Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world. 

July 19, 2006

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

GREAT DAY

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

joecool@wirefire.com

     I had a great day today. It was a day full of "quantity" rather than quality time with my children. We started by taking a long drive down the old, back roads here in the mountains of my home with the music playing and our voices joining in. As we drove along we saw deer in the meadows and hundreds of butterflies flying gently from flower to flower. Later, we stopped for a picnic near a playground. We ate, laughed, talked, and played. We also sat quietly for a time sharing big hugs and warm smiles. It was a day of wonderful happiness for us all.

     It was at the end of the day, however, when I was thanking God for the specialness of it all that I noticed that my face was hurting. The muscles above my cheekbones were sore and achy. It was then that I saw just how "great" this day had been. My face was sore because I had spent almost the whole day laughing, smiling, and singing. This made me laugh and smile through the achiness and thank God even more. I plan on having many more great days too full of love and oneness with God. Not only is it good for the soul, it’s also a great way to get your face in shape.

     We all should strive to make everyday a "great" day. God loves us and wants us to live and to love each day of our lives. We are meant to choose love and we are meant to share love, great day after great day. We should not rest on our past either, but live fully today. After all, one of the greatest joys in life lies not in cherishing happy memories but rather in creating new ones. The wonderful speaker and author Mark Victor Hansen says that "We can live in a state of joy, bliss, and ecstacy if we choose. We’re meant to live a spirited, spiritual life." I hope that you have a great day today then. I hope that you have a great day tomorrow too even if it does make your face hurt. Great days lead to a wonderful life, and a wonderful life leads to a Heavenly afterlife.

~**~**~

 Christians, the Minority

Joyce Lock

It was published that the Christian Community is taking over the net.
I thought, "Yes!  It's about time they noticed!"
 

     But, sadly, another report came.  It read that Christians have used the Internet to, single-handedly, restore the love for poetry.  But, it has not reached the lost world.
 
     Perhaps, the Christian Community became the minority because of our own doing.  We were called to be in the world, without being like the world, to be a testimony in the midst of them … not to separate from opportunity to minister to the world (Philippians 2:15); except in the event of an evil we need to, personally, get away from.  How can they, otherwise, hear?
 
     Scripture makes reference to sowing beside all waters, Isaiah 32:20.
 
     A way that applies, for writers, is to submit our original writings to whomever is interested (the highways and hedges of the Internet), with the exception of x-rated sites.  The only reason for eliminating those is because writings would be perverted, wherein God would not get the glory.  Though, we can still sow beside those waters, without going inside.
 
     One way writers can compel others, via the Internet, is to include a link to more of their writings; which will draw some to where they can further be ministered.  Utilizing your talents, you might have other ideas.
 
     There is neither Jew or Greek, bond or free ... red, yellow, black or white ... Protestant, Catholic, Indian, Hindu ... we are all trying to find our way to God.  All things were created by Him and for Him.  Our God is the God of the corn, the wheat, and the rain; the one in whom all things consist.  But, Jesus was an anti-religionist.  He went directly to the source because, THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD.
 
     Regardless of what another faith believes (if our writings do not create offense), we can cross religious barriers to submit writings to them; until we all grow into a unity of faith.  Likewise, we can share their non-offensive writings, because (however we serve) it is still the same God.  No one religion has all the answers.  If we separate from everything not like us, we lose opportunity to learn from other faiths, also.
 
     We stand sure on what God has revealed to us, unwavering.  Though, if we keep an open mind, we just might discover that there is more to God than any of us has, yet, considered.
 
     Proverbs 8:31 refers to our freedom in the inhabitable part of the earth.  If a website offers Halloween stationery, it is my conviction to not download those.  But, if you want to be legal about it and dismiss the rest of their wonderful creations, you will miss a blessing.  God created all things.  The part that can be used as a testimony to Him, we are free use.
 
     However, there was an occasion wherein I was even able to use an OE skeleton stationery, as it fit a writing against the hazards of drinking.  We limit God when we tell Him what He believes before we hear it from Him.  There is a habitable part.
 
     Early Christians did not want to give up their festive traditions.  Thus, those that could be turned into a blessing for God were adapted, converting to Christian Holidays.
 
     We still have that option, today.  Whatever Satan meant for evil, God can use for good.  If we do not see the connection of how to use evil for good, we are free to move on.  In such case, we either are not listening or God may not be calling us to it.  But, if we see the connection, we are free to walk in the Spirit; following Christ.
 
     Being not everyone is a writer, your opportunities may be different.  We are not all called and gifted in the same way or to the same things.  But, to keep an open mind until we have heard from God, our ministry can reach more for the Lord.  That is the key.

"Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it:
except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."

Psalm 127:1

~**~**~

Poetry Section

~**~**~

The Pathway

(aging)

Joan Clifton Costner

jody@ptsi.net

Doors are closing behind me
That I may never open again.
Walls are being built so high
That I can't get over them.

I can't go back to that place in time
That I loved so, yesterday.
One by one, companions fade
And I walk a lonely way.

