STORYTIME TAPESTRY

The Newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world

May 6, 2005

 Please read the prayer request from B.J. Cassady today.  I just cannot understand the cruelty of some humans.  

Please keep the son of Jimmie Million in your prayers.  Jimmie is a new member of Storytime Tapestry who joined because he heard of the wonderful prayer chain that we have.

Now on to the good stuff..........

Animal awareness series endorsed by Shiloh and Hank our mascots; all stories must receive their approval.

Pops, A Greyhound
Bill Walker
wildbill6807@yahoo.com

Pops, did you know Pops?  You may have, that is if you
are into betting. You see Pops was a racer, a runner,
you may have bet on Pops some time or other. Pops was
a winner, he was a Greyhound. Pops was very well
thought of by those that put money on him. Also
by those that loved him for what he was other then
running for their sporting money.

Now all through history, mankind is into sports. Man
will bet on about anything. Go to sporting events of
some kind.  There are always winners and losers. Some
losers not only lose, but are killed in the end. Those
are losers, and should lose their life. Poor
Greyhounds are no different.  Mankind is one of the
most heartless creatures that God made. Lot of people
only thinks of what is in it for me, myself
and I. Read history; we follow that path so much of
the time. We have no feelings for others, or poor
animals that live here on earth.  If they are not
winners we want nothing to do with them.

Pops was a winner, till one day. A racing accident of
some sort took place, Pops could race no more.  Well
he then was getting past prime anyways, maybe about 6 or
7 years old. Someone took him in, gave him a home,
but not for long. He found a new home. One where he
was just Pops, loved and cared for, his retirement
years became better, and he was family.  When he got his
real family, he was down to skin and bones.  Now he
has a place to put his head, got fed and was loved
for what he is, not something that has to run to have
a cage to live in.

Pops died 2nd day of Dec 2004 in the arms of Suzanna.
He had a seizure a bit before. In falling he broke a
leg. She rushed him to the vet. Poor Pops was in great
pain, also other things were found in testing him. It
is hopeless; Pops has run his last race.  His last
thoughts were on his loving Suzanna and her family,
well his FAMILY. Pops was 12 years old. He is and will
be missed by the ones that loved him for what he was,
he was a Family member. The house is missing one
member of the Family, and there is much sadness

Today he is at the Rainbow Bridge with the gang
waiting till the mist parts and his Family comes home.
He will be in great racing form to greet them. I am
sure he will have never run as fast as this race to
greet them.

Well I??™m a story teller, not a writer. Never learned the art of fancy English. I

happen to live in Nebraska, but I??™m still Missouri. Never married, all the Dollies I

ever took a second look at was too smart. Now at 74, just turned that other day, I

figure they all home safe. I love Doggies and Dollies in that order. Lost my two

true friends this year, that be Tinker and Poo. So I found me a new one. This

time a little girlie Peke. She is a normal female. Got a mouth, talks all the time.

She will never be a great writers of stories like Tinker and Poo. They have

about 50 stories on HWS. And now writing back from Rainbow Bridge.

I just try to write about people, places and things best I remember. Have something

over 250 stories on HWS. under three names.   

Today's Queue Stories
~**~**~**~

The Storm ~
Joyce C. Lock
(True Story)

    Once, as a child, we were dead center (or so it seemed) of a really severe electrical storm; with sounds so loud the affect was a bit more like explosions on our nerves.  Though, thankfully, all the family was home; family couldn't even have kept us safe.

    We gathered around the kitchen table, praying first then trying to find ways to entertain each other so as to distract from all the noise.  And, of course, everything within the house had been turned off and unplugged, except the kitchen light and a radio; as it was just that bad a storm.  Then finally, mom got up, went over by the sink, and unplugged the radio, too; as the lightning was too close to take the chance of leaving it on.  Perhaps that was our clue, lighting was near to striking.

    Then, with every boom, there was a moment of silence; listening to determine if a tree would be falling on the house or whatever else might happen next.  And, no matter how we tried to ignore all that noise, we couldn't help but jump when the sound seemed like a megaphone blaring in our little kitchen.

