Wednesday, April 3, 2013

“JIMMETS” – PRIEST AND PRAYER

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 04 April 2013  

Hi all, 
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
 Today’s meditation comprises two Jimmets. A Jimmet is a sonnet in which the rhyme system does not comply with what English scholars consider as a sonnet, in the 21st century. Mine rhyme a; b; a; b; c; d; c; d; e; f; e; f; g; g To me they sound better. If scholars object, it’s not a problem. I don’t write to please anyone other than the Lord. He doesn’t seem to mind my method. So “It doesn’t matter what men think. My way won’t put me in the clink”!
The two Jimmets are called, “Priest” and “Prayer”.
Shalom,
Jim & Phyllida Strickland 
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give
Time with Jesus – Thursday, 04 April 2013
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give
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INTRODUCTION
DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
“Jimmets” – Priest and Prayer
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. As we see in the last few words of Isaiah 25:4, the idea of God taking care of every aspect of life, including the storms, 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, is pure guesswork. Or is it poetic licence?
Well, I’ve dribbled on long enough. Enjoy the two “Jimmets”.
Jim & Phyllida Strickland

2 From the ends of the earth, I call to you when I begin to lose heart. Lead me to the rock that is high above me.
Psalm 61:2 GW
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philip 4:6-7 ESV
3 "As I sink in despair, my spirit ebbing away, you know how I'm feeling, Know the danger I'm in, the traps hidden in my path.
Psalm 142:3 MSG
10 "But He knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold
Job 23:10 NLT
A prayer by Moses, the man of God. 1 O Lord, you have been our refuge throughout every generation.
Psalm 90:1 GW
4 But You are a tower of refuge to the poor, O LORD, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall,
Isaiah 25:4 NLT
31 For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock? 32 God arms me with strength, and He makes my way perfect.
Psalm 18:31-32 NLT
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from Me, 29 for My Father has given them to Me, and He is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father's hand.
John 10:28-29 NLT
116 Help me God, as you promised, so that I may live. Do not turn my hope into disappointment.
Psalm 119:116-117 GW
19 We have this confidence as a sure and strong anchor for our lives. This confidence goes into the holy place behind the curtain 20 where Jesus went before us on our behalf. He has become the chief priest forever in the way Melchizedek was a priest.
Heb. 6:19-20 GW
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.
Your protection will not wane or 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

--ooOOOoo--

JESUS – PRIEST FOREVER
John 10:28-29 & Heb. 6:19-20

“Life eternal that is what I give.
None of Mine 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

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