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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.'”
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.
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.
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.”
From Psalm 1:1-2: “Happy are thosewho do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that sinners treador 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.”
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.
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.
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)