Christianity

Come to Me

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28) “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29) Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30) For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 New American Standard

Your yoke, Lord,
Your discipline,
is not so difficult.
But the surrender of our wills
seems to be the field of challenge
we most often find ourselves engaged on.
Why do we hold so tightly to what does not serve us
or the Lord we claim to serve?
Surrender is a challenge,
but we seldom recognize holding back for the anchor it is,
or surrender for the freedom it represents.

© Joel Tipple

The Master

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Almighty God,
please
give me the wisdom
to know that I am not wise.
I tend to slip that mask on,
thinking it a clever guise.
But I am typical of the youngest,
and though I crow and jest,
my insecurities show through,
even through my best.
Can I give myself as a canvas?
Would you take the brush?
I believed I was so artful,
but my colors were muddied
and rushed.
I’d rather the master
paint me,
and Your signature on me be found.
Your name will then be spoken,
and I will delight in the sound.

© Joel Tipple

Chastening

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Help me Lord,
to forbear
your chastening,
knowing my place is to listen,
to work out those
rough spots of
rebelliousness
and pride.
So soon after forgiveness
I run headlong into
a new misadventure or error,
all the while taking credit
for my redeemed character.
When You hold a mirror before me, Lord,
with the other hand give me strength
to really see what it reflects,
and not color it unduly
with my own interpretation.
These lessons are best learned
sooner…

Entertained

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Something my maternal grandfather said once made an impression on me. I’m not even sure why it impressed me at the time. I’m going to guess I was somewhere in my tweens, though I could have been younger. He said young people have to be constantly entertained, or something to that effect. I suppose I could have shrugged it off as one of those statements “old people” make. You know, like, “When I was a child, I had three rocks to play with; and I was lucky, the kid down the street only had two!” But over the years I’ve given what he said some consideration. Why is it that we have to be busy doing something all of the time? I think we all know people who have to spend almost every waking moment involved in some activity: video games, TV, etc. If we say we’re Christians, how much time does God get? Does He get dibs on our day? Does he get the leftovers? In the long run, in our search for entertainment, are we settling for a second rate life?

God, why do I seem
always to be dancing
away from the dream.
The dream of a relationship
with you
that’s more than an extra
15 or 20 minutes
when I can fit You in.
The world tries to sell
me a life that’s
more “As seen on TV”
than
hand crafted.
And as usual,
I get what I pay for.
Help me to give less of me to that,
and more of me to You.
I don’t believe You
ever intended our lives to be
filled with drudgery.
I just think we’ve been suckered into
buying what life is not.
Show us what life is, God.
Show me.

My Father’s House

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1) “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2) “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3) “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:1-3 (NASB)

My dad has been in an assisted living facility for some time now. When the house that he raised us in sold, it was difficult for him. After all, he and my mother had it built in 1968, and I know he figured it would be the last place he lived in. He also didn’t plan on my mother passing away before he did. Both of these circumstances were, and continue to be, hard for him to deal with. Like most of us, I guess, he doesn’t know how long he’ll live, and the idea of being alone, or not having a home to call his own, is unsettling. Uncertainty seems to be part and parcel of life on earth. So what is certain? What about our forever home? Jesus tells us to trust Him. He has prepared a place for us with Him for eternity. Though we’re given some clues, we don’t exactly know what it will be like. I am certain, though, that it will be more wonderful than our most vivid imaginings.

Absent from this earth,
together with the Lord,
Our concepts seem so small.
Stories about clouds and harps
aren’t so helpful at all.
Misconceptions about doing nothing
do exactly that much to excite.

An eternal worship service?
What of those who can’t sing?
Oh, I know, those limitations are misplaced.
Besides, are music critics redeemed?
If you’ve been in love,
and who hasn’t?
Multiply that by one thousand.
I’m guessing it’s that massive.

