Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

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March 27, 2006

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Today??™s announcements

Happy Birthday MaryAnn Doris from your friends here at Storytime Tapestry.

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Now onto the good stuff!

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Today??™s Queue Stories

~**~**~

A REAL CONVERSION

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Gabrielle Morgan

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? ? ? ? ?  I was an impressionable seventeen year old when I met David, the man I would eventually marry.?  I was intrigued by this tall, handsome, medical student.?  He was a pianist, child prodigy, exceptional writer, skier, yachtsman, and most surprisingly to me, a Catholic.? ? ? 

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? ? ? ?  ???Why would an intelligent person like him be a Catholic???™?  I asked myself.?  My own background was Protestant.?  I had been christened in the Church of England but had only attended church on a few occasions as a child, but instilled in me was the notion that Establishment Protestants were the accepted social norm, not Catholics, as was the bigotry of the times.

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? ? ? ?  David and my brother shared a common interest in Vintage Cars.?  One Sunday morning they were both under a car investigating the engine when David jumped up and said, ???I must go to Mass.??™ I thought this was a rarity for a man to actually prefer church to the ultimate pleasure of looking at the function of a car engine.?  I was astounded and my curiosity to find out why Mass would hold such an attraction prompted me to ask if I could accompany him.?  He agreed, and took me to his Church. To my amazement it was packed with people, whereas in my local Parish the Church of England struggled to find a dozen to attend. ???What made Catholics different???™

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? ? ? ?  I was impressed with the devotion of the congregation as they knelt in prayer, the women with heads covered by mantillas or hats, while the Priest celebrated the Eucharist in Latin.?  It was there, in that Church where I first looked at a painting of the Holy Shroud, the first seeds of my conversion were sown.? 

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? ? ? ?  David explained to me the significance of the Mass and the mystery of the Shroud.?  I had never thought about Jesus as a living God whose very body and blood became manifest in the communion bread and wine.?  I had never thought about an afterlife or the real meaning of existence at all.?  I wanted to know more.

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? ? ? ?  I sought out instruction from a Priest whose holiness and intellectual capacity impressed me.?  The dedication of his life to the priesthood was in itself a strong personal witness hard to ignore.?  After much thought and without any provocation from David I decided to convert to Catholicism and later married my handsome Catholic man.

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? ? ? ?  Both of us had divorced parents and we never wanted this to happen to us.?  But after eight years and no children, our marriage irretrievably broke down.?  This was traumatic for me.?  I then started to question the faith that I had taken on; a faith which decreed I must stay alone for the rest of my life and not remarry.?  I was tested.

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? ? ? ? ?  I stopped attending Mass, but questions remained in my mind.?  I was forced to live in the secular world where the moral ethics I had believed in did not apply.?  New sexual freedom in relationships allowed people to live together as partners instead of commitment in marriage.?  I wasn??™t prepared for this.?  Fresh relationships brought conflict to my mind.? 

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? ? ? ?  The more I experienced the more I could not discount nor disprove the teachings of the Church.?  I was now able to verify the wisdom of the Catholic stance.?  I defended it with a new faith, not merely as a nice ideal, but a conviction in my mind and heart, although I felt an outsider as I no longer attended Mass.

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? ? ? ? ?  But then I was led to a special mission Mass. Under the encouragement of my friend who had invited me, I went to confession for the first time in fifteen years.?  The Priest who heard my confession was helpful and understanding.?  I came away with a new peace and felt a wholehearted desire to once again partake of the Eucharist.? 

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? ? ? ?  Then, what I would call, my real conversion began.?  I experienced spiritual growth as never before and my prayers were answered in most unexpected ways.?  I met holy people who led me to greater knowledge and heights of endeavour.?  I learnt about the power of healing and the mysteries of the saints.?  I felt love in the hearts of those I met.?  I travelled to the Vatican in Rome and to the tomb of St. Francis in Assisi.?  I visited the Brompton Oratory in London and the churches in Holland, France, Ireland and Spain, and for all that, I knew I was home.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 

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?© GABRIELLE MORGAN? ? 

