I do not see myself.
Though I long for holiness of heart,
Of this world I am apart.
I do not know myself.
Though I keep Your Image before my eyes,
The world appears in angelic disguise.
I do not trust myself.
Though I choose Your way,
I fear to be led astray.
I do not save myself,
Though I’m broken and and far from Heaven,
You live in me as heavenly leaven.
You, I see and know,
And You, I trust.
To You, my soul, I, mightily, entrust.
© 2016 Joann Nelander
Oh, dear enemy,
How you bless me with opportunity,
For prayer,
For patience,
For trust in God,
And to implore His counsel.
You and I are called
To know and love
The Lord Jesus.
Without Him,
There is only Darkness,
And descent
Into greater and greater sin.
Abraham believed,
And it was credited to him,
As justice.
Moses promised the Prophet’s Day.
John the Baptist
Prepared His Way,
And recognized the Lamb
Who would be slain.
Oh, enemy mine,
As we engage in battle
For men’s’s souls,
Let us take care
Not to lose our own.
Abraham was the Father
Of a race,
Who would love
And serve the True God.
Moses was a trusted servant,
John was the best man,
Greater than all born of woman.
To these God revealed Himself.
Each had his day,
Then departed,
And made way,
That the Name of God
Revealed to Joseph
And the humble Virgin,
Might capture the hearts
Of the enemies of God,
Living in Sin.
Loving us,
While we were yet sinners,
He won the battle,
We now fight.
He is and will be the only victor,
With those who fear not recognize Him,
Rush to His Side,
And bow under his Banner
Of Love and Mercy.
O, enemy mine,
We were partners in Sin,
Let us become partners in Love,
Beneath the Cross of One,
Who reconciled the world
To "Abba" God
©2012 Joann Nelander
Lord, I rejoice to hear Your Voice
Echoing in my soul.
Through Your Word,
I have come to recognize that Voice
Even amidst the chaos of the world.
“Come to Me”
“Do not be afraid”
“Stand firm”
“Your God is in your midst. ”
Heaven sings “My Lord” on the horizon.
Spanning the day with Your herald,
Coming forth with the
dawn,
His notes color the firmament
In a symphony of splendor.
Playing with hues
As with a pipe organ,
He pulls out the stops in promise,
Until he captures the morn and subdued it.
Making it His own
In the mystery of You, O Lord.
He whispers to listening hearts,
“You are the Light of the world”
With eventide He strides
As Day’s work done.
Then God calls home the Sun.
But not without a closing hoorah.
As over hill and dale,
He paints for fun,
And angelic artists
Shout His blazing Glory.
All is put to bed
‘Neathe a cloak of many colors,
Finally, dimming their voices
In lullabys of peace
To sleep in childlike slumber,
Save for He, Who slumbers not.
God on the horizon,
Sun to sun,
Labor swallowed up in trust,
To await His Coming
In both darkness and the dawn,
All my life long.
©2012 Joann Nelander
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King Solomon is, as the Church teaches, a type of Christ. Let us note the regard and honor with which he treats his mother. If he, who was blessed by God with wisdom, honors the Queen Mother so, how much more should we regard , Mother Mary, given us from the Cross as our Mother by Jesus as one of His supreme final acts before ascending His Throne in heaven, and opening heaven to all believers. Note,too, that he does not refuse his mother.
“So Bathshe’ba went to King Solomon, to speak to him on behalf of Adoni’jah. And the king rose to meet her, and bowed down to her; then he sat on his throne, and had a seat brought for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right. Then she said, ‘I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me.’ And the king said to her, ‘Make your request, my mother; for I will not refuse you,’” (1Kings 2:19-20). [1]
There is an oft repeated line in a litany of prayers recited by Richard Garnaut, that says, “Remember my intentions every day before the throne of God.” I love that supplication, for with it a picture comes to mind and I am heartened.
Saint after saint is asked to remember, and not stop there , but obliged, by holy love, to take my entreaties to God, who is seated in majesty, and almighty power upon His Kingly throne, and to refresh them through out all my days. Not a bad return for just one prayer for the kind intercession of a dear friend in heaven. I pray once in faith and each merciful patron, who’s been entrusted with my entreaty, the outpouring of my broken, weary, wounded heart, remembers me in the love of our Savior. Their faith, as it were, is now added to mine, even if my words were imperfect, hasty and half spoken. I may even forget that cry for help, but these friends of God, in their perfection, remain vigilant, with candle lit in the heavenly court, pleading my cause. At very least, that’s the image that comes to my mind. My moment of hope, enkindles a kind of perpetual hope, which shines in God’s Presence. Well, that’s my hope and I’m sticking with it.
Oh, dear enemy,
How you bless me with opportunity,
For prayer,
For patience,
For trust in God,
And to implore His counsel.
You and I are called
To know and love
The Lord Jesus.
Without Him,
There is only Darkness,
And descent
Into greater and greater sin.
Abraham believed,
And it was credited to him,
As justice.
Moses promised the Prophet’s Day.
John the Baptist
Prepared His Way,
And recognized the Lamb
Who would be slain.
Oh, enemy mine,
As we engage in battle
For men’s’s souls,
Let us take care
Not to lose our own.
Abraham was the Father
Of a race,
Who would love
And serve the True God.
Moses was a trusted servant,
John was the best man,
Greater than all born of woman.
To these God revealed Himself.
Each had his day,
Then departed,
And made way,
That the Name of God
Revealed to Joseph
And the humble Virgin,
Might capture the hearts
Of the enemies of God,
Living in Sin.
Loving us,
While we were yet sinners,
He won the battle,
We now fight.
He is and will be the only victor,
With those who fear not recognize Him,
Rush to His Side,
And bow under his Banner
Of Love and Mercy.
O, enemy mine,
We were partners in Sin,
Let us become partners in Love,
Beneath the Cross of One,
Who reconciled the world
To “Abba” God
©2012 Joann Nelander
Be Holy! 