“Where there is no freedom, there is death and destruction.” – Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Isn’t it time that we cultivate a new class of people throughout the Islamic world to think more like this again? Iran could certainly benefit from this. 70-something lashes to one of their beautiful lady singers who dared to sing a protest song asking her country’s leaders to have mercy on its people. Tell me the part again where the punishment befits the crime, and we gain anything from having these folks rule with their iron fist of tyranny.
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” – Calvin Coolidge
All of us have hurts with which we deal. We have to think and truly feel. Life comes with its share of drama. Each of us needs to recover from the trauma.
We can't just stuff it down under, Or it comes back with the worst thunder. The pain isn't something to try to hide. Sooner or later, it spills out from inside.
Life's tragedies will always be there. It's not something to run from in fear. Suffering is an innate part of our life. While we seek peace, we stumble into strife.
Like a broken merry-go-round in a winter's wood, We must make from it our best lives lived good. In the end, it's better to have lived a bit lost, Than to have never lived, despite its cost.
Still, it is these moments that shape our best. Though we wouldn't want to ever have lived the test. Filled with love and filled with God's loving grace, Our lives are better off when we choose to fully embrace.
All that has come and all that we feel has been done. When we do this, the battle we fight is mostly won. When life pulls us downward with tears in our eyes, It is best to look upward toward the infinite blue skies.
We are blessed by all that we get the chance to live, As we are forgiven, it is best then to actually forgive. It doesn't mean to allow the bad to happen ever again, But the counting of our blessings must never, ever end.
As the end starts to come, I know that I will die. But I also see the abundance that God did supply. The tears fall, and there is yet time enough to cry. But there is also more love to live before I will die.
Count your blessings with open eyes for the coming more, You will readily see them if you don't choose to ignore. As sure as there are falling stars in the nighttime skies, To know this, you need only live in wonder with fresh eyes.
(c) November 10, 2026 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
In the Book of Matthew, the story is told As Jesus' life appears above the fold. As a tax collector, he felt a bit invisible, But with God's love, his story became invincible.
Like individual cathedrals, we are built almost unseen. Almost ignored while remaining our best human being. Just a little bit of appreciation builds significance, And from this we realize the joy of magnificence.
Seen and personified in all that we do. It's a matter of perspective beyond our point of view. Jesus sees us all and wants us to follow. The depth of this is not shallow.
Our bad decisions aren't the end of our story. We are born to live out God's good glory. Satan's labels are slapped on with shame. He hopes to make us stumble in fallen blame.
Children of God, we are boldly shown That we can shine God until He's known. All we need to do is walk in His full light, And by doing this, guide the World through its night.
It doesn't matter, the mistakes we've made. There is no need to walk through life afraid. Instead, we are to share the Gospel Story, So that each of us is seen in God's glory.
One relationship at a time and filled with care, This creates the teaching moments that are fair. As each of us becomes a little better seen, We learn to live and love as God's human beings.
The heroes of the Bible are cast as statuary Each of which silently invites us to God's sanctuary. A spirited statement in its invitation Guides the world to love without limitation.
The church is for those who are in need To find themselves back to health and to heed The Way that teaches us all to know love And to come home to God's ways from above.
The sacrifices of loneliness build on God's will. Self-centeredness is cast off for the Church on the Hill. God only wants each of us to make our way home, And His love, like His moments, saves us from being alone.
God sees all that happens on His behalf. That is sufficient and is in no way odd. Rather, it is a demonstration of godly humility That makes all the difference in God's family.
All that we do comes down to relationship. The walk of love is the most perfect worship. There is no need to be on a lighted stage. All believers are on our Father's same page.
(c) November 8, 2026 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
“One of the most powerful concepts, one which is a sure cure for lack of confidence, is the thought that God is with you and helping you. This is one of the simplest teachings in religion, namely, that Almighty God will be your companion, will stand by you, help you, and see you through. No other idea is so powerful in developing self-confidence as this simple belief when practiced. To practice it simply affirm ;God is with me; God is helping me; God is guiding me.’ Spend several minutes each day visualizing his presence. Then practice believing that affirmation.” – Norman Vincent Peale
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19–20 NIV
“We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face… we must do that which we think we cannot.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Heading out of Australia to escape this Aussie winter. First stop Japan, then UK/Ireland and if work doesn't call me back, onto Chicago. I will make it up as I go along
