First Principles: For Unto Us A Child Is Born, Unto Us A Son Is Given; and the Government Will Be Upon His Shoulder…His Name Will Be Called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, …Prince of Peace

Posted on December 25, 2024 by alohapromisesforever

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” -Isaiah 9:6

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Thought For the Day: If You’re Rooting Against the President, You Are Rooting Against the Nation. And I’m Not Going To Be Where I Want A President To Fail. So, Country First

Posted on December 25, 2024 by alohapromisesforever

“If you’re rooting against the president, you are rooting against the nation. And I’m not ever going to be where I want a president to fail. So, country first. I know that’s become maybe like a cliche, but it happens to be true.” – Senator John Fetterman (D), on ABC News, This Week

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A Razor’s Truth

Posted on December 24, 2024 by alohapromisesforever 
A Razor's Truth
by Michael Doyle

In a time when all eyes 
Should be looking toward the skies
Filled with wonder and majesty
There's a preference for conspiracy

The more is, the better if mired in tragedy
Sometimes, it feels more like a comedy
People are mystified by things they point at
Like two astronauts wearing Santa hats

They are on the razor's edge of truth
Some puzzles are simple, as in our youth
Wanting like the drones to ponder why
It takes a child to ask about resupply

Some questions leave nothing to find
It's as clear as day, even for the blind
We live in an age of allegations and conspiracy 
While very few challenge the hypocrisy

What can be expected in an age of the woke
When the Church of England has become broke
Not daring to edge to the side of the Nativity
Hiding the babe in the manger without levity

A church of believers hiding their belief
Worried that telling their truth brings grief
Altered hymns are conspicuously filled with regret
As if the outside world might mysteriously forget

That the business of the church is not simply business
If there is to be any relevancy, leave the sameness
Alone and distinguish what this truth thing is about
It's okay if the nonbelievers remain mired in their doubt

(c) December 24, 2024   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved

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First Principles: May the Father of All Mercies Scatter Light, and Not Darkness, Upon Our Paths, and Make Us In All Our Several Vocations Useful Here, and…Happy

Posted on December 24, 2024 by alohapromisesforever

“May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us in all our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.” – George Washington (1790)

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Thought For the Day: Let Us Remember That Wisdom Is the True Salt of Literature, and the Books That Are Most Nourishing Are Richly Stored With It

Posted on December 24, 2024 by alohapromisesforever

“Maxims and aphorisms, let us remember that wisdom is the true salt of literature, and the books that are most nourishing are richly stored with it, and that is the main object to seek in reading books.” – John Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of Blackburn

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Heavenly Peace

Posted on December 23, 2024 by alohapromisesforever 
Heavenly Peace
by Michael Doyle

This night of abounding silence
Came to conquer this world's violence
Heavenly peace brought to calm sleep
When the Lord came to love and keep

The Lord opened the Word to our page
Bringing hope and peace to our age
Walking with us in every step
He was crucified, but He never left

His voice is heard in the Holy Spirit
When we open our hearts, we can hear it
Faithfully, we give our love and service
Through loving God, we live our purpose

Rejoicing with every step that we take
Living our best as if it were for God's sake
Our voices tremble, and our souls shake
Knowing purity in redeeming love that is real

In the darkness, we had waited
Seeking truth, we were fated
Destined for our part in His story
We are reconciled in His glory

(c) December 23, 2024   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved
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First Principles: In the End, It’s Not the Years In Your Life That Count. It’s the Life In Your Years

Posted on December 23, 2024 by alohapromisesforever

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” -Abraham Lincoln

(Happy Birthday to me?)

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Thought For the Day: A Daughter Is the Happy Memories of the Past, the Joyful Moments of the Present, and the Hope and Promise of the Future

Posted on December 23, 2024 by alohapromisesforever

“A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future.” – Bruce Barton

(Imagine the joy in having two daughters with different interests and beautiful hearts.)

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The One Who Won’t Go Away

Posted on December 22, 2024 by alohapromisesforever 
The One Who Won't Go Away
by Michael Doyle

In the air is a feeling of anticipation
As we joyfully prepare our contribution
Christmas is coming as if we're dreaming
Soul shine fills us as if it's beaming

God is with us as we happily prepare 
There is nothing like it that can compare
Finding that we can live this wonderful life
We find hope, peace, and love, free from strife

Whatever our burdens, we give them to God
However much the outside world finds this odd
Living our prayers and walking in love
We keep our hearts steadily set on the above

God uses each of us to be another's blessing
You are mine; there can be no second-guessing
What if on that blessed Christmas morn
Our holy savior has not been born?

Holding on to the best of faded yesterday
We find the name of Jesus in all we pray
Exponentially, we worship as we know
While the inspirations of Christ continue to grow

Jesus came to split time into two
Changing the world forever for me and you
From simple beginnings, our God has majesty
Though this wedding never had a registry

He came to redefine commanding information
As His words brought humanity's transformation
Impacting every step mankind has taken
To look away from this is to be entirely mistaken

I stumble along, giving glory to God alone
Knowing my folly and need to solemnly atone
Taken for granted, I forget who has done what
I get discouraged because all of my blessings are forgot

Angels get wings with the ring of a sacred bell
I hope that is clarion and keeps us all well
Let none of us forget our worth to God's holy Son
Fulfilling the great commission remains to be done

A baby in a manger came to give us hope
Giving us faith and enough peace to cope
Through all eternity, God brings our belief
And the goodness of Christmas brings us relief

We must trust that God works for our good
Let's stand with Him and let it be understood
It is in God alone and not on life's shifting sands,
On which contentment rests as our God commands

Chase the world or chase God's holy ways
Which of these brings the best joy into our days
This Sunday of Advent's hope brings us good news
You don't need your socials or its million views

Christ's soul is intentional in bringing light
His words are the heart that brings us sight
The joy in our world goes beyond pleasing
Knowing that Jesus Christ is the reason for this season

As we walk out of this church, let our faith be known
In all the loving ways it can be and is shown
Merry Christmas to all who might find time to read
That it is through our Lord Jesus that we are freed

(c) December 22, 2024   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved
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