Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

April 13, 2006

Today’s announcements

Happy Birthday goes out to Pam Patterson, Nancee Donovan, and

La Vern Burton.

Now onto the good stuff!

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

Hosanna!

Helen Dowd

Mark 11: 9 & 10: "And they that went before, and they that followed, cried saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.... Hosanna in the highest." ("Hosanna" means "save, we pray.")

I remember when the Queen of Britain (and the commonwealth) came through our small town in northern British Columbia, Canada, in the late '50's or early 60's. For weeks the town prepared for her visit. On the day of her arrival the road was lined with people. All necks were craned for one fleeting glance at Her Majesty, as she was driven past in a limousine. The narrow streets echoed with the shouts of "God Save the Queen! Long Live the Queen!” So soon it was over! People all went about their everyday lives, as if nothing important had happened.

For centuries the teachers of the law had been telling of the coming of the King who should re establish David's kingdom. Now for three years the King had been living among the people. They had seen His miracles, and many of them had been the recipients of a miracle. On more than one occasion the multitudes had wanted to declare Him King, but He would slip away, and go to some quiet place.

 It is nearing "Passover," and Jesus' work on earth has nearly come to an end, but He is the only one who knows it. Although He has repeatedly told His disciples that the purpose of His ministry was not to establish an earthly kingdom, they cannot comprehend it. So they are not surprised at the notoriety He gets on this trip to Jerusalem.

Jesus and His disciples have spent a quiet Sabbath day in Bethany, the town where His friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus live. It is Sunday morning, and Jesus and His disciples are about to set out for Jerusalem, where crowds are gathering for Passover. He calls two of the disciples and says to them, "Go into the next village, Bethpage. There you will find a donkey tied, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, 'The Lord needs them.'" Matthew 21:2 & 3

The two disciples hurry off, wondering what will happen when they are caught untying someone else's animals. As they had expected, someone does ask. With their hearts in their mouths, they say what Jesus had told them. To their surprise the owner of the donkeys gladly allows them to take the mother and the colt.

The disciples put their garments on the colt, upon which no one had ever ridden. They mount Jesus, and the donkey proudly begins her trip, carrying the King of Heaven. As they journey toward Jerusalem the crowd increases. And so does their enthusiasm. "Who is this Celebrity who is riding on such a humble beast?"...

Blind Bartimaeus, and others who had been healed, follow along. Mothers with their children join the parade, spreading out their garments for the donkeys to walk on. Little boys and girls run joyously along, spreading flowers on the way. Shepherds, who have heard the story of the Babe in the manger for thirty-three years (not realizing that this Man riding the donkey is that same Baby, now grown), join in the parade. Merchants and tradesmen watch as the crowd passes by. The enthusiasm grows. People grab palm branches from near-at-hand trees, and spread them on the path. The song, "Hosanna in Highest!" fills the air. "Our King has come! Glory to God in the Highest! Salvation to our people!" Through all this the donkey remains calm. And Jesus makes His way into Jerusalem.

The multitude's fever of praise is at its highest pitch: "Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." And Jesus, who knows the fickleness of the crowd, knows that many of these same people will (in less than a week) be shouting, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Now the crowd has made its way into the city. The residents there look on in awe. "Who is this Person?” they ask, amazed at the reception. He must be a very important celebrity; yet they had not been told of His coming. The response they received is, "This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee." It does not ring a bell with the folks in Jerusalem, so they just go about their daily lives, not paying much attention.

The Last Supper is over. Jesus and the disciples, all twelve, have spent hours fellowshipping together over the meal. Christ has declared Judas the traitor, when He dipped the morsel into the sop and handed it to him, and Judas accepted it, leaving the upper room. John 13:26

The group now heads out into the night, where here and there in the village lights from flickering candles can be seen, as people partake of the paschal lamb.... And the Lamb of God is moving moment-by-moment closer to His sacrificial death, of which the Passover lamb is a symbol.... They walk through the eastern gate and down the hill, Jesus and the eleven disciples--who love Him, but cannot comprehend the meaning of the work He had come to do, nor of the hours which lie imminently ahead. The full moon, its lights shimmering on the waters of the brook Kidron, shines on the group as they pass over the bridge.

