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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.

Monday Memories: Quiet Life’s Turbulence

From Psalm 107:28-29:  “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out from their distress; He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.  Then they were glad because they had quiet, and He brought them to their desired haven.”

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Life meeting relentless turbulence

Perpetual, never ending storms

Shaken by overwhelming defeat

Sinking beneath unending harsh swarms

 

Downtrodden, now hungry and thirsty

Clinging to life, in darkness and gloom

Shackled by sin’s shame, harshest irons

God’s steadfast love delivers from doom

 

Crying out to our Father above

At final end of life’s fraying rope

Nowhere else to turn, escape darkens

Realizing now, God’s way restores hope

 

Cutting and freeing lives from bondage

Storm’s wrath consumed by transformation

Into valley of richest harvests

Redeeming lost souls from damnation

 

Fleeing life’s turmoil, rescued by God

Trusting Him leads to gladness and praise

Faith grows by yards instead of inches

Life’s turbulence quiets, hope ablaze 

  

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From American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “God knows we sometimes need to reach the end of our own resources before we will turn to Him.”

Originally published January, 2021.

From My Journal (10/13)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

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From Big Sky Buckeye

Tomorrow’s hope experiences greater light when one’s daily faith trusts in God’s grace.

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.

(Updated October 13)

John Mott Quote

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Prayer is the greatest force that we can wield.  It is the greatest talent which God has granted us.  He has given it to every Christian.

From Philippians 4:6:  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

John Mott (1865-1955) was an American evangelist and distinguished leader of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA).  In 1948, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his efforts in establishing and strengthening international Protestant student organizations in promoting peace.

Fullness of Joy

From Psalm 5:11-12:  “But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread Your protection over them, so that those who love Your name may exult in You.  For You bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover them with favor as with a shield.”

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Spirit infuses Scripture with God’s joy

Rejoice in His masterpiece of each day

Nourished with grace, forwarded to enjoy

Always Holy, shall be His fruitful ways

 

From heart’s depths, God composes grace with joy

Righteousness forever breathes from above

Mercy descends in Savior He deploys

Forgiveness rebuilds empty faith through love

 

God’s blessings harvest His fullness of joy

Truth’s timely interactions, never gray

Promises of faithfulness He employs

Gateway of grace received, let all now pray

 

Salvation’s light transforms darkness of sin

Joy praises covenant of faith’s linchpin

 

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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.”

From My Journal (10/12)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

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From Big Sky Buckeye

God’s promised plan surrounds us with unparalleled joy in discovering the Savior’s empty tomb.

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.

(Updated October 12)

Lettie B. Cowman Quote

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Never yield to gloomy anticipation.  Place your hope and confidence in God.  He has no record of failure.

From Romans 8:25:  “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

Lettie B. Cowman (1870-1960) was an American writer of Christian devotional books.

Trivia’s Facts and More (10/11)

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This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

Three different doctors said that Paul is their brother, yet Paul claims he has no brothers.  Who is lying?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

The American state of Arizona is granted statehood as the nation’s 48th on February 14, 1912.  Its admission completes the geographic puzzle with the final piece of the contiguous states.

Here are a few interesting facts about Arizona:

  • Capital City:  Phoenix (most populous state capital in the U.S.)
  • Nickname:  Grand Canyon State 
  • State Bird:  Cactus Wren
  • State Flower:  Saguaro Cactus Blossom
  • State Motto:  Ditat Deus (God Enriches)

Known for its average of approximately 300 sunny days each year, Arizona is one of the “Four Corner” states.  Arizona is joined by New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah as they share a common point where their borders meet.  

Arizona is well-known for its many natural wonders.  Just a handful of these include the Sonoran Desert, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Sunset Crater, Saguaro National Park, Lake Mead, Colorado River, Vermilion Cliffs, and Lake Powell.  The Grand Canyon is listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Flagstaff, which is located in the mountainous northern region of the state, provides a home for the Lowell Observatory.  In 1930, astronomer Clyde Tombaugh is credited with the discovery of the dwarf planet Pluto.

Arizona remains the home of 23 Native American reservations, which include 21 different tribal groups.  The largest reservation is the home of the Navajo nation.  The Hopi people have lived in the Arizona territory for over 1,000 years.

The state is honored with 22 national parks and monuments.  Over half of Arizona’s landscape is above the elevation of 4,000 feet above sea level.  The state does not observe daylight savings time.

The economy of Arizona is based upon the interaction of the five C’s:  copper, cotton, cattle, citrus, and climate.  It is the largest copper producing state in the U.S., and cotton is one of its leading agricultural crops.  The arid landscape and climate are well-suited for cattle ranching and citrus farming (tangerines and lemons).

top left and MOVING clockwise: barrington crater was used by nasa for apollo training, state bird cactus wren, geographic marker for the “four corners” where arizona meets three other states, state flower saguaro cactus blossom, yuma territorial prison, state capitol building, prescott’s frontier days is the world’s oldest rodeo, map showing arizona’s native american reservations, and lowell observatory in flagstaff.  (Courtesy of Pinterest)

 

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

No one is lying because the three doctors are Paul’s sisters.

From My Journal (10/11)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

Each of us offers a response to life, and it deserves to be shared with others.

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.

(Updated October 11)

Arizonan Quotes

Photo by Airam Dato-on on Pexels.com (Arizona’s Sunset Crater)

Barry Goldwater (1909-1998) United States Senator, born in Phoenix.

The Constitution is:  a system of restraints against the natural tendency of government to expand in the direction of absolutism.

Linda Ronstadt (born 1946) Singer, born in Tucson.

The thing you have to be prepared for is that other people don’t always dream your dream.

Marty Robbins (1925-1982) Singer-Songwriter, born in Glendale.

Every day is a good day to be alive, whether the sun’s shining or not.

Stevie Nicks (born 1948) Singer-Songwriter, born in Phoenix.

Timeless is the creature who is wise.  And timeless is the prisoner in disguise.

Morris (Mo) Udall (1922-1998) U.S. Representative in Congress, born in Saint Johns

Lord, give us the wisdom to utter words that are gentle and tender, for tomorrow we may have to eat them.

Starting top left and moving clockwise:  Barry Goldwater, Linda Ronstadt, Marty Robbins, Stevie Nicks, and Mo Udall.  (Courtesy of Pinterest)

Faithful Steps (Elfchen Series #270)

Each Response

Honesty’s

Blessed illumination

Trusting in God

Light synchronized through Him

Choices

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Each Thought

Actions

Requiring God

Life’s daily calculations

Putting Him always first

Focused

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Each Moment

Viewing

Earthly landscape

From God’s perspective

Nourished with heavenly grace

Patience

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