Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Greatest Gift

Posted on December 29, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”

Imagine receiving one gift

But, never accepting its love

Forsaking Father’s lasting grace

Angels witness all from above

This precious gift brings lasting peace

Why would God’s love remain unwrapped?

Sin continues weaving darkness

Triggering mankind to feel trapped

Spirit moves into heart’s fabric

Cosmic collision stirs within

Christ stepping into this dark breach

Divine love snaps sin’s frail linchpin

For God so loved this fallen world

His Holy Son pays for sin’s debts

Unlocking eternity’s gate

Christ’s mercy saves, without regrets

Now embracing and accepting

Father’s loving gift now received

Trusting in Savior’s greatest gift

Forgiveness, all who believe

**Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels.com**

From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “The greatest gift ever given was the sacrifice of Jesus, and all we must do is accept this free gift in joy forever with Him.”

Learning from Life (Haiku Series #167)

Posted on December 28, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Learning from Strength

Looking to conquer

Bullies search for life’s island—

Mankind’s weakest link

**Photo by Julia Kuzenkov on Pexels.com**

Learning from Honesty

Remember always

Our mirror’s self-reflection—

Misses life’s real truth

**Photo by Los Muertos Crew on Pexels.com**

Learning from Tasks

Life’s biggest challenge

Constructing each new puzzle—

Piece follows each piece

**Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels.com**

Monday Memories: Shattered Hopes

Posted on December 27, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Romans 10:12-13: “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call Him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”

Photo by Andrea P. Coan on Pexels.com

Sitting here on a quiet, morning dawn

Drinking coffee, warming a drowsy mind

Passing the time with memories, all wrong

Looking for warmhearted hopes, none to find

Wishing countless troubles would go away

Thinking another day will bring some hope

Realizing now, my dreams are crushed today

Watching out the window, through hopeless scope

Opening a Bible, found by God’s Grace

Inviting me in, His Word reaches out

Sensing a way to change life’s dismal pace

Offering a new path, without a doubt

Witnessing Christ Jesus on a cruel Cross

Accepting my Savior, no longer lost

Photo by Sindre Strøm on Pexels.com

Faith’s Adventure

Posted on December 26, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “Obeying God’s will in our lives should not be a burden but a thrilling adventure that we walk through with Him each day.”

Believer’s obedience

Thrilling adventure

Filled with Father’s blessed grace

Divine, joint venture

Trusting with patience of Job

Faith’s foundation grows

Living upon Father’s rock

His way always knows

One step follows another

Smallest matters count

Daily walk of faith matures

Father’s blessings mount

Escaping from sin’s darkness

Mercy marks life’s route

Repenting for transgressions

Father’s grace takes sprout

Obedience grows with love

Leading back to God

Life’s choices, Father rewards

His glory’s tripod

**Photo byu0430 u0422u0438u0448u0438u043du044b on Pexels.com**

From Psalm 40:6-8: “Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, ‘Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.'”

Divine Interactions (Elfchen Series #90)

Posted on December 24, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Angelic Message

Virgin

Favored One

Mary’s unexpected motherhood

Spirit shares heavenly blessing

Jesus

Hope’s Response

Joy

Prophecy fulfilled

Prince of Peace

Israel’s King of Kings

Messiah

Father’s Blueprint

Emmanuel

Bethlehem birth

God with us

Gift of Gospel’s truth

Salvation

Waiting

Posted on December 23, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Alexandr Podvalny on Pexels.com**

Waiting . . .

Another minute

Problems downsizing

Lasting peace rising

Morning coffee brewed

Caffeine powers up

With every cup

Morning traffic jam

Anxiety parking

Shortcut embarking

Waiting . . .

Autumn’s arrival

Dazzling colors sing

Annual fall fling

Grocery line backup

Accept life’s downtime

Conversation time

Baby coming soon

First-time mother shines

Love’s newest headline

Waiting . . .

Hearty breakfast served

Blueberry pancakes

Hunger takes its break

Plane’s late departure

Airport’s normal tune

Returning home soon

Career door opens

New community

Opportunity

Waiting . . .

Life’s worries mounting

One more sleepless night

Sunrise shares insight

Page finally turns

Cherished feelings roam

Love finding its home

Day’s special moment

New baby arrives

Joining life’s archives

**Photo by BARBARA RIBEIRO on Pexels.com**

Sin’s Island

Posted on December 22, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Colossians 3:1-2: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Living on sin’s island

Forsaking faith in Christ

Breathing in darkest fears

Grace seeming too high priced

Searching far horizon

Scanning each tidal wave

Feeling Spirit’s nudges

Christ Jesus comes to save

Witnessing Calvary

Flooding tears crying out

Asking big question . . . why?

Salvation, still in doubt

Observing blood-stained cross

Watching Christ breath His last

Wrestling with sinful flesh

Evil’s hold, standing fast

Awaking days later

Running to empty tomb

Accepting Christ this day

Leaving sin’s island room

**Photo by Alem Su00e1nchez on Pexels.com**

From 1 John 3:2-3: “Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when He is revealed, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. And all who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.”

Nature’s Rhythm (Haiku Series #166)

Posted on December 21, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Raven

Flying high above

Gray sky’s lonely sentinel—

Solitary spy

**Photo by Tim Mossholder on Pexels.com**

Spirited

Unchecked challenges

Emotional behavior—

Nature spills over

Simplicity

Season to season

Creation’s precious treasures—

Never growing old

**Photo by Harrison Haines on Pexels.com**

Monday Memories: Five More Minutes

Posted on December 20, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Written in February, 2020, this poem reflects forward in time when one is living those final precious years. In taking this Christian view, we ask God for those treasured “five more minutes.”

The elderly man’s final strength turns to run

His long, full life now enters its final sunset

Recalling the good times, craving a bit more

“Five more minutes” before the setting sun

Swapping one more story, with my dear Dad

His role in life, serving as my own launch pad

Listening to Neil Diamond, singing one more song

He conveys my love for “America”—forever strong

Taking extra time to say, “I sincerely apologize”

For actions which turned out bad, not very wise

Please God, just five more minutes . . .

Fishing the Madison River, time for one more cast

Herb standing ready, with a memory from the past

Experiencing one more awe-inspiring sunrise

One only God can create, His lasting surprise

Sharing a moment, with a special great-grandchild

Before falling back to sleep, she winks and smiles

Please God, just five more minutes . . .

Witnessing fresh, fallen snow—pristine white

Pine trees show off under moon’s bright light

Stepping into a high school classroom once more

Taking notes from the elite of the teaching corps

Witnessing a Big Montana Sky, fetches a smile

Please allow me to see, at least one more mile

Please God, just five more minutes . . .

Traveling to a place, never seen before

Anxious to view, what’s really in store?

Sharing with my bride, “I love you” one more time

Enduring heartbeats and affection, forever rhyme

Asking my Heavenly Father, for forgiveness

My risen Lord and Savior, being my witness

Thank you God for these five more minutes!

Love’s Arrival (Fourth Sunday in Advent)

Posted on December 19, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Isaiah 9:6-7: “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and His kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

Faithful God’s Holy love

Shining from Bethlehem

Blessed virgin gives birth

In world filled with mayhem

Hope springs forth from God’s love

Filling manger with grace

Messiah born this night

Stable now Holy place

Divine love preaches faith

Sharing Lord’s precious gift

Behold man’s salvation

Satan’s plans now adrift

Peace covers earth’s landscape

Sowing eternal love

Savior’s mission begins

Father views from above

Lasting joy now goes forth

Hearing angels singing

Christ’s love, Calvary’s cross

Forgiveness now bringing

You are invited to join in prayer: Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace. During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior. Amen.

Written in 1865 by English hymn writer, William Chatterton Dix, the hymn of “What Child Is This?” is sung by Charlotte Church. The lyrics are based upon the verses from Isaiah 9:6-7, and the tune is “Greensleeves.”

Share this:

Learning from Strength

Learning from Honesty

Learning from Tasks

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Angelic Message

Hope’s Response

Father’s Blueprint

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Raven

Spirited

Simplicity

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: