Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

September 23, 2006

Today’s announcements

 This is the latest information on Jerry Stroud, who was severely beaten, robbed and left for dead. He had surgery on his brain and they had to remove about half of it.Every bone in his chest is broken as are his legs, arms and hands.He was beaten in the head with what they think was concrete blocks. Jerry is the ex husband of Dolores Cumbow and Delores is my son-in-law's, Jeremy, Aunt. You can respond with your prayers and words of encouragement to Linda Mintulo (Dolores Cumbow's Sister) at: lindaminutolo@hotmail.com

Hi Cindi,

Tonya (Dolores' Daughter) called this morning. The doctor will allow the life supports for 48 more 
hours. After that time, they will remove all life support and move Jerry to Hospice where critical ill patients are sent
until they die. Tonya visited Jerry again yesterday.  She sang to him and
talked to him about the Lord. The nurse told her that if Jerry lived he
would be a vegetable but Tonya told her that God performed miracles and
believes if God chooses he can heal Jerry and if he does it would be a great
witness to so many people. She thanks everyone also for their prayers and
to continue to pray.  She also informed me that the two women arrested were
out on bail but the two men still remain in jail.  She fears for her mom,
Dolores's, safety.

I have been trying to reply to the many people praying.  I know I have not
gotten around to all of them but we all thank each and everyone for their
prayers.

Love, Linda

Now onto the good stuff!

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

"PRAISE IN PROBLEMS"
by  Mary Carter  Mizrany

That  "Good Morning"  song  reminds me  of a  Truth  with which
the Lord impressed me:   Our reaction toward  life
is  based  much more upon  ATTITUDE than circumstances.

The  original song goes like this:
Good morning to you . . .  good morning to you ~
we're all in our places with sunshiny  faces . . .
and this is the way to start a new day !!!

What  excellent  ADVICE . . .  this IS the way to start a new day.
Yet,  it  is not ALWAYS  easy to  start each new day with a
sunshiny face.   To retain a  "good  attitude"  one must  have a solid
and  sweet relationship with the Lord.
We must allow The Holy Spirit  to GROW  HIS  Fruit  in our lives.
We must  SUBMIT ourselves  unto  the Lord daily.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

This relationship  just can't be a "hit and miss"  sort of  thing.  NO
relationship  thrives without effort  being put forth.   Human relationships
must  needs continue being  refreshed  to  remain  vibrant and not become
stale.   Much more so  is it with  our relationship  to our Lord.
This  should not be a constant  struggle.    My, my ~  it should be
no struggle at all, actually,  since the Lord is the One doing  all the
work:-)   YIELDING   ~ SUBMITTING  is  our  part.

If  we find ourselves struggling with this,  it  is TO THE LORD even
then we must turn  to ask  for  HELP.   HE  desires us to  DEPEND
upon HIM, my precious angelfamily.  
Jesus  paid  the highest  price for  us . . . that should let us know
how  valuable we are to Him.    Such  being the case,  it would follow
that HE is willing to  spend  lots of time  GROWING  US!

  Our brother, Paul exhorts:  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Galatians 6:4
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith;  prove your
own selves . . . Galatians 6:5

Be not deceived;  God is not mocked:  for whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap.  Galatians 6:7

A merry heart maketh  a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow
of the heart the spirit is broken.  Proverbs 15:13

All the days of the afflicted are evil:  but he that is of a
merry heart hath a continual  feast.  Proverbs 15:15

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth:  and
a word spoken  in due season, how good it is!  Proverbs 15:23

A bit of advice on my part . . . don't  examine yourselves except
with the Lord's  presence.    Personal experience has shown me
the  down~side of  self~examination WITHOUT  the Lord  there
to  help.    We  simply are not  built to  look upon  our faults and
failures  without  KNOWING the Lord is
loving us unconditionally:  comforting ~ healing ~ delivering.
   Ahhhhhhh,  this IS how we grow,
precious angelfamily ~ WITH THE LORD'S  HELP !!!

May each of us be found  growing in grace ~ reaching out to
others with  the GOOD NEWS.   May our relationships with our family,
loved ones and friends  be refreshed!

Mary is a published writer whose works include
On Wings of Faith Ministries,  through which she creates
and sends a bi~weekly devotional to a membership of 7,000+.
Mary's writings can be found in books, poetry anthologies,
many websites online and other venues.

