Except God, I take no one seriously,
especially myself.
The moment I think I’m deep,
I’m surely beyond help.
I’ll live simply and earnestly,
not worshiping trophies
on my shelf.
I’ll value most highly
those times when God speaks
and I listen well.
© Joel Tipple
345
Every day is a good day
to search for gifts to give.
You don’t always have to look far,
you can start where you live.
Give your family truth,
with a large side helping of love.
Use the example of Jesus,
who modeled His father above.
Give the gift of excellence at work.
Refuse to offer less.
Your work is your mirror.
Let it reflect you gave your best.
To the world give the gift of authentic hope.
To those who are drowning, send a life saving rope.
© Joel Tipple
344
I’m giving up on the airlines
my travel weary buddy said.
They charge you extra for every little thing,
even laying bets
on whether you might land
or weather you might not
if a lightning storm
or storm of birds
got caught in your prop.
And they charge you for a pillow
or a blanket to cover you up.
Let’s not even talk about
what they charge you for your sup.
It’s really getting quite silly,
the degree of financial damage.
Don’t tell the attendant you’re unhappy,
or she’ll charge you for emotional baggage.
You can try to avoid it,
but most of your funds will still be shed.
I once flew economy
and landed $17 trillion in debt.
© Joel Tipple
343
Our thanks to God
is simply our part
in the chain of gratitude
that binds our hearts.
This is not a chain that weighs
as a burden would;
It’s a chain of arms and hands
transforming shoulds
to: I do, I am, I give.
Thanks transform.
Thanks cause us to thrive.
Thanks teach us to live,
not merely be alive.
Thanks don’t talk.
Thanks proclaim.
Thanks give credit
and don’t bother with blame.
Lord, please catch us giving thanks
at the beginning
and the ending
of our days.
© Joel Tipple
342
i could use a new coat of paint
all a board is peeling
that isn’t faded and gray
looking through my windows
i shutter to think
how much longer this can go on
a home that’s gone from red to pink
i could use a new coat of paint
the grand dame of my block i must say i ain’t
so many seasons missing attention
have passed while here i sink
spring i don’t feel it in my foot treads
summer’s heat i peel some more
falling down on my foundation
winter with brittle cold i’m beset
my value from high has gone to bargain basement
there’s hardly any swing left in my casements
the mouse that this house once housed
has left for next door while its years still allow
so please don’t consider it vain
that I ask you to favor me
with a new coat of paint
© Joel Tipple
341
It’s difficult to accept
that it’s easier
to serve God when people are looking.
What chef, for instance, doesn’t want diners
to know who is cooking
that wonderful meal.
But it’s the ordinary times,
the every day times,
the I won’t get anything
tangible from anyone
who can do anything for me times,
that count most.
© Joel Tipple
340
when
in my darkest days
i lift my eyes
always my Savior stays
close by my side
for favor I knelt and prayed
mercy He gladly gave
held in His arms am I
Jesus, my hope and guide
© Joel Tipple
339
I’m surprised it doesn’t happen more often
since my front yard is bird grand central.
Our two living room windows present bird views
almost worthy of a bill.
Now I have to say I’ve seen
quite a few irresponsible doves.
So for what I have to say,
remember
I’ve nothing but love…
They dive and swoop and chase
in their fun loving
merry making haste.
I will say since I feed them quite liberally
I have some part in the incident,
so there’s my disclosure fully.
Yesterday, one of the doves
in the midst of a very swift swoop,
tried to go through my not open window without stopping.
You could call the move a closed barrel loop.
Now you would assume the bird was shaken.
That it’s okay I hope I’m not mistaken.
But it did leave a signature imprint on my glass.
I’m going to leave the mark there
so others will know
through not to pass.
© Joel Tipple
338
These days you hear a lot of talk about
“living without limits.”
You’ll note the phrase in
motivational messages
by the score.
You can hear it in slogans
You can read it in banners.
But with all this living without limits
I find myself wondering,
just what is their unlimited for?
Unlimited is one of those words
that might mean more than you think.
It carries as much baggage as freedom.
Think about that when you’re on the brink.
Does the boy driving his first car
believe in unlimited speed?
Does the girl you call princess,
believe unlimited beauty is all she needs?
Is unlimited whatever you’re addicted to
enough to fill the hole?
…the empty place very close
to what might be your soul?
Unlimited love has been demonstrated
and it came at a cost.
Unlimited life has been purchased
and paid for on a cross.
Unlimited is so much more
than you might have been led to believe,
but trust me…
trust me, that’s a good thing.
© Joel Tipple
337
Whether walking trembling on stormy seas, or asleep in the boat,
we reject a hopeless end in favor of endless hope.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 ESV
22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 8:22-25 ESV
© Joel Tipple
336
Write here, Joel. 