Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

April 18, 2006

Today’s announcements

A Big Happy Birthday goes out to Mildred Harris.

Now onto the good stuff!

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

The Ghost of The Abilene Kid

B.J. Cassady

       Sheriff Tom Brady remembered that day six months ago

  as clear as it was today.  The Abilene kid, a shootist with a

  reputation as the fastest draw in this part of Kansas, rode

  into his town, had gotten drunk and killed a citizen for no reason. 

  Tom at the age of 59, and never considered anything but average

  on the draw, had hoped to reason with the Kid about coming

  to jail or leaving town.  The Kid slapped leather as did Tom. 

  The Kid's gun was pointing at Tom's heart as Tom was still

  clearing leather, but fate intervened.  The Kid's gun misfired

  giving Tom the extra half second to finish drawing and shoot the

  Abilene Kid dead.

  Six months had since past.  His wife had died of the fever ten

  years ago.  Tom Jr was working the homestead outside town

  while he tried to bring in a little extra money.   Tom had decided

  this would be his last month on the job.  Already he had read

  in the newspapers about 'The Man who Shot The Abilene Kid.' 

  Soon there would be other gunhands out to build a reputation

  on an old man's grave.

       Tom was about to pour himself a cup of coffee when..

       "Sheriff Tom Brady!  I am calling you out!  Come on out or

  do I have to come in and get you, you yellow livered dog?"

       "Well here it is.  I didn't make it.  I should have retired

  sooner.  I am not fast enough.  How can I win?"  thought Tom.

       Tom rather than buckling on his gunbelt decided to

  buckle on the Abilene Kid's rig, a  twin pearl handled rig.  

  He tied it down.  Tom had an idea.  He pushed open the

  door and went out the door and into the street catching

  the stranger unawares.  Before the stranger could react, the

  two were just five feet apart.

      "Hey sheriff, we are too close.  If we shoot this close

  we both die." said the stranger.

      Before the stranger could say or do anything the Sheriff

  knocked him to the ground pulled his pistol and shot the

  stranger through the right wrist.

      "I guess that will fix you from trying your quick draw

  on anyone.  Now git up and git to the doctor's office over

  by the saloon before I decide to toss you in jail for

  threatening a law officer."  bellowed Tom.

      Tom holstered his gun and started to walk away as the

  stranger got up.

      "Ya didn't figger on me being left-handed.  Die you son

  of a coyote!"  yelled the stranger.

      The stranger drew with lightening quickness, but as

  Tom turned he found his hands filled with pistols and they

  were bellowing flames.  He had never drawn that fast in his

  life.  The stranger was very fast,  but Tom's draw that day was

  like a rattler striking even faster.   He twirled the pistols

  and holstered them.   The few people who were on the

  boardwalk were stunned by what they saw.   Tom walked

  back to the Sheriff's office took off his badge and tossed

  it on the desk.  He kept the Abilene kid's rig though. 

  One never knows when a Ghost might come in handy.

                               The End

B.J. Cassady

Guthrie, Oklahoma

B.J. Cassady

BJ.Cassady @ af-group.com

B.J. Cassady is a Stephen Minister at  Edmond Trinity Church and ISD professional

in Guthrie, Oklahoma.  A disabled Vietnam  era USAF vet,  BJ enjoys giving back to

the world with his writings and is putting  together a CD audio collection of his best

writings.  For further information please write: bj.enterprises @juno.com

Also look for his story 'Medals' in  "More Patriot Hearts" by Lt Col William

Coffey and "The Quilt".

~**~**~

~ Better Than a Miracle ~

 Joyce C. Lock

    For those whose lungs have always been healthy, breathing is something we are most likely to take for granted.  Yet, observe a preemie whose every next breath is another miracle ~ or witness someone's exhaustion, when in need of a lung transplant, who truly knows why they call it 'laboring to breath'.  Then, we just might get a glimpse into the fact that, if we can breath at all, we are a miracle, too.

    God is in the miracle business, every day, blessing us in so many ways wherein we aren't even looking.  In fact, we are so ungrateful that, if one leg is in pain, we don't thank Him for the one that isn't.  We invite Satan to extend suffering, with words like, "I may never be able to walk again."  If our healing isn't instant, do we conclude that God must have stopped doing miracles?  If God does do miracles, perhaps we decide it must be for someone else.

    According to your faith be it unto you.  If you don't believe God heals, He won't.  If you believe that miracles were only for beginning the new church age, you're missing out on blessings.  Scripture was written as an example, not a history lesson.  In all the ways God loved people of old, He wants to love us, too.

    There are many gifts of healing, not just one, with diversity and differences in operation.  But, God does heal.  After all, Jesus wasn't the only gift God gave ... and a gift is free.  God always heals, all that will receive, and that includes you, too.

    We might see a physically blind man.  But, God may see the spiritually blind heart.  To give that man spiritual site is worth far more.  In fact, his spiritual sight, along with his physical infirmity, just might open more doors of opportunity to minister, as people are in awe of all he has to share, in spite of that handicap.  In fact, one non-functioning sense could heighten all his other senses for true greatness.

    Another could be physically lame; an outward show of one's inner desire to minister, but often faltering.  Teach that person to spiritually walk, following none other than God, and they will be able to physically walk.  As is often the case, heal the inner man and the outward one will function correctly ~ regardless of x-rays.

