Thought For the Day: If We Are Not Careful, Our Colleges Will Produce A Group of Close-Minded, Unscientific, Illogical Propagandists Consumed With Immoral Acts. Be Careful Brethren! Be Careful Teachers!

“If we are not careful, our colleges will produce a group of close-minded, unscientific, illogical propagandists, consumed with immoral acts. Be careful, ‘brethren!’ Be careful, teachers!” – Martin Luther King, Jr., in “The Purpose of Education,” The Maroon Tiger, 1947

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Making It Do

Making It Do
by Michael Doyle

The world's pain
Is dipped in blue
Thinking I remember that
About me and you

Walking in with
My life's game face
If you keep on running away
Does it leave its trace

Most of the living world
Is a bit under the weather
We keep on hoping
It's bound to get better

There are bribes
That are easy to get behind
They're just hard to see
In this world gone blind

I'll pretend to be me
If you'll pretend to be you
If that sounds like a plan
We'll make it do

Most of the living world
Is a bit under the weather
We keep on hoping
It's bound to get better

(c) January 14, 2025 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved

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Thought For the Day: The Ultimate Measure of A Man Is Not Where He Stands In Moments of Comfort and Convenience, But Where He Stands At Times of Challenge and Controversy

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

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First Principles: For My Part, Whatever Anguish of Spirit It May Cost, I Am Willing To Know the Whole Truth, To Know the Worst and Provide For It

“For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and provide for it. – Patrick Henry

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Emptiness Revealed

Emptiness Revealed
by Michael Doyle

Momma says, "kneel and pray"
The last words after a long day
Life finds its way, however unkind
Sometimes, I don't know how I'll find

My way to keep on standing
The forces that push me are demanding
That I be strong despite my tears
This is how it is in my living years

Edging off this world's surface
I see nothing much left to embrace
In a world filled with emptiness
There's not a lot for me to miss

The serpent offered temptation
As I chased after new sensations
Fooling myself with each deception
Suffered, and the truth found in connection

Clinging to what I want to still believe
I saw so many willing to deceive
Does this pass for our broken society
When so many practice the art of cruelty

Edging off this world's surface
I see nothing much left to embrace
In a world filled with emptiness
There's not a lot for me to miss

(c) January 13, 2025 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved

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First Principles: The Bravest Are Surely Those Who Have the Clearest Vision of What Is Before Them, Glory and Danger Alike, and Yet Notwithstanding, Go Out To Meet It

“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.” Thucydides

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Thought For the Day: True Courage Is Being Afraid, and Going Ahead and Doing Your Job Anyhow, That’s What Courage Is

“True courage is being afraid, and going ahead and doing your job anyhow, that’s what courage is.” Norman Schwarzkopf

(An attempt to honor the firefighters fighting the blazes in Los Angeles County, California)

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Shalom Charis

Shalom Charis
by Michael Doyle

Jarred by the fires that burn
Broken hearted as we learn
The sorrow of this season
We extend our love beyond reason

Called to be holy through grace
We keep our eyes on God's face
A spiritual gift is shown with care
God's love is meant to share

Unashamed by God's good power
Present in the darkest hour
His love comes to reveal
The best of His will in every moment until

We can make our community
Out of the love of God's family
The good news is for everyone
As we side for God's will to be done

There is completeness in serenity
As our priority is on eternity
Pulled into this holy conversation
We live God's love even in devastation

Peace if given through grace
As God's ways become what we embrace
Unmerited favor becomes our walk
As we move beyond the milk of mere talk

Abounding grace finds us sufficient
Deserved beyond however we are deficient
His love is abundant in how it is given
In every step beyond being forgiven

Abundant and more than enough
God's grace allows us to hang tough
Overflowing the cups of our life
It shapes our peace from the world's strife

In the book of pure love, not tricks
It is our job to love and God's to fix
Keeping our heart with head in how to live
If we're marked by God to give all we can give

Our everything must be all in
In grateful prayer, we are committed against sin
Living our lives of godly virtue
We have the integrity to be me and you

The gospel believed is beautiful
Producing works that are wonderful
Regardless of whatever this world brings
Our God brings His good from everything

The Book of Romans is a journey
From wrath comes the seeds of our community
In our surrender we are in debt through our care
From the Gospel, we are born again to share

Eyes opened to goodness, we learn to see
Unashamed, we become born to be
Those who walk in our pure integrity
One by one, we are God's family

Shifting ways don't phase the hearts
Of those seeking truth from the start
Anchored by understanding, we grow and learn
A life of grace is bigger than immediately discerned

Surrendered lives are lived to God's best
We learn this as we pass this world's test
Together, we pray this in Jesus's holy name
Knowing our souls are above Satan's flames

(c) January 12, 2025 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved

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Thought For the Day: Faith Is the Strength By Which A Shattered World Shall Emerge Into the Light

“Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.” – Helen Keller

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First Principles: I Have Told You These Things, So That In Me You May Have Peace. In This World You Will Have Trouble. But Take Heart. I Have Overcome the World

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

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