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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.

Precious Day

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God’s eyes see every precious delight

His creation fills us up with vivid light

God’s steadfast love remains precious to one and all

Seeking refuge with Him, when we stumble and fall

 

Each day is precious, my mother reminds

Sort of makes one desire to hit “rewind”

Others bring us much, much happiness

Every day is precious, without sadness

 

Our own blood is precious in God’s sight

Living together in unity, pleasingly right

Life is more precious than any jewels we wear

Our Lord’s actions and words convey His care

 

Witnessing births of three daughters bring charm

Asking God to protect each from any and all harm

Finishing a fulfilling teaching career, on that final day

Never imagining becoming a writer with much to say

 

We appear amazingly precious in God’s eyes

Placing value in us, as much as the blue sky

Coming to Him with a genuineness of faith

More precious than gold, He guides our fate

 

Waiting for the arrival of day, with its humble form

Experiencing these moments, becomes the norm

Producing the most from God’s hallowed favors

Even sour lemons make great lemonade to savor

 

With grandchildren, lunch and bookstore visit

Feeling the love . . . just enjoy, wait, and sit

Summertime in Montana, with Big Sky style

Spending precious time together for awhile

 

Nature offers a view of God’s creative mind

Discovering precious days, forever to find

Jesus brings us Salvation, we honestly never deserve

This sturdy cornerstone of our faith, humbly we serve

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You may notice a few of my personal reflections in this poem.  There are many more to add, but these few will last for a lifetime.

 

 

 

 

 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Quote

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It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements in comparison with what we owe others.  

From 1 Peter 5:5:  “. . . And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'”

Big Sky Moments

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Waking up on a cold, frigid, winter morn

Looking like one more day with a storm

Pulling the warm covers over my bare head

Let’s fast forward to a new season instead

 

Always dreaming big at night

Never alone, perfect delight

 

Fast forward to a hot summer day

Sensational, unblemished blue sky

Feeling an urge to jump up, shout and say

Have you ever seen a more beautiful sky?

 

Seeing a Big Montana Sky

Morning sun climbs high

 

Traveling to Montana brings pure pleasures

Experiencing a saddlebag full of treasures

Shining high above, a cloudless view

Bringing a smile to God, always true

 

Always dreaming big at night

Never alone, perfect delight

 

Western hospitality, the Big Sky way

Filled with warmest smiles, no haste

Be certain to come back as we always say

Montana’s Big Sky, the Last Best Place!

 

Seeing a Big Montana Sky

Morning sun climbs high

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Both photographs come from my private collection of images from southwestern Montana.  Some of my readers have probably missed earlier posts about Montana, the Big Sky Country.  Here are links to previously published posts about my native state.  Enjoy!

From a poem, experience a ride on the train in southern Montana:

Become better acquainted with Montana’s largest city:

In poetic form, learn more about some of Montana’s history:

Here is a final poem about Native American history:

 

 

James Dobson Quote

man playing violin on stage

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If one examines the secret behind a championship football team, a magnificent orchestra, or a successful business, the principal ingredient is invariably discipline.

From Proverbs 10:17:  “Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but one who rejects a rebuke goes astray.”

 

Capturing Courage

man holding bible

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From 2 Timothy 1:7:  “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.”

Appreciate the substance and strength of courage

Witnessing acts of bravery that always encourage

 

History and the Bible endorse many courageous acts

Honoring men and women from these truthful facts

 

A lost and sinful world moves without direction

God offers a living sacrifice with His only Son

Witnessing mockery, death, and Resurrection

 

Dutch people step out from safe location

During a horrible world war’s persecution

Hiding people from arrest and deportation

 

God listens to His people in Egypt under bondage

Choosing Moses, He dispatches this man to deliver

Bravely leading Israel to freedom and a new age

 

In America, runaway slaves flee to seek new lives

A network of collaborators facilitate their escape

Following the Underground Railroad, they survive

 

The Philistines prepare Israel’s army for defeat

A young boy’s valor and faith astonishes everyone

With God, David brings down Goliath, at his feet

 

