Listen and Love

We probably don’t listen as well as we’re designed. If we did, then scripture, and the lessons within, would produce much more love and compassion in the world. It exists, but it probably pales in compassion to our creator’s hopes. So when I wrote this, I was doing a deep dive into what nature offers us each day in the way of invitation and inspiration. The Kingdom is in constant conversation with us everyday. It never truly sleeps, it is fluid in that it is alive and changing continually. Loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) requires us to hear that conversation and to be a part if it. It’s only in that neighborhood that we can genuinely listen and love.

On September 25, I’ll be releasing my seventeenth album ‘Pray On.’ It’s my prayer that these songs will enable you to find some encouragement and optimism as you journey forward.

Pray on,
Eddy

Album: Pray On
Video Credit: Gerd Altmann / E.M.
Available at eddymann.com
© 2020 Eddy Mann

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Lyrics:
There’s a bird in a tree, and it’s chirping at me
Listen and love
There’s some moss hanging free, and it’s swaying at me
Listen and love

There’s a breeze from the sea, and it’s hailing me
Listen and love
There’s some shade that’s sincere, and it’s inviting me near
Listen and love

Listen, Oh listen
Listen and love
All across the universe
Listen and love
Oh won’t you, listen and love

There’s a mist in the air, and it’s raining somewhere
Listen and love
There’s a cloud hovering by, and it’s whispering why
We should… listen and love

There’s a leaf floating free, and it’s winking at me
Listen and love
There’s a stillness about, and it’s calling me out
Listen & love

There’s a full moon tonight, and it’s making things right
Listen and love
There’s a flower in bloom, and she’s making me swoon
There’s a rain pouring down , and it’s flipping’ my frown
Listen and love
There’s a rainbow above, and it’s promising love
Listen and love

There’s some wind in the trees, and it’s buckling my knees
There’s a tide rolling in, and it’s late again
Oh we should, listen and love
Oh won’t you, listen and love
Why don’t we, listen and love

Mannerism

Recast: Nature at Play

You don’t have to be seven years old to feel the energy and excitement of the ocean. There is a rhythm to the waves both aural and visual and it’s contagious.

Nature has a way of subtly sneaking up on our senses. Before long the rolling sounds, misty air and foamy splashing create a natural meditative effect. One that can transport the stodgiest of us into a youthful bliss.

It’s just nature at play.

Pray on,
Eddy

Originally posted August 19, 2013

Mannerism

Recast: Hanging Out, Together!

I woke Thursday morning to witness a wonderfully loving picture of togetherness. There they were, just four friends hangin’ out in the early light of day. What a simple but beautiful picture of what we as God’s children seem to have so much trouble doing.

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8 ESV)

Pray on,
Eddy

Originally posted on August 09, 2015

Mannerism

Recast: The Weeper

Lexi arrived early Tuesday morning …weeping. She left to go swimming around noontime …weeping. She returned home for a nap late that afternoon, only to leave after dinner …weeping.

Oh yeah, in between the tears she found it in her heart to allow me a momentary picture, as she pensively thought about …weeping.

We all have those days when nothing seems to go right, when everything we say is wrong, when the world just seems to be against us. We would do well on those days to remember the One who walks with us, watches over us, and saves us.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18 ESV)

Pray on,
Eddy

Originally posted on July 28, 2015

Mannerism

Recast: Growing Together

We took the day off… we ran away. It’s okay, we’ve been married for twenty-some years now. It’s a good thing!

It didn’t matter that the weather wasn’t perfect. It didn’t matter that we left late. It didn’t matter that we left a few things behind. What mattered was that we were together.

These little getaways have become a staple of our life, the unexpected wake-up-and-take-off moments.

It’s a very cool metamorphosis that’s been occurring over the years. what started out as two different souls has begun to morph into one as we grow older together.

Sure we finish each others sentences, we’ve even started to answer each other before we ask the question. But upon viewing this picture I’ve come to realize that we’ve now begun the process of becoming one body (note the single set of legs under the bench).

We’re growing together, and that’s a good thing!

Pray on,
Eddy

Originally posted August 05, 2013

Mannerism

Recast: Who’s Watching Over You?

Over the past few years I’ve grown quite fond of putting on my grand-pop hat every once in a while. It’s a good fit, comfortable, and almost childlike …and best of all I can take it off whenever I need to.

This past week Lexi, as she’s prone to do, came to visit. As is the case on most visits, after lunch we took a little time to be quiet. On this particular day she napped under the watchful eye of this Sunflower. Who’s watching over you?

