Dark Sources

Dark Sources
by Michael Doyle

The optics make me cringe.
Almost every newscast is on the fringe
It seems that we're invited into the conspiracy
While they really don't care about history

Everyone vents and is set on blaming
It's that PR game known as framing
Truth, it seems, has become subjective
No one even tries to appear objective

It's your side versus, ostensibly, my side
Even honest brokers have something to hide
Everyone huddles strategically for their team
We watch it every night on our television screens

There's gangrene in the connective tissue of society
So much so that it's no longer a matter of complexity
But the very roots of how life works at its foundation
Power for power's sake serves as the only explanation

There is nowhere to hide or any place to runaway
We're all endangered; the longer we stay
Texts are fleshed out between the media's calls
Dark rumors come down, suffocating souls between walls

Too many nosey neighbors are looking in
It's been this way since the original sin
The blame comes on us as we push to know what's going on
We'd like the Constitution to protect us, but it's nearly gone

If you dig far enough to reach the profound
You might be surprised by the poisons you've downed
These are the darkest spaces of ugly pessimism
Letting it go on leaves no more room for optimism

Systemic racism leaves a lot for us to improve
The Captains of America have their sense of groove
Shots are fired aimlessly into the polluted air
And.. you quizzically smile like you haven't a care

(c) January 7, 2025 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved

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First Principles: The Virtues of Men Are of More Consequence To Society Than Their Abilities; and For This Reason, the Heart Should Be Cultivated With More Assiduity Than the Head

“The virtues of men are of more consequence to society than their abilities; and for this reason, the heart should be cultivated with more assiduity than the head.” – Noah Webster (1788)

(Virtues to be cultivated are courage, patience, and moderation or temperance.)

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Thought For the Day: Action Is the Great Restorer and Builder of Confidence. Inaction Is Not Only the Result, But the Cause of Fear…Any Action Is Better Than None

“Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all.” – Norman Vincent Peale

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Pushback On A Throw Away Life

Pushback On A Throw Away Life
by Michael Doyle

Words are frequently flung
Like bells that can't be un-rung
There remains work to be done
We can't turn away before it's won

For those with caring hearts
This is off to a rough start
People who deserve next to no authority
Trade in their 15 minutes of celebrity

Demanding attention to what they say
In a media world, it's the game to play
Life is this town is throw away
We pray just to make it through another day

It's not living life as a throwaway
To say that we need some morality
The argument made is not to argue
But to do better than to take your cue

Hip Hop and rap created the clime
That rule the memories of this time
The hipsters life is an expensive way to die
In the end, no one will wonder why

Demanding attention to what they say
In a media world, it's the game to play
Life is this town is throw away
We pray just to make it through another day

You pop it until you finally stop it
It's a real discussion; you write. They drop it
Flinging accusations to hard hitting beats
This conspiracy takes over the streets

We live our lives like mostly peaceful riots
And then wish to get away to someplace quiet
No matter where you are, they won't leave it alone
As if social media comments were engraved in stone

Demanding attention to what they say
In a media world, it's the game to play
Life is this town is throw away
We pray just to make it through another day

(c) January 6, 2025 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved

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First Principles: The Powers Delegated By the Proposed Constitution To the Federal Government Are Few and Defined. Those Which Are To Remain In the State Governments Are Numerous and Indefinite

“The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.” – James Madison, Federalist 45, 1788

(For those who do not understand that the Federal government took powers to itself over the past decades that it did not have the Constitutional authority to take. This is why many such powers require being returned back to the states where such powers rightfully belong. All of the delegated powers are found in Article 1. Absent amendment no other powers were legally added. Saying that many of these laws were “implied” is farcical at best.)

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Thought For the Day: Yesterday We Obeyed Kings and Bent Our Necks Before Emperors. But Today We Kneel Only To Truth, Follow Only Beauty, and Obey Only Love

“Yesterday we obeyed kings and bent our necks before emperors. But today we kneel only to truth, follow only beauty, and obey only love.” – Kahlil Gibran, mystic, poet, and artist (6 Jan 1883-1931)

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Sufficiency

Sufficiency
by Michael Doyle

God's grace is filled with sufficiency
It eases us from lives of deficiency
We walk this world, but not alone
Step by step, we come to atone

Within God's sacred family
We learn God's word is not a homily
But a walk we live as a community
Keeping and reaching the best of you and me

