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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.

Elfchen Series #7 (Life)

Winter

Snowflake

Brilliant white

Each one unique

Inviting more to come

Blizzard

brown shed near green pine trees during snow

Photo by Jonathan Aman on Pexels.com

 

Sweet Outcome

Hungry

Stomach growls

Something to eat

Sweetness fashions a surprise

Doughnuts

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Photo by Renato Abati on Pexels.com

 

Marriage

Man

And woman

Husband and wife

Sharing life’s cherished journey

Love

photo of woman riding on man s back

Photo by Laura Garcia on Pexels.com

An Elfchen is a form of German-inspired poetry.  It is sometimes referred to as an Elevenie.  In German, Elfchen means “wee eleven.”  The poem is constructed with a total of eleven lines, distributed among five rows.  If you need more information, search the Internet for more about the basics of writing in this poetry genre.

 

Jesus Will Be With Us

snow nature sky trees

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

An early winter blizzard covers the immense ranching country.  The harshness of the storm threatens everyone’s safety, both people and cattle.

Phone lines are disconnected, with most on the ground.  Electricity is off except where well-prepared ranchers turn on generators to provide for their needs.  All roads into each ranch are drifted shut with the heavy, dense snow.

One rancher is overly concerned for the welfare of his family and his cattle herd.  The family is warm and safe inside their home, and they have enough groceries to last for several more days.

However, the cattle stand in harm’s way.  Their water supply and feeding schedule have been disrupted, and the rancher worries about the length of the storm and the consequences for his 300 plus head of Black Angus cows.

At suppertime on the third night of the storm, the atmosphere is tense.  The rancher’s son sees the worry painted on his father’s face.  This faithful, little soul of a five-year old reminds his father with words filled with hope, “Jesus will be with us.”

Overnight the storm begins to abate and move on.  In the morning, crews begin to slowly and carefully clear the roads.  In a matter of hours, they will reach the isolated ranch.

Using his powerful four-wheel tractor with its giant dozer blade, the rancher clears a path to where his precious cattle are nestled against the wall of a massive shelter.  While he makes sure the water is running, and the cattle receive their hay with a helping of rolled oats, he smiles and remembers the faithful words of his young son, “Jesus will be with us.”

Henry Blackaby Quote

man in green sweater holding his hands

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Our ways may seem good to us.  We may even enjoy some moderate successes.  But when we do the work of God in our our own ways, we will never see the power of God in what we do.  God reveals His ways because that is the only way to accomplish His purposes.

From Ephesians 1:18-19:  “So that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power for us who believe, according to the working of His great power.”

Angel’s Message

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

Summer’s radiant warmth fills the morning air

Playing children scamper, filling simple cares

 

Park trees arising with lively hues, bounty of dreams

Dancing shadows flowing beneath, moving like streams

 

People come and go, some stay for more

Singing above, summer birds fly and soar

 

Empty benches welcome many, resting a spell

Inviting a gray-haired man to sit now and dwell

 

Images scurry around him, some only in his mind

Remembering yesteryears, when all felt defined

 

Career, money, and power once meeting his needs

Sitting all alone now, like ancient dried-up reeds

 

One detail has been missing in his life

Leaving God has wounded like a knife

 

Alone, feeling forsaken, helpless at times

Living a life, nothing richer than springtime

 

Laughing and carefree, small children bring him joy

Filling his empty heart, much like a brand new toy

 

At God’s chosen bench, now sharing with a stranger

Smiling, a lady shares about a stable’s Holy manger

 

She notices him here quite often, sitting all alone

Inspired by God’s love, now enters his quiet zone

 

This visit and chat create sweet treasures

Sharing God’s Word, true by any measure

 

Jesus’ message of Salvation brings honest light

Kneeling, the old man accepts his Holy might

 

This worn bench brings God to a lonely heart

Allowing this man, a fresh and bold restart

 

Her assignment being fulfilled, now time to travel on

Replenishing this man’s heart with Grace and a song

 

Many others arrive at this park every day

Missing out on what this angel has to say

 

Photo by David Dibert on Pexels.com

Lee Strobel Quote

crucifix on top of bible

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All we needed when we first came to Jesus was His grace, and grace is all we need to grow in Christ.  Grace liberates us.  Our tendency toward performance imprisons us.

From Ephesians 2:8-9:  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God–not the result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Haiku Series #49 (Life)

Memories

Pausing and viewing

Photos on digital frame—

Lasting and unique

turned on black acer laptop

Photo by Marcelo Chagas on Pexels.com

 

Literary Club

Every Wednesday

High school faculty meeting—

Weekly poker game

ace cards casino deck

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

Nighttime

Around a campfire

Remembering good ol’ days—

Life’s recollections

firewood burning

Photo by Jazlyn Oliver on Pexels.com

 

 

Oswald Chambers Quote

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Photo by Matheus Bertelli on Pexels.com

Shut out every other consideration and keep yourself before God for this one thing only–“My Utmost for His Highest.”

From Philippians 1:20-21:  “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.”

Monday Memories: Engineering Marvels

This poem was originally published in October, 2018, making it one of my earliest poems.  The content drives the poem, and the format has been updated from its original style. 

brooklyn bridge new york

Photo by Chris Molloy on Pexels.com

Designed to carry a road or cross a ravine or river

Bridges are constructed to carry a load to deliver

 

Bridge designs range from very simple to complex

Some look very basic and daunting from the rest

 

More primitive bridges make one’s legs tremble and shake

Crossing them seems like a journey, certainly not to make

 

Scaling Everest, the world’s tallest and best known peak

Climbers use a crevasse bridge for the thrills they seek

 

Relishing a drive along many of America’s roads, without despair

Crossing a covered bridge that is unique and kept in good repair

 

More complex types are designed with beauty it seems

Trestle, arch, suspension, girder, drawbridge, and beam

 

Famous bridges are found nearly everywhere

Nearly all are built with a great amount of care

 

Sadly, a small number of bridges weaken and collapse

Due to flooding, earthquakes, or an engineering lapse

 

Pittsburgh proclaims to be the “City of Bridges” at last count

But, New York City possesses more bridges, without a doubt

 

Some bridges are named after people of notable fame

Benjamin Franklin and Andy Warhol, a couple to name

 

Other bridges are found in legends, films, and books

Golden Gate, Mackinac, and Brooklyn—take a look!

 

European designers have been busy in many places

Hamburg and Amsterdam’s bridges fill their spaces

 

Bridges comprise some of man’s grandest monuments of all

Designing impressive engineering marvels that shouldn’t fall

 

As some plan to demolish an old, downtrodden bridge

Expect others to stand and cry out, “Save Our Bridge”

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Photo by Mohamed Almari on Pexels.com