GOLDEN SCRAPBOOK

PLEASE WAIT FOR GRAPHICS TO LOAD!! Background should be blue with white print.... THIS SCRAPBOOK CONTAINS VARIOUS ITEMS FROM POEMS, TO PICS, AND TESTIMONIES. I DO HOPE YOU ENJOY IT!! PUBLISHED: June 16, 2001 by Louise White copyright: June 16, 2001 JustBtweenUs@webtv.net

THE QUILT (This was sent to me by my dear friend, Thelma) As I faced my Maker at the last Judgement, I knelt before the Lord along with the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives, like the squares of a quilt, in many piles.  An Angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.  But, as my Angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was.  They were filled with giant holes.  Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life.  I saw hardships that I had endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me.  Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune.  I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.  My Angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.  Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth.  The others rose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries.  So filled their lives had been. My Angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame.  I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes.  I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness and death, and false accusations that took from me my world as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I had spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life.  I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully; each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.  And now, I had to face the truth.  My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it had been. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.  An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with eyes wide.  Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image. The face of Christ.  Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes.  He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.  Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you. May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through. -Author Unknown

THROUGH THE STORMS...                  I did not know His love before,                  the way I know it now.                  I could not see my need for Him,                  my pride would not allow.                  I had it all, without a care,                  the "Self-sufficient" lie.                  My path was smooth, my sea was still,                  not a cloud was in my sky.                  I thought I knew His love for me,                  I thought I'd seen His grace,                  I thought I did not need to grow,                  I thought I'd found my place.                  But then the way grew rough and dark,                  the storm clouds quickly rolled;                  The waves began to rock my ship,                  my anchor would not hold.                  The ship that I had built myself                  was made of foolish pride.                  It fell apart and left me bare,                  with nowhere else to hide.                  I had no strength or faith to face                  the trials that lay ahead,                  And so I simply prayed to Him                  and bowed my weary head.                  His loving arms enveloped me,                  and then He helped me stand.                  He said, "You still must face this storm,                  but I will hold your hand."                  So through the dark and lonely night                  He guided me through pain.                  I could not see the light of day                  or when the storm might wane.                  Yet through the aches and endless tears,                  my faith began to grow.                  I could not see it at the time,                  but my light began to glow.                  I saw God's love in brand new light,                  His grace and mercy, too.                  For only when all self was gone                  could  Jesus' love shine through.                  It was not easy in the storm,                  I sometimes wondered, "Why?"                  At times I thought, "I can't go on."                  I'd hurt, and doubt, and cry.                  But Jesus never left my side,                  He guided me each day.                  Through pain and strife,                  through fire and flood,                  He helped me all the way.                  And now I see as never before                  how great His love can be.                  How in my weakness He is strong,                  how Jesus cares for me!                  He worked it all out for my good,                  although the way was rough.                  He only sent what I could bear,                  and then He cried, "Enough!"                  He raised His hand and said, "Be still!"                  He made the storm clouds cease.                  He opened up the gates of joy                  and flooded me with peace.                  I saw His face now clearer still,                  I felt His presence strong,                  I found anew His faithfulness,                  He never did me wrong.                  Now I know more storms will come,                  but only for my good,                  For pain and tears have helped me grow                  as naught else ever could.                  I still have so much more to learn                  as Jesus works in me;                  If in the storm I'll love Him more,                  that's where I want to be!                  ---unknown

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