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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.

Reflecting Light (Haiku Series #343)

Precious Retreat

Scripture’s rendezvous

Morning peace at last arrives—

Forgiving grace brewed

Photo by Anuja Tilj on Pexels.com

This Moment

Remember always

Today learned from yesterday—

Tomorrow’s wings wait

Photo by Abigail Olarte on Pexels.com

Just Friends

Slow brewed with freshness

Confidence fills every cup—

Joy’s interactions

Photo by Anastasiya Gepp on Pexels.com

From My Journal (9/16)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

Tomorrow’s hope relies upon faith, inspired by walking with Jesus today and every day.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated September 16)

Cal Ripken, Jr. Quotes

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I’ve felt some great feelings on the baseball field . . . in front of 50,000 people and millions on TV . . . but the feeling you get when you give a kid a chance, that is a hundred times greater than that feeling.

Get in the game.  Do the best you can.  Try to make a contribution.  Learn from today.  Apply it to tomorrow.

Cal Ripken, Jr. (born 1960) is a former Major League Baseball player.  Nicknamed the “Iron Man,” because of his playing in 2,632 consecutive games, he is a Hall-of-Fame honoree.  His entire career of 21 seasons was spent with the Baltimore Orioles.

Monday Memories: Fear Not

From Matthew 14:22-24: “Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.”

Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com

Life’s storms intensify

Overcoming with fear

Facing each hostile sea

Darkness, nothing seems clear

 

Spiritual squalls come

Turning world upside down

Battered by strongest gales

Fearing each wave’s knockdown

 

Christ’s love intercedes

Praying hands, clay’s potter

Mountains to heavens

Walking on calm water

 

Jesus never leaves us

Storms quietly subside

His blessed protection

Lasting, sovereign guide

 

Fear not, faith’s spark ablaze

Christ’s true light boldly seeds

Following Son of God

Hope ripens from His deeds

 

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From Matthew 14:25-27:  “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea.  But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’  And they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”

Originally published December, 2020.

From My Journal (9/15)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

Faith will grow exponentially when our trust in God sees Eternity.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated September 15)

Oswald Chambers Quote

Courtesy of Pinterest.

When God gives a vision of truth, it is never a question of what He will do, but of what we will do.

From Joshua 24:15:  “Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher.  Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons.  Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST.  I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.

Hope’s Refreshing Pace

From Deuteronomy 30:19-20:  “Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and holding fast to Him, for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

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Choosing to follow

Father’s divine Word

Walking in His ways

Heaven’s light unblurred

 

Cherishing each day

Father softens heart

Guiding Spirit’s breath

Truth offers fresh start

 

Taking trusted path

Father’s saving grace

Perishing no more

Hope’s refreshing pace

 

Strengthening faith’s roots

Father’s tender hand

Living waters shine

Darkness cannot stand

 

Observing sin’s filth

Father sends His Son

Washing away debts

Mercy breathes through One

 

Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com

From Psalm 1:1-2:  “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that sinners tread or sit in the seat of scoffers, but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law they meditate day and night.”

From My Journal (9/14)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

We all experience life’s inevitable waves of doubt, but our Father refreshes our hope with the arrival of a new day.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated September 14)

A. W. Tozer Quote

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Whatever God did and was able to do and willing to do at any time, God is able and willing to do again, within the framework of His will.

From Psalm 29:3-4:  “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.  The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.”

Aiden Wilson (A. W.) Tozer (1897-1963) was an American pastor and Christian author.  He served as spiritual mentor for many Christians.

Trivia’s Facts and More (9/13)

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This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

What is always in front of you but cannot be seen?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Granted statehood on April 30, 1812, Louisiana  becomes the 18th state of the United States.

Here are a few interesting facts about Louisiana:

  • Capital City:  Baton Rouge
  • Most Populous City:  New Orleans (362,701 in 2024)
  • Nickname:  Pelican State
  • State Bird:  Eastern Brown Pelican
  • State Flower:  Magnolia
  • State Motto:  Union, Justice, and Confidence

The origin of Louisiana’s name honors French King Louis XIV.  The city of New Orleans remains the center of Louisiana culture.  It features a richness of French and Spanish heritage along with the influences of Cajun and Creole traditions.  At its heart lies unique cuisine, jazz music, and the annual Mardi Gras.  These contrast with man-made elements of poverty and racial strife; and natural challenges of hurricanes, floods, and a slowly sinking land.

Louisiana offers a rich history to study.  The influence of Spanish and French footprints arrives through the interior waterway of the Mississippi River.  In 1541, Spaniard Hernando de Soto explores the region.  In 1682, Frenchman Rene-Robert Cavelier de La Salle travels into the territory.

Before its statehood, history pivots frequently during the Louisiana’s chapters of time.  In 1755, French Acadians are forced out of Canada by the British.  Known today as Cajuns, they settle in Louisiana.  Throughout the early decades of the 1700s, Native Americans ally with either the French or the British as European military conflicts spill over into North America.

In 1803, the United States purchases the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million.  America’s land size doubles with this transaction.  During the War of 1812, Andrew Jackson leads a small army to victory at the Battle of New Orleans.  Due to the slow communications of this era, this final battle of the war takes place after a peace treaty is signed.

top left and MOVING clockwise: current state capitol building in baton rouge, french quarter of new orleans, map showing the land size of the louisiana purchase, Magnolia flower, scene from kisatchi national forest, eastern brown pelican, mardi Gras, old state capitol building.  (Courtesy of Pinterest)

 

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Your future.