Tag Archives: thoughts

Albums, Art, Art Work, Mannerism, music, Podcast, Poetry, prayer, worship

An Unabashed Soldier

The Cenacle

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. ~ Ephesians 6:12

You see, as New Testament believers, our fight is never against people, but against principalities and powers. Thus, we should be waging war in the Spirit through prayer against this perversion that has blinded so much of our country and our leaders. ~ Jon Courson

I see our society as indicative of a serious moral issue. We can candy coat it, we can spin all kinds of worldly scenarios, but inevitably it’ll come down to our lack of moral fiber.

Other than being an example, I don’t see any other way of making a dent in our world’s decay. Lately I seem to return to the idea of being bold in our response to damning situations, because I know from experience how easy it is to just walk away without making waves, without making a statement …but that’s probably the only way (baring an act of God) that any change can happen.

Father, embolden me to be a proud, unabashed, soldier for you!

Pray on,
Eddy

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Mannerism, music, Poetry, Video

The Bestowing


I gave my daughter away last Saturday. Now that statement by itself sounds awful, but then we read in Genesis 3:24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” And that brings me comfort, that warms my heart, because over the past few years I’ve seen my daughter, and my son-in-law act as one through some highs and some lows.

In Eph 5:33 Paul writes, “Let each one of you men, love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” All any father can hope for, pray for, is a man who puts his daughter above himself, and commits to a lifetime of loving her, and that prayer’s been answered in the affirmative.

Yes, last Saturday I gave my daughter away, but today I’m a peaceful and contented father, and father-in-law. Lord, bless them with happiness and a healthy and long journey together.

The Bestowing
As I sit by the window, coffee in hand
And the sun begins to shadow the sound
My mind drifts to memories, of a little girl
That will later be clothed in a gown
Her smile will be the same as it ever was
Reflecting on all that it greets
As later today we’ll make that walk together
Where I’ll give my daughter away for keeps

He loves her as much as I could expect
Maybe a little more
And it gives my heart solace, as a piece breaks off
To know that he’ll catch it before it hits the floor
Her smile will be the same as it ever was
Reflecting on all that it greets
As later today we’ll make that walk together
When I give my daughter away for keeps

She’s waited what seems like all of her life
To arrive at this moment in time
A moment that’ll be covered with tears of joy
And no doubt some will be mine
Her smile will be the same as it ever was
Reflecting on all that it greets
As later today we’ll make that walk together
When I give my daughter away for keeps

~ E.M.
September 14, 2024

She’s Me (Album: The Consequence)
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Albums, Evensong, Mannerism, music, new album, new release, Podcast, prayer, worship

Rubberneckers: Repent or Rejoice?

This past week my wife and I traveled south to warm up before the holidays. While being on the road I found my mind wandering in and out of all sorts of thoughts and prayers. I don’t think I’m alone in discovering that my mind operates differently when I’m not being disrupted by the noise of the world. Open road driving seems to provide a time and space for me to ponder, and to plan, but like life in general there are always unexpected wrinkles along the way, and this trip was no different in that respect.

Our first day was littered with accidents, none prayerfully that were life ending, but none the less they were there in numbers that seemed greater than usual, and which made me very aware of the rubberneckers. It was in that state that I started to think about, and pray about, the need to be curious…

Continue reading…

Pray on,
Eddy

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Albums, Art, Art Work, music, Photography, Poetry, Video, worship

A Light is Shining

‘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.

The Light Shines in the Darkness

canvasprint #framedprint #artprint #acrylicprint #metalprint #woodprint #tapestry #greetingcard #throwpillow #duvetcover #totebag #showercurtain #phonecase and more…

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Mannerism, music, Photography, Video

Bridging the Gap (with More Love)

The ever widening chasms between each of us seem to grow daily as we continue to establish barriers between what we call acceptable, and what we deem objectionable. In doing so I’m afraid we’re dismissing an important narrative to our happiness. The moment we start to discount our differences, is the moment we start to cheat ourselves out of the things that can make our lives richer. Our ingenuity illustrates our individuality. We’ve got it all messed up. In our quest to get on with each other, we’ve told many people to get out. Instead of drawing the world a little closer we are drawing divisional lines in the sand. We’re not closing gaps, we’re creating gaps.

