Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

April 14, 2006

Today’s announcements

Special birthday wishes goes out to Gorden Warner, Ariel Nalo, and Nicole Stevenson

Now onto the good stuff!

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

The Betrayal and the Denial

The Betrayal

Helen Dowd

As Judas leaves the "Last Supper" gathering in the upper room he knows in his heart what he is going to do. He has a mission to accomplish, a mission instilled in him by Satan. He hurries to the high priest and tells him that he knows exactly how Jesus can be captured without a fuss. He knows Jesus' habits, and he knows where He will be this night, as he had heard Him discuss it at the supper table.

The priests have been worried that if they were to take Jesus in the daytime it would incite a riot amongst the people. They know that there are many Galileans who are devoted to Jesus; therefore they need to come up with a plan to capture Him in a non-public place. Knowing that many people gather around Him wherever He goes, they have been in a quandary as to know just how to perform their dastardly deed. And now Judas has come up with a perfect solution: Take him at night, in fact, this very night.... He will be in the Garden with His friends. But the priests don’t want to make a mistake and take the wrong man, since it will be dark. So this is Judas' plan, as presented to the priests: Mark 14:44, 45 - "Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, 'Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.' As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi!’ and he kissed Him." Judas had prearranged this, and his pay was to be thirty pieces of silver. John 18:3... 

When Judas sees the Lord not only in the hands of His foes, but condemned to death, he regrets what he has done. He could have backed away from his diabolical plan. He could have chosen Christ's forgiveness: greed, and loss of face, prevent him. After he sees that Jesus is condemned to death, he goes out and weeps bitterly. However, his tears are tears of remorse, not of repentance. Judas has already crossed the line of no return. Jesus had given him every opportunity to repent. His remorse leads Judas headlong to destruction. His aim now is to put an end to his miserable existence. The first thing on his mind is to get rid of his ill-gotten silver. Those thirty pieces of silver no longer have any appeal for him. They are scorching his hands and his soul.

Rushing to the temple, Judas cries out, "I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood!”  The priests look at him coldly, then turn away. They despised this traitor . Their retort is, "What do we care? That's your problem!

Judas can't believe their cold response. He becomes crazed by their indifference and scorn. He stands for a moment. He feels that awful, cold silver in his hand. He flings it from him, rushing from the temple. Out the city gate he flees, down into the Valley of Hinnom. He races up the steep, jagged sides of the mountain. At last he is alone and he can put an end to his misery. He unwinds his girdle, tying it around his neck. He fastens the end to a branch of a tree, which hangs over the precipice. Then he throws himself from the rocks he had been standing on. But the "rope" gives way, and he falls upon the jagged rocks below. And there ends the man who, through all time will be branded as THE ONE WHO BETRAYED HIS LORD.

The Denial

When Jesus was taken, bound, from the Garden of Gethsemane, all of His disciples had been terrified that they would be arrested, along with Jesus. So they fled, all but two, Peter and John. When they see that the band who came out after Jesus are not interested in the rest of them, Peter and John turn back from fleeing. They creep along, following from a distance, keeping in the shadow of walls and houses, and out of sight of Christ’s guards. All the way to Annas’ house they follow, and up to the courts of the palace of the high priest.

 Jesus is taken to the judgment hall, which opens out from the court, and John follows Him, keeping as near to Jesus as he can. He, at least, was not ashamed to be known as Jesus’ disciple at this point. But it is different with Peter. Instead of going into the judgment hall, he hangs back in the court, afraid to be recognized as Jesus’ follower. What ever has happened to Peter’s boldness? Where was that courage and loyalty that he had boasted about? Peter, who said, “I don’t care if everyone leaves You, I will not. You can count on me!” Peter, who, when Jesus told him that that very night he would deny Him, adamantly declared that HE WOULD NOT. Now, this same Peter, in the hour of danger, is proving himself a coward. However, because he is eager to hear the outcome of the trial, he hangs around.

In the center of the court a fire has been built. The servants of the high priest and the soldiers, who had been engaged in arresting Jesus, are gathered around it. Peter creeps up to the group, wanting to hear their conversation, wanting to share the warmth of the fire. He is eager to gather news of Jesus, and this, he figures, would be the best way. He will just remain anonymous. But the young girl who had been the attendee at the gate, noticing that Peter had not followed Jesus into the judgment hall as John had done, whispers to a fellow maid. “That’s one of His disciples. I saw him come in with the others.”

The second maid, more bold than her mate, goes up to Peter and says, “You were with Jesus, the Galilean?” There is a half-question in her statement.

