Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

March 14, 2007

Today’s Announcements

Hello family/friends,

My daughter, Cheryl, had her thyroid successfully removed this morning early like 745a.m. eastern starndard time.  The surgeon told us that it went very well.  Now let's hope that her recovery does as well.  Her husband and I are at home for a little bit as she instructed us before her surgery that as soon as we talked to the surgeon after the operation and knew that she had done well that she preferred that we come home as she would be sleeping a lot. We plan to go back to the hospital in just a few moments.  Thank you for your prayers and I will be in touch as time allows.  Love to all and we are thanking Jesus, too,  Normie: hoopla214@yahoo.com

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Today’s Stories

~**~**~

TWO LAWS, TWO FACES, TWO CUSTOMS (February 2007)

By Georgewaters Ojeigbe – Lagos, Nigeria gojiegbe@oregun.jhplc.com

As the kingdom of heaven differs from the pit of hell so are laws from land to land.  That common saying, “one man’s meat is another man’s poison” goes a long way.  Before the advent of modesty; the new-age, referred to as the computer age, skirts were strictly for ladies why trousers were strictly for men but the Scottish men (the pipers) of Scotland put on skirts which is their custom.  For a man to put on a skirt in my country, Nigeria means he is mentally sick, whereas we are used to wrappers; clothing materials worn around the body.  This may probably look odd in some other lands.  Two laws, two faces, two customs!

Two laws, celebrity and the abominable, the good and the bad, the honored and the shamed!  In the kingdom of heaven holiness is exulted, on the other hand sin represents the pit of hell.  They are two unseen realms with two different ideas.  Yet the two realms are meant for souls but bear different conditions; presumed by mankind as heaven being favorable, and hell being unpleasant.  Yet souls find their ways to either of the realms.

Glaring differences once existed in Nigeria my country.  Many years ago before the coming of the white missionaries upon the lands of Africa, the birthing of twin-babies was defined in different ways and acted upon in different manners on different laws according to their customs. 

In the days before nineteenth century, in the western part of Nigeria, a woman who gives birth to twin-babies was highly esteemed.  She was respected and honored in the market places.  People showed her mercies and favors, especially if her babies are identical.  Her name automatically changes from her christened name to Iya Ibeji (mother of twins) wherever she went.  People smiles warmly at her and her husband respects her.  Her fame reaches the king’s palace and she feels like a royal lady.  But at the other side of the same country Nigeria, the southern part where the Calabars/Akwa-Ibom kingdom lies operated a different law and belief.

Where the Yorubas of the western part of Nigeria believed the birthing of twins to be a gift and blessing from God Almighty, the Calabars/Akwa-Iboms of the southern part of Nigeria believed the opposite.  The Calabars/Akwa-Ibom saw it as an omen and abomination upon their land.  The mother’s fate becomes hopeless as her twin babies were sent to great beyond even before opening their eyes to see the light of the day.  It was done according to their custom and ordered by the Obong (king).  The mother was treated as an outcast wherever she went.  Her role as a woman was challenged. 

The coming of the missionaries amongst whom was Mary Slessor gave this hash custom a big fight.  The struggle was not easy as she enlightened the locals through rough stages the cause of twin birthing.  Despite the hard terrain she eventually won the battle and today the hash law was eradicated from the Calabars/Akwa-Ibom custom.  Today the name Mary Slessor is on the lips of the women of this great ethic group; Calabars/Akwa-Ibom, who are very receptive especially to non indigenes.

Imagine a woman having waited patiently for several years after marriage before conceiving and gives birth to set of twins.  Supposed the crude custom still exist, what would have been her fate today?  Probably would have been deprived of her entitlement of motherhood especially if she clocks menopause after giving birth to her twins, but to the defeat of this wicked law the Calabars/Akwa-Ibom now proudly have Eka Amaniba (Mother of Twins) in great numbers.

The many customs and laws on the planet earth governed by homo sapiens.

THE END!

~**~**~

I Am Going To the Bahamas

By Nell Berry      2/7/07

“I’m going to the Bahamas.” I have heard people all my life say, I’m going to go here; I’m going to go there; or I’m going to do this or that, not prefacing it with “if it is God’s will I will do such and such.” None of us knows what tomorrow holds. If we did we would be fortune tellers. Only God knows what tomorrow holds for He is who holds tomorrow.

James 4:13 states: Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.”

V. 14: Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

V. 15: Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that.”

God controls the Universe. He knows what will happen every second, every minute, every hour of every day. He decides what we will do and what we won’t. We should never presume to be omniscient or all knowing as is God. We don’t know what kind of circumstance will come about to prevent us from doing what we desire to do. Every day there are tragedies that occur that are unexpected; every day there are accidents that occur which we do not foresee that prevents us from fulfilling our plans. Our plans are not God’s plans, therefore we should not make a statement that we will or will not do thus and so without first preceding it with, “If it be God’s will I will do etc., etc.”