Now they are nearing Olivet. Christ turns aside into a garden, the thick branches of olive trees casting heavy shadows on the path. Christ has been to this Gethsemane Garden on many previous occasions, for prayer and for rest. But this time it is different. This time His heart is very heavy. This time His thoughts turn upon Himself, and upon the awful hours that are coming up so soon. He does not want His disciples to witness His agonizing ordeal; so He tells them to wait at a certain spot while He goes further to pray. However, we have to remember that even though He is God, He also is man. He feels the desperate urge for human companionship, so He takes with Him the disciples who were the closest to Him, Peter, James and John. These were the three, alone, who had witnessed the times of His greatest power and glory when He raised Jarius' daughter, and when He was transfigured. Further the four of them went, into the darkest part of the garden. It is a comfort for Him to have His friends near, but here He stops. He knows He must face this last part alone. He says to them, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here and watch with Me." He goes forward a short distance to a spot where the moonlight cannot penetrate, blocked out by the interlaced branches overhead. Here He kneels in prayer. Here He feels the awful quietness all around Him. He feels a terrible heaviness upon Him. He pours His soul out to His Father. Matthew 26:39: "Oh My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as you wilt."

Here we see the human (versus the divine) nature of Christ demonstrated. He asks His Father in heaven if there is any other way to accomplish what He was sent to earth for, other than the ordeal He is about to face. Mark 14:36 & Matthew 26:39. The burden seems almost greater than He can bear. The cup is too bitter for Him to drink. It is not only from the death which He shrinks; it is not only that He feels that His life on earth has not accomplished what He had wanted it to accomplish; but it is for the sins of the people that he suffers. It is for betrayal of Judas that He grieves; He loved Judas as much as He loves the other disciples. It is because the people of Jerusalem, His own people, have rejected Him, and are about to condemn Him to death--Him, the Son of God. And it is for the sins of the whole world that will be laid on Him. These are the things that overwhelm Him. It is because of these agonies that He sweats drops of blood as He prays.

He can bear the agony no longer. He staggers to His feet and seeks the comfort of His friends. But they are asleep. They have failed Him in His hour of need. It is as though He is all alone. God had made it clear to Him that there was no other way to redeem man from death, but by His death; so for the time being, even God has deserted Him. And his human friends have failed Him; His countrymen have condemned Him; one of His associates has betrayed Him. With an even heavier heart He goes away again. He repeats the prayer, submitting Himself to the will of God. He again encounters the Powers of Darkness, who do their best to weaken His will, to make Him abort His mission of salvation. He could. He has the power. He is God. But because He is God, He will not. He has thrown off Satan's power. He has conquered death. Yes. He has conquered death!

He leaves the Garden. His greatest ordeal is over. He knows that in just a few hours His travail will be over. The darkest hours were yet to come, but the hardest hours are over. Totally exhausted, He is at the point of death. Here in the Garden, as at the beginning of His ministry, on the mountain when Satan had tempted Him so sorely, an angel comes. Although His earthly friends have failed Him, God has not. He has sent an angel from Heaven to strengthen Him. He returns to His sleeping disciples, but He no longer needs their help. His human weakness is finished.

During the following hours of suffering, the Savior never again shows a trace of weakness. With perfect majestic self-control, He meets His enemies.

© Helen Dowd

Helen Dowd

Email address: hmdowd@telus.net

Website: www.occupytillicome.com

Bio

Helen Dowd enjoys spending time at her computer, along side her husband of 48 years, writing poetry, story poems, stories about pets and life in general, as well as inspirational and Bible stories. Her writings can be found on her website: www.occupytillicome.com. She has recently had a book published  – If You Only Knew!—a story of courage and faith, taking place during the Great Depression and beyond.  It can be viewed by pressing on the banner on the front page of her website.

~**~**~

~**~**~

ValueSpeak
A Weekly Column
By Joseph Walker

valuespeak@msn.com 

A WONDER AND A MYSTERY

You are a mystery to me.

I don’t know who you are, where you are or if you’ll ever read this.  But this is the only way I can think of to reach out to you and say “thank you” for Taylor’s new heart.

I know that the joy our family is feeling at the new life you have given to Taylor is matched only by the sadness your family must be experiencing because someone you love has died.  I am sorry for your loss – I truly am.  My greatest hope is that you can somehow extract some comfort and meaning from the knowledge that your loved one’s heart is beating in the chest of an outstanding young man, and that his family is profoundly grateful.

