Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Monday Memories: Making a Difference

Posted on September 23, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Every Monday, Big Sky Buckeye will edit and update a poem from December, 2018. This “Monday Memory” carries a great deal of significance because it salutes the hardworking staff at Buckeye Middle School in Columbus, Ohio. This was my final school assignment during the last nine years of a fulfilling teaching career.

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Anchoring the Southside on Parsons Avenue

Buckeye Middle School presents quite a view

Providing a safe, caring, and nurturing school

The dedicated staff is the definition of “cool”

Displaying patience despite the everyday grind

Everyone makes a big difference in all they find

Working as a team throughout the school year

They face many challenges with nothing to fear

Laboring patiently at their craft each and every day

All have chosen a worthy profession, they will say

Giving a great deal of themselves and even more

A humble and hardworking team has much in store

Saluting the Buckeye staff as heroes above the rest

Hats off to all of them for performing their very best!

Buckeye Middle School

Here is Buckeye Middle School!

Christ Prevails

Posted on September 22, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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From 1 Peter 2:24: “He himself bore our sins in His body on the Cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”

Chosen and precious in God’s sight

To believers, Christ’s Spirit brings Salvation

Jesus Christ turns darkness into light

Our faith’s chosen and precious cornerstone

Christ comes forward to redeem us

We can live by His bread alone

Jesus becomes our Holy, High Priest

Believe and never put to shame

God’s own Son takes His seat

Nonbelievers reject God’s Holy, chosen one

Christ prevails to become our Rock

Salvation goes through God’s Holy Son

Christ suffers mightily for His flock

Yet, He never commits any sin

Following God’s steps around the clock

Christ never waivers, He follows through

Entrusting Himself to His Heavenly Father

Bearing our sins, Resurrection’s glorious view

Our lives feel threatened with gloom

Jesus never ceases caring for us

Standing by, Christ prevents our doom

Jesus at our side, always a friend

Loving us with passion and intensity

Our opportunity for Salvation, God sends

Christ, the Good Shepherd, beckons us

No longer gone astray and lost

Christ’s body and blood heal us

The old, rugged cross stands tall

Freeing us from our endless sins

Washing us white, Salvation calls all

Living in bondage, forever in sin

Emancipation by Christ, paying the ransom

Accepting Christ, brings all believers in

From Luke 24:6: “Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.”

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60’s Rock America

Posted on September 21, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

astronaut standing beside american flag on the moon

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People recall the 60’s, a very “trendy” decade

Rocking America into a new era, never to fade

Momentous events and life transformations arrive

Creating a cultural revolution, just trying to survive

The youngest President ever elected in this land

Sending JFK with a new generation’s eager hands

President Kennedy challenges a waiting nation

Landing on the moon brings wonder and elation

Civil Rights for “all” people lights a hope-filled beam

Marching to Washington to hear “I Have a Dream”

Ford creates a flashy and stunning sports car

Rolling out the Mustang, best ‘lil pony by far

The British invade with innovative music to bring

Introducing the Beatles, their tunes endlessly sing

Southeast Asia slowly captures more of a nation’s time

Making Vietnam, a catalyst filling emotions that climb

Rock music festival invites all to a muddy field—Woodstock

Continuing to sing his top hits, Elvis Presley’s movies rock

Beautiful music and worthy films reach out to all

Singing and acting, Julie Andrews’ fills the call

Television comes into its own with new innovation

Viewing “The Fugitive” becomes a nation’s fixation

Assassinations tear through a nation, they sadly ring

Losing two Kennedy’s and Dr. King, forever will sting

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God’s Compass

Posted on September 18, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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From Psalm 51:3: “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.”

Lost soul in the wickedest valleys of life

Needing directions, take away this strife

Life’s transgressions mount, God knows them all

Living a life of denial, witnessing an arrogant fall

Every day takes one deeper and deeper into sin

Losing awareness, asking where have we been?

When born, God knows our sinful ways

Needing God to teach wisdom each day

Life continues to carry us on the very same road

Walking and falling, becomes frustrating and cold

God delivers His judgement, He feels justified

Viewing our sin-filled cravings, never satisfied

Life’s journey demands we find a different route

Using God’s compass, His directions carry clout

God brings deliverance, a better means to live

Declaring praise to our Lord, offerings to give

Another wayward life takes a detour from the Pit

Cleansing of sin, God’s road creates a better fit

God teaches an upright way, follow and trust

Purging all evil, washing white our sinful lust

God’s steadfast love delivers a redeeming route

Hearing God’s joy, His compass brings us about

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Haiku Series #21 (With God)

Posted on September 17, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Sunrise

Pre-dawn darkness fades

Inspiring sunrise arrives—

Feeling God’s presence

Comfort

Darkness surrounds me

Shadows of life overwhelm me—

God’s Word brings comfort

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Peace

Keep your life simple

Our complex world churns away—

Reach out to God’s peace

2019 September 16 Woods and Ridge 013

Monday Memories: Hilltop Hiker

Posted on September 16, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Here is another installment of Monday Memories where Big Sky Buckeye revisits a previously published poem. Enjoy this edited and updated poem from January, 2019.