© Joel Tipple

(NASB) – New American Standard NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE Copyright (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,1995 by THE LOCKMAN FOUNDATION A Corporation Not for Profit LA HABRA, CA All Rights Reserved http://www.lockman.org

Adopted

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3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will. Ephesians 1:3-5 (NASB)

If you knew me
before the world’s foundation was laid
knew my foibles and faults
all the mistakes I’ve made
chose to adopt me
and call me your own
only waiting for my decision
to set my life toward that home
If you still called me
knowing all that you did
even when I foolishly
tried to hide my sin
If you knew that even after
I asked forgiveness and joined this life
that sometimes I’d stumble and create
unnecessary strife
If you knew all that
and still gave me your name
the least I can do
is every dawn
say thank you
and start again.
© Joel Tipple

(NASB) – New American Standard NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE Copyright (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,1995 by THE LOCKMAN FOUNDATION A Corporation Not for Profit LA HABRA, CA All Rights Reserved http://www.lockman.org

Male Chauvinist Eidetic Reprobate

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Anyone doubting the fall of man,
or the monkey wrench that Adam
tossed into God’s plan
need only spend time in the brain
of a guy.

Any guy,
just any average bloke,
beyond the age of puberty,
that’s when we are smote.
Brought low we all are,
though desire is natural,
enough being enough
just doesn’t seem quite factual.

At some point all men
act the part of male chauvinists
so objectification becomes ordinariness.
Our eidetic brains compile images
of female parts
and rate them as though for
elaborate charts.

Reprobates all, constant prayer and focus
on God’s will for our minds must be our locus.
It’s not easy, challenging habits ingrained,
not impossible, but worthwhile, taking some pains.
Viewing all women,
at all times
as not objects,
but our sisters, mothers,
aunts, and friends,
worthy of love in its highest form…
and respect.

© Joel Tipple

(Note: Dictionary roulette words are entirely chosen at random, really!)

This is a Recording

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The recording that’s playing,
running in your mind,
that condemns at every turn,
only to rewind,
is not correction or direction
unless you count the blind alleys.
This voice makes it difficult
to rebound or to rally.
It’s not an encouraging voice
to bring you to the fold.
It’s purpose is to bludgeon,
criticize and scold.
Its name is Self-Talk,
and if this sounds like your own,
record new material, call yourself
on the phone. Read what God
says about you
apply some of that.
Let His voice redeem yours;
set your mind to this task.

© Joel Tipple

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

Here on Earth

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Dreaming of heavenly things
my mind is blown by what God brings
and then I spy that bathtub ring
Just what am I supposed to do
when it’s clear that I have so much more to view

You came down to earth to show there is life
beyond what we see with our two eyes
You gave up your life so we could live
so why can’t we see past all of this
here on earth

Morning devotion with the King
some days God my mind is filled with other things
like wash the dishes pay the bills fight the yard
instead of being thankful
I complain that it’s so hard

You came down to earth to show there is life
beyond what we see with our two eyes
You gave up your life so we could live
so why can’t we see past all of this
here on earth

Just what is it that we deserve?
dear God how can we even say that word?
All I ask is water to wash my eyes
so that I can see what I
should
be
grateful
for…

You came down to earth to show there is life
beyond what we see with our two eyes
You gave up your life so we could live
so why can’t we see past all of this
here on earth
here on earth
here on earth

All Hope

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“There, that’s done,” Clay breathed a sigh of relief as he and Lori left the real estate office in Bandon, Oregon after signing the lease for
the latest All Hope Ministries outreach center. “Clay,” Lori said, “there’s something you might not have considered when you picked this particular city for the next All Hope.” Clay’s brows drew together. “What’s that?” he said. The corner of her mouth lifted just a little. “Well, you know how you answer the phone in San Francisco? San Francisco, All Hope.” “Sure,” Clay said, “and in Portland we answer, Portland, All Hope. So in Bandon we would
say… Oh!” He shook his head and laughed quietly. “Okay, we’ll have to adjust that.”

© Joel Tipple