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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.

Nature’s Bounty (Haiku Series #81)

Joyful

Unceasing rainfall

A minor inconvenience—

Landscape turning green

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Thrilling

Around every bend

Nature offers surprises—

Mysteries waiting

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Listening

Quiet stillness sits

Can you hear nature at work?

With each blade of grass

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Monday Memories: Heavenly Tranquility

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Life sometimes motors along much too fast

Leaving us hungry for something that lasts

 

A journey to a big city, feeling so alone

Thinking I should have stayed at home

 

I am not used to being in the big city, yes

Realizing my Lord has put me to this test

 

The final morning arrives, thank goodness

Dreaming of any place, filled with fullness

 

My morning walk takes me to a hidden place

Parking itself near a stadium, comes a taste

 

A botanical garden erupts with vibrant color

Blossoming the landscape, like none other

 

Colors of every imaginable shade and hue

Beholding God’s brilliance, eternally true

 

My eyes capture incredible memories that last

Experiencing heavenly tranquility, what a blast

 

God brought me here today for a special reason

Planning to share His love, no matter the season 

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Gregg Popovich Quotes

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I think it’s sad if a person’s whole self-image and self-worth is based in their job.  Whatever you might be, why not try your best to live a more interesting life that includes other people, other cultures, and different worlds?

If I just did basketball, I’d be bored to death.  How much satisfaction can you get out of doing jump shots and teaching someone to deny in the passing lanes?

Harmony in Creation

This poem is inspired with Creation’s visions from Psalm 104 (the poem’s first 12 verses), and with a response from the hymn “My Life Flows On in Endless Song” (the poem’s final six verses).

clouds

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Clothed with Holy majesty and honor

Heavens stretching out to infinity

Our Lord’s masterpiece endures forever

Clouds witness this sacred affinity

 

Earth’s foundation, never to be shaken

Lofty mountaintops look upon it all

Safe refuge waiting in fertile valleys

Creation’s spirit fulfilling each call

 

From flowing springs, animals quenching thirst

Every season following moon’s phases

Birds singing praise from highest tree branches

Rising and setting sun painting praises

 

God’s creation flowing as endless songs

Nothing shall ever shake its inner calm

Echoing across earth’s fruitful valleys

Scaling each mountaintop as joyful Psalms

 

Creation’s fountain forever springing

Beauty of the Lord’s harmony singing

time lapse photo of water falls in the forest

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From Colossians 1:16:  “For in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”

Here is the melody and lyrics to “My Life Flows On in Endless Song”:

 

 

Step by Step

One of my favorite places to walk is a short drive from my home.  Walnut Woods Metro Park (the Woods) is a special place to find nature’s treasures along its easy to moderate trails.  The photographs shown with this poem were taken a few days ago.  Enjoy!

Peaceful Walnut Creek meanders along the northern border of park.

Early morning light beckons

Putting on worn hiking shoes

Overcast skies hold back rain

Nature waits with charming views

 

Driving to a park, the “Woods”

Tranquility always waits

Peace and beauty reaching out

Eager feet, needing no skates

 

Step by step, walking farther

Park’s vastness, shouting with joy

Around each bend, nature smiles

Many sights and sounds deploy

 

Morning excursion teases

Birds sing back and forth on cue

Precious blossoms smelling sweet

Coffee can’t top nature’s brew

 

Time seems to pause with each step

Today’s time comes to an end

Ticket punched for return trip

These “Woods” remain a best friend

 

A few signs of spring’s early blossoms still can be found, but they will soon be gone.

Big Sky Buckeye Quote

gold and black crucifix

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Our compassionate Lord shows His mercy upon me, a sinner not worthy of His love, through the Cross.

From Titus 3:4-7:  “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.  This Spirit He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Always with Us (Haiku Series #80)

Finding

Running to Jesus

Feeling the Holy Spirit—

Finding still waters

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Hearing

Kneeling at the Cross

Praying for America—

Hearing the Gospel

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Loving

Jesus’ teaches us

Always loving our neighbors—

Step forward as one

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