Mary Carter Mizrany

musingByMary@aol.com
http://www.onwingsoffaith.com
Do visit Mary's webhome to receive blessings from the Lord.

~**~**~

Sabrina – Part I

Mike Firesmith

Sabrina was a deep dark black Chow dog who didn't much care for humans. Sabrina was a deep dark black Chow dog who didn't much care for humans. She had a human, named Holly, and that was just about all Sabrina really needed or wanted. Sabrina was mistrustful of humans in general and men in particular. Holly had been married to an abusive man who knew that hurting Sabrina was a good way to hurt Holly. Holly finally took Sabrina and left him the day after Sabrina sank her teeth into his hand while he was beating her. Fearful that he could have Sabrina killed for defending herself, Holly fled Atlanta and moved to Valdosta. She found a roommate who loved dogs, and that's how I met them both; I was seeing her roommate, Sherry, at the time.


When I first met Sabrina she snarled at me. She didn't like men, and she wasn't going to let one get near her. She wasn't real happy about me getting near Holly either. Sabrina would plant herself near Holly and watch me with very suspicious eyes. Sabrina didn't much like the idea that Sherry and I played rough sometimes, but Sherry did so that was that. The woman liked trying to pin me to the floor even though at about fifty pounds lighter than me it wasn't really going to happen. But it was fun letting her try. Sabrina would watch us with an expression akin to horror. She was sure I was trying to kill Sherry.


Against everyone wishes and good judgment, I set out to become friends with Sabrina. Their apartment was a small one, with one door leading out of the kitchen/living room area into the bedrooms so I would walk in and plant myself in that doorway. Sabrina had to walk past me to get away from me. I never crowded her, but I would speak to her as she left the room. After a couple of weeks of this I started letting my hand fall across her back as she left. Then I started trying to scrub that dog spot on her back near her tail. That was her weakness. She loved having that spot scrubbed. If you know dogs you know what I'm talking about. If you don't you won't.


It got to where Sabrina wouldn't leave the room so quickly when I visited and she stopped looking murder at me when I was holding Sherry down and tickling her. When she walked past me to get out of the room everyone noticed that she slowed down just a bit when I scrubbed her spot. She started staying int eh room when I came to visit and one night while she was sleeping I lay down and rested my head on her side. Everyone in the room gasped but Sabrina just got up and looked at me as if I had lost my mind. She retreated into Holly's bedroom but I felt like I had accomplished something.


One day Sabrina came to a full stop as I scrubbed her spot and her leg got to bouncing. Ah, yes, right there, thanks, don't stop, yes. She let me pet her, and when I stopped she looked at me like, " That's all?"


South Georgia summers wilted the poor animal. Going for a walk was her only exercise and Holly was afraid that if Sabrina got approached the wrong way by the wrong person it would be catastrophic. I started going with them, and Sabrina didn't seem to mind.
" Do not approach the dog!" I would say in a loud voice and I would step between Sabrina and whoever looked like they might want to pet her. Holly thought I was being a tad bit aggressive with this approach but it wasn't about the people, it was about Sabrina. I was showing her that I would keep people away from her, and more importantly, Holly. After this went on for a while I noticed that when someone started acting as if they were going to pet Sabrina she would look up at me first.


It was the first real cool night in October that did it. The night time temperature dropped into the fifties and Sabrina got wired. I hadn't been over in a couple of weeks so she was happy to see me anyway. I got down on the floor and pulled her tail.
" Mike don't,,," Holly said.
Sabrina was in a playful mood so she snarled at me and lunged half heartedly at me. I tried to grab one of her paws and she backed away.
" Stop it!" Hissed Holly.
But it was on. Sabrina, who had always yearned for some hard core action leaped on me. Maybe she had seen how Sherry and I played and wanted to be a part of it. It took all I had to get her off of me, and when I rolled over on top of her she bit the palm of my hand, hard. I felt the teeth sink in and I popped her hard in the side with a knee. She immediately released me and backed off. I held out my hand and while both Sherry and Holly freaked out, I let Sabrina lick the blood off my hand. There were two neat round holes in my palm with blood coming out of them. My hand felt like it had ben put into a vice.


While not completely accidently, Sabrina didn't know how rough she was playing, nor did she know how rough I was capable of playing. She also didn't know what was going to happen when things got a little too weird. This was my way of telling her, " You play rough, I play rough, but there's no hard feelings in it."