    None-the-less, when lightning finally did strike our house, the thunder must have been as loud as if we were sitting in the very cloud that had made all that noise.  There wasn't anyone left but what was at a nervous jitter and, of course, the baby cried.

    Then came what one might have thought to be the most important moment of silence ... listening ... listening ... l i s t e n i n g.  But, nothing horrible happened.  We heard it.  We saw it.  The lightning went right by our heads, but nothing.  Where did it go?

    We were immediately hushed as Dad left the table to research what damage the lightning might have caused.  Only by now, the silence was that we dare not make another sound until the verdict had been determined.  Though it was a bit difficult, we knew this was potentially serious and we children managed to continue shaking quietly.

    But still, it was a bit of a mystery as all there was, just past the kitchen, was a small utility area; a furnace, a hot water heater, a washer and a dryer ... and all appeared to be in working order.  So, dad scanned the room further.  There was some metal shelving with a few things on the shelf, a metal tool box (not hot) with all tools appearing to be in tact, and an ironing board and iron ... and the iron hadn't even been plugged in.  That's about all that was in the room, unless you want to count dad's work shoes.  So, what, now?

    I'm pretty sure, by this time, dad was calling upon some Heavenly discernment, as he decided to scan the room one last time.  He scanned the floor, the curtain rod, the ceiling light, switch plates.  "What could he be missing?"  "The walls, maybe it went through the wall.  Look for a hole or something in the wall."

    He looked and looked, then ... there, he saw it; the electrical box.  Oh, my!  Just barely a few feet from where we were sitting, lightning had come through the house and stuck the electrical box.  On the outside cover of the box, one of the four screws had been burned out; which was barely an inch from electrical power.

    Next, dad tested the box itself, to be certain it wasn't hot or having electrical current running through the metal cover.  Then, once he concluded it might be safe to open, he did and it was determined that all electrical wiring remained in tact.  Shew!  That was it?  Lightning only hit one little screw?  Now, what are the odds of that?

    Though the storm didn't stop right away, parents reasoned that, for God to protect us from something as close as that, we could be assured we'd be safe through the rest of this storm.  Then, mom turned the radio back on and left us children the option to leave the table, whenever we felt comfortable to do so.

    While having never been amidst such an extreme electrical storm since, God already knew this early experience would prove beneficial to me as an adult.

________________

    As it happened, for twenty years, we lived in a small rural community surrounded by miles and miles of farming flatland.  And, as we were located, it was quite common for our house to be slammed with 50 mph winds and sometimes greater; whether those winds included rain, snow, hail, ice, blizzard, or debris.  And though the older windows had been storm window covered, glazed, caulked, stuffed, drapery and blind covered, and once even blanket covered to slow down the effect, it would sound as if every next slam against the house would be the one that caused windows to pop out or break.

    Yet, even though childhood fear was not knowingly present, these episodes would produce reoccurrence of that same jittery feeling I had experienced as a child.  And as it were, I couldn't seem to make my jumpiness stop.  Though, I did not want to impose fear on my children; even by my appearance of such.

    Therefore, considering that, put with other weather experiences (like tornadoes, ice storms, white outs, blizzards, ice storms, and even our house once being buried in snow) and witnessing the undesirable wining of some with even the slightest weather change, it gave me confidence in God concerning such things and left clues as to how to pray more effectively.

    So, when I first began coming to God regarding the weather, I just told Him how I saw it to be ... that He knows exactly how much water we need, and how much outdoor plants and trees need (and, whether we think they need that much or not, He knows if a dry spell is coming next week) ... that He knows just how much cold we need, to keep bugs from taking over, etc ... and that I appreciate all those things and am thankful He takes care of it (and I don't have to), that He knows how to do it better than me, and so I won't tell Him how to do His job.

