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 we are children of God, we have a tremendous treasure in Nature. In every wind that blows, in every night and day of the year, in every sign of the sky, in every blossoming and in every withering of the earth, there is a real coming of God to us if we will simply use our starved imagination to realize it.
From Isaiah 40:26: “Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them,calling them all by name; because He is great in strength, mighty in power,not one is missing.”
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.
As Grandpa’s pick-up truck drove into the Gallatin National Forest, Lydia continued to remind him of Grandma’s instructions. Grandma expected them to return home with the most perfect Douglas fir tree for Christmas.
Seven-year old Lydia was excited to make her first trip into the forest to pick out a Christmas tree. Both she and Grandpa were dressed warmly in layers of outer clothing, snow boots, and stocking hats. The early December day was going to be snowy and cold.
Lydia’s family always used an artificial Christmas tree, which was better described by Grandma as a “fake” tree. Her eyes were filled with so much excitement, and her smile reminded Grandpa of the blessing of spending time with his beloved granddaughter.
With the tree permit in hand, Grandpa knew just the right place to find a tree in a dense grove of smaller to medium-sized trees. Grandma had sent along a delicious lunch of sandwiches and hot chocolate.
Upon finding their destination, Grandpa parked the truck along the road. The two of them would have to hike into the forest for about a mile or two.
Eventually their search found the special grove of trees. Lydia’s expression was priceless as she witnessed her first look at “real” Christmas trees.
Grandpa gave Lydia her final instructions. She needed to pick out a seven-footer, according to Grandma’s expectations. After about 20 minutes, she found just the right tree. Grandpa checked the measurements of the tree, and he was sure it would fit in the living room back home.
Crawling under the Douglas fir with his tree saw, Grandpa began to carefully cut the tree away from the frozen ground. He made certain to leave a short stump of less than six inches, just as the Forest Service expected him to do.
With Lydia’s help, they tied up the tree on a small sled that they’d brought. Now they could easily transport the tree back to the waiting pick-up truck.
Sitting in the warm cab of the truck, Lydia and Grandpa enjoyed some tasty sandwiches with hot chocolate. Their laughter and conversation kept them warm as well.
Soon it was time to drive back home with their treasured tree for Christmas. Lydia took a nap along the way, but she woke-up when Grandpa pulled the pick-up into the driveway.
Grandma stepped outside to see how the two tree hunters had made out. She called to Lydia, “How did you do?”
Beaming with her warmest smile ever, Lydia ran and hugged her, “We found the most perfect tree. Anything for Grandma!”
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
What letter would come next in this sequence?
M, A, M, J, J, A, S, O, ___
(answer found at the end of this post)
Featured Facts
James Monroe was the 5th American President (1817-1825). He became the fourth Virginian to serve as President (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison being the first three).
Here are a few interesting facts about this two-term President:
Occupations: farmer, lawyer
Schooling: attended College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, VA)
Previous political experience: Governor of Virginia, Secretary of War, State
Two of the most significant accomplishments of the Monroe administration were the passage of the Missouri Compromise in 1820 and the establishment of the Monroe Doctrine. The Missouri Compromise redefined the division line between slave and free states in the Union. The Monroe Doctrine stated that no further European colonies would be allowed in the America’s while the United States would remain neutral in European affairs.
Between life and death, there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever.
Regrets don’t leave. They weren’t mosquito bites. They itch forever.
Matt Haig (born 1975) is an English writer and journalist. Much of his writing focuses on novels with fictional themes for adults as well as children stories.
From 2 Corinthians 5:17-18: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we think.
From James 1:5-6: “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”
Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) lived in France where he served as a lay brother in a monastery in Paris. He is best remembered for his intimate relationship with God.
Big Sky Buckeye 