Peter is thrown off guard. His throat in his mouth, he retorts, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” Oh! Oh! This is Peter’s first denial. Now he wants to get away from those about him. He wants to escape their scrutiny. He is feeling hot under the collar, uncomfortable. But where should he go? He dare not leave the palace. That would really be an acknowledgment of the accusation. But another reason is, he doesn’t want to miss out on any news that might be filtering through, about Jesus. So he goes to the arched entrance, thinking that there he might be able to glean information, unnoticed. But instead, things get hotter. The porter girl turns to those around her, “This man,” she says, pointing her finger at Peter, “He was also with Jesus of Nazareth.” There is scorn in her voice.

At the maid’s words, Peter becomes agitated. This time he not only denies it, he swears at the girl. “I don’t even know Him,” he hollers. His second denial. He forgets to remain calm, and his heated denial gives him away. Collecting his composure, he returns to the fire. Now, to divert suspicion, he joins in the conversation, asking questions of the rest, and expressing opinions, pretending he is one of them. But this only makes matters worse. His Galilean accent is a dead give-away.

The red glow of the fire throws its eerie light on the bearded faces gathered around it. As Peter joins the others discussing the trial, the men lean in closer to get a better look at this pretender. Soon the questions start flying: “Aren’t you one of HIS disciples?” “Yes! I saw you there!” “For sure, you are one of them. You talk like a Galilean.” And then the real incriminating proof pops up. A relative of Malchus, the servant whose ear Peter had cut off speaks up. “Yes, yes” he said. “I saw him in the garden.” Turning to Peter, he asks, “Aren’t you the one with the sword who cut off my kinsman’s ear?”

Peter is now thoroughly frightened. He begins to curse and swear. Now comes his third denial: “You are all mistaken,” he cries. “I have never laid eyes on that Man until tonight. I don’t know anything about Him.” But his statement only makes matters worse. His accusers notice his fears, confirming their accusations.

Just then their attention is distracted from Peter. People begin to push their way out of the judgment hall. The hasty trial is over. The Prisoner, bound and conducted by guards, is led across the court to the guardhouse. This is where the cruel mockery and insults will take place in a few minutes. As the group passes Peter, Jesus turns and looks at him. He does not say a word. He just looks.

And now the rooster crows, loud and distinct. That, along with the look Jesus has just given Peter, triggers his memory of his Lord’s statement earlier that evening, when Peter declared that he would never deny his Lord. “Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crows, thou shalt deny Me thrice.” And now, in a flash, Peter connects the rooster’s crow with Jesus’ look. It is not a look of accusation, or of anger, only of grief, and love, and pity. And then Peter remembers other words of his Lord: “Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have thee, that he may sift thee as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.”

Peter rushes from the court into the blackness of the night. He is bursting with tears that need to be shed. His grief is about to explode. But where can he go where he would be alone? The day is dawning. The city is beginning to come to life. Peter runs down the hill, across that bridge over Kidron, retracing his steps of earlier that evening. He stops at the Garden of Gethsemane. Here, at last, he can be alone. Here, among the deep shadow, where his Master had wept in agony, here he can give way to bitter weeping. In the back of his mind is his first failure: to stay awake and watch with his Master. Now the thought crosses his mind, maybe if he had watched and prayed when Jesus had asked him, maybe he would not have denied Him, as he just had. For a long time Peter weeps, crying for himself, crying for Jesus. If only Jesus were here now he would beg Him for forgiveness. Was it too late? Oh, if only he could talk to his Lord.

But then, like his Master before him, Peter wins a battle in the Garden of Gethsemane. Like a river flowing with pure sweet water, he feels peace. He remembers Jesus’ look as he was leaving the courtyard. He knows Jesus has forgiven him. He knows God has forgiven him. He rises from his knees. No longer is he Simon the coward. He is Peter the rock. Never again would he deny his Lord.

© 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.

~**~**~

SPIT IT OUT

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

     My daughter Beth has always been one of the wisest people that I have ever known. Even as a baby this wisdom was apparent. I can remember when I first tried to get her to eat green beans from a baby food jar. With the first spoonful she made a terrible face. When I tried to give her a second spoonful she spit it out instantly and it ran down her bib turning it an ugly shade of green.  I then foolishly tried to give her a third spoonful. This one she spit out with such force that it landed on both my face and my shirt. When Beth saw what she had done she let out a delighted giggle and I had to smile myself as I wiped off my face. Later wondering how bad those green beans actually were I took a bite of them myself. Never in my entire life had anything tasted quite so nasty as they did.