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Gabrielle_Nicholls @hotmail.com

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About Me:
I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA IN EAST VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA. I AM

MARRIED TO? ? ? FELLOW WRITER AND ARTIST, MICHAEL MORGAN. I

BELIEVE IN PEOPLE, IN LOVE, AND IN WRITING I FIND THIS THE

DEEPEST WAY OF MAGNIFYING IT. I LIKE THE GENTLE. I HONOUR

WHAT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO BE OF GOODNESS, QUALITY AND

BEAUTY. THE ANGELS AND SAINTS INSPIRE ME.

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~**~**~

Counting Change Keeps One Honest

Jene Lind

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When I was 9 and my sister 8 we went to the little country store in our very small hometown one snowy, cold winter day. Our little town was a picturesque little town of less than 100.? If you counted all? in a country?  3 mile? square. :)?  In any event, our little one room school, little country church that had a seating capacity of maybe 100 if chairs were added in the isles, and our tiny country store and post office were the only real gathering places of the town. The man who owned and operated the country store had cataracts on his eyes, therefore, could not tell a dime from a penny sometimes. He was considered blind for the most part. He knew us. He always called us the pretty little Bonner girls.?  ( we weren't pretty, nor were our real names Bonner.) We were foster kids and we knew it. But Mrs. Bonner was real. She took my sister and I into her home to raise and she made sure she raised us by the rod. Well, it may have been a razor strap or switch, but she drove her point home. On this snowy, cold winter day we were in a hurry to get home? because we were so cold. We had been sent to the store for a loaf of bread with a quarter.? ? By the time we walked the mile to the store we were freezing. ? We told the man we came to buy the bread, and after he gave us our change, we hurriedly took our loaf of bread and walked out the door. In our haste to get home, we forgot to count the change as we were instructed to always do. Yes, we knew we were only supposed to get 8 cents change. But when we got home and had a dime, our foster mother did not give us time to explain. She whipped us for "stealing two pennies from a blind man".?  Never mind we didn't know how we stole it. We stole it by not counting it, and therefore, we cheated the man. I often wonder.... did he give us too much to see what we would do? But I don't think so if he had known our consequences.

But she explained since we did not do as she told us to do, we stole the two pennies. Then she made us put our snowsuits back on and walk back to the store and tell the man we stole his money. It was getting dark, and though we were not afraid of the dark we were afraid the devil was going to come out and get us for stealing.?  But when we got back to the store and through tears running down our frozen faces told him we were sorry that he gave us a dime and therefore we didn't

count the change we stole two pennies from him.?  We did not tell him we had been punished but he came out from behind that counter and told us little girls can make mistakes sometimes just like old men and he was the one who gave us too much change and since we walked all the way back in that snow to give him the money we could have a sucker a piece. He then handed us the sucker jar and after we got our sucker he hugged us and sent us on our way. But we never ever left his store again without counting our change.

? Jene Lind

Imauthor4u@aol.com

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~**~**~

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Submission and Obedience

Joyce C. Lock

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? ? ? ?  Studies have shown that eighty percent, of all males and females, fit into standard categories of strengths and weaknesses.?  Thus, it is comfortable, convenient, and or best fits their abilities for them to follow traditional teachings for their roles.?  If where you are within the eighty percent bracket, this article may not be for you.

? ? ? ?  Though, if you are in the other twenty percent category, likely, your mate will be too.?  In such cases, a marriage works much better when couples stop trying to fill standard expectations and carry the roles God best equipped each for.?  However God created you; He did not make a mistake.

? ? ? ?  Having once experienced an abusive marriage and another kind of abuse in the church, thought to be the wrong gender to serve God, I had great need to 'know' God's intent for submission and obedience.

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? ? ? ?  First, in an abusive relationship, obeying means things like ~ if you open a two liter of pop while the mate it away, some of the fizz could possibly fizzle out and who knew that would make them angry!??  Though, you can expect to find yourself curled into a corner, in the fetal position, protecting as many body parts as possible.

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? ? ? ?  And, when the church tells wives to obey, the message is that this is what God is like.

