
Resolve never to quit, never to give up, no matter the situation.
Focus on remedies, not faults.

Resolve never to quit, never to give up, no matter the situation.
Focus on remedies, not faults.
From recent editions of The Columbus Dispatch, here are some headlines pulled together into a poetry format. We are blessed in the United States to experience the presence of a free press. I am blessed to be able to read a local newspaper which does an effective job of being objective in its reporting.

School funding equity reform continues to vex lawmakers
Economic downturns, budget cuts turn into deal breakers
Racism proclaimed as a public health plague
Insuring equitable policies, no longer vague
Spare bedrooms shouldn’t be a home for junk
Cleaning and decluttering this neglected funk
Underpaid, essential workers feeling pushed to the brink
Working under conditions, where danger doesn’t shrink
Books delve into joys, thrills, mysteries of living
Rediscovering one’s love to read, always giving
Peaceful protest awakens a small community
Exercising constitutional rights, walk for unity
Expectant women consider giving birth at home
Fearing pandemic at hospital, isolated and alone
Protest arrives in another small town
Rumors and hatred stir up all around
Cool investment of money can buy posh LA chateau
Dazzling, skyline residence requires hefty cash flow
Local man walking the state, one step at a time
His reflections leading to a quiet, new paradigm
Crippled postal service tackling financial woes
Pandemic cutting usage, usual revenue slows
Walking, marching together—freedom as one
Tired of hatred and discrimination—never fun


You may delay, but time will not.
Well done is better than well said.
Stormy clouds approach
Life’s storms threaten with darkness—
Christ quiets the wind

Jesus promises
Another Advocate comes—
The Holy Spirit

Jesus walks ahead
Emmanuel, God with us—
Coming to save us


When the dream of our heart is one that God has planted there, a strange happiness flows into us. At that moment, all of the spiritual resources of the universe are released to help us.
From Matthew 6:7-8: “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
This poem was originally published in July, 2019, and it was inspired from artwork in a hotel room while traveling out west.

Most days, life experiences calming seas
Witnessing each moment, steady to see
God provides for us, through it all
Picking us up, even when we fall
Life moves along at its normal pace
Taking for granted, God’s free grace
Then, stormy seas appear in the west
Bringing worried looks, never the best
Life’s ship now encounters the storm
Feeling the sea’s fury, totally reborn
The storm smothers this helpless ship
Causing sure footing to slide and slip
Panic and worry fill helpless hearts
Asking God, may we try a restart?
Our boat takes on water, brisk and cold
Overwhelming our spirit, no longer bold
Has our Lord forsaken us at this time?
Sinking ship, as faith no longer climbs
Across the tempest sea, comes a voice
Calming the storm and sea, His choice
Our Lord and Savior walks over to thee
Releasing the terror caused by the sea
In an instant, the dark storm is gone
Restoring faith and hope, now strong
God prompts us to maintain our hope
Remaining faithful, steadies our boat
Calm or stormy seas, look straight ahead
Accepting God’s grace, always best said
Thank you Lord for being with us each day
Reminding us, Your Word points the way


Photo by Valeriia Miller on Pexels.com
Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.
From Philippians 4:8: “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
This is a very special guest post. I received a wonderful Father’s Day message from my wife earlier today. In her own right, Mrs. Big Sky Buckeye is a talented writer who has crafted her share of poetry and other writings. The photos used are from the WordPress library.

. . . FIRST
You are their son, and they are very proud
to point you out from amid the crowd.
Your life is founded on what God has done,
and you share the love of His only Son.
. . . AND
You are my husband, step dad and grandpa.
You love, and comfort, and help with awe.
Our life together is based on God’s grace,
and together show that in every case.
. . . BETTER
You are a father to three special girls.
They are second to none in the world.
You gave them guidance, love and care each day,
and you shared their interests along the way.
. . . BEST
You are a father, the teacher all need.
All can see God’s love in you, indeed.
As father, you are still one of God’s best.
With you in our family, we are so blessed.


What dark depths dwell in our lives?
Sinful nature, lost like sheep
Hearts fill with lasting troubles
Seeing life’s well, much too deep
Returning without promise
Jacob’s well cannot quench thirst
Our parched lips, where’s our relief?
Sinful souls, ready to burst
God’s Grace, in living water
Blessing in truth and spirit
Gushing with eternal life
Drink deeply, never fear it
Who will bring us this water?
We look, but the well is deep
Jesus draws living water
Saving His lost, thirsty sheep

From John 4:11-15: “The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?’ Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.’ The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.'”

Photo by ThisIsEngineering on Pexels.com
Knowledge is the treasure of a wise man.
Passion is the mob of the man, that commits a riot upon his reason.