Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

July 22, 2006

Today’s announcements

Happy Birthday Alice Castro from your friends at Storytime Tapestry: email her a card at: reyjaz@aol.com

Happy Birthday Bonnie Geddes also from your friends at Storytime Tapestry; email her a card at: bonniegeddes@cox-internet.com

And you guessed it a Happy Birthday goes to Ashley Long also from your friends at Storytime Tapestry: email her a card at:  ashleylongfineart@yahoo.com

Now onto the good stuff!

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

Once I Was Blind

Joan Clifton Costner

I knew it was morning by the bird’s chatter. In an hours time, the night sounds

had become completely different. I also knew because I put my hand out on the

bed clothes and there was a warm spot where the sun peeked through a crack in

the window. I wanted to be up early as it was the Sabbath day and perhaps the alms giving would be a little better.

My blindness, which had been there since birth, did not make things black. I could

tell there was light in a swirl of gray, but in the evening and night there was nothing

but sound. When I was young I used to wonder what faces looked like. I often

wished I could see my mother’s face but there was no hint of what she looked like

other than my touch. Her nose was small as was her mouth. I heard my father tell

her she was beautiful, but I could not understand beauty, except to relate it to the

feelings I had as she tenderly cared for me.

I rose up, washed my face in the cold water basin, ran my fingers through my hair.

It needed a cut. I spread the blanket straight, feeling all the wrinkles out with my

hands. I felt for the water cup and drank it all. It would be a long day and I would wait to eat until noon.

I smelled my clothes and decided they were all right to wear. I dressed, put on my

sandals, picked up my stick and alms cup and walked out the door. Mother would know where I had gone.

The priest came early, but not as early as I. It was a brisk morning with a chill

in the air. The priest called my name and dropped some coins in my cup. I thanked

him. He asked how I was and actually stopped his walking enough to say a few

sentences. He asked me if I had heard any unusual news. Anything about a new

teacher? A healer?

I had heard something about a group of men who traveled together explaining

the scriptures. People from Gallilee, fishermen. I asked him a few questions then,

wishing I could see the scriptures and divide them the way I understood. them.

I spread a canvas on the earth and sat down. There was not much doing this morning. It was still very early. I felt the sun on my back warming me with it’s welcome rays. It would be a very warm afternoon, but right now the heat was welcome.

In the air there was a fragrance. I thought it was lilacs, but soon decided it was

mixed with apple blossoms. I heard people talk about how fragrant they were and they sure did smell beautiful. Some children came and dropped a few pence in my cup - one little girl put a stem of lilacs in my cup. I thanked them profusely and

they ran to bring others with more pence. Soon they were back and one child knelt before me and offered me a large slice of bread. She begged and I took it from her. It made her very happy.

As the morning progressed, I heard more and more footsteps. There were many villagers out for worship at the temple. The Jews did not take their faith lightly.

Their history was carefully passed from one generation to another and rituals strictly

kept, even going back to the time of Moses ~ the Passover especially ~ and it was

quickly coming to that time.

I knew my own parents would soon come along. On the Sabbath Day, people came to the temple cordially, walking together sometimes in small groups.

Suddenly everyone became very quiet. I knew the Priests and High officials were passing. They commanded silence without a word.

A young man almost grown sat down beside me. "I brought this along so you won’t

have to look for dinner." He slipped me a small cloth sack with cheese and bread inside. A few figs were there too, dried and sweet. This young man seemed so full

of compassion and I was grateful. He stopped almost every Sabbath and handed me

some morsel of food, often dropping in some coins as well. Suddenly he stood. "Oh, here He comes!"

‘Who?" I asked.

"The Healer...a Man of God, and a very good teacher. I have not heard anyone like Him before."

The crown began to shift to the street as He was coming. Apparently some of His

followers were there too. Trying to shield Him from so many, they ordered the people to step back, but I heard no reprimand from Him. I knew I was pretty much

out of the line of traffic so I just sat still wondering what was going on. Then I heard one of them say, "Whose sin caused this?"

