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 the words of Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher, Oswald Chambers: “We are not turned into spiritual mediums, but into spiritual messengers; the message must be part of ourselves.”
From 2 Timothy 4:2: “Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.”
As we encounter another person, Jesus calls upon each of us to serve Him in changing a life, one by one.
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.
Advent Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we remember and reflect upon this Advent season, assist us in turning our hearts toward You as we approach the birth of Your blessed Son. Encourage us to celebrate the gifts received from that very first Christmas: hope, peace, joy, and love. Amen.
One of Advent’s most enduring hymns is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” The original text was composed in Latin during the 12th century. In 1861, English priest and scholar John Mason Neale translated the lyrics into what many Christians recognize and sing today.
The true meaning of Christmas returns every Advent season, filled with hope, peace, joy, and love from the Messiah’s gifts.
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.
The word Advent means “expectation.” What Advent can do for us is create a sense of hope.
From Luke 3:4: “As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord;make His paths straight.'”
Louie Giglio (born 1958) is an American pastor and Christian author.
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
Simon has scored 14, 20, 22, and 16 points in four basketball games. If his final average will reach 20 points per game, how many points must he score in a fifth game?
(answer found at the end of this post)
Featured Facts
Admitted to the American Union on February 14, 1859, Oregon is the 33rd state of the United States.
Here are a few quick facts about Oregon:
Capital city: Salem
Largest city: Portland (population: 630,498)
Nickname: Beaver State
State bird: Western meadowlark
State tree: Douglas fir
State motto: Alis Volat Propiis (She Flies With Her Own Wings)
Oregon is well-known for its diverse landscape. The western coastal region features rainforests, mountains, and fertile valleys. The eastern side of the state offers a more arid and harsh environment with grasslands and deserts.
Oregon’s coastal mountain range is filled with an array of volcanic peaks. From their ancient activity, numerous lava flows have created volcanic rock formations, which resemble a moon-like terrain. During the 1960s, America’s space agency, NASA, utilizes this region to prepare Apollo astronauts for eventual travel to the Moon.
Another prominent holdover from these past volcanic times is Crater Lake, which is part of a national park (established in 1902). America’s fifth oldest national park is home to the deepest lake in the United States, reaching 1,949 feet. The crater’s basin is all that remains from a collapsed, ancient caldera.
Oregon leads the nation in growing a variety of crops: peppermint, blackberries, boysenberries, longberries, black raspberries, and hazelnuts. Wild mushroom hunting is legal, and a harvest of one gallon per day is allowed. The state is the nation’s leading source of Christmas trees.
Oregon is one of five American states that do not levy a general sales tax (joining with Alaska, Montana, Delaware, and New Hampshire). Eleven lighthouses provide safety for boats traveling along the state’s Pacific coastline.
Moving from top left and clockwise: pacific coast highway runs along the entire oregon coastline, crater lake, state capitol building in salem, inside sea lion caves near florence, 1960’s nasa’s apollo training in central oregon’s moon country, Yaquina lighthouse near newport. (Images courtesy of Pinterest)
Answer to Brain Teaser Question
28. He has currently scored a total of 72 points. An average of 20 points per game for five games equals 100 total points.
When we sometimes worry, our shallow actions seem to come to a standstill while the mind remains submerged in deeper thought.
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.
Big Sky Buckeye 