    None-the-less, in addition to already loathing the crippling and victimizing feeling of fear, I do not want to dishonor God in even the appearance.  So, concerning storms, all I ask is that He, please, not terrorize us ... that He not allow what He is doing, with the weather, to terrorize us ~ as terror does not come from God.  Thus, wherever the blame goes, just don't let us be terrorized.  That's all I ask.

    Whether a perfect prayer or not, it worked.  I didn't need to 'know' if I said the words exactly right.  I did not have to ask forgiveness for unknown unrelated sin, and I didn't even have to get on my knees.  Neither did I ask God to get rid of the storm or tell Him how to get the job done.  Also, I didn't have to relive an old experience to overcome and become a better me.  It was the noise that most affected me and all I asked was for God, however He would so choose, to help me honor Him by meeting my need ... and He did.

    Soon in awe, it was amazing!  Drawing hubby to our kitchen window, we stood and watched rain spinning on a neighboring roof, while we couldn't tell it was even touching our house.  When wind came from another direction, it appeared to bypass us altogether.  When tornadoes didn't land, I'd finally go outside to see why so much silence, then run to call my daughter to come see what God had just done.  It would suddenly be a beautiful sunny day, with no sign there had ever been a storm at all!

    I can change the weather; not by my works but just by bringing the need of my heart to God ~ every time.  It is not a bit uncommon, as happened this year, among other storms, that a 6"-10" snow prediction hit our entire part of the state, except that it did a horseshoe around the entire city we now live in.  As it was, my youngest needed safe traveling to get home with her babies and God left her a clear wide path.

    In fact, one year, the TV radiologist got replaced for his lack of accurate predictions; poor guy.  Do you suppose they would have believed me had I told them it wasn't his fault?

    While I make no claim to having obtained in all areas of life, I look forward to that possibility and, in the meantime, know this.  We limit God when we tell Him how to meet our need.  Just know that He loves us enough to get the job done.

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

To help avoid SPAM, please do not publish my e-mail address.

?© by Joyce C. Lock
http://my.homewithgod.com/blessingsandlessons/

Let God be true, but every man a liar ... Romans 3:4

He that findeth his life shall lose it:
and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 10:39

?© by Joyce C. Lock
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/

About the Author

   Having grown up amidst Preachers, Evangelists, Missionaries, Church Planting, etc.:

author Joyce C. Lock, has been actively involved in church work most of her life ...

with a huge variety of church related positions and experiences; still serving the Lord,

full time, in whatever capacity He calls her to next. A homemaker, mother of two,

retired foster parent of twelve, and still a young grandmother of nine ...

she is also a published author, columnist, and poet.

Joyce founded and maintains the e-mail ministries "Heavenly Inspirations"
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/heavenlyinspirations-intro.htm,
"Share a Smile" http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/shareasmile.htm,

and, additionally, offers "Heavenly Inspirations - original writings"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations-originalwritings/;

a free archived resource of varied inspirational writings (by multiple authors).

Joyce's writings encourage us in our relationship with God and each other.

The enclosed writings may be used in its entirety,

with credits in tact, for non-profit purposes.

 ~**~**~  

ValueSpeak

A Weekly Column

By Joseph Walker

FREE TO LOSE

            My colleague, T.J., lived most of his life in . . . well, let??™s just say he lived in a country that is very different from the United States of America and leave it at that, shall we?

            Consequently, he has been more than a little interested in watching the American political process unfold during the past year ??“ especially during the last few months.  As you might expect, he has had hundreds of questions about everything from Al Gore to Zeb Miller.

            ???It is surprising to me,??? he said one day, ???that in a county that seems to be so committed to the concept of monogamy, that your ruler would have more than one spouse.???

            ???More than one . . .???? I started to ask.  Then it hit me: he??™d been watching Rumor, Slander and Innuendo Week on the History Channel again.  The only question was, which presidential indiscretion was I going to have to explain?  The slave?  The driver?  The movie star?  The intern?

            Thankfully, T.J. actually bailed me out himself.