    Then, there are those whose outward condition is in no way reflective of their inner needs.  In such, a more immediate miracle may be in order.  However, for those who don't give a hang about God, the real need of their heart is salvation.

    One child was diagnosed ADD, in error.  As it turned out, one eye sees far sighted and the other sees near sighted.  Also, there was construction going on in the next room.  It was such a distraction that all their testing was off.  Children are often labeled learning disabled when, in fact, they are extremely gifted.

    If your hip won't stay in place, check out your shoes.  It could just be that you've worn down a heal, setting everything else off balance.  It may be the side effects of your medication that is wreaking havoc.

    Look and live.  Find the source of the problem.  Sometimes, it's external.  Get that corrected and see what wonders God will do.  And, when you don't know the source, ask God.  Seek and you will find.  Knock and that door will be opened.

    Jesus healed everyone that came to Him.  There was no manner of disease that He couldn't do.  Even in Paul's case, grace always has a point of redemption.  And, didn't Jesus tell us that we can do the works He did and even more?  He wasn't kidding.  And, God replaces missing parts, too, sometimes even without transplants!

    If you are not free, it isn't the truth.  If it isn't the truth, it is a lie.  And, if it is a lie, it was planted by Satan to keep us from our rightful inheritance.  We can know this because truth always sets you free.

So, what can be even Better Than a Miracle?

Consider this ...

For all things are for your sakes,

that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:

for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Co. 4:15-18

When you receive a miracle of healing, that is an awesome testimony!

    However, when it is for your sake that your healing comes over time, that becomes a testimony, too.  You spend at least some of that time growing in your relationship with God ... that is, unless you don't believe God heals.  God makes your trial a blessing, as God is plenty capable of turning whatever Satan does into something good.  You become a forerunner, learning how to overcome, wherein you, then, have a testimony to help others find their rightful place with God, too, and that blesses you even more!

    Also, as is often the case, people, from all walks of life, have discovered the ability to serve via the internet ~ as their bodies haven't allowed them other options to serve.  If they had been physically healthy, would they have, otherwise, ever dreamed to minister to hundreds, thousands, and hundred thousands?

    In some cases, blooming where you are planted is the most loving option God can offer.  But, again, grace always has a point of redemption.  When you finally know your importance in ministry, as a child of God, and are ready to serve, just as vigorously, without your physical or spiritual thorn, Satan has lost his power over you and it's time for your healing.  Praise God!

    Not only that but, those who've suffered with Christ will also be glorified with Him!!!

    God sees and feels your every hurt.  There is nothing that touches your heart but what it touches the heart of God.  Though, He also knows it is only for a season.

    Sometimes, we view those with physical infirmities as weak, sinful, etc.; not realizing these are often God's chosen.  In such case, God has granted these a time of spiritual growth.  He does not see them as week or sickly, at all.  In fact, He is so very proud, knowing that these are His true warriors; ones that didn't give up on Him no matter what.

    And, what you also may not realize is that, in addition to all the other lives you touch, every time you choose God in spite of all that ails ~ you are earning glory for all eternity!  God looks upon the heart and, when you realize your rewards, you'll finally 'know' it really was worth it all!!!

    Though, not even Jesus could be all that He was yet going to be until certain things were accomplished.

But I have a baptism to be baptized with;

and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

Luke 12:50

    Always, God does the healing and, often, via Jesus.  There are choices we can make in the process of overcoming.  But, none-the-less, God calls the rest to do our part.

    If you want to see God's great army turning this land into something Better Than a Miracle, consider what God said.

Is not this the fast that I have chosen?

to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens,

and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Isaiah 58:6

© 2004 by Joyce C. Lock
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/

Poetry Section

~**~**~

I WILL BE THERE FOR YOU

Linda Ann Henry

You may not see me when you wake

I was with you in the night

I did it for your sake

I kissed your brow

I kissed your cheeks

You are in my heart to keep

I will be there for you

To hold you close

You are my child I love the most

I want to see you here with me

That is a dream

That may never be

I only have unconditional love

I had no choice

When you were given up

I wish I could have kept you always

With me

Until this very day

I am sorry you were not mine to keep

I cry so hard

I often weep

I will be there for you

Though you cannot see

All I ask, is that you remember me

Linda Ann Henry

Linda11231949@aol.com

Do you remember me

The people's poet

~**

Do You See Me

Linda Ann Henry

Do you see me as I fly through the skies

Do you see me and the beauty in my eyes

Do you see me

As a butterfly with the colors of a rainbow

Do you see me as you pick the flowers at dawn

I have not finished with life, I still carry on

My hope is for those that I know

Whenever they look at the world

My spirit they do not let go

God made me in his image

So I stand straight and tall

I will never look back on those

Who try to make me feel small

Do you see me in the sun

And in the stars which shine so bright

All I wanted, was for someone to care for me

To hug and kiss me tight

Do you see me in the rivers which flow

In the beaches filled with sand

If you carve my name on the stone of time

Do you see me, I am a dove, so pure and fine

Is God the only one who sees how I tried to win

On this earth, do you see me

The raindrops are my tears

Does anyone wonder just how I got to here

I forgive those who hurt me

I am glad to know those who have cheered

Do you see me as I pass through the years

Linda Ann Henry

Linda11231949@aol.com

Do you remember me

The people's poet

Man is at peace with his fellow man

if he is at peace with himself

then he is at peace with God

~**~

~**~**~

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