Jesus is known by His many names. These are revealed as we examine Biblical claims. We find it is with prayerful consideration That there is power in every faithful iteration.
In the shadow and light of His sacrifice and resurrection, We live our faith life inside its connections. Each makes us more blessed every passing day. We learn to follow and live Christ in every way.
The Book of Romans gives a lot to live on. In many ways, it is like a spiritual marathon. It takes a lot from us while giving us more. It's the believer's constitution, intense and pure.
In reading through, there's a lot to getting ourselves right, To live with dignity within the revealing of God's light. Eventually, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess. Perhaps, then, we must strive to always do our best.
In understanding the depths of depravity and our sins, We find the beauty of God's surpassing love again. Knowing the truth of where it is that we daily dwell, And rest in God's assurance that all is and will be well.
As we walk out onto the theological leading edge, Our zeal is one not solely based on knowledge. It is based on faith that Christ fulfills the law And our is to fervently respond to His holy call.
We keep the word of God faithfully near. We hold our beliefs to be quite dear. Confessing that the Lord is our only salvation. God's sacrifice came as our only needed explanation.
Trusting in the Lord, we know no need for shame, Jew and Gentile call on his Holy, blessed name. Calling on his known names, we find our way to salvation. It is the path for our faithful nation.
Believing and living the Word's message heard, This is the truth of the Gospel observed. Though, at times, this seems maybe overly demanding, God will and does supply our path to understanding.
Too often, we find ourselves an obstinate people, Despite generations of being raised in the Temple. All this to get to the point where we can discern What it is that we all must know and need to learn.
It is in this moment of rational conversion, We find God waiting for us in our observation That sometimes we backslide into our surrender, And finally, I find God's love to be warm and tender.
The best messages come with callouses grown, Showing the truth without fear as it is known. Faith shines through in the moments we share, Professing our belief as deeply as we dare.
(c) May 18, 2025 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
“Since no man is excluded from calling upon God the gate of salvation is open to all. There is nothing else to hinder us from entering, but our own unbelief.” – John Calvin
When I left to go hike, the skies were clear. I just wanted God and nature's path to be near. Besides missing my daughters, my world had no care. It turned out that this illusion was its own snare.
Having hiked Otter's Trail, there was still energy Enough that it begged for another hike taken by me. I drove through Versailles Park and found Orchard Trail, I wondered to myself how I would find its unraveling tale.
Watching the baby squirrels jump high from limb to limb, And the young chipmunks sprawling the ground like a jungle gym, I tried to reassure them in the ways that I acted. Maybe that's why I didn't notice and became overly distracted.
Suddenly, the woods were shadowed by a rude sense of darkness. It seemed as though I could somehow feel the harshness. The animals seemed at once to quietly nestle and disappear. The birds became silent, and I knew that rain would soon be there.
A thunderclap sounded and carried with it the first lightning. Looking at the skies, I realized it was ugly and frightening. These were tornado skies, and I had a distance to my car. I quietly prayed this would not prove to become too far.
The snakes of fire came crawling like twists of light, Bringing a touch of brightness to this overly darkening night Until a wrath of rain began its torrential downpour. That's when my GPS decided to tell me something more.
To get home, I would be driving through the middle of the cell, Where more than one tornado would add to my travails. The winds began to pick up as drove fast watching buildings rock, Straight-line winds pack more of a punch than to moan and talk.
By the time I had arrived home, the radio announcer had said That over twenty-three people lost their lives and are now dead. The carnage of tornadoes touched down throughout the heartland. Shaken, I find this loving intention of God hard to understand.
(c) May 17, 2025 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
“Without justice being freely, fully, and impartially administered, neither our persons, nor our rights, nor our property, can be protected. And if these, or either of them, are regulated by no certain laws, and are subject to no certain principles, and are held by no certain tenure, and are redressed, when violated, by no certain remedies, society fails of all its value; and men may as well return to a state of savage and barbarous independence.” – Justice Joseph Story
Each day, it seems, is a gift received From God above, or so it is believed But there is no real proof to be given So, a little doubt might yet be forgiven.
Prayer doesn't change God, just the man, And from this, confidence is taken as it can. Thanksgiving alongside rightminded supplication Is the fruit of the spirit, right for this nation.
Answers to prayers come in three flavors to savor. Each of them according to God's plan without favor. Played out as words as trite as yes, no, and maybe Sometimes, I fall apart as it continues to slay me.
Twice removed from the beliefs of only yesterday, I often find myself alone and stumbling along the way The past is as deep as the evening's passing shadow. But my faith sometimes hangs out in the shallows.
I find myself fighting the good fight every day. Wondering why it is that this is the only way, And wondering what the value is in what we pray When our Father knows every word that we might say.
Answers to prayers come in three flavors to savor. Each of them according to God's plan without favor. Played out as words as trite as yes, no, and maybe Sometimes, I fall apart as it continues to slay me.
I have seen better people than me taken harshly down. I have seen the wisest of men made to look the clown. Where it is, how it is when it is from the very start, I know with faith that it begins inside my broken heart.
In our attempts at prayer, we learn to patiently exhale, While God's spirit sometimes smiles as we learn to inhale. This is not effort but the way that is according to God's plan, And, after all, I am not an angel, just an ordinary man.
Answers to prayers come in three flavors to savor. Each of them according to God's plan without favor. Played out as words as trite as yes, no, and maybe Sometimes, I fall apart as it continues to slay me.
(c) May 16, 2025 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
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
ALOHA PROMISES FOREVER 