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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.

Living Hope

Reading through the last four entries in my journal, God brought inspiration to bring this praise to Him.  There entries provide the bulk of the this poem, along with a few selected writings of Apostle Peter.  I hope this poem sustains hope in you during your daily journey.  During Lenten season, we are reminded of the hope we receive through Jesus’ walk to an old rugged Cross.

ocean waves crashing on rocks

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With God’s truth leading us

Our faith growing each day

Fueled by our Lord above

Hope responds, let us pray

 

God guides with steadiness

Navigating our ship

Through ever-present storms

Safe on our Lord’s flagship

 

Life-giving hearts may hide

Our emotional selves

Yet, other times we find

God’s Word within ourselves

 

Sometimes, life proclaims

Our “red badge of courage”

Straight into inner souls

Our faith will encourage

 

Much like a frigid wind

Freezing our tender face

Life challenges us to bear

Torment covered by grace

 

Through our Father’s mercy

A new birth, a living hope

Jesus . . . Resurrection

Life viewed through His new scope

person looking through binnocular

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From 1 Peter 1:3-5:  “Blessed be the God and Father our Lord Jesus Christ!  By His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

 

Marie T. Freeman Quote

activity adult adventure backpacking

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God has given you special talents–now it’s your turn to give back to God.

From 1 Peter 4:10:  “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”

Treasured Pleasures

Sunrise at Walnut Woods

Sunrise at Walnut Woods Metro Park in central Ohio. 

Every day, filling with precious moments

Life’s simple pleasures, love-filling treasures

Never again, take any for granted

Traveling life’s long road, each step measures

 

Darkened dawn sky, erupting with bright hues

Granddaughter taking first tentative walk

Life sometimes slows down, bringing a replay

Neighborhood sidewalk, hopscotch drawn in chalk

 

Neil Diamond lyrics, harmony through song

Mother calls, reminding me her love cares

Favorite novel, author’s words smile back

Trio of daughters, sweeter than a pair

 

Evening sunset, brings awesome pleasures

Tomorrow, witnessing simple treasures

November 30, 2014 005

Sunset in Columbus, Ohio.

Oswald Chambers Quote

young game match kids

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Being born again from above is a perennial, perpetual, and eternal beginning, a freshness all the time in thinking and in talking and in living, the continual surprise of the life of God.

From John 3:3:  “Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.'”

Haiku Series #67 (Humor)

Timeout

Digital “brake” time

Turn off social media—

Pausing to recharge

facebook application icon

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

Satisfying Workout

Meeting for coffee

Skipping the Tuesday workout—

See you on Friday

bright close up color colorful

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

Too Early

Morning alarm rings

Hey, it’s the weekend silly—

Switching back to snooze

cat lying on table

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Teresa of Avila Quote

pathway between green trees brown steel gate during daytime

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We ought to make more progress, however little, every day, and show some increase of fervor.  We ought to act as if we were at war–as, indeed, we are–and never relax until we have won the victory.

From Matthew 7:13-14:  “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it.  For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Melody in the Woods

bright daylight environment forest

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Music permeates through the woods

Listen closely, can you hear it?

This melody brings a sense of calm

Nature witnesses a new hit

 

Calmness radiates from a banjo

Listen again, can you feel it?

Life pauses, taking in this song

Appreciate this moment, let’s sit

 

Even in darker times, comes light

Listen now, can you feel its blitz?

Calming tune filling every heart

Playing a banjo, without the glitz

 

People reaching out to others

Living as sisters and brothers

 

Steve Martin is an accomplished banjo player, and he shares a message of calmness and peace from the woods with his own self-video performance.   This video inspired the writing of this poem.

Monday Memories: Then Came Light

woman stands on mountain over field under cloudy sky at sunrise

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To a formless world, shrouded in whole darkness

God brought forth light to remove the harshness

 

To a dark, foreboding room with no shape

Candles illuminate our morning landscape

 

From a barren, lifeless pine or Douglas fir tree

Christmas brings lights, and makes us feel free

 

To a cold, hostile land without any light at night

Early man learns of fire, to warm and offer sight

 

To a student, who feels frustrated in a lesson so dark

A teacher brings patience, and a smile offers a spark

 

To a darkened, isolated highway on a night with no moon

Bright headlights point us safely towards home very soon

 

To a world seeking guidance and a fresh start

Lady Liberty’s welcoming torch, sets her apart

 

To a frightened child, waking up in darkness of the night

Parents bringing a beam of light, to take away his fright

 

To a middle-aged adult, stricken with eyesight very poor

A doctor’s skill removes a cataract, so she can see more

 

To an empty and humbling manger, in a crowded stable

A bright star over Bethlehem, showing what is now able

 

To heal the broken, lost life of a desperate man

God offering a sustaining and hope-filling plan

person spreading hands against sun

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