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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.

Nothing More Precious

From John 12:44-46:  “Then Jesus cried aloud:  ‘Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in Him who sent me.  And whoever sees me sees Him who sent me.  I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.'” 

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Across this world’s vastness

There’s nothing more precious

Than our God-given life

Primed to breath by His grace

 

Every precious day

Praise God for its richness

Honor life’s simple ways

Praying with thankful hearts

 

Just as God molds this earth

Spirit works tirelessly

Shaping and stretching lives

Blessing each precious breath

 

God’s precious hands guiding

Framing, leading, teaching

Crafting lives, filled with love

Accept His blessed gift

 

Charged with following God

Life’s precious, rocky path

Falling with stumbling steps

But, Father picks us up

 

Savoring each day’s breath

There’s nothing more precious

Honoring Lord of all

Straight to life’s final end

 

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From Psalm 23:5-6:  “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.”

Following prayer and reading my Bible, my thoughts went into writing this special poem.  Indeed, there is nothing more precious than life.  On March 17, 2021, my stepfather, Ed, went to the Lord.  The love he shared with my mother (his loving Martha) was boundless, and I was blessed to share my Christian faith with him.  The unconditional love given by my mother to her blessed Ed will be a lasting gift because it has been witnessed by so many others.  

Sojourner Truth Quotes

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Where there is so much racket, there must be something out of kilter.

What we give to the poor, we lend to the Lord.

Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) is an amazing witness of many formidable causes in American history.  During her lifetime, she served as an evangelist, civil rights activist, and author.  Being born into slavery, she escaped in 1826.  Upon gaining her freedom, she became a Christian, and she felt the Lord urging her to take up the causes of equal rights and the abolition of slavery.

Lessons From Failure

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Around life’s corner

Failure’s waiting train

Our very fiber

Split open with pain

 

Chasing newest dreams

Success sometimes waits

Failure comes knocking

What will be life’s fate?

 

Unavoidable

Failure hitting hard

Inevitable

Drawing life’s harsh card

 

Fear of failure breathes

Spreading, holds us back

Life fogging over

Success now off track

 

Vulnerable vibes

Feeling passed over

Alone in darkness

Where’s life’s sweet clover?

 

Lessons from failure

Past trials teach us

Embrace them and learn

Ride fortitude’s bus

 

With renewed purpose

Learn while improving

Plus motivation

Success now moving

 

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From the words of American writer, Meg Dowell:  “Failure will teach you to be vulnerable.  Failure will show you what it means to chase a dream.  More importantly, your past failures will change the way you value your successes.”

Dennis Swanberg Quote

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One reason so much American Christianity is a mile wide and an inch deep is that Christians are simply tired.  Sometimes you need to kick back and rest for Jesus’ sake.

From Matthew 11:28-30:  “Come to Me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Signs of Spring (Haiku Series #126)

Anticipating

Warmer days ahead

Tree buds filling with new life—

Spring waiting on deck

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Growing

Frigid soil warms up

Transformation taking place—

First green shoots of spring

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Arriving

Crafting welcome signs

Daffodils make announcement—

Spring now official

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Thomas Carlyle Quote

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Blessed be God’s voice; for it is true, and falsehoods have to cease before it.

From 1 John 5:20:  “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.  He is the true God and eternal life.”

Monday Memories: Running with Perseverance

Originally written in October, 2019, this re-edited poem brings forth a message from Sunday worship at New Life Church in Gahanna, Ohio.  The free-verse style enhances my sermon notes.

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From Hebrews 12:1-3

 

Let us throw off everything

Hindering sin, which easily entangles

 

Running life’s race with perseverance

Fixing faith’s eyes on Christ

 

He endures Calvary’s Cross

Defeating sin’s darkness and shame

 

Now sitting at God’s side

Bringing hope to lost hearts

 

The Message

 

Life’s treadmill defines our race

Running with God’s steady faith

 

Life’s marathon, hard and long

Facing emotional ups and downs

 

God sends His encouraging words

Overcoming defeat, distress, and despair

 

Trusting in Jesus, keep running

With perseverance, to the end

 

Jesus endures His own journey

Running to “our” bloody Cross

 

Following always Jesus’ faithful example

Showing us perseverance and trust

 

Young David ignores Goliath’s size

Focusing on faith in God

 

Christ faces the impossible

Yet, His journey will succeed

 

Jesus surrenders to God’s plan

Faithfully carrying our burdens

 

We all suffer sin’s consequences

Christ comes, guarding our hearts

 

Withstanding life’s harsh body blows

In this fallen, broken world

 

Take Action

 

Trusting God, eyes on Jesus

Focusing on Christ, remain obedient

 

Replacing life’s empty, negative notions

Knowing Jesus as our Savior!

 

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Charles Stanley Quote

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Believers must remember that God’s love is of a much higher caliber–it is the starting point of our salvation.

From 1 John 4:9-10:  “God’s love was revealed among us in this way:  God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Stepping Into Light

From Romans 13:11-12:  “Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.  For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near.  Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

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Turning away from temptation’s path

Following God’s Holy, righteous road

Transforming self into Christ’s image

Experiencing His love, bestowed

 

Breathing, yet lost in evil’s darkness

Hiding in shame, past sinful landscape

Reaching for Salvation’s lasting grace

Wearing armor of light, faith reshapes

 

Sharing His Father’s Word, Christ teaches

Loving one another, sharing peace

Witnessing His greatest commandment

Living with openness, life’s new lease

 

Leaving His advocate, Christ assures

Coming Holy Spirit, lifts each life

Overcoming sin’s flesh-filled desires

Growing in submission, without strife

 

Offering path to new life, Christ comes

Forsaking life’s bold truth, darkness flees

Walking in faith, stepping into light

Remaining steadfast, in what He sees

 

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From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “When we rely on Him [God] instead of ourselves, He produces godly desires within us, empowers obedience, and transforms our character into Christ’s likeness.”

Robert Schuller Quote

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I’d rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed.

From Hebrews 12:1-2:  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”