Anna's Ideas

There's no denying it; 2020 has been an interesting year, definitely one for the history books. Recently, as I think we all have been doing, I've been reflecting on the past twelve months.  Over the past few days, especially, I've been taking some extra time to think back and glean from all of these memories. One such time, I was listening to the radio and reading through old journal entries.  I realized then just how memories I can, and have, associated with music.  Scrolling through my playlist, I often point out, "oh, yeah!  I remember the first time I heard this song!" Or, "remember? That was when this was happening." So, I thought, let's take a creative twist on the traditional end-of-the-year reflections. "Five More Minutes" (Scotty McCreery): December 31, 2019 I had actually listened to Scotty's book, Go Big or Go Home,  back in late October or November 2019.  Before then, I never paid close attention to his music.  But after I r...

Rescuer’s Facade Note: this poem was co-written with my friend, Brianna Harpel.  She and I also wrote another poem (Where Monsters Prey), which is published on her blog. To read more of her poetry, please check out her blog, Spread the Spark .  -=- I look into so many eyes Trying to see inside But all I get are masks Empty, soulless, yet ready to be allied.    Setting all emotion aside, I must remember my guise. Remember the bigger picture that I can’t let my anger compromise, That which I negotiate. Pretending to be, this monstrosity To want to buy these children, Strip of modesty,  Take advantage of poverty.  Commit every atrocity…  That I am here to fight.  Focus. Focus for my sanity,  On the truth, The real reason I am here. To gather up the information  That may release them from fear. Masquerade a little longer To gather up these chains.  Striving to keep hidden The prayers, coursing through my veins.  The prayers to take...

Battle Cry Written by Kimberly Grace -=- Flags being torn, & flags going up. . Red and blue, lines drawn across     the field of brothers. . Words of hate, and words of pride. Pushing, shoving, hearts moaning a battle cry. . This is us, we the people. Of different blood, but one family. . United we stand, divided we fall. In God we trust, our All in all. . But do we? The gods, ourselves, we serve. . Our hearts ache, our hearts cry. Why, oh why? . It is our own fault. It is our own fault we die.

There are certain questions that everyone, especially those of us who consider ourselves Christians, will come face to face with at some point or another. Sometimes we ask those questions ourselves, and sometimes, the questions are asked by a non-believer. One of those questions is one I hear often asked by atheists who are trying to prove that God cannot exist: "why does a good God allow bad things to happen?" This question can be challenging to answer. Too many times, Christians shrug their shoulders and slouch down in their seats, maybe hesitantly saying something about God being in control, or sinfulness, or anything else to get the focus onto someone or something else. Thankfully, there is an answer to this question that is rooted in the Bible. It Starts With Creation In the beginning, God created. That first sentence in the Bible is so familiar that many Christians often overlook the power of it. God created everything. That includes you and me. This means that as Creat...

I wasn't there when it happened, I don't have the memories. But that doesn't mean It's not remembered. Every year, on this day, I remember. I listen. I watch. I will never forget. Every year, on this day, I think. I pray. I remember. I will never forget. I hear the stories, I hear of pain, And even though I wasn't there, I remember. I will never forget. I watch the footage, I listen to the news, And I will remember. I have not forgotten.

Most of us are familiar with the parable of the Good Samaritan as found in Luke chapter 10.  You know, that story Jesus told about the man who was traveling on a road when he was attacked by robbers and beaten badly.  Not long after, a priest saw this man, but not wanting to become "unclean," or ruin his reputation, he passed by on the other side of the road.  A Levite also chose to ignore this man and crossed to the other side of the road to be able to walk around this man.  Finally, a Samaritan, who was not regarded highly in that culture, saw this man and took it upon himself to help this man, and even paid an innkeeper to take care of this man and his wounds.  Yep, that's the parable I'm talking about. Jesus told us to let this be an example of how we are to treat others.  And yet, there are so many people around us every day that we often don't give a second thought.  I'm thinking of that quiet girl who has a locker next to yours, that homeless ma...

Hope Which leaves me with Regret I can't hold on to Hope and love All that's left is Empty feelings No more Faith... [Now read it backwards, with the last line first and the first line last] https://storybird.com/flash-fiction/faith-hope-love/d1ssxn