You should know that the heart arrived, safe and secure, and in the very nick of time.  Taylor was on the operating table, being prepared for the transplant.  Just as they were getting ready to hook him up to the machine that would keep him alive during the operation, his heart stopped beating.  It was a miracle that he had even been born with such a poorly formed heart, let alone that he had survived for 13 years with it.  And finally, just as it was about to be replaced, it gave out.  It stopped working.  If your loved one’s heart had not arrived when it did . . .

But it did.  Thank God.  And thank you.  It did.

The doctors were pleased with such a good, strong heart.  I guess we have you to thank for that, too.  The surgery was long and delicate and incredibly successful.  Taylor’s body responded immediately to his new heart – and positively.  He is recovering beautifully from the surgery.  He is home now, and while his parents are taking every precaution and continually reminding us that we have a long way to go before we’re completely out of the cardiovascular woods, for the first time in his life Taylor has a heart to match his . . . well . . . his heart.

Last Sunday Taylor’s Uncle Dick and Aunt Judy dropped in for a visit.  Taylor’s mother kindly asked them to put on surgical masks – they are doing everything they can to avoid possible infection during the healing process.  When Taylor came out he looked . . . amazing.

“I’ve never seen Taylor look so good,” Dick said.  “He was smiling.  He moved energetically.  His cheeks had that healthy, rosy glow.  I asked him how he was feeling and he looked me right in the eye and said, ‘Uncle Dick, I feel better than I ever felt in my life.’”

For Taylor, ill health has been a way of life.  His parents have helped him to live normally – or as normally as you can live when you don’t have a complete heart.  He laughed and played and studied and did most of the things that kids do.  But it was harder for him than most.  Even so simple a task as taking a long, deep breath has been a challenge for him.

On Sunday, however, he stood there with his aunt and uncle and showed them how he could inhale and fill his lungs to capacity.  He smiled at them as he exhaled.

“That feels good!” he said.

I’m sure you can imagine what a wonderful thing it is for those of us who know and love Taylor to see him smiling, with rosy cheeks and lungs filled with air and the future bright and promising before him.  It is nothing short of a miracle, for which we thank God, medical science and you – whoever you are.  I don’t pretend to know why or how miracles happen the way they do.  I know there are other wonderful families out there who have prayed and worked and anguished for the exact same miracle that we received – with different results.  As the poet observed, “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.”

Now and forever, you and your family are part of His wonder.

And part of His mystery.

Poetry Section

~**~**~

The Best Example

Joyce C. Lock

The best example of what a father should be ...

(Begins with the heart and bended knee,

Asking the Father for guidance to see,

Teaching each step - a humble plea,

Nurturing the soul, then setting it free)

To love and be loved, as God loves thee.

© by Joyce C. Lock

~**~**~

The Candle

Joyce C. Lock

Like the light of a bright candle

And the warmth of a fire's glow...

We brighten every corner

When we let God's love show.

© by Joyce C. Lock

~**~**~

The Difference

Joyce C. Lock

LIKE DEW UPON A PETAL,
LIKE LIGHT UPON THE SNOW,
LIKE BIRDS IN THE SPRINGTIME,
LIKE FLOWERS IN A GARDEN SHOW,
LIKE MOUNTAIN SPRINGS OF WATER
AND CLEAR CREEKS BELOW;

GOD MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
HE LONGS TO LOVE YOU SO.

© by Joyce C. Lock

Readers Feedback

These are all new comments please read to the bottom thank you.

Comments from April 6, 2006

Carol,

I hope you realize by printing the things that you do for me, how many troops you are giving me a hand with.

I wuv you, my Canadian Friend.  And so do our troops.

Storytime is my favorite.  Such wonderful folks and beautiful writers.

Faces I've never seen here, but hearts I know.

God Bless

Sharon

For Kay Seefeldt - FEED the robin! From Mark

Dear Sharon,

Paula Booher here.  What great news.  And Who wouldn't receive a box of chocolates...I mean this isn't Forest Gump or anything but even the military has got to admit they've got to bend any rule to get chocolates through the red tape...lol.  I couldn't believe it when I read your story and they were going to hold you up on sending the chocolates.  I just knew it Couldn't be true!