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? ? ? ?  Then, when God's calling was contrary to authority's acceptance, it would eat at my soul.?  God did not stop calling, as He did not change His mind (Ro. 11:29).?  To hear the cries of others in need and to not be able to do anything about it was as much torment as being held captive/prisoner ??¦ sometimes, like it was happening to me all over again.

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? ? ? ?  I had great need to 'know' and as a result of that search, these are among my findings.

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In cases of submission ...

? ? ? ?  "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God," Ep. 5:21.

? ? ? ?  "I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth," I Co. 16:15-16.

? ? ? ?  "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord," Co. 3:18.

? ? ? ?  We are all called to submission, one to another, to husbands; to everyone that helps and labors for God, regardless of gender.? 

? ? ? ?  Being that it is impossible to obey everyone at the same time, we can conclude that to submit is not necessarily to obey.?  For, if the husband were submitting to one another, in theory, he would also have to obey his wife.?  Since that is not a supported doctrine, either the above verses are in error or we misunderstood the meaning of submitting.

? ? ? ?  As I have found submission to mean, it is to listen to the need of another's heart.?  Then, whenever it becomes necessary to alter my plan in order to meet their need, their true need should come first.?  In such, we should all be healers of one another's soul; including our mate's.?  We are to be willing vessels, allowing the love of God to flow through us as often as God shows us a need.

? ? ? ?  People's wants and needs are different.?  We can know which is a true need by following God's example.?  Listen not to one's words but to the cry of their heart.?  Our want should step out of the way for another's 'need'.

? ? ? ?  "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord." Co. 3:18.

? ? ? ?  Whatever you believe the word 'submit' means, consider this; "Wives, submit yourselves ... as it is fit in the Lord." Co. 3:18.?  Notice the verse does not say, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, or you are not fit in the Lord."?  It says to submit to the extent it "is fit in the Lord."

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? ? ? ?  So, if one's husband requests them to sleep with another man, is it fit in the Lord??  Of course not.?  So herein is, at the very least, is an example of exception.

Obedience ??¦

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? ? ? ?  What we are to 'obey' is spiritual leadership (whether one calls it submission or by another name).?  When someone is spiritually leading, we will be able to hear the Spirit and know that is God, it is Him speaking and it is fit in Him, as the Spirit can not lie.

? ? ? ?  In such cases, we are not worshipping our husband.?  Our submission is to the Lord.?  The same would be true, whomever the Lord is speaking through.?  When the Spirit touches our spirit, it is God.?  (Though, if we quench the Spirit before He has had a chance to speak, we might miss God's best.)

? ? ? ?  So, if that be the case, what could the following verses mean?

? ? ? ?  "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.?  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church," Ep. 5:31-32.

? ? ? ?  Paul just said he was referring to Christ and the church.?  Theologians agree.

A Great Mystery ...

? ? ? ?  A Bishop is to be a husbandman, married to his church; just like Christ is married to the church.?  In turn, a church (as a wife) is to submit to the leading and or needs of their Bishop; to the extent it is fit in the Lord.

? ? ? ?  As one researches the word 'woman', scripture gives it several additional symbolic meanings.

? ? ? ?  "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them," Ge. 1:27.?  "Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created," Ge. 5:2.

? ? ? ?  Male and female were called Adam; not Eve, not woman.

? ? ? ?  "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus," Ga. 3:28.?  "That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another," Co. 12:25.

? ? ? ?  Often, when we are reading of husbands and wives, it is in reference to the church.?  Either we believe that, or we believe the Bible contradicts.?  God is no respecter of persons.?  And when we are told that He is, it does not come from God.

? ? ? ?  Whenever we follow anyone contrary to God's leading, we have become a sinful Adam (male or female); whose choice became other than God.?  However, that is not to say we quarrel and fight.?  For, God is able to show us when our wants are in error, just as He is able to speak to our mates.

? ? ? ?  Only when God calls us to take a stand contrary to our mates are we to stand in the right way and for the right reason; striving to live peaceably (as with all men) but letting God be our only god.?  And, in following God, He will teach us how to stand in the Spirit.?  Therein, others can also know it is truth.

