If you had a freeway billboard, what would it say?
Oh, without a doubt, it would say Dig Love! It’s my belief that above all, that’s what’s wanting in our world, we just don’t seem to care about each other anymore, we have discounted the value of human life.
With just one voice, love can be heard
With just one hand, love can be felt
With just one smile, love can be seen
With just one heart, change can begin
Dig love
~ E.M.
So much has been written about mankind’s need for hope, and there’s never been a time when we didn’t need it. Scripture says, ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.’ (Romans 15:13 ESV) ~ E.M.
Hope of the World ushers in a radiant light, instills hope, and leaves you with a smile that lingers
The Further
I was asked recently about the journey of this song, as in how did it get to this version, and on this album? It’s no doubt the oldest song on the project. It was written twenty years ago and has gone through quite a few differing arrangements over that time. I was never really happy with it, in fact I had no intentions of including it on an album back in 2011 called The Twelve. It took some prodding from a voice on my accountability team. And yes, I have a real accountability team that keeps me on the straight and narrow, or at least it attempts too. I included it back then because it was always an engaging song during times of worship. What made me uncomfortable was not the message, I love the message, but the musical setting never quite felt right. I always struggled to find a nice little niche to sing it from …where it didn’t feel awkward.
The Chapel Songs project was created as a collection of easy to access worship songs for the small church, not that they couldn’t be embellished and sung in larger communities, but so many of todays popular recordings can be intimidating for musicians who aren’t professionals, and I wanted to provide an album of songs a single guitarist or pianist could lead with.
So I revisited this song and toyed with some sparse arrangements, and eventually found one that made me smile, and that was it. The lyric video is an unplugged version of the album track and presents an even simpler approach. The message is still intact, and is certainly still relevant. God’s messages always are!
Hope of the world
Shine on us
You are the Answer
Fill up our hearts, fill up our souls
Lure us away from all that’s wrong
Fill up our hearts, fill up our souls
Give us the strength to carry on
Here we stand, blessed with each new day
Here we stand, humbled works of clay
© 2003 Eddy Mann
CCLI #6123488
Hissongs / ASCAP
You can listen/stream the album version here on my website
I’d love to hear your thoughts
Pray on,
Eddy
Last Sunday was a crisp, fresh day that was filled with worship, fellowship, and wonderfully creative and nourishing meals. Last Sunday I offered my gifts and my love to others. Last Sunday was the day that the Lord had made, and I rejoiced in it!
Each day contains unimaginable joy. We wake each morning to endless opportunities to serve. What we make of those opportunities creates the amount of joy we, and others, will experience. You see the joy is in the giving. The joy is in making others smile. The joy is in making others feel loved.
Last Sunday is today! It’s everyday!
“This (today) is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 ESV)
Pray on,
Eddy
Originally posted July 19, 2015
When your load is light
Take notice and be grateful
Appreciate it
~ E.M.
‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it’ – John 1:5 ESV. In our world of every challenging moments, it’s comforting to know that the gloom that often descends on us has never blackened out the light. Hope is in the faith that a spiritual presence is always working behind the scenes for the good of ALL people.
In a land where death casts its shadow
A light is shining bright
Through the darkest despair there’s a promise
Where tomorrow will be alright
Come and sit by the well of assurance
Come where hope is still alive
A light is shining with love and with calmness
And that light is shining bright
~ E.M.
Greet the day in awe
….wonder at the artistry
Praise the Creator
~ E.M.
A storm spoke boldly
…announcing its intentions
bullying the skies
~ E.M.
Decorate your home and accessorize your life, available as… canvas prints, framed prints, home decor, phone cases, t-shirts, and more.
Pray on,
Eddy
Me, a madcap of foolish impropriety
To my anchor in this untamed ocean
To my calm in this season of storms
I bring all of my love and devotion
I stand thankful in my garden of glimmer
In sure heartedness that one day we’ll find
A place where we can mix as one
As is confectionately in my mind
My prayer is in a shared abounding love
Sincere and blameless and pure
Filled with the fruit of contentment
And built on all that is sure
~ E.M.
What motivates you?
My motivation each and everyday is to serve and give back simply because I’ve been so blessed. I love on others because I was first loved. I know it can sound too sweet at times, but the truth is the truth, and that’s the honest …
Let my love be my mark…
Be my mark in this world
Let my love be my alms…
Be my alms to the Lord
~ E.M.
What do you enjoy most about writing?
I really enjoy writing as a way to serve creation. I find myself almost daily moved to share the beauty and diversity that’s on display. For me, the satisfaction is in the communication, the entertaining, lifting or enlightening possibility… if only just for a moment.
Works 