            ???I hear all about the First Lady,??? he said, ???but I never hear about the Second Lady.  I assume there must be a Second if there is a First.  Correct????

            Thankfully I had an answer for his semantic confusion.  So now T.J. has a pretty good handle on presidential monogamy (which is more than I can say for some of our former presidents . . . but I digress).  That leaves two things about American elections he??™s having a hard time comprehending.  First, he doesn??™t understand how powerful and popular candidates, each with millions of passionate supporters, can appear to be so angry at each other without throwing down the gloves and physically attacking each other ??“ or urging their followers to do so.

            ???They insult each other, then they smile and shake hands,??? he said, shaking his head.  ???It seems so dishonest and uncivilized.???

            The second thing he struggles with is the whole concept of losing.

            ???In my country we vote, but usually there is only one name on the ballot,??? he said.  ???So nobody loses.  You just vote to say you approve of the selected candidate.  It must be a difficult thing to lose and to experience such shame in such a public way.???

            Difficult?  Yes.  But shameful?  No way.  In fact, losing an election is one of the most remarkable things about democracy.  Implicit within the concept of freedom is the opportunity to succeed AND fail.  It is our choice whether or not we will run for public office; it is the choice of the people whether we will win or lose.  Freedom and choice are the key elements here: we are free to run for public office, the electorate is free to choose from a slate of (more or less) qualified candidates, and everyone is free to win ??“ and to lose.

            Of course, losing an election is never easy ??“ theoretical nobility aside.  So much time, energy, effort and money are invested in the campaign by candidates and supporters alike.  After spending months raging about the inability of your opponent to do the job, it is difficult to turn the other political cheek and offer your support to the people??™s choice.

            Difficult ??“ but not impossible.  For that is what democracy demands of candidates and their supporters.  You see, we don??™t do coups in this country.  We don??™t do riots in the streets (unless we??™ve won an important ball game, in which case all bets are off).  That isn??™t how we deal with Election Day defeat.  We understand that the people have spoken, and we graciously accept their will ??“ narrow though the margin of defeat may be.

Oh sure, we may have hurt feelings, heartache and, occasionally, hanging chads.  But ultimately, we have order.  And discipline.  And profound belief in a system that produces patriots who are winners ??“ as well as patriots who are losers.

Poetry Section

              ~**~**~

Waiting for Love

Caroline Sanderson

Long nights I lie awake and think of you.

thoughts of you never far from my mind.

How I long to be held in your arms and feel

your heart beat next to mine.

Your smile brightens my day and your words

caress my heart,

I sense a new awakening in me, my heart

opening ready to receive your Love.

But you heart still lies with another

dreams shattered and hurts that run so deep,

Like a fast moving stream they carry you along barely

giving you time for new breath.

Can a heart be in two places at once?

Can it cling to the old and still embrace the new

or will it forever stay divided

unable to truly love.

How I wish I could be the one to comfort you

to offer you refuge in my arms.

To heal the wounds and release all those hurts

from your heart.

For now I must wait. Content just to be with you.

My heart somehow made more alive

just by your presence,

dreaming of times that might be.

Dare I dream of your arms encircling me drawing

me close to you.

Your breath warm on my neck, kisses long and deep.

Time standing still as two hearts beat to the rhythm of a new day.

Caroline  Sanderson 16/9/04

caro @bigpond.net.au

~**~**~

An Answer to Prayer

Carol Sanderson

(This is an answer I received to a very heart felt prayer whilst at a church camp at Mount Tamborine, south of Brisbane)

Let your heart always guide you.

Let me Love be inside you

As you walk through life??™s difficult paths.

Let my Spirit console you

And my arms ever hold you

as you search to find the right way.

Though the waves of life??™s great oceans

may threaten to drown you

I will lift you up and set you down upon calm seas.

Let my peace fill your heart

And my Light guide you forth

On the course I had laid before you,

Knowing I am with you now.

