Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

July 27, 2006

Today’s Queue Stories

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Are We There Yet?

By

Pamela Perry Blaine

“Are we there yet?” my daughter asked excitedly for the umpteenth time. 

“Almost,” I replied once again, “We’re getting closer.”

I have answered this question many times from each of =my children as we used to travel the long distance from West Virginia to Missouri.  We were “going home” and Grandma and Grandpa would be there.  The children didn’t get to see them as often as we would like and they were always in a hurry to get there.  Even the stops along the way didn’t distract them from their eagerness to arrive at our destination.  Who knew what great discoveries might lie ahead at Grandma’s house?  There were trees to climb and a pond to explore.   Would Grandpa take them fishing?  Would they see a deer or a wild turkey in the woods?   Whether or not they did, the place was enchanting to the children.  A place filled with new and exciting activities.  The children knew that there were hugs, treats, and new adventures awaiting them but most of all they knew we were going home and that love was waiting for them at the end of the journey.

The journey home wasn’t always easy.  Sometimes we ran into detours, toll roads, and torn up highways; and we wished we had chosen a different road.  At other times there were storms, blizzards, floods, and even wrecks.  There were times when we were delayed but we pressed on because we were going home. 

Since the trip was so long, I began teaching my children to look for certain landmarks as we traveled home.  As we left West Virginia, we looked for the archway over the highway that told us when we had arrived in Ohio.  In Indiana, we looked for the house that had its porch propped up with long boards and each time we passed it, we speculated as to why nobody ever finished that porch.  In Illinois, we watched for the capitol dome as we went through Springfield.  The excitement mounted when we got to the Mississippi River at Hannibal because we knew we had crossed into Missouri.  We were really a lot closer now.  If anyone happened to be sleeping, they would be awakened by, “Look, We’re crossing the river!”  No one had to ask what river it was because we all knew.   Different comments were expressed such as:

“Look how wide the river is!” 

“There’s a barge!”

“How did people get across before the bridge was built?”

“I know we’re almost home now, it’s not much further.”

As we got closer to home, we could see St. Joseph’s church steeple, which can be seen from several miles away because it is the tallest building in the area.  It sits high up on a hill pointing toward the heavens, standing like a majestic marker telling us that we are nearing the end of our journey.  Although the children didn’t know how much further it was they began putting their trinkets and toys away because they knew we were close when they saw the church steeple.  It was time to think about important things like the excitement and anticipation of seeing Grandma and Grandpa face to face.   They knew there was more to the journey than the ride; the best was yet to come. 

Life seems to be much the same way.  As we journey through life, we see a lot of sights and pass a lot of landmarks along the way.  There are some roads we choose to travel that take us on detours and other roads we wish we had never chosen to travel at all because of the storms we encounter.  Sometimes we wreck or find that the toll was too high, or both.  Yet, we learn from the storms, put the old roads behind us, and press on toward home.  We begin to learn to watch for the landmarks and especially the ones that point upward.  We know we should think about what is important and put our trinkets and toys away and get prepared for what lies ahead.  Although we don’t know how much further we have to go, we know there is more to the journey than the ride and the best is yet to come.  We are going home and love is waiting for us at the end of our journey.

Many years have passed by since I traveled with my children and now my children bring their children to see me and they pass many of those same landmarks. 

“Are we there yet?”  My grandchildren now ask on their way to see us. 

“Almost . . . we’re getting closer.” their parents reply.

By

Pamela Perry Blaine

© May 2006

About Pam:

Pam lives in Missouri with her husband, Michael.  She enjoys composing music and writing stories.  She writes "Pam's Corner" for her local newspaper, The Edina Sentinel.  Pam and her husband are active in their church where she plays piano and he is music leader.  They have a CD available called, "I'll Walk You Home".   The title song is about her lifelong friend who died of cancer.  You can hear this song on her website: http://blaines.us/PamyPlace.htm
Several of her stories have been published on the internet as well as in books such as The Miracle Of Sons, 2The Heart/People Who Make A Difference, and A Tribute To Moms.  Her goal is to write to encourage others and to write stories for her children and grandchildren so that stories and family history will be preserved. 

My Website:
http://blaines.us/PamyPlace.htm
e-mail: pamyblaine@blaines.us

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 Knowing What You Believe ...