I'm so happy it all turned out.  I'm betting he was Too.  Sgt. Woods is sure going to Enjoy his goodies and you know what, I'm betting he'll be back for more.  As a chocoholic myself I sure "Wood", pun intended...LOL

love,

Paula

Comments from April 5, 2006

Hi Carol-  Sharlett made an excellent point about her thoughts on 
garbage...seems not enough people really care about what is going on
with garbage, gas, and greed!! I hope her writing gets others thinking
on the same lines...all together we can do something about the
situation.  --K>

Comments from April 4, 2006

Hi Carol-- thanks for featuring "The Rogue Robin" piece. I was also
blessed to receive positive comments from readers.  This week our field
is full of robins. Looks like every robin that has been hatched on our
"Itty Bitty Dirt Farm," has returned like the swallows to Capistrano.
We certainly have a bumper crop. –Kay

What a wonderful glimpse of the birds of Maine from Kay Seefeldt!  I also love birds and see so many these days here in Florida.  Thanks Kay.  Blessings, Sharlett Hunt

I think Sharon Bryant has done so much more for people, than anyone I know. Along with her drive to help soldiers, she is also a grief counselor to those who have lost children. She is genuine, and really cares. May this world have more Sharon Bryant's. I am proud to call her friend. 

Love,

Mindy Sayre

What a wonderful thing Sharon Bryant is doing for these forgotten heroes.  We have few of these guys left from WW11 and Korea, even fewer from WW1.  What a blessing it is to find those old pictures and try to match them up with the owners!  I know it is a joyful surprise to find one and hopefully find more of them.  I would like to know what program Sharon will be on today on NBC as I would love to see it.  Thanks.  God bless, Sharlett Hunt

WHAT A TROOPER!

Should Sharon Bryant get a Purple Heart or What!!!!

I mean WOW!  How cute is all of her ideas!  After reading all the really awesome things she has done for the troops with the sculptures chocolates it makes me want to sign up for duty and I'm thinking they Wouldn't let me first of all and two I Really don't need the extra Weight on my hips...geez that Sharon is something else.  Not only is she an inspiration for all of us to do something Grand to help our troops not feel so homesick she down right makes them feel at home right where they are!  I've got a feeling some men are going to be writing her some Real marriage proposals if she keeps this up.  Hey, isn't she Already married? or have I missed something...doesn't matter she's worth every bit of the attentions she's getting.  What a treasure she is.  If you have to be in a wartorn country it's nice to know that someone appreciates your efforts enough to send you creature comforts from home and says a word of "Thanks, I'm enjoying my freedom because you are making sacrifices for me."

Sharon you certainly deserve that purple heart made of Chocolate and I have a feeling you'll be getting it from one of those soldiers!

Paula Booher

Just to let you know, I also had the idea of sending a box of goodies to this soldier and was always told that they would prefer cards or letters only. Sharon, you do a wonderful thing with the soldiers. I send out many cards and notes to as many as I have addresses for. I am always happy to do that and I am more than willing to pass out the addresses to my ladies group so they can send cards, notes and goodies too.

Thank you for all that you do!

Dianna Doles Petry

Mother of two teenage boys who may become soldiers within the next couple of years themselves.

I loved hearing the wonderful about Sharon's telephone calls to the hospital to check on the soldier, Sgt. Downs. Please get her to let us all know what happened regarding the call and the chocolate.. If at all possible. I really appreciate the work you do on this e-zine Carol. You are one of God's very special people. I love you

Ellie

dianna59@charter.net

In regard to the story by Violet Apted / Lessons We Learn

I want to comment that I do know such strong denial and hoping it takes away from the truth of the reality that someone has died. I was like this when my sister died. We are born to die, but you just never expect your 29 year old sister to up and die especially after she survives cancer and a bear mauling.

Losing someone so flipping close is so earth shattering. Mind boggling. Surreal. I can relate to all of her story.

Thanks for printing it.

Dina Damato

Prayer Requests and Updates

I hate to ask for prayers for myself, but I need them tnoight. I am coughing so hard it has my head hurting and my chest too. I feel like I have been run over by a mack truck. I have a slight fever. I thank you for your prayers.
Also waiting for wor k comp to call with the date adn time for hubby's MRI
GOD BLESS
Susan R

Senior Writers

Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

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, David; Westerfer, Clara; White Robert;

Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer – moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator