Poetry

Redeemed

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For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 ESV

Have you ever heard of a pardon refused
by the person to whom it was offered?
But just so is redemption rejected
by those who pass without the Lord.

The free gift of eternal life
and redemption from eternal separation
is not dependent upon wealth, privilege,
or station.

But we must know our need,
and knowing, ask to be freed,
then by faith, accept the guarantee
of eternal life in God’s kingdom.

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14 NIV

© Joel Tipple
#6/14

Jesus Strong

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A day in the world can take you down.
Let alone serious life events,
I’ve seen simple drama,
things less intense
turn your good days
all the way around.
Stop looking for the answers
in a bottle or a body,
the top 40
or a shiny new car.
Anything the world gives
will tarnish in time.
So listen up my brother,
it’s time to draw the line.

You’ve been
majoring in the minor leagues,
looking for worldly guarantees,
living your life on the cheap
so long.
I played
that foolish game
way too long.
I got tired of the lies
and the pull of the throng,
a crowd going places
I didn’t want to go.
I made up my mind
not to go along.
I got Jesus strong.

Old days to new days.
Old ways for new ways.

A lot of people assume that since Jesus
preached a message of compassion and peace he was weak.
But this carpenter was not only strong physically, he
was strong mentally, spiritually and emotionally.
He spent 40 days in the desert being tempted by Satan
and emerged victorious. He never took the easy road
and He told those who would follow Him that their road
would not be easy either. In Matthew 10:34 Jesus said:
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.
I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Jesus meant
that like a sword severs, so some families would be severed by
the choice to follow Him. Following Jesus can
mean making hard choices sometimes. In this way we daily
pick up our own cross. But before we ever picked up ours,
Jesus picked up his.

Old days to new days.
Old ways for new ways.
Old to new…

Jesus build a man in me to weather the storm.
From my hands to my spirit make me tough.
But let your strength resound so that I never boast.
Because where my strength is not, Your strength is enough.

© Joel Tipple
#5/14

Time

What time then
is it?
Time to begin.
Over, if it wasn’t enough.
If it was…
again.

One measure at a time.
One hour.
One mile.
One struggle over the mountain.
One stroll down the aisle.

What time then
is it?
Time to prepare.
Time to act as though
there’s barely any there.

How much is it worth,
the time God gave to you?
Will the time you’ve spent already
be rejoiced over
or rued?

Time to study your playbook.
Know your resource, and guide.
Lay down every encumbrance.
Every burden set aside.

Then fit to measure,
fit to begin,
having counted the cost
between go and victory,
you’ll be ready for the journey,
and ready to win.

© Joel Tipple
#4/14

This Accidental Earth

This accidental earth,
who would have imagined?
This fortuitous birth,
No intelligence planned it?
Just think of the biological speed dating required!

This accidental earth,
no, not an accident.
Science can take us far,
but its explanation
falls short of the spark.

This purposed earth,
this oasis of birth,
God’s creation, served.
As caretakers, we’ve been found wanting.

Outcasts from the garden,
from judgement, by grace pardoned,
as His children we are never alone.
Respect our planet,
our earthly world as God planned it,
until we move on to our heavenly home.

© Joel Tipple
#3/14

 

 

 

The Words of Jesus

Life beyond this life.
Hope beyond this hope.
The sustenance of my every day,
the words that Jesus wrote.

He wrote His words upon my heart,
every word He said.
They’re with me in the morning, when I rise,
and at night when I fall to bed.

For the words that Jesus wrote,
their refrain and their release,
though every Bible in every hand may close,
they never…
never
will cease.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”
Matthew 24:25

© Joel Tipple
#2/14

Start Again

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 ESV

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Psalm 138:8 ESV

Start again.
Oh, go ahead and do it.
Set aside
the doubts lingering at your mind’s door.
Begin again.
There’s nothing for it.
Who’s to say that’s all there was and nothing more?

Putting one foot in front of the other
isn’t so simple
for those who cannot stand.
But you’ve got to trust God.
You’ve got to know God
will hold you steady
on your world of shifting sand.

Jesus, I trust you…
my pilot, yes, my guide.
Through the murky waters of this life
You have brought me and will bring me,
almighty, sanctified.
Jesus, I love you,
please hear and be pleased by my praise.
These hands you’ve always held
will forever be raised.
Forever Lord, my hands I raise.
Forever Lord, be praised.

© Joel Tipple
1/14

We Will Rise

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

Lord, I’m so inspired,
when I consider that because of you
we don’t have to be normal,
living by the world’s rules
and by them being defined.

We don’t have to
look to the lives
of reality television stars,
political pundits,
or professional athletes
to know how to think
or even what to think about.

We don’t have to fight
artificial battles
that only serve to distract our minds
from the struggle for our souls.
Instead, we can wrest control
from the darkness
that would consume us.

We
will make your Word
our standard.

We
will expect more of ourselves
than ordinary.

We
will light a firestorm,
a revolution of praise
in the land.

We
will rise
by taking hold of your hand.

© Joel Tipple
384

Joyful Service

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Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Psalm 100:2 ESV

Sweet Lord, my king,
of your truth and mercy I will sing.
From the moment I awake
until my eyes close at night
I will praise you.

I will write of your loving-kindness, Father.
The sun does not shine without you.
The rain doesn’t fall
and the earth is not nourished.

Joy flows within me
like salvation’s river.
Your praises I sing,
and I can barely contain.
Heaven’s music rings,
and my walk with you
is not in vain.
No, never in vain.

© Joel Tipple
383

Do You See Me in Blue?

Just the other day we were talking about colors,
you know,
our favorites.
What we like.
What likes us.
Well,
it all just started kicking around in my mind again.
So,
I want to know.
Do you see me in blue?
Do you see me in blue, like the ocean
on a calm day?
Or do I seem to blend in better
when the ocean is rough
and green?
Do you see me in blue,
like a river reflecting the sky?
Or am I more like the white of the same water sent through a steep corner, speeding?
I guess I’m not sure what it all means,
but either way,
whether or not you see me in blue,
I’ll still be wearing the jeans.

© Joel Tipple
382

We are Broken

We are broken for the castaways
and those who think they have it made.
Broken for the dealers
and those who make deals.
Broken for the confident
and for the frightened.
Broken for the arrogant
and for those whose fate is sealed.
If you’ve given it all away,
no one can take it from you.
You might say, “I just feel empty,”
but so seems the desert
before God sends the rain.
Then watch it bloom!

© Joel Tipple
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