Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

June 27, 2006

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

                                  "NOT...Just Another Manic Monday"

                                      an unexpected date with God

                                           by Paula Booher

                                      inspired by an email to

                                         Dianna Doles Petry

                                       dianna59@charter.net

Dear Dianna,

It's Monday!  Started out with me going to help my son and his father with some gas for their mowers.  David was short on cash because his clients had written him checks and the banks weren't opened yet.  Mowing starts as soon as daylight appears, especially on potentially rainy days.  As soon as I paid for their gas and filled up their plastic container I threw my car keys in the front seat of my car.  I must have, out of habit, flipped the lock on my door without thinking, because when I went to open the door it was, (you guessed it), LOCKED!  There were my keys just inside the glass staring at me.  I yelled at my son to call Roger on his cell phone because next to my keys was my cell phone in the seat.  Jake called Roger.  Roger said he'd be right there as soon as he rinsed the shampoo from Brooke's hair as she was getting ready for school.  I waited for a long time and still no Roger.  Jake and David had to go on to mow because it looked like rain, so they were long gone, I was all alone and my car was blocking the pump at the gas station.  My anticipation was becoming unnerving as I kept pacing inside the store.  I called Roger from the station to find out he couldn’t FIND his keys anywhere!  He had brought in groceries and whatnots the night before and couldn't remember what he had done with them.  After another hour of waiting I finally couldn't take it anymore and I started walking toward home.  I honestly didn't think I could make it or that I might meet Roger coming my way and he would just pick me up, rescue my already exhausted body and all would be well.  With all this dampness, the lack of rest this weekend, etc...  Anyway, the rheumatoid arthritis isn't being kind.  I started hobbling toward home feeling the tears of "feeling sorry for myself" wanting to start when I suddenly became aware of something.  This wonderful soft breeze, the aroma of spring flowers, and the whisper of God saying: "Gee I've missed this Paula".  "You used to take walks with me alot...and talk to me on mornings like this...where ya been lately?"  The conversation went on and before I knew it I had hobbled my way down some beautiful lanes and sidewalks I live in.  The temperature couldn't have been more perfect and I had to admit that I wouldn’t have been enjoying this wonderful walk with God if not for locking those keys in the car.  I'd have been pushing a mower that I Didn't Want to push in the first place.  This is what I REALLY wanted to be Doing.  "His yoke is easy, His burden is light"...that's what a friend used to say to me. Those thoughts kept gnawing at me.  I was talking to God quite frankly on my walk.  I was telling what I Really thought and getting some things OFF my chest!  I told Him What I Really thought about things.  Of how I had done what He wanted and still I wasn't seeing the desired results on So Many levels.  I was NOT happy about ALOT of things where He was concerned.  "What More Did He Want from Me?"  I am not one to mince words with anyone and I've been outspoken for quite sometime now.  It wasn't always that way.  In fact for many many years I was Really really shy.  So shy I was almost crippled with shyness.  People in my life now find that hard to believe yet they didn't know me before.  They didn't know me in the office of the first visit to the mental ward when the doctor diagnosed me with being a doormat.  That man actually said those words.  He stated that my spirit had been so severely beaten down that I was literally without any personality and I was void of any color.  He sent me to an assertiveness training class that morning and straight from that class I went to his office and fired him.  I fired him because he wore a pin that said, "I AM GOD!"  From day one that pin offended me and I didn't like the man who was so haughty who would wear such a pin or make such a statement or have such rule over me.  Apparently he got what he wanted from the me from the class because he asked if I wanted him to phone and set up another doctor or if I had someone in mind.  I told him I had found someone in the yellow pages and that I would take care of it myself if they would just turn on the phones long enough for me to do so.  I left the facility after a 19 day stay AMA.  Since I had signed the voluntary papers they couldn't keep me against my will any longer.  Another story for another day.

Getting back to this day...

I proceeded on my walk to my street where I found one of my neighbors trying to start his wife’s' van.  As he passed me I said, "It's Monday"...he just said, "It wouldn't start".  I threw back a, "Ya, I locked my keys in my car, Roger can't find his"...and proceeded to walk on up the block.  Our girls are the best of friends.  This afternoon Brooke is at their house playing with Sarah their cutie.

