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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 (3/5)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

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From Big Sky Buckeye

Nature’s cherished gift of grace offers life-sustaining peace, hope, and joy.

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 March 5)

Sir Arthur Helps Quotes

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Wise sayings often fall on barren ground; but a kind word is never thrown away.

The most enthusiastic man in a cause is rarely chosen as the leader.

Sir Arthur Helps (1813-1875) was an English writer.  He was an early advocate for animal rights.

Monday Memories: Walking with Us

This poem is inspired from a post from Jan Beek, based upon a recent Sunday message from her church.  The message enlightened me with some wonderful applications to “The Walk to Emmaus.”  Visit her post for this wonderful message, complemented with some great hymns.

empty highway overlooking mountain under dark skies

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Empty, very little hope

Weary, walking this grim road

Lonely, life hides in darkness

Misery, each step feels slowed

 

Believing, He would be king

Remembering, life seemed alive

Listening, His words brought hope

Blessing, barren lives would thrive

 

Ignored, a bloody Cross stands

Vanquished, His tomb sitting hushed

Restored, hope rises again

Conquered, sin and death now crushed

 

Raised, Savior walking with us

Transformed, our hope now restored

Energized, with daily steps

Saved, by our Lord’s new accord

green leafed plant on sand

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From Luke 24:13-16:  “Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.  While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.”

Originally published April, 2020.

From My Journal (3/4)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

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From Big Sky Buckeye

While one’s daily walk of faith may sometimes seem like an endless climb, God blesses each footstep with a level plain.

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 March 4)

Oswald Chambers Quote

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There is a difference between an ideal and a vision.  An ideal has no moral inspirations; a vision has.

From Proverbs 29:18:  “Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint, but happy are those who keep the law.”

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.

Faith Transformed

From Ephesians 2:3:  “All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, doing the will of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.”

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Faith trampled with doubt

Filled with endless fear

Overwhelming worry

Chains of sin bring tears

 

Seeking to please God

Performance falls short

Overwhelming burdens

Endless works, abort

 

Accepting God’s way

His mercy sends light

Overwhelming presence

By grace, faith holds tight

 

Creating in us

Eternity’s bond

Overwhelming spirit

Redemption responds

 

Trusting in Jesus

Faith transformed by love

Overwhelming praises

Peace breathes from above

 

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From Ephesians 2:8:  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

From My Journal (3/3)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

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From Big Sky Buckeye

In our humbleness, faith’s steps will mirror those of Jesus.

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 March 3)

Taken From a Church Sign

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Jesus . . . no roaming charges . . . no dropped calls . . . unlimited minutes.

From Matthew 28:20:  “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Trivia’s Facts and More (3/2)

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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

Built on a concrete slab, there is a one-story house where everything is yellow.  The walls are yellow.  The doors are yellow.  All of the furniture is yellow.  The house has yellow beds and a yellow sofa.  What color are the stairs?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Admitted to the American union on December 11, 1816, the “Hoosier State” of Indiana becomes the country’s 19th state.

Here are a few quick facts about Indiana:

  • Capital City:  Indianapolis
  • State Bird:  Cardinal
  • State Flower:  Peony
  • State Motto:  The Crossroads of America

The word “Indiana” in Latin means “Land of the Indians.”  Native Americans are the original inhabitants of this territory.  European culture arrives in 1673 when a French trading post is built on the Kankakee River.  In 1679, French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle claims the territory for King Louis XIV.

Indiana offers a treasure trove of places to visit.  They provide quite a variety of attractions for tourists coming to the “American Crossroads” state.

Indiana Dunes National Park is located along 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan.  Visitors are invited to walk in glacial sands that have been pulled up into nearly 250-foot tall dunes.  In addition to the dunes, hikers experience a thriving ecosystem featuring wetlands, prairies, and old-growth forests.

America’s greatest spectacle of auto racing offers drivers a chance to make history over Memorial Day weekend with the Indianapolis 500.  Since its inaugural race in 1911, racing fans have been coming to the speedway.  On race day, over 250,000 spectators make their way to the Brickyard.

Bedford is rightly called the “Limestone Capital of the World.”  The small city is surrounded by large limestone quarries.  Limestone from Bedford has found its way into prominent buildings around the United States, including the Empire State Building in New York City, and the Pentagon and National Cathedral in Washington, DC.

Here are three more significant historical notes from Indiana:

  • The famous Raggedy Ann doll is created in 1915 by Indianapolis author and cartoonist, Johnny Gruelle.  Later on, he adds books, songs, and cartoons to the Raggedy Ann collection.
  • Wabash becomes the world’s first electrically lighted city on March 31, 1880.
  • Fort Wayne hosts America’s first professional baseball game on May 4, 1871.  By the way, Fort Wayne’s Kekiongas won 2-0.

from left to right:  from 1961, Indianapolis 500 speedway with its original bricks (the track is paved for 1962), portion of the limestone quarries near bedford. Indiana dunes national park along lake michigan, Original raggedy ann Stories (1918) written by Johnny Gruelle)  (photographs courtesy of pinterest.)

 

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

There are no stairs–it’s a one-story house.

From My Journal (3/2)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

Life runs more smoothly when we travel downstream.  When we need to travel upstream, God’s grace quiets the river’s current.

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 March 2)