Thoughts of a Log
in a Carpenter Shop
Once I was part
of a sturdy tree.
I felt the rain,
wind, and sun.
Nature was a part of me,
and I, a part of Nature.
I'm still very happy;
for someday,
I will become something beautiful.
Perhaps, a chair-
a chair for my King!
Maybe, a part of his throne-
yes, that's it!!
I'll be part of my King's throne.
The carpenter is picking me up.
As he cuts into my flesh
I feel only joy,
for I know
I will be of service to my King.
Wait--
The carpenter is using the wrong tools!
Stop! Stop!
What is he making of me?
Stop! Stop!
What is he making of me?
What a disgrace!
The carpenter has turned me
into a feeding box for animals.
Now, I will never be able to serve my King.
The carpenter has made me
a lowly manger.
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 2006
jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
A Trucker's Last Prayer
O Lord,
Thanks for the ride. Your road signs
were a big help; they kept me going in the
right direction. And, since You were
riding "shotgun", You were able to show
me the lane changes I needed to make.
Yes Lord,
I got a little tired at times; but You
pointed me to still waters where I could
rest a while. And, although I did have
an occasional detour, You guided me
to where I could continue my run.
Now Lord,
I'm on my last run. I'm not as strong
as I used to be, but, I think I can make it
Home in one piece. At the moment, I'm
coming around the last curve. I'll be
seeing you shortly.
Your child,
Trucker Jim
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 2012
jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com
O Lord,
Thanks for the ride. Your road signs
were a big help; they kept me going in the
right direction. And, since You were
riding "shotgun", You were able to show
me the lane changes I needed to make.
Yes Lord,
I got a little tired at times; but You
pointed me to still waters where I could
rest a while. And, although I did have
an occasional detour, You guided me
to where I could continue my run.
Now Lord,
I'm on my last run. I'm not as strong
as I used to be, but, I think I can make it
Home in one piece. At the moment, I'm
coming around the last curve. I'll be
seeing you shortly.
Your child,
Trucker Jim
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 2012
jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com
Sunday, February 17, 2013
A Prayer for Mary
O Lord God of Israel,
Please be with my friend Mary for she is in distress.
Her oldest son is causing her sadness and shame. He does
not obey the Law of Moses nor does he respect the tradition
of the elders; he eats unclean food and sits at the tables of
tax collectors and sinners.
Wherever he goes, he seems to stir up controversy.
He continually argues with, and criticizes the scribes
and the Pharisees. He believes Samaritans are our neighbor
and speaks of them as if they are worthy of your presence.
Last week, I heard he healed the daughter of a Syrian woman.
He has even started a gang; it has been rumored he is
attracting a small group of women as well.
Mary's son, the one they call "Jesus", even compares
himself with you. For, when he heals on the Sabbath,
he speaks such words as, "My father is always at his work to
this very day, and I, too, am working".
O Lord God of Israel,
Again, I pray-please be with my friend Mary for she is in
distress.
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 2012
jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com
"A Prayer for Mary" was first published in HALO, January, 2013
O Lord God of Israel,
Please be with my friend Mary for she is in distress.
Her oldest son is causing her sadness and shame. He does
not obey the Law of Moses nor does he respect the tradition
of the elders; he eats unclean food and sits at the tables of
tax collectors and sinners.
Wherever he goes, he seems to stir up controversy.
He continually argues with, and criticizes the scribes
and the Pharisees. He believes Samaritans are our neighbor
and speaks of them as if they are worthy of your presence.
Last week, I heard he healed the daughter of a Syrian woman.
He has even started a gang; it has been rumored he is
attracting a small group of women as well.
Mary's son, the one they call "Jesus", even compares
himself with you. For, when he heals on the Sabbath,
he speaks such words as, "My father is always at his work to
this very day, and I, too, am working".
O Lord God of Israel,
Again, I pray-please be with my friend Mary for she is in
distress.
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 2012
jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com
"A Prayer for Mary" was first published in HALO, January, 2013
Immortality
When I die
may my ashes
be spread
over a garden.
As I turn
to dust and dirt
may carrots and beets
and lettuce and beans
and onions
grow....
Through the years
may I become
warmth to beetles,
a pillow for ants,
and food for worms.
And my soul
in Heaven
or in Hell
shall rejoice
and be
at peace....
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 1998
jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com
When I die
may my ashes
be spread
over a garden.
As I turn
to dust and dirt
may carrots and beets
and lettuce and beans
and onions
grow....
Through the years
may I become
warmth to beetles,
a pillow for ants,
and food for worms.
And my soul
in Heaven
or in Hell
shall rejoice
and be
at peace....
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 1998
jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com
When You become One with Creation
a blade of grass
will be
as an orchard
a raindrop
will be
as the ocean
a dandelion
will be
as the sun
a grain of sand
will be
as a mountain
a speck of dirt
will be
as a star
a robin's song
will be
as a symphony
and everyday
will be
a miracle!
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 2012
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Bethlehem
In a small stable....
prayers of a father
a young mother gives birth
soft cries from a manger
In the night stillness....
a star shines in the sky
shepherds watch over their flocks
angels sing in the heavens
The promises of Isaiah....
"Wonderful, Counselor,"
"The mighty God,"
"The Prince of Peace"
Joy to the world!
Halleluiah! Amen....
