Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Monday Memories: Fallen, Never Forgotten

Posted on May 31, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

American flag

hangs mournfully

at half mast

Honoring a

courageous, fallen soldier

on a distant battlefield

Many come

to honor this

patriotic, young man

Supporting his loved ones

Family, wife, and children

Who will miss

his gentle soul

Let us

never forget

this day!

The ultimate sacrifice

paid by

one mighty soldier

So many others

may be free

U.S. Army Specialist Joseph P. Collette died on March 22, 2019 from enemy fire in Afghanistan while on a combat mission. This poem is written to honor him along with all others who have fallen.

Hope’s Solid Rock

Posted on May 30, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Lamentations 3:22-24: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.'”

**Photo by Enric Cruz Lu00f3pez on Pexels.com**

Darkness stirs up from storms

Crashing out of control

Lost in gloomy tempest

Jesus’ anchor, our soul

Hope’s single foundation

Resting on solid rock

Built by Savior Jesus

Robust, righteous bedrock

Jesus carries faith through

Taking oath by His blood

Brings about newest day

Hope survives stormy flood

Daily works mean nothing

Facing life’s rugged slope

Breathe in grace from Jesus

Final beacon of hope

Jesus leads trusting sheep

Climbing to solid rock

Redeemed at Calvary

Hope’s lasting building block

**Photo by Gantas Vaiu010diulu0117nas on Pexels.com**

You are invited to join in and sing along with “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less.”

Wisdom’s Guardrails

Posted on May 29, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Life’s journey fills with mistakes

Wisdom’s guardrails prevent headaches

Working together as a team

Life’s active, productive sunbeam

Be available to others

Treat everyone as brothers

Come prepared for each assignment

Results in flawless alignment

Apologize for day’s misdeeds

Forgiveness sowing fertile seeds

Keep secrets to self, follow scripts

Remember now, loose lips sink ships

Checking answers, rechecking twice

Turn over each stone, good advice

Patiently molding shapeless clay

Details finished, now walk away

Stay together, through thick ‘n thin

Tight as a fist, faithful linchpin

Taking charge, bold skipper steering

Encouraging words now cheering

Sometimes, life’s outcomes say we’re wrong

Solving mistakes, newest hit song

This poem’s wisdom was gleamed from Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the American television drama, “NCIS.” Throughout the nearly endless episodes, Mark Harmon’s character shares his timely wisdom from “Gibbs’ Rules.”

Timeless Worship (Elfchen Series #60)

Posted on May 28, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Blessed Harvest

God

Nourishes faith

Planted with righteousness

Reaping upright fruit

Grace

Heaven’s Lifeline

Love

From Father

Embraces and covers

Conquer, prevail, and live

Salvation

Glorious Day

Praise

Heavenly Father

Eternal, steadfast love

Singing life’s new song

Faithfulness

**Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com**

This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.

Morning’s Blindfold

Posted on May 27, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Early morning dawn arrives

Missing nature’s boldest light

Covering heavens and earth

Thickest fog masks sun’s headlight

Ghostly, ominous shadows

Cloaking trees by hidden creek

Slithering mist moves unchecked

Nature fills with blind mystique

Stillness surrounds paradise

Witnessing morning on hold

Waiting patiently for change

Nature removes her blindfold

Suddenly, haze disappears

Hailing sun’s brilliant return

Switching on morning’s magic

Thankfully, fog now adjourns

**Photo by Elias Tigiser on Pexels.com**

Forgiving Ourselves

Posted on May 26, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Galatians 5:1: “For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Burdened by life’s BIG problem

All of man living in sin

Selfishness fueling mistakes

Where should we turn to begin?

Come forward to accept Him

Forgiveness granted from God

Washing away timeless guilt

Can’t forgive self, living flawed

Struggle with self-forgiveness

Guilt’s shadow never pulls back

God’s grace-filled pardon waiting

Feeling unloved, sin attacks

Filling ourselves with sadness

Self-imposed standards now crash

Rely on works over faith

Sin making us feel like trash

Kneeling at Calvary’s cross

Jesus’ blood setting us free

No longer chained to darkness

Forgiving ourselves, guilt flees

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

From Psalm 51:10-12: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.”

Time for Fun (Haiku Series #136)

Posted on May 25, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Hunger Tingles

Craving nightly snack

Lover of potato chips—

Ready to “Pringle”

Map Not Required

Montana? Where’s that?

Easy to find, just look up—

Under the Big Sky

**A typical summer Big Sky (captured near Big Timber in August, 2019).**

Rainout

Shortest baseball game

First batter up, downpour starts—

Hit it and quit it!

His Promise Blesses

Posted on May 23, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From John 14:15-16: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.”

Bringing light to follow

Christ’s promise comes with grace

Overcoming life’s doubts

Holy Spirit in place

Responding to life’s needs

Hope filling empty hearts

Interceding for Christ

Holy Spirit imparts

Pouring into others

Love shared across man’s world

Swelling as inner strength

Holy Spirit unfurled

Healing our brokenness

Steadfast love guiding lives

Gathering righteous faith

Holy Spirit’s “high-fives”

Trusting in Christ-filled light

God’s Word proclaims, our Rock

Wandering no longer

Holy Spirit unlocks

From John 14:26-27: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

American Christian singer and songwriter, Francesca Battistelli, sings “Holy Spirit.” While I have heard this song several times in Sunday worship, its lyrics always reach and out touch me. I hope they will speak to you as well.

Nature’s Arrogance

Posted on May 22, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Summer-like weather arrives

Welcoming warmth, nature thrives

Snowy cold gone, long banished

Winter’s shadow, now vanished

Beaches open, pools start up

Outdoor chores now piling up

Paradise smiles, open now

But wait! Winter’s final bow

Halt, recall nature’s humor

Winter’s back, not a rumor

Over Montana’s Big Sky

Snowflakes dance, find their bullseye

Cold and snow rudely drop in

Wrecking spring, crashing tailspin

How can this accident be?

Cold slides in, snow covers trees

Blessed with nature’s fairytale

Big Sky folks laugh, “Spring’s in jail”

Cornering winter’s good cheer

Just waiting a day my dear

Tomorrow’s change now coming

Spring’s freedom and homecoming

A freak event of nature found Montana turned in a winter wonderland over a period of a couple of days. In the meantime, nearly all of the United States was enjoying the arrival of an early summer. At times, living under the Big Sky does require a sense of humor.

Godly Actions (Elfchen Series #59)

Posted on May 21, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Linking

Relationship

With Father

Through timeless prayer

Grace connects us together

Hope

Mentoring

Guidance

Holy Spirit

Empowering our obedience

Following God’s sacred will

Faith

Speaking

Revelation

God’s Word

Strengthens our character

Transforming life’s imbalanced alignment

Believe

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Blessed Harvest

Heaven’s Lifeline

Glorious Day

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Hunger Tingles

Map Not Required

Rainout

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Linking

Mentoring

Speaking

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