I had heard that so many times in my life, I began to struggle to get to my feet. I just wanted to be somewhere else. But before I could step away, I heard a Voice.

His voice was different from all the rest and it carried such peace and kindness.

"No one." He said. "No one sinned. He was born this way so that the works of

God might be made manifest in him." He touched me then, so gently. I just stood

there.

Some of them were saying, "How did he get through that crowd at the temple? I saw them raising up stones to throw and then....He just walked away! Like suddenly they were blinded!"

I could feel that He had stooped over. Actually, He squatted down and made some mud with His own spittle! I didn’t exactly put it into perspective, but in a moment His thumbs met in the bridge of my nose.

Slowly He drew the mud under His thumbs across my blind eyes.

"Now," He said, "Go wash in the pool of Siloam."

It wasn’t a great distance and the children, (who had been watching the whole procedure), grabbed my hands urging me on.

There was a small crowd at the pool when we arrived. The children led me to a good spot and I bent down, splashing the cool water on my face, across my eyes. I ran the heel of my hand down my face and on through my beard. Then, I opened my eyes.

Someone was looking at me...under the water...no, on the water’s surface.

So this was what a face looked like! I couldn’t realize at that moment it was mine.

Then I straightened up and, with the sleeve of my robe, I dried away the moisture.

It wasn’t yet noon, but I never could have imagined such a sight! The whole earth

seemed bathed in such beauty!! I didn’t understand color, but the water, the crowd

around, the children whose faces I connected with their voices now, were more

than any beauty I could imagine. At last I understood "blue" as I looked above me! All these years in the darkness of nothing - all washed away! This was no "half sight"...I saw every freckle on their noses! The children were laughing and jumping up and down. I tried it too! The sky was open and clear for the beautiful blue, not

a single cloud, and the temple was more magnificent than I could have imagined in my wildest dreams! Sharp, clear, clean images of things that I could not even imagine a few moments ago.

Everyone was jubilant! We made such a ruckus that all those around knew something miraculous had happened. Now, I heard the bird call and saw the creature that sang that song!

As we made our way back, the crowd around me became larger and larger. Lots of the people knew me well - passed by me each day and saw me begging alms.

I was purposed to find this man who was the center core of this miracle!

I had a dozen thank you’s to give, but people were demanding answers to their

questions, - answers I could not give.

Everyone was offering an opinion. "He was blind!! Now, he sees!!" Others

said, "He just looks like him - it is another man."

Finally, I said it myself, for I could not be silent about this wonder. "I am he."

Then a torrent of questions ensued. Everyone had an opinion. I wondered how

different I looked with my understanding eyes. Some of these voices were

very familiar to me. All faces were new. A voice I had known before said, "Tell

us how this happened."

"A man named Jesus came by and put some mud over my eyes. He told me to go

wash in the pool, Siloam, and when I obeyed, I could see."

"Where is He?" they asked.

I didn’t know, for if He was standing beside me, I had never seen His face!

Oh, how I wanted to!

They were pressing in all around me and the crowd began to move toward

the temple. Suddenly we were in the presence of the priests. I knew most of

their voices, but I couldn’t have missed them, just by their dress - regal, flowing robes of pure white with ornate decoration on them. It was too much for my new eyes.

Then they began, and their questions stilled the crowd and caused uneasiness in

my heart. There was a certain lack of joy - something in their voices was missing.

I could never have imagined that everyone would not be glad.

"How is it that you received your sight?" one of the white robes demanded.

"He put clay over my eyes and I washed and now I see."

"This Man is not of God," said one, "for He does not keep the Sabbath!"

Another spoke, "How could such a miracle happen without God? A sinner could not perform this miracle!"

"What do you have to say about Him?" they asked me.

"He is a Prophet." I answered.

Still, they would not believe me, and they called for my parents.

I could see the shock on my parent’s faces as they were asked if I was actually their

child and if it was true that I had been born blind. Then they demanded of them:

"How is it that he can see now?"

My parents, (the joy of seeing their faces!) replied that they knew I was their son and that it was true I had been blind my whole life. "But," they said, "We cannot tell you how he now sees nor Who opened his eyes . He is of age, ask him."

