“JIMMETS” – PRIEST AND PRAYER

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 04 April 2012

Hi all,

There are 10 Scriptures in the Daily Light. That’s a bit too many to cover in one meditation. My verse and rhyme also needed something of a change. So I’ve put together two “Jimmets” (Jim style sonnets). It makes for a welcome change for me as well as the readers.

It seemed a good idea to “twin” Philippians 4:6-7 with Isaiah 25:4. From this developed “The Attitude of Prayer”. They appear to be as “seamless” as I could get them without distorting the two parts. The idea of combining “Be anxious for nothing” with the refuge for the poor seemed most appropriate. Be anxious for nothing has always struck me as an unusual statement. From my limited experience most people are anxious about having nothing. In other words they are anxious for (about) nothing! So I suppose it’s a Scripture that can be read both ways. Mind you, that’s not what Paul had in mind. The conclusion of this “Jimmet” struck me as very appropriate just as we see in the last few words of Isaiah 24:4. The idea of God taking care of every aspect of life including the storms of life is exactly what Jesus does for His followers.

Twining John 10:28-29 with Hebrews 6:19-20 also seems to fit. The fact that the eternal life given by the Lord Jesus and the fact that He is our Great High Priest also seemed congruent. It was a struggle fitting “Melchizedek” into the verse. It presented something of a challenge. However, having done so, it left me with three possible last lines.

Jesus our High Priest forever more!	Jesus our High Priest forever more!	Jesus our High Priest forever more!
Like Melchizedek in days of yore.	Like Melchizedek who went before.	Like Melchizedek whom Abram saw.

In the end Phyllida and I settled for the middle one above. The first (days of yore) seemed too vague and the last (whom Abram saw) would require readers digging into Genesis; and asking why he was Abram and not Abraham? Mind you I’d be interested to hear your comments on this.

I find this type of poem a bit more difficult. (Iambic Pentameter) than the usual. (Iambic Octameter) The lines are shorter and limited to fourteen. Shakespeare set the model and I’m no Shakespeare! I’m also not an English scholar so whether or not the word Octameter exists or not, is pure guesswork. Or is it poetic licence?

Well I’ve dribbled on long enough. Enjoy the two “Jimmets”.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

THE ATTITUDE OF PRAYER

Philip 4:6-7 & Isaiah 25:4 NLT

You need not be anxious for a thing!

Prayer and supplication is the way,

To express to God your thanksgiving,

For the things you need from day to day.

If you do, you’ll surely know His peace,

More than you will ever understand.

Surely your protection will not cease;

True security will be at hand.

Guarding and protecting heart and mind.

For He is a refuge for the poor!

Only in Christ Jesus will you find

Strength, so you can everything endure.

Though the storms may beat against your wall.

He will help you overcome them all.

Jim Strickland – 4 April 2012          JESUS – PRIEST FOREVER              John 10:28-29 & Heb 6:19-20

                “Life eternal, that is what I give.

None of them will perish on the way.

Father has assured Me they will live.

They have this assurance every day.

He’s more powerful than anyone.

No one can be snatched from Father’s hand.

No one can instruct Him to be gone,

Or against His Word can ever stand!”

So we have an anchor that is sure.

Giving us the confidence to go,

In beyond the veil into the pure

Presence, where His holiness we’ll know.

Jesus our High Priest forever more!

Like Melchizedek who went before.

Jim Strickland – 4 April 2012