“We are not to reflect on the wickedness of men but to look to the image of God in them, an image which, covering and obliterating their faults, an image which, by its beauty and dignity, should allure us to love and embrace them.” – John Calvin, in Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2 Volumes
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)
Tempted By Our Sins
by Michael Doyle
We explore our levels of intimacy
How we want things for our family
There's something to the crave
That will either break or save
There's so much to say
Our expectations will stay
Let's keep to our decisions made
And not give in to being afraid
We move into crash and burn
Instead of hoping we might yet learn
How we can be together
Telling each other we'll do better
Modern life is so complicated
Even the surest things aren't fated
Instead, we hear too many voices
That reminds us of our too many choices
Love is its own decision
It's not a game played with precision
But something we have to make good
It takes work - that's understood
We lurch into the crash and burn
Giving up the hope that we might learn
How it is to be together
Instead of dreaming that we can do better
We're haunted by the traps we set
Lost up in the what-ifs of regret
Could things have been a different way
We puzzle over our minds in replay
There are Peyton Place voices
That confuse us over our choices
Making us wonder what might have been
We are tempted by our sins
Crushed by the doubts of crash and burn
We've given up hope and never learn
We'll never last together
If we never decide to make things better
(c) July 6, 2024 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved
“Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.” – Franz Kafka
“The only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments.” – Benjamin Rush (1806)
To Keep Growing
by Michael Doyle
In the first end, we objectify
What we were once taught to deify
But being nothing but the average man
We still seek to do the best we can
We get so very much wrong
Trying to model ourselves and belong
We misunderstand that it is to be strong
In the end, finding we got so much wrong
Yet, here we are, knowing
Our need to keep growing
Longing to get it right and knowing
If we're going to, we'll need to keep growing
In all our shame and desperate knowing
We keep our standing and keep on growing
Learning in each step and knowing
That life lived well is about our growing
Learning to be a better sort of man
A better brother, father, and lover who can
See the error in our imprinted ways
In feeling for those we love, we change our ways
Somewhere along life's long way
We begin to see what we do and say
Can hurt others without meaning to do so
And in this seeing, our reasons begin to grow
Yet, here we are, knowing
Our need to keep growing
Longing to get it right and knowing
If we're going to, we'll need to keep growing
In all our shame and desperate knowing
We keep on standing and keep on growing
Learning with each step and knowing
That life lived well is about our growing
In the end, it's not for others we change
Finding the strength to rearrange
It's for ourselves that we become better men
Repenting as we do from our bias and our sins
As we, each of us, finds our path forward
We find an impact pushing society toward
The greater truths of love and equality
Until at least we learn we've embraced true society
Yet, here we are, knowing
Of our constant need to keep growing
Longing to get it right, yet knowing
If we are ever to do it, we'll need some growing
As each of us find our foothold forward
We within the impact of moving ever toward
The needs to embrace love and equality
Until at last we have found our true society
(c) July 5, 2024 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved
“You will think me transported with Enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.” – John Adams
“The truth is, most of us discover where we are headed when we arrive.” – Bill Watterson
Owed To America 2024
by Michael Doyle
My daughters ask me why is it you cry
I think back on history and will not lie
Too many brave souls have fought and died
For us not to have mourned and cried
There was a time when we stood brave
Thinking only about the values we would save
If the battle came, we knew we would fight
To preserve our nation and for our rights
It's owed to America in this year 2024
We've traveled down the road and will some more
You know we're unbeatable when we take our stand
The red, white, and blue bleeds across this land
This is the measure owed to our nation
The cause we would serve with dedication
Ceaseless in heeding the beliefs that inspire
Our love of justice sparks this true fire
Our American nation is born on ascending courage
Enough to last in hope throughout all our ages
We are not a people to be dominated by the fears
That have defeated others in their passing years
It's owed to America in this year 2024
We've traveled down the road and will some more
You know we're unbeatable when we take our stand
The red, white, and blue bleeds across this land
There is only one danger that can bring defeat
The internal enemy who lives just down the street
Who wills not to believe in the good of our nation
Ignoring as he will our causes and our inspiration
His despicable nature rests not on creed or color
But instead is the rusty stain from a lack of valor
His is the ways of the downtrodden, cowardly kind
Who prefers to be living in this world half-blind
It's owed to America in this year 2024
We've traveled down the road and will some more
You know we're unbeatable when we take our stand
The red, white, and blue bleeds across this land
Their kind bend their knees to the despotic crown
But their kind will never bring this nation down
As long as America has some courage and imagination
We'll always find the the strength that build this nation
Rather you wish our nation well or if you wish us ill
We're not going away but will grow strong that is until
Judgment day finds its way to color our place in history
This sweet land will stand tall for freedom and liberty
And it's owed to America in this year 2024
We've traveled down the road and will some more
You know we're unbeatable when we take our stand
The red, white, and blue bleeds across this land
(c) July 4, 2024 Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.” – John F. Kennedy
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