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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.

Still on Watch

Deserted, severed tree trunk

Shattered by storms long ago

Splitting this giant in two

Forsaken now in its woes

 

Nature’s hand calling the shots

Drawing dark cards from the deck

Standing alone, slowest death

Trying to salvage this wreck

 

Deformed snag appears lifeless

Yet, God calls this wildlife tree

Standing proudly, still on watch

Nature’s snack bar waits for free

 

Living nearby, log still lives

Covered with lichens and moss

Home for God’s smallest creatures

Termites, beetles . . . march across

 

Jagged stump remains on guard

Below the ground, roots still thrive

Life holds on, another year

Perseverance to survive

 

Around the dark, scuttled tree

Racing to reach sunlight first

Young saplings growing skyward

Cycle of life, marked to burst

 

All of the photographs were taken at Chestnut Ridge Metro Park, which is located just outside of Canal Winchester, Ohio.  I frequently walk this park during the fall, spring, and summer months with an occasional hike in the wintertime.

Actions of Faith (Haiku Series #95)

Seek the Lord

Following Jesus

Running with perseverance—

Sin no longer clings

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

My Savior

Sharing words of hope

Joining others in Jesus—

God’s endless blessings

Photo by SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS on Pexels.com

Giving

Sow bountifully

God loves a cheerful giver—

Reap bountifully

Photo by Matthias Zomer on Pexels.com

Warren Wiersbe Quote

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God does not give His counsel to the curious or the careless; He reveals His will to the concerned and to the consecrated.

From James 1:5:  “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.”

Monday Memories: Across the Street

Photo by Binyamin Mellish on Pexels.com

My retirement years usually produce a smile

But some days sink my spirits deep, by miles

 

My childhood sweetheart and lovely bride

Now rests with God, absent from my side

 

I stay occupied with my yard each morn

Discovering pleasure from nature’s form

 

 

There is a fine lady across the street

She emerges looking nice and sweet

 

She stays active around her place

Her yard definitely fits her tastes

 

The grass is mowed and trimmed

I wonder how she stays so thin

 

 

There seems, between us

A subliminal connection

Inviting her for coffee

Is my dreamy confession

 

 

Her petunias appear superior to mine

       Perhaps I’ll ask for her secret, in time       

 

She smiles when my puppy is outside to play

I wonder what her plans will be for this day

 

I imagine what she might think about me

Watching me hang a bird feeder in a tree

 

 

There seems, between us

A subliminal connection

Inviting her for coffee

Is my dreamy confession

 

 

We both come from the same generation

Her beauty creates a wonderful sensation

 

I’m thinking of walking across the street

Meeting this fine lady would be a treat

 

She steps back inside from the dry, summer heat

Perhaps tomorrow morning, we can finally meet

 

My Grandfather lost his childhood sweetheart and bride, but believe it or not, he found love again . . . across the street!

Oswald Chambers Quote

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Your mind is the greatest gift God has given you, and it ought to be devoted entirely to Him.

From 2 Timothy 1:7:  “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

Accepting His Way

From Romans 6:1-2:  “What then are we to say?  Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound?  By no means!  How can we who died to sin go on living in it?”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

All have been baptized into Christ

God’s offer of Grace shall abound

Christ suffering death on the Cross

Accepting His way, God’s Word found

 

Living with God through our Savior

United with Jesus by His death

Walking in goodness of new life

Accepting His way, lasting breath

 

Escaping life of sin and death

Obedient to God’s commands

Following our righteous Father

Accepting His way, where we stand

 

Knowing God through His Holy Word

Rescued, no longer slaves to sin

Total devotion to Jesus

Accepting His way, love within

 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

From Romans 6:12-14:  “Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions.  No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness.  For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”

David Jeremiah Quote

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The Bible tells us that whenever we come before God, whatever our purpose or prayer request, we are always to come with a thankful heart.

From Proverbs 15:29:  “The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”

God’s Creatures (Haiku Series #94)

Wake Up

Geese flying overhead

Echoing in morning dawn—

Nature’s alarm clock

Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com

Tasty

Summer afternoon

Sweetest nectar from milkweed—

Butterflies frolic

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Under Surveillance

Walking the park trail

Sensing with each cautious step—

Who’s really watching?

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com