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.
Press forward. Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you.
From Philippians 3:13-14: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it, but one thing I have laid hold of: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”
George Whitefield (1714-1770) was an English-born pastor and Christian evangelist. He spent the second half of his life in the American colonies.
This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
Brain Teaser Question
Polar bears are finding their food supply to be more and more scarce. Yet, they will not eat penguins. Why not?
(answer found at the end of this post)
Featured Facts
One of the most anticipated events in our Solar System is the arrival of a comet. It is sometimes referred to as a dirty snowball with a very long tail.
Here are some quick facts about comets:
Comets are made up of large chunks of ice, rocks, dust, and gas.
As a comet passes near the Sun, its nucleus heats up an sends out a gaseous flare. This creates the distinctive tail that is seen from Earth.
A comet’s tail can be up to six million miles long.
One of the most famous comets to travel near Earth has been Halley’s Comet. It is named after English astronomer, Edmund Halley (1656-1742). Halley correctly predicted the orbit of the comet, and also calculated its schedule for future arrivals. Halley’s Comet last appeared near Earth in 1986, and it will not return for approximately 75 years (around 2061).
A much brighter comet than Halley’s is Comet Hale-Bopp. It is nearly 1,000 times brighter. It was discovered independently by two American astronomers, Alan Hale (New Mexico) and Thomas Bopp (Arizona). Comet Hale-Bopp last appeared in 1997, and it is not expected to arrive again for a few thousand years.
Left: halley’s comet as captured on film in 1910. right: comet hale-bopp from 1997. (courtesy of pinterest)
Answer to Brain Teaser Question
Polar bears live in the Arctic. Penguins live in the Southern Hemisphere.
Ultimately, we all need to decide . . . join life’s journey or stay on the sidelines.
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.
An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
The only guide to man is his conscience.
Winston Churchill (1874-1965) served the United Kingdom as Prime Minister from 1940-1945 and later from 1951-1955. He unwavering leadership during World War II lifted the spirits of his nation in the darkest of times. He was also a prolific writer with countless published works.
God continues to enrich faith in order to replenish hope for 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.
How do you respond in times of crisis? When you encounter trouble and distress and don’t know what to do . . . fix your eyes on your mighty God.
From 2 Chronicles 20:12: “O our God, will You not execute judgment upon them? For we are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
America’s Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. (courtesy of Pinterest)
Bruised and battered
Early morn brawl
Knockout punch felt
Still standing tall
Battleships crushed
Many lives lost
Never forget
Bearing each cost
Nation rallies
Unites as one
Called to duty
Work to be done
Together now
Fortitude speaks
Country won’t pause
Week follows week
Liberty shines
Courage rises
Grieving each loss
Flag arises
Thankful for peace
Remember all
Let’s never rest
Freedom’s stonewall
Washington D.C.: Arlington National Cemetery with the Washington Monument in the background. (courtesy of Pinterest)
This poem references images from World War II, from Pearl Harbor in 1941 to the final surrender in 1945. America’s Memorial Day is approaching (final Monday in the month of May). May we always remember the sacrifices of our military personnel in every war fought in this nation’s history.
Success rarely arrives as an overnight sensation. It asks us to be patient and persevere.
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.
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.
Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) was America’s 40th President. Years before he served his two terms of office as President (1980-1988), Reagan addressed the Republican National Convention in 1964. The above excerpt comes from his Freedom Speech.
Big Sky Buckeye 