Why?

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On the morning news, I was watching a young girl bravely and calmly give an account of the carnage at a San Diego, California synagogue shooting that took place recently.  Around the world, people of faith have been attacked in their houses of worship.  I stopped and asked my Lord . . . Why?

Psalm 26:5:  “I hate the company of evildoers and will not sit with the wicked.”

Psalm 68:1:  “Let God rise up let His enemies be scattered; let those who hate Him flee before Him.”

Dear Lord

Sitting here

Watching news

Wondering again

 

Why?

 

Darkness comes

Another shooting

More violence

 

Why?

 

Godly people

With faith

Under attack

 

Why?

 

Where does

Such hate

Come from

 

Why?

 

Turning to

Reading scripture

Praying fervently

 

Why?

 

Our Father

Bring all

Faithful strength

 

Amen!

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As I was preparing this poem, I took a moment to go back to a previous poem about prayer.  I found some peace from Morning Prayer.

Enduring Character

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Horace Greeley writes:  “Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wing, and only character endures.”

 

Never forget our Lord’s profound teaching

Shelter faithful hearts each and every day

God renews our strength, always reaching

He positions loving hope to follow His way

 

Jesus reminds us daily to love one another

His fresh commandant reaches out to all

He truly wants us to witness to each other

Entrusted to make a better walk is our call

 

Protect integrity at each of life’s stops

Love God’s commandants, follow each

A person’s character should be tops

Christ’s working spirit will always seek

 

Maintain genuine discipline in one’s faith

God’s goodness and holiness arrive on time

Step forward to say “yes” to free grace

Encouraging us to obey a light that shines

 

The text for this poem is inspired from reading the following Bible verses:  

Psalm 119:165:  “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.”

Proverbs 3:1:  “My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments.”

John 13:35 (Christ is speaking) “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 

If you are looking for more Christian-based poems, here are a couple of previously published poems that you will find enjoyable to read:

 

Across the Street

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My retirement years usually produce a smile

But some days sink my spirits deep, by miles

My childhood sweetheart and lovely bride

Now rests with God, absent from my side

I stay occupied with my yard each morn

Discovering pleasure from nature’s form

 

There is a fine lady across the street

She emerges looking nice and sweet

She stays active around her place

Her yard definitely fits her tastes

The grass is mowed and trimmed

I wonder how she stays so thin

 

There seems, between us

A subliminal connection

Inviting her for coffee

Is my dreamy confession

 

Her petunias appear superior to mine

Perhaps I’ll ask for her secret, in time       

She smiles when my puppy is outside to play

I wonder what her plans will be for this day

I imagine what she might think about me

Watching me hang a bird feeder in a tree

 

There seems, between us

A subliminal connection

Inviting her for coffee

Is my dreamy confession

 

We both come from the same generation

Her beauty creates a wonderful sensation

I’m thinking of walking across the street

Meeting this fine lady would be a treat

She steps back inside from the dry, summer heat

Perhaps tomorrow morning, we can finally meet

My Grandfather lost his childhood sweetheart and bride, but believe it or not, he found love again . . . across the street!

This real-life experience, along with Jen Goldie’s story about “The Man Across the Street”, inspired the writing of this poem.  Visit Jen’s very creative story with the link shown below.

The Man Across The Street — Jen Goldie – A little this, a little that, some real and some imaginings.

Gentle Sounds

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Morning rain has marooned me at home

A brisk walk delayed, but never alone

Drinking coffee, another cup please

Addicted to caffeine with such ease

The early morning darkness

Stands ready in its stillness

 

The window is cracked open, just a bit

Hearing marvelous sounds, makes a hit

Pausing to listen and begin to write

Sounds of pleasure, being so right

 

Falling droplets of rain earn a trip down

Splashes on the deck, a relaxing sound

Song birds croon from atop tall trees

Sounding splendid, joyous, and free

Wet roads, close by, signal more

Amplifying car tires, ready to roar

An approaching plane flies overhead

Traveling on to Rickenbacker instead

A pair of geese flies through the sky

Their unique greeting says good-bye

 

My pen scratches delicately away

Listening to ink-filled words today

Simply enjoying an outlook from outside

Bringing life’s gentle sounds to me inside

 

“Rickenbacker” refers to Rickenbacker International Airport, south of Columbus, Ohio.  The facility provides space for civil, military, and commercial aviation needs in the central Ohio area.  The airport’s namesake is Eddie Rickenbacker, a World War I flying ace from Columbus.

If you are in the mood for more “morning” poetry, check out these previously published poems.

Weary Soul

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Waking up, feeling all worn out

Nothing to even say or shout

Fearing the day ahead

Should I stay in bed?

Nudging myself to move

Where is today’s groove?

 

Walking over to the table

Will I honestly feel able?

Feeling a cool, gentle breeze

From a window, brings a need

Turning Bible pages to a spot

Now God’s words find its dot

 

Speaking to me, comes a Savior

His words convey a new flavor

“Come to me, you are weary”

My eyes gaze tired and teary

“Your burdens are heavy, I see”

Jesus brings a time-out to thee

 

Christ remains patient and humble

Gathering me up when I stumble

He commands rest for weary souls

Easing a hefty load, much too full

Our Lord waits only a quick step away

His precious words bring plenty to say

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Much of the inspiration for this poem comes from the Bible.  The precious words spoken by our Savior Jesus proclaim from Matthew 11:28-30.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

 

 

 

 

Preserving Our Earthly Home

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The planet is fashioned by God’s expert hands

Creating the depths and peaks across the land

He uses wisdom to create the seas

Refreshing the dry land that we see

 

Earth Day arrives as an annual event

Witnessing our actions that implement

We are asked to be loyal guardians of this earth

Preserving it always, adds to its value and worth

 

Loss of natural treasures causes intense sadness

Being good stewards, brings God much gladness

Farmers operate to be effective caretakers of the land

Asking the rest of us to walk with them, hand in hand

 

We are called by our Lord to be fully aware

Sending out trustworthy legions, always fair

History and science often transmit gloomy news

Watching this earthly home decline in our view

 

Look around the planet, where we call home to be

Asking, what can be accomplished for God to see?