Unforgiving winter weather abates with a sunny pause

Hiking on hills and trails will be today’s special cause

The hiker dresses warmly due to the windy, chilly air

Hoping that his stamina will endure without any cares

He looks prepared to attack a vigorous hour-long walk

Knowing later, his body could stumble on a way to balk

The wooded trails in their colorless winter hue

Appearing in a much different setting and view

A hasty, gray squirrel scurries among fallen logs

Searching for a yummy morsel to stash and hog

The shadows look friendly and different today

Walking these trails will seem more like play

The hiker’s pace remains steady and brisk

Feeling stronger, without bearing on a risk

More trekkers descend upon the challenging trails

Experiencing nature’s offering, not wanting to fail

The journey takes the hiker up the outer route

Seeing barren trees and fallen limbs all about

Nature provides a spiritual place for all to shine

Inspiring anyone who walks this wooded shrine

A youthful boy’s eyes search up a steep hill

Locating a solitary deer, brings a huge thrill

The pace of the hiker remains steady and true

Tackling the inner trail, he will soon be through

A previous homesite welcomes the hiker’s arrival

Imagining from years ago, a past family’s survival

The unaccompanied hiker finishes the trek again

Smiling, his robust body allows him to flash a grin

Learning, God’s Way

Posted on September 15, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

From 1 Thessalonians 4:1: “Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that, as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God (as, in fact, you are doing), you should do so more and more.”

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God blesses us with opportunities to learn

Viewing our sinful ways, brings Him concern

Our Lord assembles His flock to learn His law

Witnessing our errant behavior with many flaws

We are encouraged to learn about God’s Word

Humbling ourselves, embracing faith now stirred

God creates each of us with simple, blessed minds

Acquiring wisdom from His Word, we gladly find

Wayward hearts and lost souls run to seek God

Taking time to learn His righteousness, all nod

Pursuing life’s errant ways, lost will be one’s fate

Our heavenly Father gathers many on this date

Our Lord delivers honest and equal justice for all

Learning to contribute good for others, is our call

God possesses sovereignty over all things

Conveying His message, truth will ring

We learn about Christ, His righteous ways

Staying with us to the end of our long day

Christ brings forward promises to be kind

Praying each day for mercy from His mind

Christ teaches at the temple, seeing God’s way

Bringing forward His Father’s Words, to say

Christ learns obedience, His Father knows

Taking our sins to a bloody Cross, He goes

Step forward and accept our Lord and Savior

Learning a new way, praise God’s selfless favor

God’s Word encourages us to listen and learn

Calling out to sinners, all of us stop and turn

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Season to Season

Posted on September 14, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

From Ecclesiastes 3:1: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

depth of field photography of tulip flowers

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Life’s journey moves into another season

Advancing time, with its definite reasons

Memories of seasons, they forever last

Recalling God’s creation, from seasons past

Life renews each and every spring

Arriving now, robins begin to sing

Harsh, dark winter—absent for good

Sending nourishing rains, because God could

Spring’s greenery gives way to summer

Seeing color-filled blossoms, never a bummer

Gardens filling with color and shapes

Maturing crops, waiting for harvest’s date

With summer’s waning days, autumn arrives

Changing colors, bring another fall alive

Maples, oaks, and others astound us

Feeling cooler temperatures, without any fuss

Autumn exits too soon, winter approaches

Bundling up, frigid cold boldly encroaches

Snow deepens from another Arctic blast

Asking, how long will winter last?

God guides lives through each season

Bringing hope, never question His reason

Eventually, another season arrives once again

Witnessing God’s creation, He decides when

Each season fuels life’s humble needs

Living with God, offering glorious deeds

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Rain Quenches Thirst

Posted on September 12, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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From Mark 9:41: “For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.”

Our faithfulness calls God at night

Please send renewing rain, so bright

Rain clouds congregate over the woods

Moisture joyously arrives, as God could

Bringing life to Eden’s vast garden

God creates rain, no longer starving

Tiny drops journey towards the ground

Lightly splashing leaves, barely a sound

God refreshes His creation, starting new

Raining days and nights, never through

Elevate all acclamation in God’s sight

Restore His heritage and Holy might

God’s rain yields a harvest, bountiful

Blessing our empty lives, how beautiful

Nature receives food from God’s hand

Adding greener foliage, across the land

From the Heavens, flow God’s blessings

Bring sustaining rains to life’s settings

Dry, thirsty landscape welcomes the rain

Renews life’s spirit, while conquering pain

Ask God, to forgive sinful ways

He restores lives with rain today

Faithfully, God quietly satisfies nature’s thirst

Christ rises, paying our transgressions first

Though our shortcomings are always present

Quench our thirst Lord, Heavenly pleasant

Drink heartedly from the rushing rain

Experience God’s love, easing our pain

With His blessings, our cup overflows

God identifies our needs, here below

From Psalm 23:5: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

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Haiku Series #20 (With God)

Posted on September 11, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Lost

Lost in the darkness

God, please be with me always—

He lights a new way

yellow lantern near body of water during night

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Me

Long before I was born

God already knew about me—

He made me His own

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Love

A life shattered, lost

Feeling refreshing waters—

Transformed by God’s love

timelapse photography off water fountain

Photo by Gabriel Peter on Pexels.com

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Sunrise

Comfort

Peace

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Lost

Me

Love

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