Today, Tomorrow and Always

Caroline Sanderson

caro@bigpond.net.au

About Me:

I am a 36 year old single mum. I live in Brisbane with my 6 year old daughter Eleanor, a German Shepherd dog Tara, 2 mice- Bandito and Biscuit (I had 35 mice at one stage)and a fish. As you can probably tell I love animals.  My other passions are music, reading and writing, spending time at the beach and movies. I studied English, History and Journalism at University and have worked on and off for Flight Centre in Australia ever since.

I also love travelling and experiencing different cultures. I spent most of my 20's seeing the world. I lived and worked in London for 3 years and used that as my base to travel. Once of my best experiences was overlanding from London to Kathmandu through Europe and the Middle East, on a double decker bus followed by a trek in Nepal.

I became a Christian April this year and have been on a pretty steep learning curve ever since. I look forward to forming a closer relationship with the Lord each day.

My email address is caro@bigpond.net.au   (Caro is my nickname)

~**~**~

She Wanted To Know

Kathleen Ann Shelton

Shivering she stood on the roadside

I pulled over and offered her a ride

How far could I take her she wanted to know

I replied as far as she needed to go

As I drove her to her destination

She asked of me a very strange question

She wanted to know if I knew from where she came

I looked at her as if she was insane

Then she shared some secrets with me

On how enjoyable life could be

If one would delight in the little things

That life so often brings

She wanted to know if I have ever loved true

And if over again would I do

I smiled as I thought back to yesterday

???Yes-it was worth it??? I had to say

Nosey little thing she wanted to know

What my efforts in life had to show

And not in the material ??“that didn??™t count

I couldn??™t figure what she was about

But then I expressed to her the joy I have seen

As I reflected upon my life??™s scene

Of the smiles and laughter I have shared

Of the lives I have seen repaired

I explained that life does have some pain

But that it doesn??™t have to stain

We talked about extending love to each other

How we all are sister and brother

She asked about the greatest love I have known

If it had died or if it had grown

I replied both- that my greatest love had died

So that He could always be by my side

She told me to remember our conversation

That it was the format of my life??™s foundation

To trust in the love that I had been given

From Our God up in Heaven

She smiled sweetly and said ???I know Yahweh too???

And yes, He has shown the greatest love for you

And He sent me with a message for you to relay

Your Father is with you each and everyday

Then I awoke and realized it had been a dream

And wondered what it did mean

Or had it?  For in my hand I had clenched so tight

A tiny angel with her wings in flight

Kathleen Ann Shelton

Kathleenannshelton @yahoo.com 

Writers Feedback 

Re: Update on Janet Seever??™s Husband. What wonderful news. I think Dennis will improve even more since he has a dedicated wife to help him through this.

Dianna

Holding onto Hope by Janet Seever is a wonderful piece. I just copied it into an e-mail and sent it to my neighbor. Her husband had a massive stroke three years ago and had his third stroke since on Friday last. He is in a nursing home and will not come home. But this piece has so much hope in it, I wanted to share it with my dear friend.

Announcements

Hey everyone if you have the time please help out a fellow member who is starting up

his own newspaper. 

Carol,

Just letting you know I have a website explaining the upcoming paper, should anyone ask. Thank you for running the ad for it.

www.christianlink.com/publish/mwwj

Thanks again, Jim

SHARE SOME COMFORT

A PAID PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITY FOR UPLIFTING PERSONAL STORIES

A Cup of Comfort is a best-selling anthology (book) series, featuring powerful true stories about the experiences and relationships that inspire and enrich our lives. Stories are selected for inclusion in A Cup of Comfort based on originality, creativity, and substance.

