Author Archives: bigskybuckeye

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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.

Enduring Words

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In the United States, the “Pledge of Allegiance” has been recited countless times in school classrooms, at the beginning of meetings, sporting events, and other instances.  The original 29 words were inspired by the writings of Francis Bellamy (from 1892) and became official in 1923.  In 1954, the words, “under God” were added.  These 31 words mean much more than just a mere collection of words.  

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I pledge allegiance

 

We the People, commit to stand

With loyalty across this land

 

To the flag

 

Stars and Stripes shall forever fly

Old Glory standing proud and high

 

Of the United States of America

 

Solidarity, stand as One

United, never be undone

 

And to the Republic

 

A more perfect Union shall spring

Shining democracy will ring

 

For which it stands

 

Tested, resilient, and upright

Faithful courage, nation’s birthright

 

One nation under God

 

Built upon God’s eternal love

Divine guidance comes from above

 

Indivisible

 

Inseparable and lasting

Forged by trial and fire’s casting

 

With liberty

 

Covering this land of the free

Freedom from sea to shining sea

 

And justice for all

 

Conquers inequities with care

Truth and righteousness come to bear 

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

I have posted this video before, but it is worth a second look.  Here is American comedian, Red Skelton, sharing his interpretation of the words’ meaning in the “Pledge of Allegiance.”  

E. M. Bounds Quote

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Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer can move God.

From Matthew 17:20:  “He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith.  For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.'”

Daily Blessings

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From Ephesians 1:3:  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”

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Accepting life’s ongoing gifts

Filling wonder, never adrift

 

Marveling at heavens above

Inspiring vastness of God’s love

 

Walking in righteousness with God

Comforted by His love, unflawed

 

Looking ahead, with peace and hope

Holding tightly to God’s firm rope

 

Treating others with words which say

Sharing compassion’s rich bouquet

 

Gathering strength for life’s travels

Trusting God, nothing unravels

 

Listening to deepest feelings

Surveying each moment’s healing

 

Receiving mid-course corrections

Hearing God’s faithful directions

 

Sailing in darkness, never cursed

Navigating by God, headfirst

 

Achieving goals, each passing day

Tasting our Lord’s hope-filled buffet

 

Tackling challenges without fear

Taking risks, with God set to steer

 

Stepping forward beyond life’s dreams

Following each path as God deems

 

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From 1 Corinthians 10:16:  “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ?  The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?”

E. Stanley Jones Quote

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You can build up a set of good habits so that you habitually take the Christian way without thought.

From 1 Corinthians 15:33-34:  “Do not be deceived:  ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’  Come to a sober and right mind, and sin no more; for some people have no knowledge of God.  I say this to your shame.”

Lighter Moments (Haiku Series #117)

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Perfection

Mirror’s morning view

Witnessing facial laugh lines—

Wrinkles . . . never mind!

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Rule #1

Five seconds to go

Dropping a slice of pizza—

How clean is the floor?

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Finished

Some parts left over

Backyard gym now assembled—

Who needs instructions?

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Monday Memories: Riding the Train

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This poem reflects upon the journey of a young boy who has the opportunity to travel on a train back in the late 1960s.  I will always remember this trip with my father.  Originally written in December, 2018, the poem has been updated for both content and style.

Northern Pacific Railroad’s North Coast Limited (courtesy of Pinterest).

Lying awake in bed on hot, sultry summer nights

Young boy listens to moving trains, far out of sight

 

Dreaming of riding passenger trains, brings thrills

Reliable North Coast Limited quickly travels at will

 

Riding the Northern Pacific Railway’s pride and joy

Father takes son on his first-ever train trip—oh boy!

 

Sitting together in the comfy coach car, so much fun

Experiencing all that connects a father with his son

 

Shuffling down the aisle, steward offers snack foods

Restaurant in Glendive soon satisfies hungry moods

 

Making its journey to Montana’s “Gateway City” today

Hustling train passes many small towns along the way

 

Flashing quickly by—Custer, Hathaway, and Terry

Steady North Coast Limited acts as trusted ferry

 

Feeling safe with train’s constant rocking motion

Son’s eyes soon close, sleeping to its locomotion

 

Waking up, train slowing for a scheduled stop

Town of Forsyth, pausing for quick eavesdrop

 

Picking up steam, locomotive continues on its way to the East

Yellowstone River runs alongside, train powers up like a beast

 

Finishing this exciting journey and reaching their destination

Glendive will serve as today’s ending Montana train station

 

Accompanying his father as he takes care of his affairs

Enjoying dinner and staying overnight without any cares

 

Returning back home to Billings the very next morn

Son believing train travel should be his new norm

 

Sitting in cozy dining car, both treated quite well

Elegantly set table makes pancakes taste swell

 

Moving up to the observation car, enjoying beautiful views

Autumn’s harvested farm fields, lining up straight and true

 

Hurtling by more towns—Rosebud and Fallon go past

It’s much too bad this captivating journey cannot last

 

Remembering again those images and sounds of the train

Memories of the North Coast Limited shall always remain

 

Observation car on the North Coast Limited (courtesy of Pinterest).

Our Father’s Goodness

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From 2 Peter 1:5-7: “For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love.”

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Our Father’s goodness

Glory, God and King

Bless and praise His name

Mighty greatness sings

 

Through generations

Honor His great deeds

Infinite goodness

God’s faithful Word leads

 

Glorious splendor

Kingdom never ends

Eternal, Holy

Wondrous works, God sends

From Psalm 145:8-9:  The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  The Lord is good to all, and His compassion is over all that He has made.”

His greatness declares

Lord everlasting

Praising righteousness

Mercies broadcasting

 

Cries, our Father hears

From darkness, redeemed

He stands, always near

God’s goodness, esteemed

 

Truth, call upon God

Grace, freely given

Love, witness a Cross

Sins, now forgiven

 

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From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll:  “There are four words I wish we would never forget, and they are ‘God keeps His word.'”

Charles Stanley Quote

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Scripture is a treasure trove of God’s thoughts.  Spend time there every day–starting today–to discover new truths and insights.

From 2 Timothy 3:16-17:  “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.”