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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.

Fire Always Bright

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Darkness masks life’s landscape

Hiding sin’s heartless shame

Trying to flee past hurts

Shadows always aflame

 

Trials sometimes arise

Shrouding foundation’s cracks

Concealing hell’s façade

Tomorrow painted black

 

Misery breathes as one

Filling with cold despair

Seeing nothing beyond

Jesus descends with care

 

Dependence upon grace

Acknowledging past sins

Kneeling at Calvary

Forgiveness calling in

 

Redemption comes through Christ

Extending mercy’s light

Transforming soul’s battles

Spirit’s fire always bright

 

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From My Journal (8/6)

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From Big Sky Buckeye

One’s faith journey embraces and follows the footprints of Jesus.  His righteousness focuses each step upon the waiting grace of redemption.

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 August 6)

Watchman Nee Quote

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Since this life is God’s and cannot die, it follows that everyone born anew into possessing this life is said to have eternal life.

From Matthew 25:44-46:  “Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you?’  Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’  And these will go away into eternal punishment but the righteous into eternal life.”

Watchman Nee (1903-1972) was a Chinese church leader and Christian teacher.  He authored a collection of Christian books, and he endured persecution for his beliefs.  Ultimately, he died while being imprisoned for the final twenty years of his life.

Curiosity’s Journey (Haiku Series #337)

Retrieving

Taking time to search

Looking for smallest wonders—

Summer’s precious gifts

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Responding

Wonder asks questions

Images from deepest space—

Searching for answers

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Treasuring

America’s roads

Discovery of wonders—

Travel’s shining gems

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From My Journal (8/5)

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From Big Sky Buckeye

Each of us must discover our own unique light.

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 August 5)

E. L. Doctorow Quotes

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Writing is an exploration.  You start from nothing and learn as you go.

The historian will tell you what happened.  The novelist will tell you what it felt like.

E. L. (Edgar Lawrence) Doctorow (1931-2015) was an American writer and editor.  He was best known for his historical novels.

Monday Memories: From Death to Life

From Isaiah 64:6: “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”

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Coming into this harsh world

Born spiritually dead

Ruled by darkest deceptions

Sinful nature fills life’s thread

 

Do we deserve God’s goodness?

Facing our Holy Lord’s wrath

Separated by our sins

Satan lights a wayward path

 

Our lives resemble darkness

Righteous acts, thin and meager

Offering nothing of value

Father’s true love, remains eager

 

Calling upon the Lord’s name

Deliver us from our sins

God, the Potter, molding us

Transforming the clay, He wins

 

Once living under the flesh

Filled with darkest death and sin

By Holy Grace, saved through faith

Walking with Christ, life’s linchpin

 

Placing virgin faith in Christ

In spirit, alive through Him

Body and blood, Cross vanquished

Sins pardoned, new life in Him

 

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From Ephesians 2:4-6:  “But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved–and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Originally published November, 2020.

From My Journal (8/4)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

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From Big Sky Buckeye

Like pioneers on the Oregon Trail, one’s load of worldly possessions must give way to embrace our Savior’s grace.

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 August 4)

Richard J. Foster Quote

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When we genuinely believe that inner transformation is God’s work and not ours, we can put to rest our passion to set others straight.

From Isaiah 55:8-9:  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LordFor as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Richard J. Foster (born 1942) is an American author and Christian theologian.

His Gentle Spirit

From Psalm 23:4:  “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

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Trusting heavenly Father

His gentle spirit always near

Offering sweetest taste of grace

Morning’s sunrise shall appear

 

Ruling over universe

Rod with staff, trusted comfort’s strength

Bearing conditional love

Father closer than arm’s length

 

Giving thanks for His presence

Father’s hands crafting faith’s high road

Singing praises for His efforts

Eternity’s seeds now sowed

 

Hearing when righteous cry out

His refuge sends rescue’s clear light

Redeeming all crushed in spirit

Father’s love shares His delight

 

Living in His blessed house

Faith’s steady journey now fulfilled

Feeling Father’s gentle spirit

Salvation forever filled

 

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From Psalm 27:4:  “One thing I asked of the Lord; this I seek:  to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.”