Following Jesus for His name's sake
Came His introduction without mistake
As mesmerizing, as it reflects
The Book of Romans shows how it all connects

Life claiming is its width and breadth
The good news instructs us until our deaths
Paul, himself, came as one of God's servants
His life was filled with examples and purpose

Met on the wrong road and then set right
Paul's blind eyes were given purity of sight
God's love turned a hateful sinner into a believer
Paul turned his life and path from the Deceiver

There is a courageous question of spirituality
It is if Christ has a place of centrality
Is He emerging in every aspect of our identity?
And is our belief is anchored in humility

Each of us are called to be servant
We must live out our life's purpose
Living the footprint of God's good reason
We are meant to be impactful in every season

Marked by the cross, we have our foundation
And are called to be apostles across every nation
We have come to fully articulate our salvation
And in return, received grace as our explanation

Grace given to to all Christians and shared
As we spread the good news, transparent and bared
This gift from God is not a new sort of story
It is the fulfilment of God's gracious glory

Timeless truth stands the test of all the ages
It is set apart as the wisdom of the wisest sages
Found in the virgin birth, prophecy, and resurrection
We come to attest to the foundation for God's connection

Between God and man rests a path of devotion
It is based evidence, not simply emotion
There is no pushback that removes this glory
The Son of God fulfills this truthful story

Lived out in all the moments that we live
We conform our lives to God in the love we give
Goodness in all that has been revealed and shown
By the ways of Christ, we are adorned and known

(c) January 5, 2025 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved

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Thought For the Day: Where Is God? Where Can I Find Him?” We Don’t Realize That’s Like A Fish Swimming Frantically Through the Ocean In Search of the Ocean

“Where is God? Where can I find him?” we ask. We don’t realize that’s like a fish swimming frantically through the ocean in search OF the ocean” – Ted Dekker

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First Principles: For In the Gospel the Righteousness of God Is Revealed – A Righteousness That Is By Faith From First To Last, Just As It Is Written. The Righteous Will Live By Faith

“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed–a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” – Romans 1:17 (NIV)

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A Desire For Positive Impact

A Desire for Positive Impact
by Michael Doyle

This an age that embraces the apocalypse constantly
It is hard to find anyone left who feels empathy
For those who want to live a life to its fullest measure
It is as though we have forgotten what there is to treasure

Too often, humans want to see humanity's demise
Having so little imagination as to need their own two eyes
To see the worst of what comes as a final calamity
To want to live longer becomes seen as some kind of vanity

Goethe's kernels of wisdom become a beacon of light
That shines brightly for those who rage against the night
There is vibrancy found in those who find achievement
In searching for and finding life's final fulfillment

A man comes to know himself less by thinking than doing
Taking on challenges, not introspection is our true duty
Embracing new experiences and living a life of true action
Is the way to discover potential and gain new satisfaction

Nurturing new meaningful connections brings us the delight
To keep inspired with the joy that keeps a man's life right
Shared interests forge the best of our new relationships
It's the sort of cherished love that approaches our worship

There is an essential virtue found in our giving generosity
This is especially true when it is accompanied by modesty
However it is chosen, we must give back to our community
We live best when part of that greater something of humility

Still, even the good life comes full of contradictions
Those who grapple with these best offer the indication
That is best to wrestle with acceptance and reach harmony
This leads to more peace and brings about our empathy

A man's character becomes tested in irregular circumstance
These determine our capacity in the unexpected game of chance
Twists and turns bring us our continued growth and discovery
Grace and strength weather the needed increase of flexibility

Let your vitality be passionate with purpose and enthusiasm
Let it be a tempered force to keep this world in its optimism
When it is shared with reason and healthy sense of self-control
It is as good for inspiration of others as it is for your soul

Truth seeking is the only path toward cultivating wisdom
We have known this since our youth, whatever may come
Questioned assumptions bring about new senses of perspective
We are kept in our youth by being continually reflective

Nature's secrets require an appreciation for beauty and art
These provide profound truths that nourishes a healthy heart
In all of this transcendence, we need balance and moderation
Discipline and self-awareness are the tools of our causation

As a man ages, he must think on the results of how he acts
I, myself, seek to leave my legacy of desired positive impacts
It is with unique capacity that I seek to make my difference
Holding God, nature, and all of humanity in my reverence

(c) January 4, 2024 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved

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