Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

August 22, 2006

Today’s announcements

Today I am pleased to introduce another new writer/poet joining our fold.  Abram Friedland because writer # 349 and he comes from Montreal, just like me.  I had the privilege to meet him in person and he is one great guy!  Please email him and welcome him as only Storytime tapestry people can do!

Now onto the good stuff!

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

~ Written Especially for You ~

Joyce Lock

The Bible is given (present tense) by the inspiration of God ...

All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Timothy 3:16


And is written for you ...

For all things are yours. 1 Corinthians 3:21


With gender equality ...

God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. Genesis 1:27, 5:2 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Genesis 1:28

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:31

There is neither male nor female. Galatians 3:28


Regardless of family affiliation ...

You are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises. Romans 9:4


Irrespective of race ...

There is neither Jew nor Greek. Galatians 3:28 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. Romans 2:29


Without residential requirements ...

In every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Acts 10:35


No matter one's affiliation ...

It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. Romans 15:27


Without preference due to social standing, prominence, or position of leadership ...

There is neither bond nor free. Galatians 3:28


Whatever one's religion ...

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5:6


In spite of one's doctrine ...

Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. Romans 14:4 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. Ephesians 6:9


Without regard to what one believes ...

God that made the world and all things therein ... giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation ... as we are the offspring of God. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts 17:24-31


One's past being history ...

They shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 31:34


Without respecter of persons.

Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. Isaiah 56:7

The scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. Galatians 3:8

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:26, 28-29

For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. Romans 11:32

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all). Acts 10:36

For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. Romans 11:32

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4

The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:19

To believe otherwise ...
 

There is no Christ in such doctrine.

Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
1 Corinthians 7:23

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath
broken down the middle wall of partition between us.
Ephesians 2:14

Follow peace with all men, and holiness,
without which no man shall see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14



© 2006 by Joyce C. Lock

http://iam.homewithGod.com/glimpsesofgod/

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

~**~**~

ValueSpeak

A Weekly Column

By Joseph Walker

valuespeak@msn.com

TRUTH, HONOR AND SALT AND PEPPER SANDWICHES

            Bud and Wanda began their life together as husband and wife in 1937.  Bud worked as a sales manager for the Automobile Association of America, while Wanda worked at the Hills Brothers coffee plant.  Their combined income gave them enough money to make their rent payment of $37.50 and to meet monthly expenses, with precious little left over for niceties.

You know – like food.

            Still, they weren’t as bad off as some people thought the day Bud opened his lunch pail and found two pieces of bread wrapped in paper with nothing between them but a smattering of salt and pepper.  Even Bud was somewhat taken aback by the meager offering, especially when considered alongside the hard-boiled eggs and other treats that rounded out the lunch.

            Word quickly spread about “poor Bud,” who had fallen on such hard times that his wife sent him a salt and pepper sandwich for lunch.  Anonymous donors left food gifts on his desk.  And just before he went home, his boss called him into his office and gave him a $10 raise.

            Bud found the whole thing rather amusing, and couldn’t wait to tell the story to Wanda when he got home.  But instead of laughing the matter off, she was horrified.

            “That salt and pepper sandwich,” she blustered, “wasn’t a sandwich . . . it was just the best way I could think of to send salt and pepper for your eggs!  If you think that I’d send you to work with nothing more than . . .”

            “Now hold on,” Bud said good-naturedly, “I told you that I enjoyed the rest of the lunch.  I even enjoyed the salt and pepper sandwich.”

            “But it wasn’t . . .”

            “I know it wasn’t,” he said.  “And you know it wasn’t.  That’s all that matters, isn’t it?”

            “But those other people think we’re starving.  And your boss . . ”

            “Gave me a nice raise,” Bud interrupted, “which I deserve.  So what’s the problem?”

            “The problem is there are a lot of people out there tonight telling their families about the poor man who had a salt and pepper sandwich.  They believe something about you that just isn’t true.  And I don’t think it’s honorable to let people go on believing something that isn’t true.”

            Bud just laughed – which, it turns out, was exactly the wrong thing to do.  Wanda’s eyes began to fill with huge tears, and she ran into the bathroom and slammed the door shut.

            This was a new experience for Bud.  He knew Wanda could be emotional, even a little exasperating from time to time.  But he had never seen her so all-fired hysterical, especially over something that seemed inconsequential.  I mean, this wasn’t about Truth or honor, was it?

He stood outside the door for a moment, wondering what his next move should be.  Before he could do anything she emerged, her eyes dry and her nose freshly blown.

            “Dinner will be ready in a few minutes,” she said briskly as she hurried past him and into the kitchen.  He heard a bit of rattling and slamming that seemed to indicate that meal preparations were underway.  He was about to tell her that he hoped she wasn’t fixing anything too heavy because he was still full from all the food he had consumed at the office during the afternoon, but he thought better of it.

            He needn’t have worried.  Soon Wanda brushed past him again, this time on her way to their bedroom.  “Your dinner is ready,” she said before slamming the door shut.

            A little confused, Bud wandered out to the kitchen table, where he saw a single plate at his place.  On the plate was a sandwich – a salt and pepper sandwich, to be precise.  And next to it was a hastily written note in Wanda’s distinctive script: “If the whole world is going to think we eat salt and pepper sandwiches, then we’re going to eat them!”

            Bud reported the misunderstanding at work the next day.  And he still got his raise.

            And that’s the truth.

I sometimes sit and picture my son playing soccer in Heaven. He played it from the time he was five. The boys didn't have a huge competitive spirit at that age and sometimes they were more interested in talking to one another, even if they were on opposing teams. They were good sports and there was no violence. Parents often had as much fun as the kids. My son's coach was Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wilson's son, Brian also played on the team. Jason and Brian were the two blonde kids on the team. You could tell them apart because Brian's hair had its own opinion. It stood straight up. Today that particular style would be fashionable.
I wanted to tell you a story about Brian.

~**~**~

Poetry Section

~**~**~

Looks Like a Suicide

Abram Friedman

abramfriedland@videotron.ca

Two broken hearts

Two broken spirits

Opposite ends of town

Opposite sides of the river

Two images, same mirror

Two young men

Two struggling souls

Two desparate puppets

Opposite cultures

Same tears, same anger

Now both will end this mess

Both will gain sympathy

Both will win glory

And their names in the paper

Their faces plastered everywhere

But right here, we don't  know

If buying the farm

Is the way to a lady's charm

Or even if cashing in life insurance

Is the way to dry up lakes of tears

And even over there

What good is glory

When you  can't be in the parade?

What is really worth your life

When the pain will go on?

But it might be too late

Because they're both running

One with bombs and fire

One climbing higher

Both too weak to manage

And that's the point

Why is anyone around

If we are all just ants

To sacrifice for war

To squander for fame?

So this is the place

Where the pain must stop

The hatred must end

Starting with the face

In the shadow and the mirror

Is either of them strong enough?

Is either one endowed

With any courage at all?

The choice is theirs

We can only sit and pray.

~**~**~

This one is about two suicide people, one in the Middle East, one here in North America

The Lights are Going Out

Abram Friedland

abramfriedland@videotron.ca

The city and its lights

Its bustle and its might

Are all going out tonight

Because of the coming fear

And the destruction now so near

We thought our power

Would last past the hours

And our showers of flowers

Would never finish

And our civil lustre would never tarnish

But there's fire coming our way

The devil is doing his dance today

To our sheltered corner come he just may

And leave our cities in ruins

While our version of History burns

What should we do?

How do we stop ourselves from burning too?

Our old mandate can we even renew?

Should we stop driving our cars?

Should we stop aiming for the movie stars?

Someone among us should start talking about that

Because lean cows are coming to eat the fat

And neither we nor anyone can escape the rats

So as the sun sets

Turn off the TV sets

And get out there with shovels and hearts

Before the war in our city starts.

~**~**~

 This one is about the world threat to North America, specifically the nuclear capabilities of North Korea.

See Clear

Abram Friedland

abramfriedland@videotron.ca

The ball is in the air

The game is here and everywhere

In the sand and in the city

Where I can learn love and pity

The game is about bonding

The joy is in responding

To the ball and the serves

To being on the edge with sharp nerves

I never thought I'd every see the day

Where I could just join a team and play

And be useful to my team

Returning plays now no longer a dream

I can feel a lift in winning

Even the same lift in losing

Because now I am more

Than just a duncecap on the floor

In the sand I will stay young longer

In the day now I feel much stronger

I am better than a dandy rotting in the hall

I can see clear now with volleyball.

This was my feeling about two volleyball games I played today. It's good to be able to do that, with kids 18 and 19, and I'm almost 38.

Readers Feedback

Roger Dean Kiser's story is in every way one of the best which I have ever read. The interwoven humor is subtle and blends in so very well. However, the sheer power of his actions and those of the persons whom he befriended is striking! To each family the members of the other are Jesus Himself, and what they do is all for Him and will last beyond forever. Vance Agee

Please relate to Mark Crider; Paula Booher; Roger Dean Kiser; Annina L. Anton and  Carol Meeks  that I enjoyed their stories and poems
today.

Gramma's Kraut

Mark Crider

Sauerkraut is a staple in German immigrants diet, so is beer.  Gramma always made kraut in the early spring from the winter cabbage, layering the hand shredded cabbage and salt in the big crocks and putting the porcelain weights on top to gently press it down as it cured. The resulting liquid that came to the top is just what Grampa needed to make his springtime light beer to ease the heaviness of the winter bock that had helped everyone make it through the winter.

A better beer has never been made or a stronger laxative and better tasting one than kraut beer. We kids loved the light saltiness of it. Grampa would take the liquid off the top of the kraut crocks and bottle it with a little sugar, malt and yeast to add fizz. 'Bout ten days later it was ready. Think this is where the term "spring cleaning" came from?

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; Grisham, Mary-Ellen; 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; Mizrany, Mary Carter; 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