manage is "help". Yet this has value. God loves when I turn to him even if I have no words, barely even formed thoughts. His is the heart that loves so many and yet is loved by so few. What love I can offer to him pleases him greatly. My suffering has value when I offer it to him. I am still learning how to do this. I didn't understand this about suffering until quite recently. Now that I understand it I have to remember it.
Walking about my daily life being mindful of God and how my life only makes sense in light of him. I often stray off the path that leads me to him. I am learning, but sometimes I'm so discouraged with myself. And that's a trick of the evil one. Part of the great lie. That I am unworthy of forgiveness and love. Jesus I trust in you. Your mercy saves me from myself.I ask for the grace to remember that this day.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Once I understood that life is eternal and I will live eternally, everything began to make sense. Love makes sense in the context of forever. My life here is just a snap of the fingers. Now it is as if I see things in a mirror, but someday, with HIM I will see things clearly. I must stay focused on HIM, my love and when we will be together one day in his paradise. The small things of this daily life make sense when seen in the context of eternity with him. Small things are lifted to a sacred place, everything done for him and love. Washing a child's face, cutting an apple for a friend, stopping to let a stranger enter the store in front of you. All small things which become sacred things. Slow it down and look at each moment. Live each moment in the knowledge of eternity.
"And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."
With cell phones,cable tv, ipods,the possibility of always being plugged in. How can I hear the still small voice of God? It's a constant struggle to turn away from the noise and the flashing lights, to shut it off, to listen to him. And he waits for me to turn back to him and he is happy with me when I return, once again to him. Why does he love the impatient, lazy, stubborn, hardhearted child that I am? What does he see that I don't see? He sees the me he created me to be and longs for me to be everyday. He is constant, steady and trustworthy. I am not. How can he love me this way? How can this be? It is sometimes too much to believe and then I rely on trust. I trust in you Jesus. Help me this day to love you and be faithful as you are faithful to me.
With cell phones,cable tv, ipods,the possibility of always being plugged in. How can I hear the still small voice of God? It's a constant struggle to turn away from the noise and the flashing lights, to shut it off, to listen to him. And he waits for me to turn back to him and he is happy with me when I return, once again to him. Why does he love the impatient, lazy, stubborn, hardhearted child that I am? What does he see that I don't see? He sees the me he created me to be and longs for me to be everyday. He is constant, steady and trustworthy. I am not. How can he love me this way? How can this be? It is sometimes too much to believe and then I rely on trust. I trust in you Jesus. Help me this day to love you and be faithful as you are faithful to me.
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