Poetry

My Attention

God
help me clear the clutter
reduce the noise
of my life
narrow my focus to what’s essential
first of all
your voice

tune my awareness
of your spirit
as I go about my day
slow down the moments
so I pay attention
lest I miss
what you say

you gave all
for my sake
called me home
set me apart
since you’ve made it new
I look to you
the architect of my heart.

©Joel Tipple
#37/14

Somewhere A Prayer

Somewhere a saint is praying.
Somewhere hope is held out to the night.
Somewhere a restless soul is stirring,
gearing up for a spiritual fight.

Somewhere a child is kneeling,
A little one’s prayers have wings to fly.
Forbid not the children, Jesus said,
for of such is the kingdom.
Uninhibited,
their pleas to God,
no limit to their sky.

Somewhere a prayer of thanks goes up.
Somewhere a fearful parent cries out.
Somewhere a soldier’s spouse prays alone.
Somewhere a family prays as a loved one breathes their last,
while next door joyful prayers greet a newborn.
Prayers go out to save a marriage, a home, even a life.

Someone questions and prays for an answer.
Someone prays in the sand, drawing like a dancer.
Someone prays with groanings,
unable to find the words.
Some pray with desperation, not knowing where to turn.

Somewhere someone’s interceding,
standing for those who can’t.
Some pray sacrificially
putting themselves in the gap .

Somewhere a saint is praying
Somewhere hope is held out to the night.
Somewhere a restless soul is stirring,
gearing up for a spiritual fight.

© Joel Tipple #35/14

Patron of The Hearts

Wouldn’t you like to be
a patron of the hearts?
The love of Jesus feeds the body and soul
it seems.
Let’s not neglect one for the other,
for such could be the foundation
of whole hearts
and dreams.

© Joel Tipple
#33/14

Blessed Are

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blessed are
the poor in spirit
theirs is the kingdom of heaven
God holds those humble in the palm of his hand
where to their hearts he tends

blessed are
those who mourn
held in our arms and in our hearts
God’s tender love is expressed for such
who suffer the bitter part

blessed are
the gentle
who cover faults with grace
not thwarted by the harsh and arrogant
they serve with a loving face

blessed are
those with a righteous hunger and thirst
God will move all obstacles
in their path
for they desire to seek him first

blessed are
the merciful
who will receive mercy in kind
the evidence of this quality of God
brings the Son of God to mind

blessed are
the pure in heart
whose eyes focus on the king
they remain cleansed and sanctified
despite Satan’s schemes

blessed are
the peacemakers
reconciliation is how they serve
true disciples of Jesus they bring harmony
his witness on this earth

blessed are
the persecuted
indeed for righteousness’ sake
their unwavering stand separates them
standing not as the world’s claim

blessed are you
sold to the truth
rejected by the world
reviled and abused
blessed are you
of a disciple’s life
who fear not disdain
or the crowd’s angry lies
blessed are you
for Satan’s not concerned
by the lukewarm and uncertain
whose hearts do not burn
rejoice and be glad
sold out for Christ
if the road was easy
there would be no price
but if the grade is steep
and the wind’s in your face
take those for signs
you’re running the right race

(Based on Matthew 5:1-12 The Sermon on the Mount; The Beatitudes)

© Joel Tipple
#30/14

The Gospel

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let me feel the gospel
Lord
anyone could say the words
so don’t let them pass right through me
hardly pausing on their way
let them change me
rearrange me
I’m willing to learn
God, you hear what my heart has to say.

let me carry the gospel
Father
its bright colors spilling forth
with grace to balance justice
east west south and north

friends we’ve become
your gospel and me
it’s the truth that shines
from the eyes of the knower
but it’s not only a companion
that wants to hang around
it would much rather be with
those who are sowers

gospel moves through music
through songs that inspire
through words lifting hearts
and taking us higher
like a good rain
washes the world clean
the gospel takes the scales from our eyes
while the riches of God it leaves

to everyone
around the world
to every land
and every flag unfurled
till the people all know
that Jesus died but now lives
we’ll share the precious gospel
just like our savior did

© Joel Tipple
#29/14

The Road To Healing

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God, we know you’re knocking.
Still, families are falling.
A dad’s afraid to say what he thinks.
A mom’s sure she’ll lose it if she doesn’t get a drink.
A daughter thinks the answer is a wedding ring.
A son thinks life’s a game… and he hopes he’s winning.
The television blares on,
and too few hear the door.

All journeys to healing begin
with one human being earnestly praying.
He heals families
one person at a time.
His desire is to rescue
and mend our broken hearts.
He throws hope to the hopeless
with a life line.

On the road to healing
God brings us together.
Building a body
from the ashes of the fallen.
He reveals beauty
where one could hardly find it.
Will we
choose
all apart,
or
all a part in?

© Joel Tipple
#28/14

Coming Home

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This is not how the story ends,
not with you wandering.
It’s time to give the pen
back to the author of life.
Remember where you’ve been
and know where you’re going.
Come home to Jesus
and answer your heart cry.

There’s a melody that’s been playing
softly for some time now.
It used to be distant and weak
but now it’s getting louder
so you turn your attention to the conductor,
As he stretches out his hands
the music swells in response.

Answer the call.
You’ve heard Jesus calling.
Your story doesn’t end with you alone;
you’re coming home.

Can he redeem the years
you spent running,
when you were
a leaf set adrift from the tree,
a fish out of school?
Can you really start again,
or are you just hoping?
Well remember,
if he used Peter,
he can use you too.

You’ve answered the call now,
the adventure he intended
waits for you to step into
the book it’s in.
How many chapters are left?
Only God knows.
Rest assured he’s bigger
than any mountain.

© Joel Tipple
#27/14