     Unlike that wise baby, though, many of us continue to take in nasty things everyday of our lives. We hear terrible things said about ourselves and others. We read words filled with hate and prejudice. We see acts of violence and meanness everywhere we go. Instead of spitting them out and refusing to let them dwell in our hearts, souls, and minds, however, we hold them inside of us, digest them, and allow them to become a part of us. In the end we even become more like these things ourselves. We are what we eat, after all.

     Don’t allow yourself to keep eating and digesting the fear, anger, and hate that this world so often tries to feed you. Spit it out. Refuse to take another bite. And then like a happy Child of God return laughter, love, and joy for it instead. God loves you and prepares you a meal of kindness, goodness, laughter, smiles, love, joy, and oneness with Him everyday. Why eat something nasty when you can delight in this feast and share it with the whole world instead?

Joseph J. Mazzella
joecool @ wirefire.com

Joe lives in West Virginia with his wife and three children. Various dogs and cats have adopted Joe and his family for their own. Joe enjoys his family, beauty, love and hearing from his email friends. Joe likes to take the time to smell the roses and enjoy the beauty around him as he goes about his daily life.

~**~**~

~ Color Me Love ~

Joyce C. Lock
For those who walk in the flesh, the law is given. 
Some only see in black and white.

And, yet, there is a more excellent way.
Others see in color and, when they do, that color is love.

"Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God."

1 John 3:21

    The Bible tells us to love our enemies, pray for them, turn the other cheek, and many like things.  It also tells us to stand against evil.  There are times to pluck up that which was planted, to shake the dust off our feet, and more. 

    If we hold to the law, we remain captive in circumstances that God gave us other provisions for.  We still adamantly believe in the law.  The difference is that we trust God to reveal to us which law He requires at any given time.

What ever God speaks to us is the ultimate/absolute law. 

Praise God, He is a Living God!

"Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips;
I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food."

Job 23:12

    The whole entire law is complete and fulfilled through following this one verse: thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  If you do that, you have covered God's intent for every law within the Bible.

    Sometimes, tuff love will be required.  Perhaps, sacrificial love is what will meet the need.  Holy love may be necessary.  Sometimes we are to love as a parent, other times as a child.

    How do we know when our rightful place should be where?  We can only know by listening for and following God, as He is the One that sees their heart.  And always, above every other form of love, we have to stand for our love for Him.

"Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us,
written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God;
not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."

II Co. 3:2-3

God is love and, however often He requests to live through us,

let us give a right answer and say, "Color me love."

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

Poetry Section

~**~**~

A Love For Life

Linda Ann Henry

When I think of this life I live

I hear angels in the distance

There is so much beauty

In the world I miss

A laughing brook, a nightingale song

The woodpecker chipping at the tree

To me means everything

When I call out my name

It echoes back to tell

Of Jesus love for me

For He made my heart as well

I see the colors of the flowers

And breathe in the fragrance sweet

The leaves that crunch beneath my feet

Let me go back in time

To when I ran around a tree

Playing hide and seek

I can almost touch the sky so blue

The clouds as they go by

I can remember walking on grass

On tippy toes

Back then I thought I would live for always

As far as forever goes

I have a love for life, Jesus has let me see

He has been kind and gentle,

He is always here with me

When my life is near it's end

I will hear the angels sing

But most of all I know

Jesus love will take me in

Linda Ann Henry © 2005

Do you remember me

The people's poet

Linda11231949@aol.com

~**~**~

Jesus Paints With Colors

Linda Ann Henry

If you look at the beauty of a rainbow

You can see the color Jesus paints

When you walk behind a waterfall

Listen to the music that it makes

In the vibrations of the woodpecker

You will hear of Jesus call

The angels in their beauty

Harps above us all

When a nightingale sings

There is spirit in her soul

There is something up above that never lets us go

Jesus paints with colors

Deep blue for the sky

Orange for the sun

Green for grass and flowers

The color in a butterfly

Showing as she flutters by

His wonder is never done.

We see the love of Jesus

Whenever we take in the view

I am thankful I am living

He created my heart too

I love The Father and I love The Son

I love The Holy Spirit

Because in all that was created

I see that they are one

Jesus took the time

To paint with all the colors

The sounds we hear each day

Even if we could not view each one

Our Lord would find a way

In all eternity, Jesus paints the beauty

Which His timing does allow

He is a painter and a poet

And I am His own

For He is my loving Father

The best of friends to me

My Dear Savior and my Lord

I give thanks to thee.

Linda Ann Henry © 2005

Do you remember me

The people's poet

Linda11231949@aol.com

~**~**~

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