I walked on home to find that Roger had taken my bike to the station.  I called his cell phone to find that out.  I know God had this whole morning planned.  I'll tell you How I KNOW this.  Last night my friend Dorthy calls and tells me her van won't start.  It's at this same station that my car is at this morning.  Her van is still there this morning when Roger arrives on my bike and Dorothy’s' friend Tim is there helping her with her van.  Roger is trying to hanger his way into my car (big mistake, he could have set the alarm off then it would have been a disaster and very noisy!).  Tim, Dorothy’s' friend, brings Roger back to our house and discovers he locked his keys in his car last night.  They fell between the seat and the door.  Roger got his keys out of his car, Tim went back to help Dorthy, Rogers' friend Bill came over to take Roger to my car to bring it back to me.  I finished morning devotions in the meantime while all of this was going on.  When my car Finally arrived I took David around to cash checks so he could repay me for the gas money and pay me for the money he owed me from the day before so I made some money today after all and Tomorrow is Tuesday...oie.  I was born on a Tuesday...things will be calmer then. 

Point of this very tiring story is:  God had an appointment with me to remind me of a couple of things.  First He missed our walks where we talk together in the cool of the morning without interruption...and second His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  He told me this morning, while on the hobble home, that I've Worked much Too hard for Too Many years Without Taking time to just Rest With Him...

He said, "That's ok, we can start from here and take it slow.  He'll give me more strength to accomplish my over zealous ways and I promised to spend more of these wonderful quiet walks in my beautiful neighborhood enjoying His company.  I spend plenty of time mowing them now.  He also said the arthritis won't be a problem much longer...I've got a healin' a comin' soon!...In Jesus Name AMEN!

copyright 4/24/2006 8:37 p.m.

Paula Deann Roe Honeycutt Booher

wrappednword@yahoo.com

alternate email

justpaula@mchsi.com

bio:

A Missouri gal born and raised in central MO three miles from the Lake of the Ozarks, it's my firm belief "You can take the girl outta the country but you Can't take the country otta the girl!"  The mother of six children it comes in handy.  We'll Never go hungry cause I know how to boil dirt...lol

God has blessed me with so many gifts and talents I'll be around for at least 100 years or it could be because the kids just keep coming back for us to solve their issues.  I don't like to refer to them as problems.  They are just opportunities for God to show us more of Him.  This started out just being another email then turned into another story for Storytime Tapestry.  Dianna has become another inspiration today for me to share Gods great Grace in my life.  She's a terrific lady/friend that God chose to bless me with.  I Praise Him for yet another gift.  I am going to rest now...good nite.  btw, thanks for taking the time to stop by and read these words.  Please remember one thing if nothing else comes to mind.  Your words Do have power.  Choose them wisely...In Jesus Name Amen. they take flight!

~**~**~

 Ministry or Social Club?

Joyce C. Lock

When ye come together to eat, tarry one for another ...
that ye come not together unto condemnation. 1 Cor. 11:33-34

So, what religion does your church like to condemn?  Or, who is on your group's personal hit list?  Maybe your family has roasted preacher for lunch?  Though, surely, most are eager to gather information about one caught or thought to be in sin.

Some online groups determine those who share writings, but don't share their life's details, are less valuable to that group.  Others conclude that those who don't write are the ones less valuable.  Members may not all be likewise gifted ~ but multiply the group's seed as they utilize it to minister to more.  So, while your hands may have done the work, others serve as your feet.

Still yet, some may enjoy all your e-mail shares but think you're anywhere from impersonal to a SPAMMER, and your ministry inferior, if you don't spend additional hours in the chat rooms.  Yes, we all know that fellowship can be great!  Though, Jesus' calling wasn't to be served.  So, who are we to say any different, when He calls another likewise?

Besides, I thought we stopped telling people their service is inferior, when we came to the net, and God says the part we have to offer is accepted with Him.

One feels even less welcomed when a group requires participation in specified, more active, ways than others either have time or skill for.  Then, when demand is given to otherwise leave, all the while they're praying you might find a place in your heart for them, 'no room in the inn' comes to mind.

Churches often determine poets are not needed among their already exciting ministries.  So, God must be calling them to use that ministry elsewhere, right?  Well, it is true that, when man closes a door, God opens more.  But, God sent that poem for someone within your church first ... and you deny Him?  Just because you have no need does not mean that another member doesn't.

Then there are those so skilled in knowledge that the layperson has no idea what they're saying, while the skilled refer to feeding the layperson as 'whitewashing'.  Perhaps it was forgotten that Paul met people where they were, not where others thought they should be, and he referred to his teaching as 'milk' ... and to everything there is a purpose.

But, the really big blow to the soul is when one gets judged for things others only imagined.

Whether good seed or bad, it multiplies and, once judging begins, we all end up angry.  And, for all else that could possibly be said, I taught you better than that.


And though the list could keep going, the point is ...

1.) stop mocking the cross.

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 2 Cor. 5:14-15

2.) stop calling God a liar.