I’m sure the people of New Orleans, LA had plans for the next day when Katrina hit and destroyed all their plans. I’m sure the people of 9/11 had plans for that day and the next and probably the next year. Then the terrorists took those plans away with their hideous plot to destroy the economy of the United States and willingly gave their lives to that end; in the process they destroyed the lives of over three thousand people. We might ask, “What kind of people would do such a thing?” or “What kind of God would allow such a tragedy as Katrina or 9/11?” It was the same kind of people who put Jesus on the cross and killed Him. It was the same God who in the old Testament of the Bible destroyed many thousands of people because they refused to  obey His commands. He gave them chance after chance to repent and follow Him and obey Him. He is a loving, merciful God. However, since He is our Creator He knows what is best for us and if we choose to disobey Him we suffer the consequences. He says He will never leave us or forsake us, but when we willingly choose to be rebellious, He is not responsible for the consequences. Just as we teach our children there are consequences to their actions, God teaches us there are consequences to our actions. For example, if our children run out in the street in front of an oncoming car, they are sure to be hit and injured by that vehicle. When we choose to engage in sinful behavior such as sexual sin; violent behavior such as taking a human life; when we decide to indulge in the act of taking illegal drugs; overindulgence in alcoholic beverages; when we engage in any illegal act, we must suffer the consequences. Those consequences may result in the surrender of our own lives. Even in the act, some would say is innocent, of smoking cigarettes, we suffer the consequences of losing our health and endangering the lives of countless others. If we choose to disregard the known fact that AIDS and other STDS are contracted by engaging in immoral sexual acts; adulterous acts of engaging in sex with someone other than our spouses, we must suffer the consequences. When we choose to engage in adulterous affairs, we not only suffer the consequences of potentially contracting disease, but spreading it to our spouse.

Yes, we are free to do as we please as long as it does not hurt another human being. We are free to do as we please as long as it does not hurt ourselves. But we must suffer the consequences if we choose an act that puts us or anyone else in harms way or puts our life or health in jeopardy. We cannot blame God if we have been rebellious against His laws or commands.

It is not God’s will that any should perish. But He has given us the rules to live by and if we choose not to abide by those rules, how can we blame Him?

In conclusion, whatever we do, we should do according to God’s will and to His glory. We will never get into trouble by abiding by God’s Holy Word and His commands.

Nell Berry

louis_berry@bellsouth.net

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

Tribute To Our Presidents
Cynthia Groopman

As we patriotically commemorate Presidents Day,
We pay homage and salute all of you in a very special way.
For throughout the history of our beloved nation,
you all have laid a firm and democratic foundation,
creating and building a strong, free and powerful nation.
Through your words, deeds and actions you have taught respect,
brotherhood and to live in peace and harmony,
Thus enabling us to bask in the precious golden light of equality.
You were all our brave and heroic captains of our ship of state,
And for your gallantry, paternal guidance and inspiring deeds,
we triumphantly celebrate.
Your devotion to our nation motivates us to stand proud and tall,
As we honor you in grateful and heartfelt tribute,
because you gave us equality, liberty and justice for all.


Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2004 Cynthia Groopman

~**~**~

What Used to Be

By: Cynthia Groopman

Oh, how I yearn for what used to be,

For comforting thoughts woven into love's tapestry.

Songs of robins announcing the arrival of spring,

And for surprises and joy homecomings would bring.

Blue skies embraced by golden sunshine,

For lullaby's  sweet melody at bedtime.

Smiles lightening life's load,

Walking hand in hand with mom down childhood's enchanting road.

For those were the days of old,

Full of stories, deep affectionate love and memories more precious than jewels and rare gold.

Cynthia Groopman

Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

 ~**~**~

Why Complain?
Cynthia Groopman

Things only seem to stay the same.
Stress piles high and deep,
Resulting in headaches and loss of sleep.
Anger begins to roar,
As we enter frustration's door.
Why complain, I say,
Life is not predictable each day.
Just be happy for what we possess,
For that my friend, is the golden path of happiness.

Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2007 Cynthia Groopman

~**~**~

In My Mind
Cynthia Groopman

With a burst of energy,
In my mind, thoughts dance sprightly.
Of the past, I begin to think,
Out of the fountain waters of nostalgia, I take a drink.
Thinking of yesteryear,
Crowns my life with everlasting memories of cheer.
Of the present, I muse,
Trying to be patient and not confused.
Of the future, I cannot predict or dwell,
For its events are woven into a cloak of mystery I cannot fathom or tell.
In my mind, the ocean waves of joy prance,
With such warmth and glowing elegance.
For God blessed me with a mind so deep and wide,
Where the profound, sublime,
Humorous and mysterious thoughts reside.

Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2007 Cynthia Groopman

Readers Feedback

 Dear Carol,
What a great issue March 12 is.  I loved
the story of Precious by Debra Glidewell.
It was touching and sweet. Then Cheetos by Jeannie
Nelson really gave me a laugh.
 The poems by Harley Sutton, Diane Doles Petry and Sandra Lewis Pringle
were  just the right mixture of subjects.
Thanks to all these wonderful  writers.
Clara Wersterfer

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