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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.

Defeating Darkness His Way

From Ephesians 6:10-11:  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power.  Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

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God’s people under attack

Roaring lion on the prowl

Looking for prey to devour

Evil presence brings a scowl

 

Days becoming the darkest

Running away from the Lord

But, hope waits like eagles’ wings

Holy Spirit comes aboard

 

Remaining strong with our Lord

Under His mighty power

Wearing protective armor

God’s Word will carry the hour

 

Our Father’s righteousness speaks

Spirit with us on this day

Withstanding what evil brings

Defeating darkness His way

 

Time to witness hope-filled faith

Praying daily for action

Quench evil’s flaming arrows

Calling for man’s retraction

 

Behind His truth, standing firm

Urging others to repent

Proclaiming Gospel of peace

Our Holy God will relent

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From Psalm 85:6-7:  “Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?  Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. Quote

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Courage faces fear and thereby masters it.  Cowardice represses fear and is thereby mastered by it.

From Mark 5:35-36:  “While He was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’  But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.'”

Nature’s Endless Song

I feel so fortunate to have so much of nature’s treasures not far from my front door.  Two metro parks are a short drive away, and their endless song always beckons me to return.  The photos used with this poem were taken in central Ohio at various times of the year.

Nature will never sing the blues

Her beauty sends out blessed clues

 

Walking with her in tranquil woods

Sharing her soul, always feels good

 

Moments cherished, singing with joy

Her spirit brings much to enjoy

 

Spending endless hours in her care

Filling with melodies to share

 

Life’s journey follows nature’s tune

Her endless smile reaches the moon

 

Smelling the essence of tall pines

Tasting better than vineyard’s wines

 

Cycle of living never fades

Nature coyly playing charades

 

Changing seasons bring new décor

Hearing symphonies, voices soar

 

Autumn sets up winter’s game plan

Spring fading into summer’s tan

 

Composing its endless, ageless song

Hearing nature, singing along

 

Nature’s Living Spirit (Tanka Series #2)

Angry, stormy seas

Nature’s spirit at its worst

Fear of tomorrow

Across the horizon comes

Peace and love in a new light

Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com

Darker and darker

Harshest words shouting through clouds

Louder and louder

Sunshine opening these skies

God’s rainbow showing His peace

Photo by Matt Hardy on Pexels.com

Nature’s harmony

Unbalanced and falling down

Lightning splitting peace

Sudden calmness comes to all

Rebuilding broken pieces

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com

A Tanka is a Japanese form of poetry, which is related to its cousin Haiku.  The poem uses 31 syllables covering five lines (with syllable counts following a 7, 5, 5, 7 and 7 sequence).  An effective Tanka uses personification, metaphors, and similes in its construction, and it performs well in expressing a mood, a thought, or a feeling.   

Oswald Chambers Quote

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Evidence of new birth is that we see the rule of God.

From James 4:7-8:  “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee you.  Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Calming Our Fears

From the words of Dr. Martin Luther King:  “Courage faces fear and thereby masters it.  Cowardice represses fear and is thereby mastered by it.”

Photo by Gianluca Grisenti on Pexels.com

Worry arrives with concerns never to come

Building upon past fears, stoking future ones

Life’s landscape fills with looming mountains

Instead of gentle molehills, fear gathers and stuns

 

Concerns about future challenges come forth

Transforming into worries, fueling more fear

Darkest clouds come together and gather

Who will grab the wheel and start to steer?

 

Waiting for our Lord, He renews our strength

Living by faith, His Word restores our soul

Rejoicing in hope, patient in suffering

Renewed by the Spirit, we feel more whole

 

God always walks with us, seek Him in prayer

Darkest valleys ahead, His love casts out fears

With compassion for our sufferings, hear His Word

Comforted by His rod and staff, God never veers

 

Asking of our Father, seeking His counsel

Bringing clearer witness, through His precise scope

His guidance renews our hearts, calming fears

His wisdom touches minds, filled with Gospel hope

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From Mark 5:35-36:  “While He was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’  But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.'”

Headlining the News

From recent editions of The Columbus Dispatch, here are some headlines pulled together into a poetry format.  We are blessed in the United States to experience the presence of a free press.  I am blessed to be able to read a local newspaper which does an effective job of being objective in its reporting.

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School funding equity reform continues to vex lawmakers

Economic downturns, budget cuts turn into deal breakers

 

Racism proclaimed as a public health plague

Insuring equitable policies, no longer vague

 

Spare bedrooms shouldn’t be a home for junk

Cleaning and decluttering this neglected funk

 

Underpaid, essential workers feeling pushed to the brink

Working under conditions, where danger doesn’t shrink

 

Books delve into joys, thrills, mysteries of living

Rediscovering one’s love to read, always giving

 

Peaceful protest awakens a small community

Exercising constitutional rights, walk for unity

 

Expectant women consider giving birth at home

Fearing pandemic at hospital, isolated and alone

 

Protest arrives in another small town

Rumors and hatred stir up all around

 

Cool investment of money can buy posh LA chateau

Dazzling, skyline residence requires hefty cash flow

 

Local man walking the state, one step at a time

His reflections leading to a quiet, new paradigm

 

Crippled postal service tackling financial woes

Pandemic cutting usage, usual revenue slows

 

Walking, marching together—freedom as one

Tired of hatred and discrimination—never fun

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