Perhaps our political kingpins should stop and pause

Leading a call to action for a just and worthy cause

 

Our planet is transforming before our vigilant eyes

Envisioning climate change and more as time flies

Our earthly sanctuary furnishes a home for all

Protecting our environment, too precious to fall

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Earth Day is a yearly event on April 22.  Many view “Earth Day” as an every day activity to preserve our planet for future generations.  These verses from Psalm 95:3-5 bring to mind God’s wondrous creation, which deserves our fullest attention in being excellent stewards of what He has given us.

“For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods.  In His hands are the depths of the earth; and the heights of the mountains are His also.  The sea is His, for He made it, and the dry land, which His hands have formed.”

 

Resurrection Hope

Our Lord’s Resurrection

Brings forth Salvation

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His Father guides Abraham to faithfully pray

Allowing acts of devotion with richness to say

King David speaks of the coming Messiah

Just as images emanate forth from Isaiah

Skeptics scoff, declare Resurrection is untrue

Christ proclaims He has indeed risen—so true!

The Father’s fulfills His grace-filled plan

Reaching out to us with His paternal hand

God generates hope for a darkness-filled land

All witness the piercings on His son’s hands

Christ’s blood is spilled for your sins and mine

Bringing the Cross front and center for all time

God carries forth His amazing grace

Making Resurrection a genuine place

Christ comes alive to witness and call

I am the Resurrection and life for all

Jesus brings Salvation to the righteous

Offering hope to even the unrighteous

Being saved by red blood shed for thee

Humbling ourselves and taking a knee

Many believers arrive to proudly proclaim

Christ’s Resurrection is more than a game

Each and every day all should always say

Christ offers His shed blood to fully pay

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Our Lord’s Resurrection

Brings forth Salvation

 

If you are looking for more Christian-based poetry, here are links to some of Big Sky Buckeye’s past publications.

 

 

 

Final Battle

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An outdoor mural captures the heroism of Native American warriors

On a sunny, blistering hot June day and hour

Two cultures collide in an epic that now towers

White, European culture ever advances to take

Native American culture realizes what’s at stake

America’s first citizens reside as native born

Now witnessing their way of life being torn

The Little Bighorn River provides a place for rest

Nestled in a large village are warriors, the best

Journeying into the Montana Territory for a cause

U.S. Calvary relentlessly travels without a pause

Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho await

The brave soldiers never realize their final fate

Lakota spiritual leader Sitting Bull envisions all

“Thick as grasshoppers” come soldiers to fall

The 7th Calvary invades the stream called Greasy Grass

Led by Lieutenant Colonel Custer, many die much too fast

Crazy Horse and Gall command warriors in this feat

Annihilating most of Custer’s troops in total defeat

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The marker at the lower right identifies where Lt. Colonel George Custer fell during the battle.  His remains are interred at West Point.

The coalition of Native Americans wins today

Bringing honor to warriors with much to say

The great Sioux nation wins this final showdown

But their way of life will enter its final sundown

A collision of cultures—Native and White

Today, there is no reason to ever fight

The human rights of the Native Americans still blaze

Working to preserve a culture without further decay

Little Bighorn Battlefield is located in Montana about an hour’s drive from Billings on Interstate 90.  The pictures shown were taken at the battlefield site a few years ago.

If you are interested in reading more about Montana, check out these previous posts:

Visit the Magic City (Billings, Montana)

Photo Gallery (includes numerous photographs of Montana as well as Ohio)

A Hole in the Middle

Enjoy something sweet on Big Sky Buckeye and hopefully share a laugh with me!  Due to his crusade against sugar (and successfully keeping his blood sugar under control), he cannot even remember the last time that such a treat touched his lips.  

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Simple, yet decadent pleasures they are

Being quite easy to locate from your car

Driving down the road each day

Now you wonder what it is, I say

The coffee’s on and ready to go

Include a doughnut for the road

Missing doughnuts for so many weeks

Passing them up is never for the meek

Call them “donuts”, many Americans say

For me, I prefer “doughnuts” to this day

My doctor instructs me, “No sugar for you!”

Now my doughnut days are sadly through 

However, doughnut temptation sings a song

If I reach for one, there is a deafening gong!

Sorry mister, there will never be doughnuts for you

So I continue down the road, singin’ the sad blues

Who made the doughnut hole in the middle?

Now that has always been quite the riddle

Waking up in the middle of a lonesome night

Dreaming of doughnuts makes a sugary sight

While some folks are addicted to Krispy Kreme

My doughnut tastes envision a different theme

Boston Cream, Long John, and Jelly

All sound delicious to my hungry belly

Old-fashioned, Sour Cream, and Glazed

Why can’t I enjoy a simple one today?

Now in my car and hungrily driving at midnight

The Jolly Pirate Donut shop stays open all night

I pull into the empty parking lot with sad surprise

The sign reads, “Closed tonight”—alas no prize!

This poem could continue on and on and on for sure

Does anyone have a doughnut to share with this sir?

 

Here’s a final footnote:

In the classic film of “It Happened One Night”

Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert are a fright

Gable, the newspaper man, enlightens

Colbert, the heiress, never frightens

As they travel the back roads and stop

For a cup of hot coffee at a tiny shop

. . . with doughnuts for dunkin’

 

In case you missed some past sweet posts, here are some links to take you back for more.  Enjoy!