They gave this answer in fear, for they had heard already if anyone confessed Jesus

as Christ, they would be put ,out of the temple.

The priests turned again to me. "Give God the praise, for we know that this Man

is a sinner."

That broke my heart as I had not yet been able to say thank you to Him, but I replied, "Whether He is a sinner or not, I don’t know, but I do know that once I was blind, and now, I see!"

It was the Sabbath. But people pulled an animal out of the ditch on the Sabbath to save its life, surely a simple act like this would not be frowned upon.

"Tell us how He did this! How did He open your eyes?"

"I have told you already. Are you deaf that you want it repeated over and over?

Or do you wish to become His follower? We know that God does not hear sinners, but those who worship Him and doeth His will, He will hear and answer. Since the world began, I have never heard of a wonder like this! If this Man were not of God, He could do nothing!" I was overcome with their uncaring, judgemental ways.

"You were altogether born in sin!!!" they shouted. The next thing I knew rough

hands were laid on me and they threw me out of the temple!

They plainly did not want the truth!

I sat there disturbed and amazed at all that had taken place. I tried to find some

sound reasoning somewhere in all the discussion. I may not have been able to see

in my lifetime, but I still understood and weighed out problems. I had overcome

a mountain of them in my life.

Then a Man stood quietly before me.

"Do you believe on the Son of God?" The eyes of the Questioner made me say,

"Who is He, Lord, that I might believe?"

"You have both seen Him and it is He that speaketh with you." The familiarity

in the voice and the look of mercy in His eyes reminded and convinced me at once,

that He had spoken to me earlier that day....."No one sinned"....

Then my opportunity came. I fell at His beautiful feet and worshiped Him! I thanked Him for the deed He had so mercifully performed. I worshiped and praised...

And felt His gentle touch. Moments that can never be lost passed between us.

Love that can never diminish bloomed. My heart forever became ingrained with His!

At last, He offered, "I came to the world for judgement, that they which see not

might see, and they which see....might be made blind."

One of the Pharisees heard Jesus words and said, "Are we blind also?"

"If you were blind," Jesus replied, "You would have no sin, but you say

that you see - therefore, your sin remains."

Too much to see, to hear, to understand for this one day in my life, that changed

a blind beggar into a loving servant who could see His Lord!! Too much! The sun

was still shining and I just wanted to see the faces of those I loved and had known

all my life only by touch. How many lives could I change with my testimony?

How many would believe? No matter. for I could not but tell it, to those who had

known me and to those who had never seen me. I would lay the gift at their feet and

perhaps the light...and the love...would brighten their dim eyes also. I just knew

for as long as I lived, I would never forget that face with the beautiful eyes, full

of mercy and love....and I would always remember that Once.....I was blind!

©© 2006 by Joan Clifton Costner

Jody@ptsi.net

Under His Wings Heavenly Poetry

Joan is a Heavenly Inspirations Author.

This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact,
for non-profit ministering purposes.

~**~**~

Yet, There's More ...

Joyce Lock

Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.  And he said unto her, What wilt thou?  She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.  But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask.  Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 

For there are three that bear record in heaven, (1) the Father, (2) the Word, and (3) the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

And there are three that bear witness in earth, (4) the spirit, and (5) the water, and (6) the blood: and these three agree in one.

They say unto him, We are able.  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Baptism of Moses

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.  Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

Baptism of Salvation

Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.

And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?  And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

Kingdom of God

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Baptism into Death

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,

they were all with one accord in one place.

Acts 2:1

© 2005 by Joyce C. Lock

http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/

This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact,
for non-profit ministering purposes.

Readers Feedback

Cherries are also a wonderful fruit to eat to help control gout. I've worked the Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan.  It draws thousands of folks for the festival.

And Grand Traverse Bay is one of the most beautiful sights there is to see.  I always loved going there when I lived in Michigan.

I still have photos in old albums taken back in the 60's when we used to drive up there often just to see the sights.  And one of the best steak houses used to be there.  YUM......Sharon Bryant