Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Feb 21, 2007

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Today’s Stories

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Church Doctrine: Something to Consider

Sharon Bryant

Reading the story about church brought back a memory that happened to me and it wasn't very long ago. I did go to church all the time as a child.  I was brought up in the Catholic faith and you didn't miss church.

Due to the fact that my parents were not married in the Catholic church years earlier, I was not allowed to have communion.  My parents were told that they would have to remarry each other in the church before I could go on.

My dad pulled me from the church and told me he wanted me to attend other churches and when I got old enough, decide for myself which church I wanted.

I went to Methodist, Baptist, you name it.  I felt very comfortable in the Methodist church.  I attended church religiously until my son died.  I still attended Midnight mass at a Catholic church.  Something that always made me feel good.

Then I moved to another state.  Looking for a church for my kids to attend, I ended up at a Baptist church which was not far from home.  The bus would pick the kids up at the house and bring them back.

I got to know the bus driver.  I knew that he stopped at a McDonald's and someone bought all the kids a hamburger, drink and fries every Sunday.  I sent the kids with money but they told me the food was free so they put all their money into the collection plate.

It was around Christmas and I was told the church was collecting clothes for families who had very little.  I went through the closets and had two large trash bags I filled with clothes.  My daughter had slacks and jeans that were practically brand new that no longer fit her.  I made a lot of candy to be given to the kids who had little.  I donated money to help feed some families.

I came home from work one night and the phone rang.  It was the secretary of this church my kids attended.  And what that woman said to me was unreal.  She accused me of "fornicating with the bus driver", saying he was a going to be a minister one day.  She said I was a sinner because I allowed my daughter to wear pants instead of skirts.  She said I was a heathen because I didn't attend church with the kids.  I yelled at her to show me WHERE in the Bible it said women could not wear something on their legs.  She said it says women have to dress moderately.  I told her so she took the word moderately and turned it into pants.  She said, that's what it meant.   I hung up on her.

That Sunday the bus driver came to the house to get the kids.  I informed him my kids would no longer be attending his church.  I also asked him HOW the church got my non-pub phone number.  He admitted he'd given it to them.  I told him what the woman said that called, and I was NOT going to send my kids to a church with an attitude like that.  I also informed him when he went to church to make sure this woman who called, was told I was not "messing around with him." 

He then told me something I was not aware of.  This church made everyone bring their paycheck to them to be cashed.  You HAD to bring your paycheck.  You could not cash it anywhere else.  They took out 20% on the spot.  I also found out whoever drives the church bus, has to pay out of his pocket for all those kids to have lunch at McDonald's.  When this bus driver told me this, I told him this was not right.  They could not do that to him.  I told him it was a cult, that no one could tell a man what to give, what to do with his paycheck, and surely not tell a woman she could not wear slacks.  He told me most of the people in the church lived in houses that the church owned.  And then I found out what street he lived on and I told him he was not in a safe area and he knew it.  He said it's all he could afford because he never had much left of his paycheck each week.

He came back the next day and asked if I'd try one more time and attend.  I asked if he were nuts.  He said they were having a beautiful sermon the week of Christmas and he'd feel good if I and the kids could attend.  Suddenly, an idea struck me.

"Well....sure, we'll go," I said.  My plan started working quickly in my head.

The kids and I walked into the church that night.  The place was packed.  We took seats near the back.  The bus driver/training minister saw us enter the church and he smiled and gave a little wave. 

I listened as this minister stood up before the many people and started saying, "Damn the Catholics, Damn the Methodists, etc."  I couldn't believe what he was saying.  I jumped up out of my seat and yelled out, "Hey you!"  The whole church congregation went silent as I stood there glaring at this man.

"How dare YOU to stand there and say you're a minister and say damn the Catholics and all other religions."  "How dare you ridicule anyone.  You are nothing but a hypocrite."  I turned to that whole mass of people and yelled out, "This man is no better than some we've seen on TV."  I yelled out, "Where is the secretary of this place?"  Everyone turned to look at this woman.  I saw her sliding down in her seat.  I said, "And YOU, how dare you call me at my house and accuse me of sleeping with someone from this church.  How dare you tell me that I'm a sinner because I allow my daughter to wear pants.  You're not better than your minister."

