Rutherford B. Hayes
The bold enterprises are the successful ones. Take counsel of hopes rather than of fears.
James A. Garfield
Few men in our history have ever obtained the Presidency by planning to obtain it.
American Presidents
Reply
Author Archives: bigskybuckeye
Faithful God (Haiku Series #92)
Faith
Waiting for the Lord
Our hearts filling with gladness—
Trust His Holy plan
Always Here
Asking God, “Why me?”
Feeling unprepared for Him—
He will walk with us
Never Forsaken
Make our hearts ready
Hearing, serving, witnessing—
Quench our thirsty souls
David Jeremiah Quote
In the middle of all the uncertainty that surrounds us, it is difficult for us to think of a better thing to do than to pray.
From 2 Chronicles 20:9: “If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before you, for your name is in this house, and cry to you in our distress, and you will hear and save.”
Monday Memories: Music Comes Alive
My wife and I had the pleasure of attending the 2019 Buckeye Country Superfest. We arrived early and stayed until the big show ended. We had perfect seats and enjoyed our time.
Country music fans assemble at the “Shoe”
Sitting in Ohio Stadium offers quite a view
Buckeye Country Superfest fills the place
Hungering for “Country”—ready to taste
Football won’t be on the agenda this Saturday
Filling the Horseshoe with music and fun today
Pleasurable, comfortable June weather arrives
Assuring five performers will sing, full and alive
Raelynn, Midland, and Chris Janson arrive here
Adding their unique music for everyone to hear
Blake Shelton and George Strait close out the night
Singing memorable hits under the stars, what a sight
Aspiring, fresh talent Raelynn launches the show
Sharing her lovely voice, with music ready to go
Midland’s Texas honky-tonk excites the crowd
Harmonizing and powerful performers—Wow!
Their astounding ability to entertain and sing
Recognizing this trio possess talent to bring
Rising star Chris Janson comes out on the stage
Energizing, bold music thrills people of any age
He humbling witnesses about his rich Christian faith
Gathering his incredible voice, what music he makes
The evening definitely isn’t ready to stop, not at all
Waiting in the wings, the biggest talents stand tall
Blake Shelton performs an array of hit after hit
Pumping up the crowd to a frenzy, few ever sit
He turns the stadium into a church with “God’s Country”
Blessing an audience in the middle of Buckeye Country
Blake prepares the gathering for the “real” King
Walking out now, George Strait steps up to sing
The King of Country Music sings to everyone
Witnessing his classic tunes is so much fun
His band “Ace in the Hole” adds to the grand night
George sings “Amarillo by Morning” . . . Goodnight!
John Maxwell Quote
We are either the masters or the victims of our attitudes. It is a matter of personal choice. Who we are today is the result of choices we made yesterday. Tomorrow, we will become what we choose today.
From James 3:17-18: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.”
Forsaking Temptation
Our Lord Jesus
Following baptism at the Jordan River
Led by the Spirit, His Holy Caregiver
Traveling into the barren wilderness darkness
Facing the enemy’s temptation, its starkness
Fasting and praying over forty long days and nights
Comforted and encouraged by His Father’s might
Famished with hunger
Cunning enemy of darkness makes his empty sales pitch
Tempted to turn stone into bread, Jesus will never switch
Jesus answers:
“One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”
Taken to the Holy City
From the top of temple’s highest pinnacle
Desperate enemy becomes ever cynical
Tempted to plunge Himself down to the ground
Mocking Jesus, God’s angels should be around
Jesus responds:
“Again it is written, Do not put the Lord your God to the test”
Arriving at the highest summit
Viewing below, this kingdom’s richness and vastness
No one can ever remain faithful with steadfastness
Come, worship the enemy’s empty, deceitful shrine
Tempted to accept this false kingdom, never Mine
Jesus refutes:
“Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him”
We, ourselves, facing similar darkest temptations
Jesus stood firm, through God’s sound foundation
We are blessed with much the same encouragement
Read, study, follow the Bible without discouragement
Accepting and following Jesus, our Holy Savior and Lord
Through Salvation to Eternal Life, choose God’s accord
The Scripture verses come from Matthew 4:4, 4:7, and 4:10.
John Calvin Quote
Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness.
From Psalm 55:22: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Feelings of Uncertainty
From Matthew 8:24-26: “A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but He [Jesus] was asleep. And they went and woke Him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm.”
Threatened again by life’s turbulent storms
Feeling life adrift, outside of God’s norms
Feelings of uncertainty rise and bubble up
Flooding hearts with doubt, an empty cup
Walking life’s endless road challenges us
Experiencing feelings of fear, never a plus
Darkness quietly creeps into our peaceful place
Feeling alone, faith weakens from our daily race
Our God, never far away from our uncertain life walk
Replacing doubt, His Word will stand up as our rock
Our God never leaves us feeling alone at life’s curb
Growing through His love, always fulfilling and superb
Seeking our Holy God in the best of times
Finding Him in the midst of darkest climbs
Our God’s steady presence strengthens our resolve
Calming our darkest fears, they simply will dissolve
God’s love never wavers, a bright eternity to be filled
Answering prayers, restoring each soul, faith rebuilds
From the words of Christian author Lee Strobel, “Struggling with God over the issues of life doesn’t show a lack of faith–that is faith.”
Reinhold Niebuhr Quote
The cross symbolizes a cosmic as well as a historic truth. Love conquers the world, but its victory is not an easy one.
From 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”
Humor from Home
The Easy Life
Meals, treats, naps, and love
Man’s best friend, enjoying life—
Master of the house
Out of Luck
Teenage lad climbs tree
Scanning for a new girlfriend—
Neighborhood wasteland
Making Room
Delicious dinner
Loosening up this tight belt—
Now room for dessert