Judge nothing before the time (until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts) and then shall every man have praise of God. 1 Cor. 4:5

Bottom line: If your ministry's yoke is less than equality, you're out of line.  And, when you take it upon yourself to buffet another, you're only serving as an accuser, a thorn; a messenger of Satan.


Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal ... as God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

(How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? John 5:44)

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. 1 Cor. 12:4-7, 18, 22-24

When you finally let the hands be the hands and the feet be the feet, and count every member (the giver and the receiver) as equally valuable (even in their unseen ministry), only then is your church, group, or ministry serving as the body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12:27 (par.)  Otherwise, you're just another social club.

Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more. Hebrews 12:12-19

© 2005 by Joyce C. Lock
http://www.angelslight.org/joycepoem.html
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/

Poetry Section

~**~**~

Bronze Lady
Carol Meeks

One Sunday's suns with smilies sneer
and colorful crowd stands outside,
their visit via ocean's tide
in praise to lady without veer.

The mass bows' heads with hands held high
then raises eyes to islands' dame,
"America, new land now nigh,"
they flock to see the crowned one's fame.

I wonder what and why their love.
I wonder where and when their dove.
A sight to see, experience this,
we snap them pictures. They blow a kiss.

"America, land of the free,"
they say then walk away with glee.

© 2005 by Carol Meeks

c_pmeeks@hotmail.com
http://home.midsouth.rr.com/kmhomepage/homePage.html

~**~**~

Rev. Graham's Garden, June 2005
Carol Meeks

We watch him deliver God's work once more
in America's Capitol and shining shore.
He plants the seeds, this faithful one.
He shares our needs, loves of God's Son.

We follow as his aftermath.
We water his seeds, New York-new Path.
He plants. We till. We Water. We sow,
in times these gardens will overflow,

in strange places and at strange times,
in subway cars, wheel musical chimes.
And like the roses in full bloom,
maturity brings us heaven's room,

where we'll walk the streets of gold,
and in God's garden, our hearts He'll hold.

© 2005 Carol Dee Meeks

c_pmeeks@hotmail.com
http://home.midsouth.rr.com/kmhomepage/homePage.html

~**~**~

The Hole Where Life Once Thrived
Carol Meeks

We walk to site that stood for years
in the heart of New York's Manhattan,
The World Trade Center and all its charm,
whose grandeur fell as metal's latten.

The aperture, the hollow hole,
their cavity, their tear of soul,
just sets right there for all to see,
just cries out loud, how can this be?

I ponder how a heart can hate.
I wonder why this weight was bait.
The public moves along their life
regrouping daily 'midst their strife.

We tour their square, invade their space.
We snap our camera's 'round their place.
Something's missing, The Twin Towers,
as debris, on them they showered

Fortunately their life goes on.
With heads held high, their spirit won.
And we will always, always remember,
it became "Ground Zero" 2001, September.

© 2005 Carol Dee Meeks

c_pmeeks@hotmail.com
http://home.midsouth.rr.com/kmhomepage/homePage.html
~**~**~
My Favorite Destination

Carol Meeks


My spouse of forty years, one day,
agrees to take a trip.
Ten days before the month of May,
we stay in New York's zip.

The opera cost a week's wages.
We're awed at Broadway's doors.
The chandelier, like music sages,
outmatched the clothes we wore.

The plot in Aria's melodies,
a way with words in song,
stirs heart and souls like threnodies,
as musical ran on.

The curtains close.  It ends too soon
as dance and choruses cease.
We feel we'll leave as pantaloon
like Phantom's new headpiece.

© 2006 Carol Dee Meeks

c_pmeeks@hotmail.com
http://home.midsouth.rr.com/kmhomepage/homePage.html
Readers Feedback

Thanks Hart – Canada is God’s country for sure!               Louise

B.J.’s story is good, have to agree with you. All the stories tonight have a poignant message. Lotta sad memories out there, but get on down the long hot dusty road of life because there is opportunity if you can recognize and grasp it.
Thanks
Mark Crider

Senior Writers

Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

                                     Chief researcher/historian: Hartson Dowd

Agee, Vance; Apted, Violet; Baker, Kathy; Batt, Al; Berry, Nell; Blaine, Pamela; Boda, Ginger; Booher, Paula; Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.; Cavalera, Robyn; Crider, Mark; Deming, Barb; Doherty, Maria;

Dowd, Hartson; Dowd, Helen; Gilbert, Robert, Jr.; Gold, Ron; Goodier, Steve; Braun-Haley, Ellie; Harris, Kathy Anne; Henry, Linda Ann; 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