Be humble, talk little, think and pray much.
From 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray, seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
George Whitefield (1714-1770) was an English-born pastor and Christian evangelist. He spent the second half of his life in the American colonies.
Welcome to “Behind the Scenes.” Today, we have returned to visit with Richard, the creative voice behind the writing journey of Big Sky Buckeye.
Welcome back Richard. It is a pleasure visit with you again.
You have mentioned previously that your first years of teaching took place at Plevna High School, which is located in a small farming and ranching community in southeastern Montana.
Yes, I moved to Plevna for the 1978-1979 school year. Today, I would like to shine the spotlight on two of my high school students.
Both of these gentlemen graduated in 1980. While their lives shared some commonalities, they each had far different backgrounds.
Paul Neumann and Loyd Ketchum played on the boys basketball team. As starting guards, they helped to lead the Plevna Cougars to a district tournament championship. Their team’s efforts earned the school’s first title in nearly 20 years. While Paul’s gifted touch allowed him to be the playmaker, Loyd was recognized for his hard-nose defensive play.
Paul was a town kid. His father ran a service station along the highway, and his mother operated a beauty salon. Paul’s musical talents were extraordinary as he played keyboard and trumpet.
Loyd grew up on a ranch outside of town. His parents raised beef cattle and quarter horses. His mother was an accomplished rodeo barrel racer.
Paul had always dreamed of becoming a member of a rock band. While many in the town were not too sure about his career choice, Paul would persevere and see his dream bear fruit.
In 1986, Paul (using his professional name of Paul Daniels) was a founding member of the heavy metal band, Rox Diamond. Paul played keyboard and served as one of the band’s vocalists. Paul’s band would remain active well into the 2000s.
Loyd was destined to find success on the rodeo circuit. He became a world champion bullfighter in professional rodeo. Sometimes called rodeo clowns because of their colorful attire, these men were gifted athletes who looked out for cowboys when they were bucked off of a brahma bull.
Loyd’s skills were evident for several years on both the PRCA and PBR circuits. His efforts were best described with this phrase, “Bullfighting with class and finesse.”
Sitting here thinking of these two men and their hopes and dreams, they each made a name for themselves as well as making the community of Plevna proud.
We have appreciated spending time with Richard from Big Sky Buckeye. Look for more “Behind the Scenes” in future postings.
Here is a recent recording from Rox Diamond (dated 2018). If you are a fan of heavy metal music, this might interest you to listen in.
Here’s a short video clip of bullfighters Loyd Ketchum and Justin Hawks from 1997. Look out Loyd, here comes Georgie Porgie!
This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
A sundial is a timepiece that has the fewest moving parts. What type of timepiece has the most moving parts?
(answer found at the end of this post)
On April 24, 1990, NASA space shuttle Discovery was launched with a special object in its payload bay. Once in space orbit above the earth, the shuttle’s robotic arm gently lifted out a bus-sized telescope, to be called the Hubble Telescope.
Here are some interesting facts about the Hubble Telescope:
The telescope was named after Edwin Hubble, an American astronomer. Born in 1889, Hubble would become an authority in establishing many of the dynamics of extragalatic astronomy. He was a trailblazer in the field of observational cosmology. He continued his research until his death in 1953.
An hourglass
I can live for two months on a good compliment.
No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot.
Samuel Clemens (1835-1910), better know by his pen name of Mark Twain, is often recognized as one of America’s greatest humorists. Novelist and writer William Faulkner called him the “father of American literature.” While he was in California in 1865, his literary skills struck gold with the story of “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.”
Listening
Without ceasing
Holy heavenly Father
Sharing His lasting Word
Prayer
Growing
Spirit within
Enduring with patience
Overcoming power of darkness
Hope
Praising
Savior Jesus
Living godly life
Bearing His divine fruit
Strength
It is magnificent to grow old, if one keeps young.
From Proverbs 16:31: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”
Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878-1969) was an American pastor who was an influential voice in American Protestantism.
Challenges shall arise
Founding Fathers always knew
Banking on nation’s resilience
Diligence sees us through
Compromise offers path
Democracy’s open door
Common ground must be sown with faith
No longer keeping score
Nation’s tomorrow calls
Steering with imperfect hands
Leading always, “Of the People”
Across freedom’s great land
With each generation
Grateful nation never bends
Defending democracy’s quest
Freedom’s proud dividend
In his Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln immortalized the continuing spirit and faith in the American experiment of democracy with these words, “. . . that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Those who stand for nothing fall for everything.
I would never expect a perfect work from an imperfect man.
Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804) was one of America’s Founding Fathers. He served in the Revolutionary War and was the nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury. He was an ardent supporter of the American Constitution.
From Luke 21:17-19: “You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.”
Facing life’s trials
To whom shall we turn?
Walking every mile
Faith in God shall yearn
Fading sun grows dark
From whom comes next light?
Igniting faith’s spark
God’s mercy glows bright
Leading each nation
To whom shall we pray?
Lasting foundation
God’s faith never sways
Fleeing darkest flames
From whom comes safe place?
Living God takes aim
Faith’s grace-filled embrace
From Malachi 4:2-3: “But for you who revere My name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.”
We have all to find our niche in life, and spiritually we find it when we receive our ministry from the Lord.
From Acts 20:24: “But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace.”
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.
Big Sky Buckeye 