Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

July 24, 2006

Today’s announcements

Happy Anniversary, Bob and Ronni Shaw: caperabbit@semo.net

Happy Birthday Norah Matheka: assengain@yahoo.com

Now onto the good stuff!

Today’s Queue Stories

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  Mom's Pancake

 Mary Dees

   It was Mom's pancakes that made every child's attention turn to the kitchen.

   Each of us formed a jagged line from the living room to the kitchen while she served her pancakes hot, straight from her skillet to your plate. A perfect golden brown edge with a fluffy center. Almost too pretty to smother with syrup.

   At first bite came the thought; How does she do it? Was it the method she used to mix the batter to a certain consistency? Was it the amount of grease she used in the pan? Or was it just the delicate temperature that she set the burner to? These simple thoughts danced around in my mind as I wondered if I may ever be able to cook as well as she.

   I watched her many times befor, I knew each step by heart. While arguing with the thought that "surely" I would be able to make my mothers famous pancake, I remember the timeless efforts that I put in to trying to do just that.

   First: Mix the batter untill there were no visible clumps. Then preheat the skillet and add just enough grease to cover every edge of the pan. Pour the batter into small circles while keeping a watchful eye on the bubbles that would form at the top. And just at the right moment, "The Flip" that would determine my eligibility of being kitchen worthy. But there it was, burnt edges and a gooey center. Now just what in the world could I have done wrong again? I recall thinking.  Maybe next time.

   The smell of syrup steered my thoughts back to my last few decadent bites of my mothers pancake. I smile as I realize and become certain that only a mother of this many years, had the time to fail and the time to learn, along with inevitably the time to create the perfect, unforgettable pancake. 

                                           By Mary M. Dees

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 Born, Again!

Joyce Lock

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope

of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father

of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephes. 4:3-6

1.) In the beginning, our beginning, everything God makes is good.  As infants, we are known for being precious, full of promise; equipped with the purest heart of love.  As toddlers, our confidence is so steady that we'll run and jump into daddy's arms.  And, as preschoolers, we believe everything our parents tell us; with faith unquenchable.

Then begins the schooling years, and junk happens.  The world isn't filled with love, Santa isn't real, and there are zillions of man made rules.  So, maybe, all things are necessary (the good, the bad, and the ugly) in order to bring us to a place of realizing our need for God.

2.) That perfection is restored with a second birth; at the point of Salvation.  Our hearts are again filled with love, we want to run and tell the world about our loving Father, and everything about Jesus is awesome!

Only, the years of religious training begins, and junk happens.  The church isn't filled with love, our Father's love is said to be conditional, and there are zillions of doctrines of men.  So, all things are for our sakes; in order for us to realize the need to seek truth, to replace all the lies Satan planted and restore us to the perfection of heart that God originally created.

I've heard said that it began at the fall, when Satan convinced us God could no longer receive us ... and that the purpose of us being here is to discover, all over again, Who God is, Whose we are, and who we are (Three baptisms?  Yes.).  But also, in this time, what I have discovered is that, the moment we believe a lie, we have granted Satan permission to enter.  Then, from that point forward, he begins building lie upon lie until our love, confidence, and faith is everywhere but the perfection God intended.

3.) If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1 Cor. 15:19  And so, one more time, for our sake, "ye must be born, again," (return to the heart, confidence, and faith of a child) to enter into the Kingdom of God, Mark 10:15, John 3:3.  For it's not in what you know, but who you know, Romans 14:17.

Thus, we personally experience three baptisms in one, three times; of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Perhaps it can be described as 1.) birth, 2.) new birth, and 3.) rebirth ... not unlike the process of becoming a butterfly.

But, as we grow in knowledge, we discover Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever and God is no respecter of persons.  Thus, within the Bible are three baptisms; getting to know the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ... which counts to be six baptisms.  However, only three of them happen at the same time (these three are one baptism).

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. 1 John 5:7

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. 1 John 5:8

Both are all the same baptism; the first restoration happening all at once ... the second restoration a process.

God was the God of Salvation even before Jesus came, Psalm 68:20, and a God of grace (Titus 2:11).  But, somewhere along the way, people lost their way and it took Jesus before they could believe God could ever receive them again.  And, here we are, again; many awaiting Jesus to come rescue us instead of having learned by His example.

1.) We were saved, 2.) we are being saved, and 3.) we will be saved.  We are all creations of God and all God's children; some in bondage and some free, 1 Cor. 12:14.  But for all, our reservations have already been made, Peter 1:4.  And, in being born again, we come to know 1.) Who God is, 2.) Whose we are, and 3.) who we are ... and, finally, defeat Satan.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39   Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim. 2:4   For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 1 Tim. 4:10

Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.  For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.  Amen. Ephes. 3:13-21

But, before discovering who we are, and even, perhaps, before we can receive it ... we need to know just how lost we really are, as sheep ... and, maybe even, see the truthfulness of filthy rags we call 'righteousness'.  And then, we can welcome our final baptism ... being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever ... To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:4, 23

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. 1 Cor. 15:53-54

And then ... Pentecost, restoration, Garden of Eden, Heaven on Earth, ALL things new!