I then yelled out, "All you skirt wearing ladies, I hope you have undies on, but remember they ARE pants of some kind."  At this point you could have cut the silence with a knife as everyone stared at me.  I told them they were being blinded by this church, and no true minister would stand up there and say what this man was saying.  I told them this is NOT what God intended to have going on under a roof that was for worship.  I told them this was not worship.  This was brainwashing.

I was so ticked off at this point.  I yelled out, "I want every man who has ever cheated on his wife to stand up."  Of course no one stood.  I smiled and said, "I thought so."  I looked at my kids and said, "Let's go!."  We walked out.

I still wanted my kids to attend church so I checked out some in the Yellow pages.  I called some.  I made an appointment to meet the minister of one Methodist church.  When I walked in the door, I was ready.  He greeted me and I told him I had some questions to ask him first.  He said ok, shoot.  I asked how he felt about a woman wearing pants.  He said it didn't bother him in the least.  I asked if a bus picked my kids up, would they be stopping for lunch.  He said, "Hold on, I know where you've been."  And then he named the church I'd been to.  He told me he'd heard many things about that church and some of his congregation were people who attended the other church before they came to his.

My kids attended that church until we moved.  I did too.  It was normal.  They were taught the way I was taught.  There was no one telling them we were sinners because their mom listened to Country and Western Music.  They did not tell people to bring their paychecks to them to be cashed.  The services were nice.

Today, I have to work on weekends so it's hard for me to get to church. 

I see all these different churches all around my area.  Sometimes on a Sunday, you will see 10 cars in one parking lot at one, another may have 20 cars, some have more and some have less.  And I think, "Why can't these people come together instead of separating and building all these different churches.  Why can't they realize that there is only one God.  Why can't they understand God doesn't care what we drive, what we own, what we wear, only that we believe in Him. 

I don't need a structure with a cross on it to prove to me that God is real.  I don't need different people telling me God says we can't wear slacks, can't listen to country music, can't play cards.  All that He asks is that we believe in Him.  I do.

Sharon Bryant

1946@bellsouth.net

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Poetry Corner

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Tears in Heaven

by Chris Hansen

Author of “Revelation Revisited,” “Secret of the Psalms,” and “Grandfather’s Journal.”

www.xlibris.com 1-888-795-4274 or any local bookstore.

A certain man arrived in Heaven, and at the throne of Jesus, knelt.

The more of Heaven’s joys he saw, the worse and worse he felt!

The Savior didn’t have to speak!

Yet, he spoke volumes with His eyes!

The poor man began to shriek!

Oh Jesus! You see through all my alibis!

Your look, I could almost bear!

If only there were mere anger on your face!

All I see there,

Is disappointment, love, and mercy and grace!

At such a high price, my soul was bought!

I know just why you are so disappointed in me.

Couldn’t I have brought,

One single soul to thee?

Not one, not even one!

All those wasted, wasted years!

Now I am undone!

No crowns to lay before your feet!  Only regret, and tears!

I am here in this wonderful place,

But not one soul came with me!

I myself took advantage of your grace,

Yet, brought not a single soul to thee!

Oh, tis true,

There were a few,

Half hearted attempts, now and then;

But if they said “no,”

I’d let them go,

And rarely went back again!

Oh, yes, I served you on Sunday, nearly every single week,

But Monday through Friday were my own!

So little effort on my part, expended on souls to seek,

And now, I come, alone!  Alone!  Alone!

Oh, Jesus, I see your nail pierced hands!

I see what you went through!

How light and easy were your commands!

How little I did to do what you asked me to!

Others invested their talents, in the lives of others,

And all I did was bury mine!

Others brought with them, sisters and brothers!

Yet, all I give thee now, is what was already thine!

Why didn’t I offer others,

What you have so freely given me?

Why didn’t I bring sisters and brothers,

To what I now enjoy here in Heaven, so selfishly!

Soon, you will wipe away all tears,

And all my sorrows will be through!

But for now, I ponder, only, wasted years!  Wasted years!

And, yes, there are tears!

Tears, in Heaven!

Oh, tis true!  Tis true!  tis true!”

Chris Hansen

chrishansen54@sbcglobal.net

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Readers Feedback

 Carol: Over the rainbow is one of the song I am learning with my singing teacher... Chris' adaptation is pretty good.... I was able to sing it... Well done, Chris  TANNIA

      Storytime is such a joy.  I am always glad to be a part of it.  Thank
you for running so many of Cynthia's poems too.  They really warm the heart.
  Have a wonderful Wednesday.  Wishing you every joy, Joe

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