A young boy faces serious and critical circumstances

Cancer ravages and impairs his brain and small body

Facing pain-filled treatments, he accepts his chances

 

Saul persecutes Christians, constant and persistent

Jesus transforms him on the lonely road to Damascus

Apostle Paul moves forward as God’s faithful assistant

 

American soldiers confront an overwhelming fate

Fighting their way out at Korea’s Chosin Reservoir

Legendary deeds of bravery, they no longer wait

 

Jesus models the Spirit of God in humble, human form

He faithfully obeys His Father, towards a bloody Cross

Bringing Salvation to a world filled with endless storms

 

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Do you need more illustrations of courage?  

  • Read and study the Bible
  • Visit those in your circle of family and friends
  • Seek out people in books and films
  • Interview a military veteran
  • Search the Internet

 

 

 

 

 

Rick Warren Quote

bird s eye view of group of people

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Those who follow the crowd usually get lost in it.

From Galatians 1:10:  “Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval?  Or am I trying to please people?  If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Trust in His Name

From Revelation 21:5:  “And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.'”

cloudiness clouds clouds form cloudy

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Jesus is the way

The truth, the life

Expects us each day

To always be trustworthy

 

Jesus testifies with truth

Heed each spoken word

Faithfully accept His truth

Diligently study His Word

 

Our Savior asks us

Be followers of Him

Make never a fuss

Follow the Good Shepherd

 

Eternity awaits all believers

Accept Christ as Savior

Discipleship comes and delivers

Releases us from bondage

 

Placing trust in riches

Doesn’t promise us Eternity

Only brings selfish glitches

Place trust in Jesus

 

To enter God’s Kingdom

Requires faith and trust

Brings us Eternity’s freedom

From Christ’s precious blood

 

Back to the Garden

Adam and Eve swap

Satan’s lies—no bargain

God’s truth rings forever

 

As the Apostles write

Being stewards of truth

Painting with one coat

Love rejoices in truth

 

Walk with God’s Word

Never, never against it

Bringing a peaceful bird

Just as Noah witnessed

 

Follow all the commandments

Faithfully obey His Word

No idols or ornaments

Truth resides in Christ

 

Trust in our Father

Christ rises to life

We look no farther

Than Calvary’s rugged cross

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From John’s Revelation comes visions of a New Heaven and a New Earth where God makes all things new.  His truth reigns for all Eternity.

Big Sky Buckeye enjoys creating Christian poetry.  I appreciate all of your encouraging comments and views because they reinforce that many readers hunger to read more.  Thanks be to God!

 

 

 

 

 

What If . . .

person holding laboratory flask

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Life’s bucket fills with special moments

Sometimes, we want to repeat it again

But life doesn’t always repeat and begin

 

What if . . .

 

Life’s journey brings one to old friends

Haven’t seen some for so very long

Sort of like writing a joy-filled song

 

What if . . .

 

Discord, unrest, strife and endless wars

Lost forever, never to surface and return

Solving problems becomes our concern

 

What if . . .

 

Becoming an outstanding and skilled alpine skier

Takes one to a majestic, snow-covered summit

Witnessing a Big Montana Sky, as thee plummets

 

What if . . .

 

Medical science discovers more cures

Eliminating major diseases and cancer

Let’s continue looking for these answers

 

What if . . .

 

Traveling bravely into the realms of space

Dreaming of one of life’s extraordinary goals

Makes one more excited than a newborn foal

 

What if . . .

 

One longs to visit family far away

At any particular day and time

Filling an empty heart of mine

 

What if . . .

 

Seeing former pupils from past teaching days

Sometimes wonder how their lives turned out

Bringing much happiness, without ever a doubt

 

What if . . .

 

All political strife would just disappear and leave

Citizens’ patience wears especially thin at times

Let’s put our “real” needs at the front of the line

 

What if . . .

 

Traveling back in time with an unspoiled reality

Experiencing history as it expresses to our minds

Beholding and learning from each moment in time

 

Life only allows so many years in one’s life

Rendering it necessary to experience more

Before our final breath closes these doors

space research science astronaut

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