Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Destined for Nowhere

Posted on February 22, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

man wearing black hoodie standing on concrete pavement at night

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Life seems to intercept my best plans

Always leaving me with empty hands

Been knocked down more times than most

Perhaps, I should migrate toward the coast

Yet, I still survive most days, somehow

Rising again from the bloody canvas—Pow!

Standing alone, a battered warrior of one

Others followed promises to a faded sun

Every day delivers a fresh, new battle

Each minute of every hour, embattled

Trying to stand taller for a view

No time to rest, until I’m through

Life serves up more lessons to inhale

Ocean’s tides never wait for a gale

In my youth, destined for great fame

My dreams shattered, life now so lame

Standing in the middle of “Nowhere”

Why should I even bother to care?

photo of woman in floral dress sitting alone on a log by the beach overlooking the horizon

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Haiku Series #58 (Life)

Posted on February 21, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

Riding Free

Riding my Harley

Opening the throttle wide—

Where’s Easy Rider?

man wearing black leather jacket riding cruiser motorcycle on road

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No More War

Peace around the world

Church bells proclaiming His joy—

Wars gone forever

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Togetherness

We need each other

Standing in community—

Never sail alone

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Five More Minutes

Posted on February 20, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

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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!

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Elfchen Series #10 (With God)

Posted on February 18, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

Restoration

Relationships

Rocky road

Husband and wife

God’s love conquers all

Reconciliation

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Through God

Prayer

Spiritually grounded

Through God’s Word

Holding fast with Jesus

Amen

closed eyed man holding his face using both of his hands

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Togetherness

Hope

Take action

Share with others

Through faith in God

Life

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Monday Memories: Morning Prayer

Posted on February 17, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

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Morning arrives quietly with much on one’s mind

Reaching out to the Father, with a prayer to find

Psalms surrounding one’s inner soul with a frame

Blessing God the Father, blessing His Holy name

Thoughts move to life’s trials, several filled with sin

Asking the Lord for patience and forgiveness again

The Lord redeems this wayward life from the Pit

Seeking to be closer to Him, finding a place to sit

God fills all with His steadfast love and praise

Helping everyone make it through life’s maze

The Lord is merciful, gracious, and forgiving

Praying to Him deepens a person with living

This time of prayer offers much humbleness to the Lord

Slow to anger and abounding with so much love in store

A prayerful moment prepares a heart with much to say

Spending moments with God, like a potter molding clay

From James 5:16: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”

Total Surrender

Posted on February 16, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

From Romans 6:4: “Therefore we have been buried with Him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”

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Are we truly walking in Christ?

With a new life, born again

Follow Jesus, He paid our price

True sanctification will come

Only from burial of an old life

Known as “white funeral” to some

Baptized into Christ, the Holy Son

Baptized into His death

With His death, victory is won

Through the confirmed Resurrection

We humbly come to a Holy God

His defining purpose, brings reflection

God is leading, always out front

Facing trying times of adversity

Our duty shall be, always to confront

Come to almighty and loving God

Sanctify a promise with the Father

God’s will be done, by His rod

When Christ forever defeats the Cross

His lasting, living Resurrection offers

“Walking in newness of life,” without loss

To Jesus, surrender these sinful ways

Hear Him, accept Him, follow Him

Ask for His forgiveness, without delay

Mighty God of angel armies leads

His righteousness marches with us

Filling a hungry soul, His Word feeds

Freed from sin, obedient to God

Wages of sin only bring death

Accept Jesus, He overcomes all odds

man in red crew neck sweatshirt photography

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From the words of Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher Oswald Chambers: “No one enters the experience of entire sanctification without going through a “white funeral”–the burial of the old life.”

Haiku Series #57 (With God)

Posted on February 15, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

Our Refuge

God’s Grace shielding us

Dark storms suddenly appear—

Anchored on His rock

brown rocky mountain under white cloudy sky

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Take Action

Hearing our Lord’s Word

Stay in touch with faithfulness—

True doer who acts

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Salvation

Seeking the true light

Arriving at Calvary—

Jesus Christ saves us

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Snowbound

Posted on February 14, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

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Bright afternoon blues began to darken

Winter’s cold blanket prepares to descend

Snowflakes twirling and dancing, at first glance

Ol’ Man Winter, with a message to send

Grandfather clock proclaims each passing hour

Intricate flakes, magnified in their size

Winter’s harsh intensity growls and howls

Like a hungry wolf, seeking his one prize

Outside, barren landscape feels overwhelmed

Pristine white now nature’s color tonight

Modest cabin remains toasty and warm

Ancient kitchen stove consumes wood all night

Staying indoors, cozy and safe

Snowy frenzy roars, no ending in sight

Minutes turn to hours, forwarding to days

Snowbound but home, never a hopeless plight

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Grounded Through God

Posted on February 12, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

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Life’s trials spinning around us

Challenging our unsteady beliefs

Grounded through God, we must trust

Bringing His Grace, granting us relief

Spiritually grounded, seeking refuge

Walking along God’s chosen path

Life chooses from God’s menu

Always correct, computes God’s math

Prayer time, our Father’s time

Encouraging one another

God delivers a new paradigm

His plan replaces all others

Sincerely humbling our hearts

Hearing God’s truthful Word

Our Lord proclaims a new start

Actions can no longer be deferred

Grounded through God

Anchoring to His cornerstone

He banishes the Enemy’s fraud

With our Lord, never alone

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From Ecclesiates 4:12: “And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Monday Memories: Falling . . .

Posted on February 10, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

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Falling . . .

Yet Again!

Hiding from a hail of enemy fire on a blood-filled ridge

Losing a fallen comrade during a Korean winter long ago

Falling . . .

Yet Again!

Abandoning a radiant, young bride on a stormy night

Realizing now this decision was such a selfish error

Falling . . .

Yet Again!

Failing to slow down at a dangerous, sharp highway curve

Seeing a limp, lifeless body slumped in the passenger seat

Falling . . .

Yet Again!

Watching as unforgiving cancer strikes down a loved one

Wishing to stand in her corner and take away all of the pain

Falling . . .

Yet Again!

Hitting the streets looking for a chance to work again

Struggling to comprehend life without a worthy job

Falling . . .

Yet Again!

Drinking another “Jack Daniels” very late at night

Feeling despondent week after week with no life

Waking up . . .

Dropping to my knees!

Thumbing through a Bible

Finding Psalm 18

I love you, O Lord, my strength

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer,

my God, my rock in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

No longer falling!

The Scripture in bold type comes from Psalm 18.

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Riding Free

No More War

Togetherness

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Restoration

Through God

Togetherness

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Our Refuge

Take Action

Salvation

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