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 1 Peter 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
From 1 Peter 1:8-9: “Although you have not seen Him, you love Him, and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
From Psalm 32:6-7: “Therefore let all who are faithfuloffer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty watersshall not reach them. You are a hiding place for me;you preserve me from trouble;you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.”
Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) was an influential English preacher. Even in modern times, his writings and many sermons have remained a constant source of encouragement to Christians around the world. He has often be referred to as the “Prince of Preachers.”
Love cannot be forced, love cannot be coaxed and teased. It comes out of heaven, unasked and unsought.
To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart and a free mind.
American writer and novelist, Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973), spent much of her early life in China as a missionary. She was widely heralded for her book, THE GOOD EARTH, which was published in 1931. She garnered the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 and later the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938.
Throughout much of my teaching career in Montana, I personally witnessed the labors and hard work of farmers and ranchers on the eastern plains. Their faithful perseverance will always be a testament of their faith in a God who will see us through.
The labors of a family wait for another harvest. Fields of spring wheat are maturing rapidly under the blistering hot, August sun. The heads of grain are filling out and turning harvest gold.
A year’s worth of income rests in these fields. Three generations view God’s bounty with praise and thanksgiving.
An aging grandfather has witnessed the good times and bad. While he has slowed down a bit, he still looks forward to operating the combine at harvest time. He becomes as excited as a young boy while watching the header cut the ripened grain.
His son, now a mature and tested father, has followed in his footsteps. He returned to the farm ten years ago when his father suffered a heart attack. He manages the day-to-day operations as skillfully as his father ever did.
A teenage boy, both grandson and son, has observed his father’s long hours and hard work. He values his grandfather’s wisdom and experience. He plans to attend the state’s land grant university during the upcoming fall semester, but first he needs to help out with harvest.
One evening, with harvest set to begin soon, these three generations of men view a field closest to their homes. The grain is heavy, filled with high protein content, and will fetch an honest price at market.
Dark clouds loom to the northwest as a storm appears heading away from their farm. The three men turn in for the night, feeling confident and safe.
The next morning, the sun comes up right on schedule, but this season’s harvest has been cruelly cancelled.
Overnight the storm changed its route. Heavy rain, strong winds, and large hail shredded every bit of grain far and wide. Not even a cow would be able to find any nourishment.
The grandson has never seen such devastation, and he is emotionally numb and filled with shock.
His father knows the coming year will be filled with hardship and uncertainty. With God’s guidance, somehow he will carefully balance the books.
The grandfather prays to God, asking the Lord to provide for the family as He always has—in the best of times, and now the darkest. He opens his Bible and reads the following verse from Isaiah 40:10:
“Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
When we are in the presence of God, removed from distractions, we are able to hear Him more clearly, and a secure environment has been established for the young and broken places in our heart to surface.
From Psalm 16:11: “You show me the path of life. In Your presence there is fullness of joy;in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
John Eldredge (born 1960) is an American author, counselor, and lecturer on Christianity. More details are available on his website: wildatheart.org.
From Isaiah 9:6: “For a child has been born for us,a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders,and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
From Mark 15:37-39: “Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed His last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion who stood facing Him saw that in this way He breathed His last, he said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!'”
In a world consumed with thoughts of itself, filled with people impressed with each other, having disconnected with the only One worthy of praise, it’s time we return to Theology 101 and sit silently in His presence.
From Psalm 115:3: “Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.”
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
There are four people in a line. Sarah is between Barry and Mary. Mary is in front of two other people, and John is directly in front of Mary. Who is first in line, second, third, and fourth?
(answer found at the end of this post)
Featured Facts
The American space program is looking toward future manned flights to the moon after nearly 50 years since the last NASA mission.
Many people can recall when the first time human steps touched the lunar surface. On July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 was launched with astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins aboard.
Days later, Armstrong and Aldrin landed the lunar module, named “Eagle,” on the moon’s surface. The landing did not go quite according to plan, but the two astronauts made manual adjustments as they descended.
Both of the moon walkers left footprints on the lunar surface. These will remain visible indefinitely because of the moon’s lack of wind.
Astronauts Armstrong, Collins, and Aldrin prepare to board Apollo 11 and make history. (courtesy of Pinterest)
Answer to Brain Teaser Question
From first to last: John, Mary, Sarah, Barry, Hint: Look at the statement that gives the most direct information. It is the last statement: “John is directly in front of Mary.”
Big Sky Buckeye 