Discounting our differences, devalues our dignity.

When we close our ears and eyes we are missing the beauty of an extremely diverse world. A world that was created for our benefit. It was created out of love for us. All of it’s beauty and splendor was designed by our Creator, for good! So what does it say when we turn from His ideals, from what He deems good for us, from His loving vision of our lives (Ephesians 2:10)?

Diversity does not demand division.

We bridge the gaps by putting aside our differences, by opening our eyes and ears to new and different sounds and sights. When we open our mind to new ideas evolution can occur. The natural flow to a united and loving world begins with a judgement free view of life (Romans 12:16). Thankfully we don’t all lookalike, and soundalike. That would be pretty boring don’t you think? Well thinking everyone should think alike is the same thing. It’s a very narrow view of a very panoramic creation.

So I spend my days first trying to identify, and then trying to bridge these gaps. The inspiration comes from my never ending idealistic dream of a loving united world. One that cares for others more than themselves. One that truly finds more satisfaction in the act of giving than in receiving (2 Corinthians 9:7). A world that differs a great deal from the one I currently seem to live in.

My platform for such change has always been music. I find enormous joy in touching the hearts of others through poetry and song. A tough message can be much easier on the ear when it’s riding the the crest of a memorable melody. or being propelled along by an irresistible rhythm.

Come, let us walk together
Come. let us walk hand in hand
Cone, let speak with one voice
Come, let us walk in the light of love
~ E.M. (‘Come. Let Us Walk’)

My plea is one of compassion. If we start with a loving approach to our differences I believe that we would see and hear things with a new found appreciation. I invite you to join me in opening up a new world of inspiration. Pray for a cleansing view of the world. Ask God for new ears and eyes that would lovingly see and hear the beauty of diversity. That fresh mindset will bridge gaps both small and large over a period of time. A period of time when we can draw closer as friends and families… as our Creator intended.

Pray on,
Eddy

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Albums, Art Work, Mannerism, music, Poetry, Video

Evanesce

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.

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How Well Do You Know Za?

I’m dropping another single from the Trio album this month and wanted to share a little background on it’s conception.

The song has a metaphorically smiling lyric that prayerfully will challenge the listener a bit. The title was actually from a magazine article that I had stumbled upon. When I first saw it, I immediately recognized a lyrical idea that could be light in a comical sense, but at the same time thoughtfully spiritual. History has demonstrated to me on more than a few occasions how wonderfully guard-dropping this approach can be.

I’m always looking for a way to stir up the listener’s imagination, and hopefully conjure up some emotional response from them. In this case, maybe even some abstract thinking.

Musically the composition was once again a reaction to the Blicher, Hemmer, Gadd album called Omara, which dominated my playlist throughout the early months of 2022.

Lyrics:
Early in the morning, any time of day
Any time’s a good time, any kind of way
I can take it cold, any time at all
It goes down easy, in the local church hall
So tell me?
Tell me, please?
Won’t you tell me?
How well do you know ‘Za?

If I had my way, I’d always have more
More than may be normal, a note of folklore
Some cry, ‘oh no!, you can’t do that!’
Preaching to the misfit, like some green-eyed cat
So tell me?
Tell me, please?
Oh won’t you tell me?
How well do you know ‘Za?

Don’t give me substitutes, don’t give me theories
No hypothetical miniseries
Just give me a slice, a verse or two
Yeah, I’m a greek guy, but any version will do

I go traditional, I go New York
I go with fold it, or a knife and fork
I don’t go judging, so don’t judge me
Just offer me a bite, and let my manna be
So tell me?
Tell me, please?
Won’t you tell me?
How well do you know ‘Za?

© 2022 Eddy Mann
Hissongs | ASCAP

Album: Trio
Video Credit: E.M. | Pizza by Alfredo (dafont.com)
Available on the platform of your choice.
YouTube Link

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