Aim for the chopping block. If you aim for the wood, you have nothing. Aim past the wood, aim through the wood; aim for the chopping block.
You can’t test courage cautiously.
Annie Dillard Quotes
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Author Archives: bigskybuckeye
Monday Memories: Nightly Sentinels
Silent darkness arrives along the lake’s shore
Bringing beauty, but there is danger and more
Nightfall’s murkiness shrouding any potential peril
Hiding exposed reefs and shoals that may imperil
Loaded vessels silently lumber toward their destinations
Navigating through the gloom to reach their final stations
Danger lurking along a concealed shoreline in the empty dark
Demanding the skipper to plot a course so steady on its mark
A lighthouse stands alone by the shore’s breakwater
Warning of unexpected hazards so ships don’t falter
For years, Lake Erie’s travel routes have been patrolled
Providing warning lights and fog sirens, bright and bold
Numerous nighttime sentries light up along Ohio’s coast
Protecting ships and crew at locations that harbor a post
Ashtabula, Sandusky, Conneaut, Marblehead, and Lorain
Marking safe passage for crossing Erie’s shipping lanes
A misty fog blanketing the rocky shore this lonely night
Synchronizing light with sound, a lone sentinel’s might
Today’s ships cruise with improved navigational systems
Sparking too many lighthouses to decline and fall victim
Some guardians along Erie’s shore are preserved
Reminding visitors of a rich, past history to serve
Unique and fascinating designs still live to shine
Preventing accidents and calamities for all time
American Presidents Quotes
Millard Fillmore
May God save the country, for it is evident that people will not.
Franklin Pierce
If your past is limited, your future is boundless.
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.”
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
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
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
John Maxwell Quote
Few things fire up a person’s commitment like dedication to excellence.
From Proverbs 22:29: “Do you see those who are skillful in their work? They will serve kings; they will not serve common people.”
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
Darker and darker
Harshest words shouting through clouds
Louder and louder
Sunshine opening these skies
God’s rainbow showing His peace
Nature’s harmony
Unbalanced and falling down
Lightning splitting peace
Sudden calmness comes to all
Rebuilding broken pieces
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
Photo by Samad Deldar on Pexels.com
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.”
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
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.'”
