faith

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

Not so fast

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Wait,
when you’re tired and you just want it over.
Wait,
when the words will be harsh.
Wait,
when your mind screams how unfair it is,
and you want a re-counting or re-slicing or
re-whatever.
It’s not about
whether
someone
has it
worse,
better,
or even the same.
This is between
God and you
whether you ever
get the sun or the rain.
Well done good and faithful servant
are the words you’re waiting to hear,
and then you won’t remember the pain.

This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

“Come to Me…”

 

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28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly 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

The rest we obtained through you,

salvation, your life for ours and to

be redeemed,  take on a yoke that’s new

and feels

like it belongs.

And we belong

to You.

 

Follow your heart?

panzies 002You have heard,

“Just be happy and follow your heart.”

and it was doubtless

said with good intention.

A thousand self-help books

more or less

make that mention.

But our hearts must be surrendered daily

if we hope to be happy

and free,

and the choice

to follow Jesus

is the wisest of

elections.

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.  Hebrews 11:6

“Peace I leave with you…”

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“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not
let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
John 14:27

Not as the world gives,
short-lived.
Not as the world gives,
ephemeral.
Not as the world gives,
fleeting & unsure.
A vision floating on the desert horizon,
cruel and deadly.

Instead Lord, your peace is the gift you left with us
and that which we share.
It’s a cup that cannot be emptied,
but instead grows if we give it away.
Peace everlasting,
our inheritance by virtue of adoption.

That’s how you play

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Life’s full of little bumps in the road
but perspective paves the way
and the shocks seem less shocking
as you learn to catch them.

Remember when you were learning to catch
and you learned to meet the ball.
Instead of throwing your hand out there,
you met it in space. In the same way, big challenges,
and the little ones that feel big,
can be met in a fluid motion
and held
or tossed away.

Don’t get me wrong,
the bad hop will occur,
but everyone has to deal with those.
Handling bad hops is just one of those
expected unexpected things.

Hone your dignity and grace,
but don’t over-worry about saving face.
Someone needs to see you be human
and use wisdom to rely on God to finish
the game.

New Energy

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There’s no night so dark
His name can’t illuminate,
no depression so deep
He can’t lift it.
No heart so weary
and grown tired of beating
He can’t recharge
like the sun coming up.

The meaningless
find new meaning.
Those wondering why
find new hope.
Those finding themselves
short of the summit
suddenly spy
a new length of rope.

He’ll breath into you compassion
when maybe you thought
you didn’t care.
He’ll be the force
lifting your wings
with angels into ebullient air.

A Little Bit Lower

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When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; What is man that
You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than
God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! Psalm 8:3-5

A little bit lower,
my Lord.
Some days I feel
more than just a little.

Quite a bit lower,
and yet
You deign
to walk with us
and remain our God.

We allow circumstance
and the vagaries
of human nature
to overwhelm
our peace in you.

Help us return
to that peaceful place
that is all of you
and only your influence.
Let the noise of our
minds fall back before
your light, which chases
shadows of fear away.