My pathway, now, lies in a forest of fog.
There seems to be no sunlight here.
But, I must go on.  My failing eyes
Search a future, bleak and drear.

Like vertigo all around me ...
Is it coming to dawn or to dusk?
I reach, while I'm filled with questions,
For the One Hand I can trust.

Soon, oh soon, the fog will be lifted
And Light much brighter than day
Will surround, illumine and comfort me;
If I only hold on to the Way.

There, my sorrow will all be forgotten
And my happy heart will soar!
The deep and troubling questions
Will be answered forevermore.

© by Joan Clifton Costner

http://underhiswings0.tripod.com

~**~**~

QUESTIONS

Joan Clifton Costner
(have pic, if interested, for design)
jody@ptsi.net

The weeping is unbearable -
But real, for her, I know.
And, why should fear be privileged
To occupy her soul?

There were so many happy days
Forgotten, now, forever.
The times of joy and tenderness,
These memories are severed.

No more the good sound logic
I've known for all my life,
No more the wise and chosen words
That canceled fear and strife.

The photographs of dearly loved,
Now, images of strangers.
Life's made up-side-down for her,
By this dreaded re-arranger.

We count the minutes into hours
And finally to days.
How like this fiend to alter her,
Disguising her lovely ways.

Forgotten how to form the words
Or bring the words to phrases,
She bravely tries to carry on,
Hide the fears she daily faces.

All trials, here, are for our good.
But, what is strengthened here?
Is it for her, for me, for You -
What's gone on now for years?

The smile, I found so easily
And wore my whole life through,
Is found less often.  And, I ask,
"Will I pass this way, too?"

© by Joan Clifton Costner

http://underhiswings0.tripod.com

~**~**~

 Small Things

Joan Clifton Costner

jody@ptsi.net

This was the year

Of small things for me,
The single flower on the plant -
Not the flower bed.

The pots of flowers -
Not the field.
The sweet smell of rain,
A single snowflake.

Not a large lawn as before,
But the small green patch
Outside my kitchen window.

One hour, one minute,

A special glance,
A smile, a helping hand,
An offer of a prayer.

Time was, when a large lawn
Was my charge. Flower beds,

Pruning sheers, fertilizer

In huge bags, spreaders.

Painting trim,

Lawn ornaments,
Bird houses.

But this year,
There was no time.
For, time had ceased
For mother and me.

Oh, we became a year older.
But, a subtle enemy

Crept into mother’s mind.

Now, no new memories

And all past memories

Are nearly gone.

When I’d like to ask,
"How’d you do that, Mother?",
I hold my peace, knowing
There is no answer.
There is no question.

So, we share the small things;
The moment, the minute -
Not the hour.

The birds at the window feeder

And the antics of the squirrel.
The faithfulness of one little dog.
A cheery smile that someone brings us.

I can hardly believe

The gratefulness in my heart

For that one who causes her face
To develop a smile,

Knowing It’s there now,

And that is all there is.

The sight, that would have made
A beautiful memory,
But, now, can’t find the circuits.
 

Little things, little moments,
Minute trivialities that did their job
For only right now.

© 2002 by Joan Clifton Costner

http://underhiswings0.tripod.com

"For I have learned in whatsoever state I am,

therewith to be content."
Philippians 4:11

Readers Feedback

Martha Jette's story is very touching. She was so fortunate that God made her Vera's daughter. And how loving a daughter she was to a very ill mother.

Barb D.

I loved the Storytime Tapestry. Thank You! I have often thought that about razors biting you. I especially enjoyed that one! Also, the poems were very beautiful. Thanks again! jerrieroy@consolidated.net

Senior Writers

Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

Chief researcher/historian: Hartson Dowd

Agee, Vance; Apted, Violet; Baker, Kathy; Batt, Al; Berry, Nell; Blaine, Pamela; Boda, Ginger; Booher, Paula; Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.; Costner, Joan Clifton; Cavalera, Robyn; Crider, Mark; Dees, Mary; Deming, Barb; Doherty, Maria;

Dowd, Hartson; Dowd, Helen; Gilbert, Robert, Jr.; Gold, Ron; Goodier, Steve; Braun-Haley, Ellie; Harris, Kathy Anne; Henry, Linda Ann; Hunt, Sharlett; Hymes, Christina; Jacobson, Gary; Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Kevin, Tim; Jenkins, Pamela; Liles, Norma; Lily Jodi Flesberg; Lock, Joyce; Marlor, Janice Bumbalough; Mazzella, Joe; Morris, Deepak; Ojeibge, Georgewaters; Petry, Dianna Doles; Roberts, Susan; Shiveley, Debra; Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Streidel, Saskia; Swarner, Ken; Vaknin, Sam; Verhoeff, Jan; Walker, Bill; Walker, Joe; Warner, Gordon, K; Walsh, Sue; Weymouth, Barbara J.; Whirity, Kathy;

Wainland, David; Westerfer, Clara; White Robert;

Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer – moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator