Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Haunting Storm

Posted on January 28, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Pleasant, mid-winter day

Warm winds decide to stay

Touch of spring thaws the air

Ideal life, not a care

Hidden, in frigid North

Cold destined to call forth

Prairie living unaware

Grass uncovered, and bare

Few cowboys work the range

Life will soon see big change

Barren land, overgrazed

Cattle wander, unfazed

Calmness warns of trouble

Winter’s wrath comes double

Arctic-fed winds stir up

Wet snow creates pileup

Haunting storm now arrives

Few cattle will survive

Blizzard smothers this land

Conditions, out of hand

Cowboys wait out fierce storm

Snow and cold, nasty swarm

Waiting, hours become days

Prairie, now winter’s maze

Cattle’s cries go unheard

Snow-blinded, vision blurred

Storm’s cruel hand, plays its cards

Life stops, prairie graveyards

**Montana artist Charles M. Russell captures the shattered blow of winter’s fury in “Waiting for a Chinook” (“Last of Five Thousand”) as depicted in this watercolor. (Courtesy of Pinterest**)

This poem attempts to capture the daunting winter of 1886-1887 on the prairies in the Montana Territory when the Open Range’s cattle industry collapsed from its near annihilation. Russell’s artwork says even more than words can describe.

Follow His Footsteps

Posted on January 27, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Romans 12:1-2: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Imperfect humans

Walking darkest trails

World twists upside down

Christ calls, without fail

World crying out with

Endless, empty claims

Filled with dead end thoughts

Christ drowns looming flames

Noisy distractions

Countless temptations

Follow His footsteps

Christ’s supplications

Waking to darkness

God’s will lights each day

Struggling with life’s sin

Christ bridges the way

Share genuine love

Holding fast to good

Serving the Father

Christ transforms driftwood

Zealous in spirit

Rejoicing in hope

Walk with humbleness

Christ’s love helps us cope

Marked with our Lord’s truth

Walk with Christian steps

Soul and mind renewed

Follow Christ’s footsteps

**Photo by Akshaya Premjith on Pexels.com**

From Hebrews 6:19-20: “We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Faith’s Testaments (Haiku Series #119)

Posted on January 26, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Love

Brothers and sisters

God calling us to freedom—

Share our love with all

Mission

Loving the Father

Born into human likeness—

Christ empties himself

**Photo by Cu00e9sar+Mirna Choto on Pexels.com**

Submission

Trusting His guidance

Living in love of Jesus—

Submit to His will

Monday Memories: Victorious Savior

Posted on January 25, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

This Christian poem was originally published in November, 2019. The verses recount the final minutes of Jesus Christ’s earthly life at Calvary.

A few believers stand in fear

God’s only Son dies a cruel way

Sorrow fills hearts so near

What will we now do and say?

Hope dies on a barren hill

Spotlighting a bloody cross

What happens—can’t be God’s will

Witnessing a life, now lost

Darkness fills a burial room

Feeling cold and forlorn

Sitting as an empty tomb

From here, hope is reborn

The sun rises on Easter morn

God’s Son fulfills His promise

Glorious Resurrection sets the norm

Even for a single, doubting Thomas

The greatest story ever told

We drop to a knee and pray

God’s action, never so bold

Victorious Christ, the final say

Just in Case

Posted on January 24, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From James 4:6: “But He gives all the more grace; therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'”

Our Creator’s divine plan

Offers fullest, living grace

Giving patience, just in case

When running life’s anxious race

Our Lord shares forgiveness

Relationships need healing

Forgiving sin, just in case

When each day seems freewheeling

Heaven’s Father, sharing peace

Imperfect lives needing change

Trimming each branch, just in case

When roaming lost on God’s range

God shares His timely wisdom

From Heaven, He sees us fall

Touching our hand, just in case

When we need His hope-filled call

**Photo by Dominika Roseclay on Pexels.com**

From John 15:1-2: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit He prunes to make it bear more fruit.”

River of Life

Posted on January 23, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 92:12-15: “The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

**Photo by Johannes Rapprich on Pexels.com**

River of life, unceasing in its travels

Mysteries of life, shall ever unravel

From heavenly source, cascades living water

Shaping clay, molded by Creation’s potter

When ultimate challenges travel too high

Overcoming all odds, courage one’s ally

Life’s purpose, taking self far from safety’s home

Discovering meaning, hidden catacombs

Fate knocking, invisible hand clearly seen

Traveling waters, transparent with routine

Years continue to advance, filled with Lord’s grace

Breathing enduring joy, from life’s timeless chase

Life’s sunset glimmers, over cloudless skyline

Looking back, years richer than any gold mine

Mysteries of life, eternally fulfilled

River of life, journey which only God builds

From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “Our bodies may age, but we get old only if we choose to do so–attitude is what makes the difference.”

Always Believe (Elfchen #42)

Posted on January 22, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

His Duty

Judge

Not others

Leaving with God

His righteous, merciful hand

Unbending

His Way

Follow

God’s path

Thirsty in spirit

Quenched by Living Water

Righteousness

**Photo by Nick Bondarev on Pexels.com**

His Blessings

Growing

In Grace

Believe His promises

Faith matures, waiting for

Christ

Ready and Able

Posted on January 21, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From John 15:4-5: “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.”

**Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com**

Sometimes in life, failure knocking

Darkest times, odds stacked against us

God always, ready and able

His greatness, witness Glory’s plus

Heaven’s Father never ceases

Life’s moments of weakness erased

God always, ready and able

Strengthened, with His sweetest foretaste

Abraham’s Sarah, doubts the Lord

Blessing comes with birth of a boy

God always, ready and able

His covenant, flowing with joy

Hebrew slaves hunger for freedom

Moses feels uncertain, with fear

God always, ready and able

Israel now freed, while He steers

Toiling and sweating in darkness

Accomplish little on our own

God always, ready and able

His hope and peace, faith’s firm backbone

Coming to the Lord, trusting Him

Follow His path, at life’s crossroads

God always, ready and able

Willing to lift burdensome loads

From Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Winter’s Repose

Posted on January 20, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Luca Chiandoni on Pexels.com**

Winter’s white blanket covers frozen land

Sheltering nature’s glory until spring

Arctic-fed winds seem to blow from glaciers

Sleeping quietly, life conceals its zing

Northernmost Great Lakes transform skies to gray

Flying above, geese enjoy winter’s fling

Small ponds reflect from thick, icy mirrors

Pausing all around, boldness waits for spring

Ancient trees appear to wait in repose

Ignoring life’s deep freeze, buds holding out

Nature’s winter rest, preparing for spring

Arriving tonight, snowstorm’s final shout

Never to worry, winter fades away

Coming on schedule, spring colors each day

**Photo by Matthias Cooper on Pexels.com**

Father’s Blueprint (Haiku Series #118)

Posted on January 19, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

His Word

Reading the Bible

Discover truth and wisdom—

God’s shadow lengthens

**Photo by Eduardo Braga on Pexels.com**

Nourishment

Walking with the Lord

Spirit enters heart and soul—

Tasting Bread of Life

**Photo by Katerina Holmes on Pexels.com**

Our Salvation

Sinful nature breathes

Separates us from our God—

Jesus builds a bridge

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Love

Mission

Submission

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His Duty

His Way

His Blessings

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His Word

Nourishment

Our Salvation

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