Both women were really losing it as I knelt in front of Sabrina and let her lick up the blood from my hand. It hurt like hell, but it was bleeding freely. While she doctored me, Sabrina let me stroke her ears with my free hand. It was an odd thing. Neither woman would approach either of us. I know they were speaking to me, but I didn't hear any of it. Across a lot of boundaries I had traveled and having reached this point in my journey I found myself with a companion of much worth.


Take Care,
Mike Firesmith

~**~**~

Poetry Section

~**~**~

 IN HIS PRESENCE

Barbara Williams

In His presence I am not condemned.
In spite of the ugly actions I had committed within.
It was His death that paid the price for me.
The light of His resurrection is where I will be.

I’m beginning to understand how important is my life.
And with out my Jesus I would be nothing but sin and strife.
The work that He has for me in not yet done,
There are too many souls yet for Jesus to be won.

There are soul’s trapped in hatred, anger and lust.
And material things they think to have is a must.
Will there be a time when I can honestly say
I’ve done what I’m supposed to now I can go away?

Is my soul ready to with my Jesus to be?
And do I want to hear what He has to say to me?
Will I be able to stand before Him and say?
“All that you’ve asked me to do is completed this day?”

I wrote this July 19, 1979 and would like to share it with you here today.

September 12, 2006

Written by Rev. Barbara J. Williams

barb242@swbell.net

                  http://www.geocities.com/secret72901/INHISPRESENCE.html

**~

~**~**~

 Carol puts the welfare of others first as she has a strong desire to help others.
Carol is a communicator and uses body language, her radiant smile and her gift of words to bless the lives of others. Carol has a warmth and strong empathy for all she meets.
Carol finds forgiving is a healing act.
Ellie Braun-Haley

CAROL
ANGEL OF SERVICE TO OTHERS
CAROL
ANGEL OF THE MORNING,
CAROL
ANGEL OF VISION AND FAITH

When you were born, A good listener arrived on earth!
When you were born a lovely lady of honour and faith
arrived in our midst.

Your smile is a treasure.
Your laughter tickles the smiles of others,
encouraging their smiles to burst forth.

Your love of others has no limits and it energizes the souls of those around you.
You leave good impressions with your selfless acts.

You came to earth with many talents
and as you use them, especially in the service of others,
your life will be blessed ...
Just as you bless the lives of others.

May your day be filled with the warmth of others and the constant nearness of God!

Hugs Ellie

Ellie Braun-Halley

shaley@telusplanet.net

Readers Feedback

Ron Gold - A Paradise of Roses - A really wonderful story.

Thank you, Arthur Levine

Donna C - This one's a keeper.

Ron Gold

Beth Ferree is a good writer. She echoes the hearts of many women with her Ten More Days. Jene Lind

Sharon Bryant's article, The Hamburger, was a riot! I have been caught in similar situations with my two dogs, Little Bit and Pepper. My neighbors may think I'm slightly cracked, but my dogs know I am the most sane person on Earth!

Sharon, you should invite your neighbor over for a hamburger...just to see the reaction!

Arlene

Dear Leeuna,

Just a note to once again share how much I enjoyed another one of your gentle pieces. 

If Only all families could understand the love invested in them is love to give back one day to those that gave.  In todays society that is not always the case.  People are being shoved more and more to managed care facilities so that the younger generation can maintain unrealistic goals of high finance and over budgeted households where communication is becoming a thing of the past.  So sad.  Large families full of love and talking are dwindling and being taken over by small families with large houses where the people in them rarely talk or share a meal together.  So sad.  The future is looking grim for the tender touch and attention you describe in such delicate detail in your few paragraphs. 

I pray things take a turn around before it is too late and the "Family" fades out all together. I pray the true focus comes back before the fog overshadows the simple values and takes control completely...In Jesus Name Amen.

Thank you for doing Your part to keep love alive by sharing such love as this in your story "Circle of Life" as it is meant to be.

Walking forward toward a brighter future by His Grace,

Paula

wrappednword@yahoo.com

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; Meeks, Carol; Mizrany, Mary Carter; Morris, Deepak; Ojeibge, Georgewaters; Petry, Dianna Doles; Roberts, Susan; Shiveley, Debra; Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Smith; Michael; 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