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 2012
jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com
In a small stable....
prayers of a father
a young mother gives birth
soft cries from a manger
In the night stillness....
a star shines in the sky
shepherds watch over their flocks
angels sing in the heavens
The promises of Isaiah....
"Wonderful, Counselor,"
"The mighty God,"
"The Prince of Peace"
Joy to the world!
Halleluiah! Amen....
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 2012
jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Wondering....
Is a star
that shines unnoticed
still a star?
Is a rose
that blooms unseen
still a rose?
Is a word
that goes unspoken
still a word?
Is a song
that stays unsung
still a song?
Is a gift
that sits unopened
still a gift?
All forms
of
Art, Matter, and Thought
are created to be shared;
if not,
do they really exist at all?
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 2012
Friday, February 8, 2013
O Timeless God
God's peace is like a summer dawn
That greets each day with a song.
His spirit moves within the breeze
And through the flowers, rocks, and trees.
O Timeless God of night and day
We lift our hearts to you in praise....
God's love is like the rising sun
That shines its rays on everyone.
And as it warms each heart and soul
Broken lives are made whole.
O Timeless god, the Breath of Life,
Touch us with Your Holy Light....
God's grace is like a gentle stream
That inspires our hearts to sing.
Joy now flows through our veins
For we can never be the same.
O Timeless God, the great "I AM"
Guide us with Your Loving Hand....
God's peace is like a summer dawn
That greets each day with a song.
His spirit moves within the breeze
And through the flowers, rocks, and trees.
O Timeless God of night and day
We lift our hearts to you in praise....
God's love is like the rising sun
That shines its rays on everyone.
And as it warms each heart and soul
Broken lives are made whole.
O Timeless god, the Breath of Life,
Touch us with Your Holy Light....
God's grace is like a gentle stream
That inspires our hearts to sing.
Joy now flows through our veins
For we can never be the same.
O Timeless God, the great "I AM"
Guide us with Your Loving Hand....
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 2012
"O Timeless God" was first published
in HALO, October, 2012
The Earth Speaks
O Lord,
the sunrise
announces your glory
mountains
display your grandeur
rushing winds
proclaim your strength
waterfalls
affirm your splendor
gentle streams
reveal your peace
flowers
profess your grace
dogwoods
declare your love
the sunset
demonstrates your power
and
the roaring oceans
shout "AMEN!"
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 2012
jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com
"The Earth Speaks" was first published in HALO, January, 2013
O Lord,
the sunrise
announces your glory
mountains
display your grandeur
rushing winds
proclaim your strength
waterfalls
affirm your splendor
gentle streams
reveal your peace
flowers
profess your grace
dogwoods
declare your love
the sunset
demonstrates your power
and
the roaring oceans
shout "AMEN!"
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 2012
jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com
"The Earth Speaks" was first published in HALO, January, 2013
Thursday, February 7, 2013
April Morning
the dawn awakens
heaven kisses Mother Earth
jubilant sunlight
clouds touching mountains
solitude and stillness reigns
a blue mist appears
peace in the valley
angels sing "Alleluia"
listen, do you dear?
wildflowers in bloom
rainbow colors everywhere
a small blade of grass
light tiny raindrops
songs from bluebirds and robins
a warm, gentle breeze
yellow butterfly
purple flower comes in sight
a soft, smooth landing
squirrel looking at me
"sir, do you have any food?"
"no, just some haiku!"
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 2010
"April Morning" first appeared in
ECHO, (a Charlottesville monthly).
April, 2010
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Isaiah's Promise
Isaiah's Promise
As stars shine on Bethlehem
Angels sing "Goodwill to men".
For to this day a New Light dawns
And Heaven and Earth rejoice in song.
A virgin has brought forth a Son-
"Jesus"....the Anointed One.
He will reign on David's throne
And Yahweh's love will be made known.
His rule on Earth will never cease-
This "Wonder Child", the Prince of Peace.
Both Jew and Gentile will believe-
He will bless all those in need.
The blind will see; the deaf will hear-
The lame will leap like a deer.
Joy will flow from muted tongues
For their songs will now be sung.
His loving grace will cleanse our sins;
Our hearts will then be born again.
By His wounds we will be healed
And by His life....the Truth revealed!
James Irving Mann
copyright 2012
As stars shine on Bethlehem
Angels sing "Goodwill to men".
For to this day a New Light dawns
And Heaven and Earth rejoice in song.
A virgin has brought forth a Son-
"Jesus"....the Anointed One.
He will reign on David's throne
And Yahweh's love will be made known.
His rule on Earth will never cease-
This "Wonder Child", the Prince of Peace.
Both Jew and Gentile will believe-
He will bless all those in need.
The blind will see; the deaf will hear-
The lame will leap like a deer.
Joy will flow from muted tongues
For their songs will now be sung.
His loving grace will cleanse our sins;
Our hearts will then be born again.
By His wounds we will be healed
And by His life....the Truth revealed!
James Irving Mann
copyright 2012
Monday, January 21, 2013
Unity
Do you sense a certain kin
With life upon the earth-
Can you hear Nature's hymn
As the wind and rain give birth?
Can you feel a Oneness all
With forces all around-
When you hear a waterfall
Is there more than just a sound?
Do flowers touch her heart
As they softly say "Hello"-
Do you feel you are a part
Of the sunshine and the snow?
No sorrow will come to your soul
When you are Part of the Whole!
-James Irving Mann-
copyright 1997
"Unity" was first published in ECHO (a Charlottesville monthly in 1997)
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