...And a Poem contains 45 new and original poems based on both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
From the Foreword by Rick Mansfield: The title for this book comes from the old stereotypical formula preachers used to use for the structure of their sermons: three points and a poem.
I’ve never seen anyone who can compose poetry as quickly as my wife, Kathy Mansfield, the writer of this collection. On Sunday mornings at church, she has her iPad and Moleskine journal in her lap. Her iPad displays a Bible app that she uses to follow along with our pastor. In her journal, she takes notes.
When Kathy takes notes, however, it’s not just the outline and main points she writes down. She will hear a phrase that stands out to her, or perhaps she’ll start to think about a particular idea. That’s usually all it takes for the wheels of inspiration to start turning. Kathy will take a passage of scripture that we are studying, or the theme of the morning, and set it to verse. Her poetry is yet another way she takes notes, thinks about what she sees and hears, and experiences life itself.
All of the Bible poems in this book came from Kathy’s sermon notes, but she also writes on other subjects, and some of those poems will be collected in a forthcoming volume.
I hope you enjoy these expressions of Kathy’s creativity contained in this ebook. As with most poetry, these selections are best when read aloud--even if you’re all by yourself! Share them with a friend, your family, or even with an audience. Who knows? Perhaps you’ll find inspiration of your own and find yourself writing down your own thoughts ...and a poem.
