Morning’s cup of Joe
Universal love language—
Sunrise shares her joy
Cup of blessed bliss
Delicious meets liquid gold—
Freshly brewed comfort
Sharing cup with friends
Rendezvous pouring kindness—
Life’s simple moments
College basketball star and high school majorette
Growing up under Montana’s brilliant Big Sky
Destined to raise this band of brothers as their sons
Rearing five boys, better than any Fourth of July
Household of boys born over a span of twelve years
Perhaps their father dreams of a basketball team
While their mother nurtures with love and care
Quintet of brothers’ thoughts filling with biggest dreams
Brothers grow up, facing life’s many challenges
Inspired by a father with amazing courage
Battling back from near-fatal car crash in his youth
His steadfast work ethic always encourages
These driven brothers discover their niche at school
Excelling with their academics in the classroom
Competition fuels a welcome outlet through sports
Lives mature too quickly, future destinies zoom
This family story would never be complete
The boys’ mother remembers God’s lovely bouquet
These five brothers always cherish their one sister
Believe it or not, she’s born on Valentine’s Day
This poem gives you a quick glimpse into my childhood family. Growing up under Montana’s Big Sky was a blessing for my brothers and sister. The memories will last a lifetime.
Originally published July, 2020.
From Philippians 2:5-7: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness.”
Chained to sin’s wilderness
Faith missing what matters
Detached from Father’s love
Like sheep, mankind scatters
Father responds with love
Relationship desired
Son of God empties self
Divine plan now hard-wired
Born in human likeness
Messiah shares His love
Father’s trusted guidance
Promised grace from above
Given name of Jesus
Mercy’s love now descends
Servant becomes Shepherd
Father’s own heart transcends
Calvary’s death vanquished
Jesus forever reigns
Every knee shall now bend
Father’s love breaks each chain
From Philippians 2:9-11: “Therefore God exalted him even more highly and gave him the name that is above every other name, so that at the name given to Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
For the final Saturday of each month, a different and unique feature will be published. Today’s narrative takes a look at some of the history behind the Big Sky Buckeye blog. Saturday’s regular feature, “Trivia’s Facts and More,” will return next week.
Welcome to “Behind the Scenes.” Today, we have returned to visit with Richard, the creative voice behind the writing journey of Big Sky Buckeye.
Welcome back Richard. It is a pleasure visit with you again.
It’s been awhile since we talked with you. Perhaps you would like to acquaint new and familiar readers with the history behind your blog’s name of Big Sky Buckeye.
When I decided to begin my writing and blogging journey back in the fall of 2018, I had not thought much about the name for the blog. But an idea came to me rather quickly.
The headwaters of my writing journey were nestled under Montana’s Big Sky where I grew up and lived for most of my life.
Much of my writing has been inspired from the endless landscapes of the Treasure State (another nickname for Montana). Indeed, nature’s gifts have been shared countless times through my writing.
I arrived in Ohio about 16 years ago. Colleen, my bride, convinced me to transform myself into a Buckeye. So I’ve learned to appreciate the Buckeye state.
Each week in the fall during the college football season, we have both been engaged and enthusiastic fans of The Ohio State Buckeyes. Nearby nature parks have provided opportunities for my writing and photography.
Here are some final poetic thoughts:
Montana’s Big Sky
Filled with memories
Headwaters of treasures
Writing’s freedom roams
Ohio’s Buckeye
Making memories
Inspired now to publish
Writing’s treasures roam
We have appreciated spending time with Richard from Big Sky Buckeye. Look for more “Behind the Scenes” in future postings.
Bearing
Virgin Mary
Riding blessed donkey
Birthplace beneath Bethlehem’s star
Messiah
Celebration
King’s arrival
Riding blessed donkey
Betrayal, Calvary’s empty darkness
Shattered
Redemption’s
Victorious grace
Riding blessed donkey
From manger to cross
Savior
All images courtesy of Pinterest.
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.
Dawn now arriving
Stars fading above
Gentle morning breeze
First light’s breath of love
Moonlight vanishing
Shadows fade away
Landscape awakens
Sunrise finds its way
New day beginning
Ready to engage
Consistent rhythm
Nature turning page
Daylight now stirring
Tree leaves splashed with dew
Lofty choir warms up
Songbirds out of view
Harmony singing
Each familiar tune
Daybreak’s dance ending
Soon comes afternoon
From 1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.”
Many pursue worldly riches
Studying today’s balance sheet
Counting every single dollar
Sadly, sailing away from God’s fleet
Darkness harbors each earthly thought
Bending to desire . . . needing more
Chasing abundance without peace
Another day posts wealth’s losing score
Jesus speaks with Father’s wisdom
Holding eternity’s treasure
Teaching man to follow His light
Salvation’s gift fills mercy’s ledger
Enlightened spirit today sails
Sharing deposits of His grace
Leaving sinful journey behind
Jesus navigates faith to hope’s place
From Mark 6:35-37: “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for My sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?”
Spending time at home
Relaxing bounty of peace—
Worldly noise can wait
Seeding with patience
Harvest’s bounty shall come forth—
First blossom appears
Praising second chance
Bountiful reconnection—
Restoring friendship
Selected verses from Psalm 122 bring inspiration for this poem. America, as a nation, needs healing and reconciliation. The two verses of Scripture take us on a journey from where we have been to where we wish to go.
From Jeremiah 6:14: “They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.”
Praying for peace in our city
Loving Jesus takes center stage
Welcoming peace into all hearts
Hearing love of God over rage
Listening to cries of anguish
Walking with Jesus protects all
Showing empathy for neighbors
Sharing His peace at every call
Stepping forward with trusting words
Treating these wounds with Jesus’ care
Saying “peace, peace” with conviction
Lifting hands high, love fills the air
Standing and feeding His lost flock
Replacing discord, Jesus comes
Proclaiming a new dawn today
Following Grace-filled, beating drum
From Isaiah 57:19: “Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord; and I will heal them.”
Originally published June, 2020.
From Genesis 1:1-2: “When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.”
Before mountains ever brought forth
Emptiness waits for its time
Then, Creator formed life at last
Dynamics endlessly rhyme
Nightly dance follows daily song
Morning’s sunrise shall renew
Creator’s everlasting time
Earth’s serenity in view
Delight in counting each minute
Time’s destiny in His hands
Creator’s faithful perfection
Ceaseless, unyielding commands
Dwelling place for generations
Harmony’s heavenly home
Creator’s time never stands still
Perpetual peace shall roam
Compassion breathes from time’s oneness
Love filling each endeavor
Our Creator’s Infinity
Forever joins forever
From Psalm 90:2: “Before the mountains were brought forth or ever You had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.”
Big Sky Buckeye 