“I will instruct you and teacher you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8 ESV)

Pray on,
Eddy

Originally posted July 26, 2015

Mannerism

Recast: A Sense of Balance

As I wake this morning I’m disappointed by the thought of missing my appointed walk. The current high temperatures and humidity have curbed my outdoor activity for the past few days, and I’m noticing the lack of exercise along with the meditative solitude that comes with it.

What I’m sensing is an absence of balance. I’m sensing that something is missing, something’s wrong, and that something needs to be corrected.

My physical, mental and spiritual self need to be in balance for me to walk as designed. All of God’s creation was designed to be in balance. It was perfect, it was in harmony, and it was good.

And God saw everything he had made, and behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:31a ESV)

And then came the fall, and just like in the Garden we’re falling again. If we aren’t taking the steps to be humbly and gratefully disciplined and aware of ourselves and our environment, then yes, we’re falling short of our Maker’s plan for us. We were formed in balance with everything. In doing so we need to live physically, mentally and spiritually balanced lives to fulfill our purpose.

The Lord had made everything for it’s purpose, (Proverbs16:4a ESV)

Being aware of our brokenness is a great first step, but it’s only the first step. I’ve heard Andy Stanley say that there are three laws of physical balance –

Having a reference point
Making constant corrections
Having a clear objective

I’d like to suggest that one, our reference point be God’s design for us. That two, by being aware of our personal brokeness we make constant corrections to our faltering life style. And that three, we have a clear objective in living to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.

As for me, I’m going to finish my coffee and listen to myself, or in this case the Spirit that’s leading me on this journey.

Stay healthy, stay balanced!

Pray on,
Eddy

Originally posted July 20, 2015

Albums, Gifts, Mannerism, music, Newsletter, Poetry, Video

Pray On!

Those of you who know me well, know that I’ve been using “Pray on!” as a farewell for twenty-plus years. So I guess it was only a matter of time before it became the focus of a song. A short while ago, I was meditating on Proverbs 1:33 when this evolved into a song idea.

‘Peace lies in the heart of the believer
Calm lies in the hands of compassion
Love lies in the words of the one, who’ll pray on, so pray on’
~ E.M.

It seemed timely when I first wrote it, and now today it feels even more fitting as we find our way forward through this time challenging season.

Though it hasn’t seen the light of day as of this writing, I’m excited about introducing it here in video form, and looking forward to unveiling it live in the near future.

Album: Unreleased

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Lyrics:
Peace lies in the heart of the believer
Calm lies in the hands of compassion
Love lies in the words of the one
who’ll pray on, so pray on

Quiet’s in the heart of the believer
Grace lies in the hands of compassion
Love lies in the words of the one
who’ll pray on, so pray on

Fair is the lone star that smiles amongst the clouds
Bright’s the tiny light amongst the darkness
When love shines in the midst of judgment
Hope is the one that’ll pray on

Joy lies in the heart of the believer
Mercy’s in the hands of compassion
Love lies in the words of the one
who’ll pray on, so pray on

Pray on
Pray on
Pray on
On and on

Art, Art Work, Gifts, Mannerism

Sole Mate

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Somewhere in the world at this very moment, there’s someone without their partner, there’s someone without their significant other, there’s someone without their sole-mate.

Albums, Gifts, Mannerism, music, Poetry, Video

All Are Welcome

‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus’ (Galatians 3:28 ESV), and there you have it, in God’s eyes we are one.

There’s a church not far from my northern home, which looks like, and sounds like, the harmony, and color of the world. I believe it’s exactly as God had imagined. All are welcome in His house.

This was written as a gathering song for worship, it has brought my ministry into places that I never would have imagined. It is impossible to understand the hand of God and how he uses our gifts, but every once in a which we catch a glimpse, and when we do, it’s divine.

Pray on,
Eddy

Album: Something Beautiful & New

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Lyrics:
All are welcome to gather as one
All are welcome to worship the Son
All are welcome every color and creed
All are welcome whatever your need

So rise up and praise the King
Lift your voice to Him and sing
All glory to the risen One
To the Savior, God’s own Son

All are welcome to hear His voice
All are welcome to shout and rejoice
All are welcome to hear His word
All are welcome to share what you heard

All are welcome here
All are welcome here

All are welcome as sister and brother
All are welcome as one another
All are welcome across the land
All are welcome God’s Kingdom’s at hand

Works

One Mann's wandering thoughts…

Recast: Nature at Play

Recast: Hanging Out, Together!

Recast: The Weeper

Recast: Growing Together

Recast: Who’s Watching Over You?

Recast: A Sense of Balance

Sole Mate

All Are Welcome