Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Monday Memories: Stormy Seas

Posted on June 22, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

This poem was originally published in July, 2019, and it was inspired from artwork in a hotel room while traveling out west.

**Photo by Ave Calvar Martinez on Pexels.com**

Most days, life experiences calming seas

Witnessing each moment, steady to see

God provides for us, through it all

Picking us up, even when we fall

Life moves along at its normal pace

Taking for granted, God’s free grace

Then, stormy seas appear in the west

Bringing worried looks, never the best

Life’s ship now encounters the storm

Feeling the sea’s fury, totally reborn

The storm smothers this helpless ship

Causing sure footing to slide and slip

Panic and worry fill helpless hearts

Asking God, may we try a restart?

Our boat takes on water, brisk and cold

Overwhelming our spirit, no longer bold

Has our Lord forsaken us at this time?

Sinking ship, as faith no longer climbs

Across the tempest sea, comes a voice

Calming the storm and sea, His choice

Our Lord and Savior walks over to thee

Releasing the terror caused by the sea

In an instant, the dark storm is gone

Restoring faith and hope, now strong

God prompts us to maintain our hope

Remaining faithful, steadies our boat

Calm or stormy seas, look straight ahead

Accepting God’s grace, always best said

Thank you Lord for being with us each day

Reminding us, Your Word points the way

A Father and So Much More

Posted on June 21, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

This is a very special guest post. I received a wonderful Father’s Day message from my wife earlier today. In her own right, Mrs. Big Sky Buckeye is a talented writer who has crafted her share of poetry and other writings. The photos used are from the WordPress library.

. . . FIRST

You are their son, and they are very proud

to point you out from amid the crowd.

Your life is founded on what God has done,

and you share the love of His only Son.

. . . AND

You are my husband, step dad and grandpa.

You love, and comfort, and help with awe.

Our life together is based on God’s grace,

and together show that in every case.

. . . BETTER

You are a father to three special girls.

They are second to none in the world.

You gave them guidance, love and care each day,

and you shared their interests along the way.

. . . BEST

You are a father, the teacher all need.

All can see God’s love in you, indeed.

As father, you are still one of God’s best.

With you in our family, we are so blessed.

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

Living Water

Posted on June 21, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Alexander Zvir on Pexels.com**

What dark depths dwell in our lives?

Sinful nature, lost like sheep

Hearts fill with lasting troubles

Seeing life’s well, much too deep

Returning without promise

Jacob’s well cannot quench thirst

Our parched lips, where’s our relief?

Sinful souls, ready to burst

God’s Grace, in living water

Blessing in truth and spirit

Gushing with eternal life

Drink deeply, never fear it

Who will bring us this water?

We look, but the well is deep

Jesus draws living water

Saving His lost, thirsty sheep

From John 4:11-15: “The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?’ Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.’ The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.'”

Embracing His Hope

Posted on June 20, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

Gleaned from some recent entries in my journal, this poem serves as a reflection of life as seen through many of the blog posts which I have recently read.

**Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com**

Our lost, troubled world

Rocked by oppression

Arriving overhead

Dark skies ask questions

God’s living Word shouts

Straighten our actions

Fueling empty faith

Healing infractions

Our Father shares His peace

Do you now feel it?

Discouraged hearts climb

Do you now see it?

From lofty heavens

God’s work perseveres

Lasting hope dries up

Years of tear-filled fears

Reminded daily

Our Lord’s grace-filled truth

His presence proclaims

Lasting light of truth

Navigating storms

Embracing His hope

Never stop dreaming

Through God’s telescope

Life’s Snapshots (Elfchen Series #19)

Posted on June 19, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

Change

Overwhelmed

Life’s pace

Quickens and races

Time to reorder life’s

Priorities

**Photo by Polina Zimmerman on Pexels.com**

Reaching Out

Lurking

Anxiety, fear

Future clouded over

What will tomorrow bring?

Hope

Routines

Morning

With coffee

Calm, instrumental music

Preparing for another day

Ready

**Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com**

The German-inspired poetry style of Elfchen (or Elevenie) contains five lines of poetic verse, usually without the use of rhyming verses. A total of 11 words are used with a sequence of one, two, three, and four words before ending with a single word in the final verse.

