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About bigskybuckeye

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.

From My Journal (2/3)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

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From Big Sky Buckeye

When we see the enemy for what he truly is, the light of Christ beams even brighter.

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.

(Updated February 3)

Isaac Watts Quote

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is Thine arm alone, and our defense secure.  [Taken from the hymn lyrics of “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”]

From Psalm 28:7:  “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.”

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) was an English pastor, Christian theologian, and prolific writer of hymns.  He produced lyrics for over 750 hymns.

Hope’s Olive Leaf

From Lamentations 3:22-24:  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.'”

Photo by Francesco Ungaro on Pexels.com

Life’s darkened landscape

Harvest empty of grain

Hope seems so distant

Forgotten in pain

 

Heart’s desolate scene

Hope’s answers in prayer

Now mercy arrives

Laden with love’s care

 

Family finds hope

Answers no longer wait

Body now healing

Doctor brings update

 

Scars from troubles heal

Set to travel hope’s road

Spirit strengthens heart

Faith harvests what’s sowed

 

Earth’s torrential flood

Faith anchored on firm ground

Noah’s dove soars free

Hope’s olive leaf found

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Genesis 8:10-11:  “He waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove from the ark, and the dove came back to him in the evening, and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth.”

From My Journal (2/2)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

Today, God nourishes our hope for another opportunity tomorrow.

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.

(Updated February 2)

Ann Voskamp Quote

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There is unwavering peace today when an uncertain tomorrow is trusted to an unchanging God.

From Isaiah 26:3-4:  “Those of steadfast mind You keep in peace, in peace because they trust in You.  Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God.”

Ann Voskamp (born 1973) is a Canadian writer and Christian blogger.

Big Sky Photo Gallery

About a month ago, photos taken around my home in the state of Ohio were posted in the Buckeye Photo Gallery.  Today’s gallery brings an invitation to visit Montana’s Big Sky Country, which is my native state.

This past summer (August, 2024), my camera enjoyed a journey filled with capturing the landscape around Madison County in southwestern Montana.  On the left, the Madison River flows downstream from the river’s canyon exit.  Its destination will be the headwaters of the Missouri River, located near the community of Three Forks.  The photo on the right looks downstream on the river, as one moves away from the canyon.  The weather conditions were very windy, and fortunately, the camera remained steady.

An hour’s drive from my hometown of Billings, takes one to Carbon County and the town of Red Lodge.  Both photos capture scenes found on main street.  The photo on the left features the Carbon County Courthouse.  On the right, the corner building has been repurposed into a retail shop on the ground floor.

My wife and I always enjoy visiting the city of Bozeman, which is home to Montana State University.  This community was home to me during my college years (1974-1978).  While Main Street has changed a great deal from my time, the atmosphere remains welcoming with a vibrant commercial district.  The Rockford Coffee Roasters welcomed us for mid-morning refreshments with our youngest Montana daughter and her two-year old son.  Across the street sits the venerable Ellen Theater, which opened in 1919.

Enjoy the contrast of these two photos.  Taken during the summer of 2023, the photo on the left captures a smoky sunrise above the Billings neighborhood where I grew up.  The final photo was taken during the summer of 2021.  A rest area outside of Billings, along Interstate 90, shares a bit of humor as well as functionality for its canine visitors.

From My Journal (2/1)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

We grow more when we share more.

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.

(Updated February 1)

Haim Ginott Quotes

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To reach a child’s mind a teacher must capture his heart.  Only if a child feels right can he think right.

Often an ounce of humor is worth a ton of words.

Haim Ginott (1922-1973) was an Israeli-born school teacher and child psychologist.  He pioneered techniques about how to converse with children.

Abiding Within (Elfchen Series #237)

Upholding

Faith’s

Patient peace

Accepting Spirit’s truth

Witnessing mercy taking flight

Righteousness

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Embracing

Hope’s

Guiding light

Accepting Christ’s challenge

Forwarding grace to others

Joy

Photo by Rodolfo Clix on Pexels.com

Confirming

Love’s

Stirring heartbeat

Accepting Father’s truth

Forgiveness comes through Thee

Cleansing

Photo by Su Casa Panamu00e1 on Pexels.com

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.

From My Journal (1/31)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

Our next steps may require a bit of faithful courage in order to break free from tomorrow’s wayward anchors.

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.

(Updated January 31)