Month: September 2013

God’s Show-offs

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Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Luke 12:27 ESV

They’re just a bunch of show-offs,
a pretentious bunch with no modesty at all.
Given license to reveal,
with no incentive to conceal,
they come forth winter spring and summer,
even fall.

While plain hued plants are quite content
showing greens and browns for their rent,
flowers put petal to the metal all they can.
That it runs in the family is the truth,
and they yearly offer proof.
I’m bedding they continue with
scentsational demand.

© Joel Tipple

“How beautiful are the feet…”

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And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Romans 10:15 ESV (English Standard Version)

Blessed are
the feet of those
who bring good news
and a light to shine in the darkened places.

Blessed are
the hands of those
who labor tirelessly
for those with weary faces.

We don’t always see
the ones spreading hope
of a destiny
many thought went missing long ago.

Sometimes thinly disguised,
contained within caring eyes,
and conversations that go beyond
the surface,
to communicate the saving message
for both kings and vagabonds.

© Joel Tipple

Fall Up and Down

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With just a suggestion
of winter to come,
the yearly dance of dark and light
called autumn has begun.

While we prepare to enjoy the dance,
sipping some tart warm cider,
with as much anticipation as need
we carefully light the first fires.

Orange and black and candy for sacks,
celebrations of bounty,
hours of daylight
to save their might,
begin to turn in early.

Autumn is excited for the holidays to begin
but for now
she is content,
for anticipation is made all the sweeter
when time arrives as its hour is meant.

© Joel Tipple

My love, my bike.

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I’m not spokes to be in love
with my bicycle
It’s not natural
or the norm
In fact I see nothing about my bike that resembles the female form
So I suppose it’s a friend kind of love
that I feel about my Trek
even though you can’t say it’ll come rolling
when I call and beck
Still we’ve shared many miles
and weather
and time
and I’m sure many other things
that probably don’t rhyme
It’s a good relationship
that pays healthy dividends
Let’s all lift an electrolyte filled water bottle
in lieu of that champagne glass.

© Joel Tipple

Underwater

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Have you ever felt like you’re underwater
but so unequipped to swim?
Have you ever believed the world walking by
knows some secret way to fit in?
Don’t buy into the message society likes to sell,
the story that goes: Buy our car, wear our clothes, eat our food
and all will be well.

Never enough
What the world sells
Never enough
though your accounts are topped over
Never enough
to buy your freedom from fear
Never enough
You must be new here,
’cause sooner or later everyone learns
things
are never enough.

© Joel Tipple

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV (English Standard Version)

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world
1 John 2:16 ESV

Perfect

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I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:14 ESV (English Standard Version)

Perfect in your imperfection,
drawn by an unseen hand,
such a body of work as you are
is a challenge to understand.
Are you accidental?
Cosmic dust from space?
Do you suppose all the bits of you
just self-arranged in place?
I believe you’re wonderful,
not an accident at all,
God’s placed unique purpose within
the vehicle that holds it all.
The spark of redemption
from the artist of the universe
will always renew and bring to life
God’s intention built in from the first.

© Joel Tipple

God, You Rock.

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For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
Psalm 62:1-2 ESV (English Standard Version)

Resting in the knowledge
that it’s not just talk.

My reality is
God is my rock.

A lot of people are tossed about
fretful because of the news:
war and destruction
in this world.

But in the final analysis
only one house will remain,
and that belongs to the Lord.

© Joel Tipple

Proofread Drew Swingletree

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Writers have to battle
putting words on paper
to prove we’re astute.
So each time we sit and write
we offer up proof, and proofreaders
offer up judgement.

Then there are the artists
who like to draw, and when they’re done
they’ll show you what they drew.
As with words, the form and function
their art takes is something they are
quite willing to show you.

Now these days there isn’t nearly the need
for that wonderful word, swingletree.
But what a joyous exciting name for the wooden bar
that helps balance the pull of steeds.

So that closes accounts for this week’s Dictionary Roulette.
It’ll be back next week, unless I miss my guess.

© Joel Tipple