? ? ? ?  But in the case where a mate is not interested in things of God, we have been made bishops of our own souls; with our own accountability to God.?  Whatever it be, God will guide our every step.

? ? ? ?  Eve was the mother of all living.?  Paul referred to himself as a spiritual father.

? ? ? ?  "And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,"?  Mt. 19:4.

? ? ? ?  Since mothers and fathers (spiritual teachers) can not get it right ...

? ? ? ?  "For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?" Mt. 19:5.

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? ? ? ?  "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God," John 6:45.?  "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one," John 17:23.

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? ? ? ?  "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men," I Co. 6:20; 7:23.

? ? ? ?  "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," John 8:32.?  "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36.

? ? ? ?  "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life," Ro. 6:22.?  "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit," I Co. 12:13.

? ? ? ?  "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus," Ga. 3:28.?  "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage," Ga. 5:1.

? ? ? ?  "As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God," I Pe. 2:16.

? ? ? ?  "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth," II Ti. 2:15.

? ? ? ?  Do we believe God or teachings of men??  God word does not contradict.

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

Poetry Section

~**~**~

Peace Reminds Me of You

Mary Dees

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I'll travel alone,

When the night turns blue,

When peace this still,

Reminds me of you.

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I'll Look and I'll see

Birds flying gallantly--

Over streams,

Not one, but few.

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I'll touch the bark,

From the trees in your park,

And still this peace,

Reminds me of you.

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I'll taste the breeze,

That tickled the leaves

And left a smile,

That landed and flew.

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I'll sing for you a song,

For it won't be long,

Until this peace

Reminds me of you.

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I'll dance and I'll prance,

I'll touch the sweet dew.

How was it distant?

I shouldn't have missed it.

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My peace has always been you.

By Mary M. Dees

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~**~**~

Viaduct

Mary Dees

Underneath I was protected,

The concrete was so cold.

The train seemed to ease my mind,

When I was 12 years old.

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Steep, dirty incline,

I loved to reach the top.

Perched on beams that held me close,

My? heart has not forgot.

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Hush, quiet listen -

This was the most amazing part.

My ears would strain to here it,

Those distant, noisy carts.

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Then, as it drew nearer,

To my eyes a beautiful gift.

The train now was approaching,

Through the damp midnight mist.

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Chugging, pounding, charging,

Faster through the night.

Passing with so much force,

I held myself so tight.

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Suddenly, it was over,

The climax came to an end.

I bowed my head in dread,

As the anger crept back in.

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I thought, "here it is, add another",

To these endless memories abound.

Again the train has passed me by,

And left me in this town.

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By Mary M. Dees

marlena7694@yahoo.com

Mary M Dees resides in Ohio with her two children. She wrote her first poem at age 13 and has been writing ever since. She currently works as a hair dresser but has? had a lifetime interest in poetry. She also likes to dabble in interior design.

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~**~**~

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Readers Feedback

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Prayer Requests and Updates

Carol,
? ?  I want you to know that we are all praying for the safe return of you
dear Seti.?  God bless you always my friend.?  Joe

Keeping fingers & paws crossed here for a safe and speedy return of Seti. May God guide him back to your loving arms. Aro

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I will pray that Seti comes home soon.?  Maybe he is there by now. I hope Jene

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Oh, and I do like Paula??™s poem/prayer, too??¦ And I can remember the feeling, too, when my dog, the last one we ever had, Inky, disappeared for a week and a half, and he came on Thanksgiving day, right when we??™d all set down to dinner??¦perfect timing for his return.

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Senior Writers

Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

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Agee, Vance; Apted, Violet; Baker, Kathy; Batt, Al; Berry, Nell; Blaine, Pamela; Boda, Ginger; Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.; Cavalera, Robyn; Crider, Mark; Deming, Barb; Doherty, Maria; Gilbert, Robert, Jr.; Goodier, Steve; Braun-Haley, Ellie; Harris, Kathy Anne; 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; 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, Westerfer, Clara; David; White Robert;

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Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer ??“ moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator

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