Creative nonfiction stories are actively being sought for two new volumes:

A CUP OF COMFORT FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS

Having a baby is one of the most exciting, challenging, and magical experiences in a woman??™s life. It can also be an emotional roller-coaster ride and physical endurance test. Never more so than during pregnancy does a woman need a little extra TLC??”and the purpose of each of the 50 stories to be included in this anthology is to bring comfort and encouragement to expectant moms of all ages and backgrounds, whether expecting their first child or their tenth. To that end, we seek uplifting personal stories about the memorable experiences that inspire, reassure, sustain, and delight women during those wondrous and sometimes anxious months of planning, conceiving, carrying, delivering, and finally welcoming home a new bundle (or bundles) of joy. Any topic relevant to this unique time in a woman??™s life is acceptable, as long as the story is positive and meaningful to expectant mothers overall.

        Submission Deadline: July 15, 2005

A CUP OF COMFORT FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

A child??™s diagnosis of autism usually strikes fear in the hearts of parents??”and often turns their world upside-down and their lives inside-out. The incidence of this mysterious neurobiological disorder has risen dramatically in recent years, leaving parents in search of answers, support, and hope. For this collection of 50 inspiring stories, we seek personal anecdotal stories (not prescriptive articles) about the unique aspects of parenting a child with autism and related disorders will provide parents of children with autism and related disorders (Asperger syndrome, Rett??™s disorder, disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder). Possible themes include, but are not limited to: impact on other members of family; creative solutions to everyday challenges; breakthroughs; effective treatments; silver linings; tender moments; helpful support; unexpected positive outcomes; blessings large and small; reasons for hope; adult children with autism. We are most interested in stories written by parents, but will also consider and likely publish some stories written by professionals and family members or friends with intimate knowledge of the child and parents in question.

        Submission Deadline: October 1, 2005

Stories must be original (not derived from another published work), true, positive, in English, and 1,000-2,000 words.

Payment: One $500 grand prize per book; $100 each, all other published stories. Plus copy of book.

Guidelines: http://www.cupofcomfort.com (click on "Share Your Story") or email request to cupofcomfort@adamsmedia.com. Additional volumes with varying themes are planned.

Thank you for your consideration
 
Colleen Sell
Editor, A Cup of Comfort
wordsinger@aol.com (direct)
cupofcomfort@adamsmedia.com (via publisher)

Prayer Requests

Answer to Prayers

I have a friend that found out her niece has breast cancer.She asked me to send to my friend's on here for a prayer wheel to be started. She's a survivor of breast cancer herself. Please pray for Cindy Corbett.

Thanks.

Joyce

Hello everyone,

First, thank you mightily for the prayers that you lifted in Jeremy's surgery which has been

successful after what was to be five hours but lasted over seven.  He is on a respirator as

I speak to be taken off during the night; has blinked his eyes but the doctor wishes to keep

him asleep during the night.  His dad is with him, sleeping in a recliner and has reported

that Jeremy's color/blood pressure is good; almost unbelievable but he does face more

surgeries even after this one being #5 due to the scar tissue which builds.  His aorta valve

and an artery had grown together and the scar tissue was unbelievable plus they were

standing by ready to give him blood as there was a possibility of his bleeding to death but

that was never necessary.

I will update you as I know more so please keep him in your prayers.   We are so full to

know that he has survived the surgery and oh yes, the crew had a human aorta to use instead

of an artificial one.

Blessings/Love, NormaLee

SENIOR WRITERS

Agee, Vance;  Apted, Violet;  Baker, Kathy;  Batt, Al;  Berry, Nell;

Boda, Ginger;  Bryant, Sharon;  Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.;  Crider, Mark; 

Deming, Barb; Goodier, Steve;  Harris, Kathy Anne; Hunt, Sharlette; 

Jacobson, Gary;  Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Jenkins, Pamela;

Liles, Norma;  Mazzella, Joe; Ojeigbe, Georgewaters;

  Petry, Dianna Doles; Roberts, Susan;  Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Swarner, Ken; Vaknin, Sam;

Walker, Bill;  Walker, Joe; Warner, Gorden K;

Whirity, Kathy;  White, Robert;

STORYTIME TAPESTRY STAFF

Publisher: Carol Roach-founder

Moderator: Thelma Hartselle-co founder

Moderator: Clara Westerfer

Send all inquires about the newsletter including submission requirements: