Monday Madness

Here are my answers to today's Monday Madness

1. What's "it" all about, anyway?--Wow...I was just asking Alfie that the other day:

"What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give
or are we meant to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie,
then I guess it's wise to be cruel.
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie,
what will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie,
I know there's something much more,
something even non-believers can believe in.
I believe in love, Alfie.
Without true love we just exist, Alfie.
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie.
When you walk let your heart lead the way
and you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie."

2. What radical political ideas do you have, if any?--Well, it depends on who you talk to. I suppose my positions against abortion and gay marriage would be considered "radical" by many.

3. Do you believe that you 'fit' the profile of your astrological star sign?--I have never felt like I was really much like the standard description of a Sagittarian. I'll admit, my August 8th-born sister is a textbook Leo, and my December 30th husband fits Capricorn profiles to a tee. But as a Christian, I honestly don't take much notice of astrology.

4. Will blogging survive 2005 or is it a fad?--Oh, definitely, blogging will survive. I could be wrong, but I don't honestly think it will go away. For everyone who gets burnt out and drops their blog, others will pop up to replace them.

5. Do you Ebay? If so, what and how often? Is it a full-time job, part-time hobby, or just to clear the junk from your house?--I've never done the Ebay thing, although both my sons have. My older son bought his first computer on Ebay. Maybe I should give it a try.

6. True or False: When I vote, I am all for one party.--Nope. Although I would consider myself a conservative Republican, I vote for the best person for the job. Particularly in local and state races, I pay little heed to the person's party affiliation. What does it really matter if my sheriff is a Republican or a Democrat? Is he going to be a terrific sheriff? That's what I want to know.

7. Meat or veggie sauce on your spaghetti?--Depends on my mood...but I really love marinara sauce, meat or no. When it comes to Italian food, it's all about the sauce.

8. Would you ever be on a TV Reality Show?--Well...it depends. Probably not. Most of them are silly, degrading and/or vulgar.

9. What is one thing (or place) that you would like to do (or see) that you have not yet done (or seen?)--I want to go to Ireland. I WANT TO GO TO IRELAND!!!

10. Do you answer memes honestly?--Just did a quick check of my answers. Yes, they're all honest. If a run across a meme that contains a question that I don't want to or can't answer honestly, I usually just don't participate in the meme. Just don't do it at all.

The poetry of Annie Johnson Flint



It's amazing how the writings of a woman who was born in 1866 could have such meaning and relevance in 2004. I first became aware of the poetry of Annie Johnson Flint when reading the wonderful devotional book, Streams in the Desert. I soon found out that Annie wrote the lyrics to the lovely old hymn, "He Giveth More Grace."

Annie knew something about pain and suffering, as she spent much of her life crippled by arthritis. This from "Annie's Own Story" by Rowland V. Bingham: "Although crippled, she did not consider herself helpless and that she could do nothing but bemoan her lot. She believed that God had laid her aside for a purpose, even though that purpose was obscure to her at times, but she also believed that He had work for her to do and she put her very best into the writing of her poems, rendering this ministry unto Him. The result has been that her verses have an unusually deep appeal to human hearts. The simple reason is that she felt what she wrote, and out of the crucible of suffering she was able to administer that comfort to others wherewith she herself had been comforted of God."

In the aftermath of my dad's death, I've been receiving comfort from songs and poems. Here is one that Annie wrote that rings clear and true:

The Blessings that Remain

There are Loved Ones who are missing
From the fireside and feast;
There are faces that have vanished,
There are voices that have ceased;
But we know they passed forever
From our mortal grief and pain,
And we thank Thee, Oh our Father,
For the blessings that remain.

Thanksgiving, oh, thanksgiving,
That their love once blessed us here,
That so long they walked beside us,
Sharing every smile and tear;
For the joy the past has brought us,
But can never take away,
For the sweet and gracious memories
Growing dearer every day,
For the faith that keeps us patient
Looking at the things unseen,
Knowing Spring shall follow Winter
And the earth again be green,
For the hope of that glad meeting
Far from mortal grief and pain -
We thank Thee, Oh our Father,
For the blessings that remain.

by Annie Johnson Flint

Click here for more of the poetry of Annie Johnson Flint.