Born in the Big Sky Country of Montana and now living in the Buckeye State of Ohio, Richard is the creative mind behind Big Sky Buckeye. Retired after 40 years of teaching, I enjoy writing, photography, traveling, and following a healthy lifestyle.
If you abandon to Jesus, and come when He says “Come,” He will continue to say “Come” through you; you will go into life reproducing the echo of Christ’s “Come.”
From Mark 1:17: “And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.'”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
From Hebrews 11:1-3: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”
In witnessing each faithful moment of walking with God, we accept His grace and rest in His light.
Do you write a daily journal? This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts. Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.
Put your hand into the hand of God. He gives the calmness and serenity of heart and soul.
From Isaiah 49:13: “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted His peopleand will have compassion on His suffering ones.”
Lettie B. Cowman (1870-1960) was an American writer of Christian devotional books.
This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
Brain Teaser Question
I have two coins that add up to 30 cents (in U.S. money), and one of them isn’t a nickel. What are the two coins?
(answer found at the end of this post)
Featured Facts
One of nature’s most intriguing creatures is the diminutive salamander. In the state of Ohio, there are 24 different species.
Here are a few interesting facts about the salamanders found in the Buckeye State:
Classification: Amphibian
Physical features: Smooth, moist skin without scales or claws; delicate and small; variety of colors
Habitat: Many prefer inland bodies of water (ponds and streams) while others are more suited to moist conditions on land (terrestrial)
These long-tailed amphibians are cousins of frogs and toads. Their main sources of food include invertebrates: insects, slugs, worms, leeches, and snails. They are preyed upon by fish, birds, otters, snakes, turtles, muskrats, raccoons, and skunks. A salamander’s body coloration helps it hide from those seeking to prey upon it.
Salamanders also face threats from disease, pollution, loss of habitat, and non-native invasive species. The human handling of any salamander in Ohio is prohibited by law. From spring to mid-summer during breeding season, they are quite active at night.
One of the largest salamanders found in Ohio is the Eastern Hellbender. Its average length runs between 12-24 inches. Their territory is located in the southern and eastern regions of the state. Its preferred habitat is a swift-flowing stream where they can hide under rocks during the daytime.
Eastern Hellbender Salamander (courtesy of Pinterest)
One of Ohio’s most common salamanders is the Northern Dusky. It lives everywhere in the state except for the northeastern region. Its average length is 3-5 inches. A light line extends from the back of the eyes to the back of the mouth.
Northern Dusky Salamander (courtesy of Pinterest)
One of the smallest salamanders in Ohio is the Blue Spotted species. It is found in most areas of the Buckeye State. Being about 2 inches in length, its body shows off a distinct pattern of contrasting spots.
Blue Spotted Salamander (courtesy of Pinterest)
The final species to present is one of Ohio’s terrestrial salamanders. The Redback spends much of its life on land. With a length of 2-4 inches, it is found throughout the state. During breeding season, eggs are placed under moist rocks and under logs. During the arrival of early spring, people may discover a Redback peeking out beneath rocks and logs.
Redback Salamander (courtesy of Pinterest)
Answer to Brain Teaser Question
A quarter and a nickel (the quarter isn’t a nickel).
As any culture moves toward tomorrow, it needs to keep its dynamic pulse beating with dreams filled with innovation.
Do you write a daily journal? This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts. Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.
Optimism is an essential ingredient of innovation.
Innovation is everything. When you’re on the forefront, you can see what the next innovation needs to be. When you’re behind, you have to spend your energy catching up.
Robert Noyce (1927-1990) was an American physicist and entrepreneur. Nicknamed the “Mayor of Silicon Valley”, he founded the Intel Corporation in 1968.
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
Praising the gift of joy, which radiates from love, given freely from Jesus Christ.
Do you write a daily journal? This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts. Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.
But by faith I see God and, inaudibly, I hear Him on a regular basis, reading Him written in the events of my life–whether it be the crushing blows that drive me to my knees or the joyous triumphs that send my heart winging.
From Matthew 28:20: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.
Big Sky Buckeye 