Treasures as Friends

Posted on June 18, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

This poem was inspired by Lisa’s post where she shares a series of brilliant and encouraging quotes about friendship. Take a moment and visit her post at The Road Back to Life.

Destiny unites true friends

Transforming life with its spark

Sincere friendship fills two hearts

Never alone in the dark

Never take friends for granted

Honesty, laughter, and tears

Staying connected insures

Treasures shared over the years

Sharing life’s pain, healing wounds

Long-lasting friendship endures

Glue holding life together

Truly caring, reassures

Always count on each other

Offering silent support

“Forever minutes” share love

Caring never falling short

Life travels through forest trails

Friends together, all these years

Brings us home through darkest times

Greatest love when friendship cheers

From Proverbs 18:24: “Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.”

Taste His Goodness

Posted on June 18, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

David praises the greatness of God through Scripture found in Psalm 145, and these verses inspire this poem.

Each day life seems too normal

Monotonous and mundane

Beautiful bundle arrives

Hallmarks of our Lord’s domain

Blessing us each precious day

Spontaneous surprises

Praising our Father’s great name

Goodness comes in all sizes

Reaching depths of every sea

Loving each generation

Eclipsing highest heavens

Honoring God’s creation

Awesome and vast deeds come forth

Witnessing God’s mighty acts

Glorious splendor singing

Filling what life truly lacks

God’s everlasting kingdom

Harvesting abundant gifts

Faithful words stir greatest feats

Balancing life’s slips and shifts

Singing of God’s righteousness

Showering with compassion

Tasting His Holy goodness

Remembering His passion

Blessing His name forever

Amen

From Psalm 145:8: “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

Life’s Screenshots (Haiku Series #82)

Posted on June 16, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

Hurry

Blazing summer heat

Laboring against the clock—

Melting ice cream cone

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

Morning Ritual

New day beginning

Morning coffee aroma—

Good to the next cup

Try Again

Internet gateway

Needing a secure password—

How does p@$$word sound?

Pursuing Wisdom

Posted on June 14, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

From the words of Latin priest and theologian Jerome of Stridon: “Love Holy Scripture, and wisdom will love you. Love her, and she will keep you. Honor her, and she will keep you.”

Pursuing wisdom over a lifetime

Gathering, enriching a single life

Applying to everyday challenges

Loving Scripture, supplanting darkest strife

Seeking wisdom with a hunger for more

Searching in the truthful and proper place

Persevering with consistency now

Tasting God’s Holy Word and loving grace

Sustaining the tree of life, holding fast

Following a righteous path, leads to peace

Finding God’s wisdom, life’s only true wealth

Blessing His wisdom, sustains life’s new lease

Trusting these blessed fruits of God’s wisdom

Turning evil away, aligned with Him

Refreshing mind and body, healing flesh

Respecting God’s Word, singing a new hymn

Treating our neighbors better than ourselves

Trusting, loving, supporting each other

Walking together with God, hand in hand

Partnering with each sister and brother

From Proverbs 3:13: “Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding,”

Hand in Hand

Posted on June 13, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

From Matthew 14:25:27: “And early in the morning He [Jesus] came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”

Dreaded Covid arrives, knocking at her door

Daughter takes refuge on a hospital floor

Fear challenges faith during this trying hour

Daughter and mother seek God’s love and power

Through their journey of faith, walking together

God steps forward, quieting stormy weather

Hand in hand with God, crossing scary tightrope

His love sustains their faith, resurrecting hope

Mother and daughter’s prayers, faithfully roam

This hellish scourge flees at last, sending her home

Singing praises of thanksgiving, with glad hearts

Walking hand in hand, their life journey restarts

Kneeling before a Holy, mighty Father

Feeling the Lord’s love, like a great grandfather

**Photo by Wendy van Zyl on Pexels.com**

From Psalm 92:1-2: “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.”

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Change

Reaching Out

Routines

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Hurry

Morning Ritual

Try Again

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