And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Acts 13:34  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Rev. 22:12

Never discount any portion of God's word, Proverbs 30:5.

If we think to see contradiction, we only understand in part

and that which is perfect has not yet come. Romans 11:25

© 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

Poetry Section

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Alzheimer Friend

(At the Manor)

Joan Clifton Costner 

I regret that I never knew you

When your mind was sharp and keen,

When you challenged life with your wisdom -

When you dared and accomplished your dream.

But...I meet you in the hallways

And I walk "a piece" with you -

And I value the tip of a friendship

With a lady that used to be you.

Oh, our friendship is different I grant you -

Still I count it as cherished and blessed;

When I look out at those around me,

I think perhaps we passed the test!

For your eyes light up when you see me -

And you reach for my hand - on you own -

To accomplish this much in the darkness...

Just wait ...till we make it Home!

Joan Clifton Costner

copyright

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Remember The Day

Joan Clifton Costner

Remember the day, Oh, mother, please,

When you poured the tea ~ I sat on your knees?

The little black teapot so shiny and new

Was the means of a memory I have with you.

We had little "cakes" and sugar and cream

That didn’t come from the ice maker machine.

You set the table, I sat the dolls ~

We might as well been at royal ball!

Remember the songs and the fleecy white clouds?

The green grass and flowers all around?

Remember the laughter, now turned to tears,

Time won’t allow us to turn back the years.

If I had a great big old rocking chair,

I’d say, "Come on honey, climb right up here;

I’d rock and I’d sing you a sweet lullaby

Until, like the dollies, you closed your eyes.

Joan Clifton Costner

copyright

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 Mother

Joan Clifton Costner

How can I tell you, Mother
Of the love that I hold for you;
For devotion that you gave, so freely,
And the Love that has always been true?
Through the tender and innocent childhood,

Though the trials and tests seemed so long;
You were there through the sunshine and shadows,

Lifting up or rejoicing in song.
When the darkness came down like a torrent,

There was hope shining, still, in your eyes.

When I came across some small honor,

Your joy makes it seem your own prize.  

If the Lord set before me a legion

Of wonderful mothers to choose,
My eyes would search, frantically, through them.

For, Mother, my choice would be you!

If you reach God's Heaven before me,

Watch close. For, it will not be long
'Til you'll see me walking that pathway

And singing your favorite old song.

My Hope is still in your Savior.
My guide is the same that led you.

Eternity, faith (I believe it!)
Will find me in Heaven with You!  

Copyright Joan Clifton Costner
http://underhiswings0.tripod.com

http://underhiswings0.tripod.com
http://www.heavenlypoetry.com

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Mother’s Bible

Joan Clifton Costner

Mother had a treasured Bible

That was worn and rather thin;

When we brought our troubles to her

She would take it down again. 

Seemed she always found the answer

In those fragile pages there ~

And we noticed how she handled it

With tender loving care. 

When our hearts were broken, bleeding,

She would tell how Jesus, too,

Knew the salty taste of teardrops

As he prayed the long night through. 

And when we came with hearts aflutter ~

Proud of deeds that we had done,

She would show us that tomorrow

Comes a new song to be sung. 

How she loved us! How she steadied!

From the low ebb to the height!

How she reverence that old Bible!

How she spread its precious Light! 

Every child knew faith and reverence ~

Even those who weren’t her own,

For her open arms would often

Shelter ones without a home. 

Now, the years have slipped behind us ~

She has left this home below.

But we look to Heaven gladly

Knowing it’s where she would go.

Fragile pages of her Bible!

Handle we with loving care!

Still we find within its pages

Truth and life ~ forever there! 

Joan Clifton Costner

copyright

http://underhiswings0.tripod.com
http://www.heavenlypoetry.com

Readers Feedback

The piece by P.S. Gifford brought back memories of the trees we planted one year at my school in a small Texas town. What a wonderful set of circumstances allowed the writer to know that his work will be heard by others, especially ones who will now know how the trees came to be planted there.  Very good! Barb

Since I've been a part of raising subsistence animals all my life I can certainly see where Helen was doing a wonderful job taking care of her foster children. They teach you life's lessons, as she illustrates.  It's such a shame today that children have no idea where their food sources originate or how they did decades ago. What would young people do today if the electricity went off for good? They would not have a clue how to propagate, raise and preserve their own food resources. It's such a shame that society is losing that knowledge.
Thanks
Mark Crider

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