How To's for Bible Study

Joyce Lock

My son, if thou wilt receive my words (the ones God speaks to you, Jb. 23:12), and hide my commandments with thee (be ready to obey His instruction); So that thou incline thine ear (listen for Him to speak) unto wisdom, and apply thine heart (the word God ministers to you) to understanding (get the Biblical definition of those words, found within the Bible); Yea, if thou criest after knowledge (express your heart to God), and liftest up thy voice for understanding (ask to know His will); If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures (God hid it from the wise and prudent); Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Pr. 2:1-5

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man (neither preachers, prophets, teachers, professors, doctors, or theologians), but the Spirit of God.  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world (no Webster's), but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth (without Hebrew or Greek), but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things (word searches) with spiritual.  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him?  But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Co. 2:9-16

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (divide and conqueror). 2 Ti. 2:15

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth (darkness), but the spirit giveth life (light). 2 Co. 3:6

But the anointing which ye have received of him (the Spirit anointed words) abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 1 Jn. 2:27

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit ... Ro. 8:16  And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 1 Jn. 5:6

But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Mk. 13:11  For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. Lu. 12:12


An EXAMPLE of what not to do:

His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. De. 21:23

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 Jn. 4:8  Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 1 Co. 12:3  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. 2 Ti. 3:15

We're not to use scriptural comparison to destroy one's testimony, but to promote holiness, edification, and such.  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Ro. 14:17  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ep. 3:19

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Ro. 5:5  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1 Jo. 5:3  (He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Mi. 6:8)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God (God is love and His throne grace), and his righteousness (for it is impossible for God to lie); and all these things shall be added unto you (whatsoever you have need of). Mt. 6:33

Ask, and it shall be given you;

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Ja. 1:6 

seek, and ye shall find;

(Don't tell God what He believes until you have heard it from Him.)  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Je. 29:13

knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Mt. 7:7

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:20-21  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Co. 2:13 

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.  (And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Ac. 8:18)  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.  And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 1 Tim. 5:17-18

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. 1 Th. 1:6  And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us. Ac. 15:8  (God is still no respecter of persons.  In all the ways He loved them, He loves us.)  Wherefore, as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice. He. 3:7

Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.  Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.  For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.  But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?  And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.  Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.  For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.  For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.  Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.  For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 3:7-4:16

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1 Jn. 5:7

© 2005 by Joyce C. Lock
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/

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Poetry Section

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Guardian Angel

Dianna Doles Petry

You may not always hear me,

I'm sure you don't see me sitting there,

I'm riding along on your left shoulder,

Holding onto a lock of your beautiful hair.

You may not know why you smile,

At something you see along the way,

I'm whispering in your ear,

Trying to add a little sunshine to your day.

I'm your guardian angel,

My heart is always there with you,

You can't see me or touch me,

But I'm always reaching out to you.

You may not always need me,

I'm sure you can make it without me there,

I'm just along for the ride and the memories,

Holding onto all of the good times we share.

You may not know it but I see through your eyes,

I hear you when you breathe a heavy sigh,

You're still so very much a part of me,

It never ended when we said good-bye.

I'm your guardian angel,

My heart is always there with you,

You can't see me or touch me,

But I'm always reaching out to you.

Dianna Doles Petry

May 31, 2006

dianna59@charter.net

http://diannapetry.tripod.com
http://members.tripod.com/~poemsbydianna/PoetryofLife.html
www.womenwithauniquesoul.com

~**~**~

 The following Poem was not signed.  

Black Creek

Beyond home there lied
a whispering pine
in spring, Black creek
cold on feet
Slime-crawfish peek
Shimmers seek
refuge
treading down yellow bend
'round bushes of honey treats
up above the Bald bird sings
Fluttering creatures hum
by Black creek

Slithering beings creep

Ice on feet
in winter, when
peckers sleep
and white tails play
howling dogs on
rocks bound to prey
to the glistening stars

In summer, not too far
the Bee stings
and patterns fly

In fall
the leaves weep,
begging to fall
into Black creek

~**~**~

Readers Feedback

Welcome to P.S. Gifford. I've been reading his work for a while now and it always captures my attention and my thoughts. I am so happy to see him writing for Storytime Tapestry now!

Dianna Doles Petry

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