From My Journal (3/26)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

War never completely brings eternal peace as there is always another battlefield waiting in the wings.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated March 26)

Frederick Douglass Quotes

Photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels.com

It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.

Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter one’s thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist.

Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was an American social reformer, abolitionist, and statesman.  He used his influential voice during the early years of the civil rights movement for African-Americans.

Elements of Persuasion (Haiku Series #370)

Patience

Darkness of morning

Massive thunderstorm gathers—

Waiting light of peace

Transition

Nighttime without joy

Storm’s anger now exhausted—

Brilliant sunrise

Answers

Today’s windy breath

Questions about tomorrow—

Navigating hope

From My Journal (3/24)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

Few things in life are as encouraging as Hope.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated March 24)

Mason Cooley Quotes

Photo by Robert Forever Ago on Pexels.com

Every day begins with an act of courage and hope; getting out of bed.

Reality is the name we give to our disappointments.

Mason Cooley (1927-2002) was an American professor.  As an aphorist, he was known for his witty expressions, which articulated accepted truths about life.

Changes in Publishing Schedule

Photo by Polina u2800 on Pexels.com

Big Sky Buckeye has been growing since its inception back in October, 2018.  My enthusiasm for writing continues to fulfill the frequency of its posts.

Lately, I’ve been falling behind in keeping up with readers’ comments shared on my posts.  In addition, I want to devote more time for reading and commenting on other bloggers’ sites.  This interaction with readers and writers is essential for my own personal journey.

I have decided to make changes in the frequency of my daily posts.  Instead of posting each day, Big Sky Buckeye will feature posts on alternating days of each week.

This week’s posts will be published on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.  The following week’s posts will be published on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  This alternating bi-weekly schedule will continue in the coming weeks.

I appreciate each of you so very much.  God’s peace be with you all.

Through God’s Love

From 1 John 4:9-10:  “God’s love was revealed among us in this way:  God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com

Lost in darkest wilderness

Uncertain where to turn

Truth’s light marked with God’s love

Finding hope’s blessed return

 

Sky above filling with light

Destiny of Christ’s gift

Assurance of God’s love

Trusting, no longer adrift

 

Every breath of Spirit’s grace

Heaven’s light to behold

Radiance of God’s love

Removing sinner’s blindfold

 

Together at Calvary

Who can be against man?

Forgiveness through God’s love

Knowing from where light began

 

Every heart redirected

Strengthened from faithful light

Steadfast stream of God’s love

Redeeming on mercy’s flight

 

Photo by Marcus Murphy on Pexels.com

From Romans 5:3-5:  “And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

From My Journal (3/22)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

Christian faith is nurtured with the infinite love of God.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated March 22)

Richard Sibbes Quote

Photo by Brett Jordan on Pexels.com

No less a person than God is needed to assure us of God’s love.

From 1 John 4:9-10:  “God’s love was revealed among us in this way:  God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Richard Sibbes (1577-1635) was an Anglican theologian and a Calvanist.

Trivia’s Facts and More (3/21)

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

You leave home, take three left turns, and return home.  Who are the two masked men waiting for you?  (Hint:  America’s pastime)

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

The insect world is filled with unusual creatures, but one category of them includes a carnivorous selection of silent hunters, who are almost stealth-like in their tactics.  These insects are sometimes called assassin bugs.

Here are a few interesting facts about assassin bugs:

  • Family:  Reduviidae
  • Size:  Length varies from a few millimeters to several centimeters 
  • Predatory behavior:  Capture and subdue other insects
  • Global environment:  All continents except for Antarctica

Assassin bugs use a hunting strategy that is based upon ambush tactics.  They hunt a wide variety of prey, ranging from the smallest aphids to caterpillars.

These bugs blend in with the surrounding environment as they patiently wait for their next victim.  These ingenious hunters possess piercing-sucking mouth parts.  A needle-like stylet is their weapon of choice.

Assassin bugs live in a variety of environments, ranging from deserts to rain forests to woodlands to urban gardens.  They are sometimes discovered by humans on plants, under rocks, among leaves, on tree trunks, and hidden in ground cover.  Their camouflage colors of browns and greens provide unsuspecting cover.  Other bugs feature vibrant reds and blacks, which alert predators to their toxicity.  

Their strong raptorial fore legs allow for grasping and holding prey firmly.  The stylet injects a cocktail of poisonous venom to paralyze the victim.  Additional enzymes liquefy the prey’s internal tissues.  The assassin bug proceeds to suck up the victim’s insides for nourishment–leaving only an empty husk.

Assassin bugs are relatively harmless to humans.  Discomfort from a bite usually lessens in a few hours or days.  Their main predators include birds, spiders, lizards, and even some small mammals.

There are over 7,000 species worldwide.  The photo gallery features a small collection of assassin bugs found in the United States.

Types of assassin bugs.  Top left and moving clockwise:  black corsair, eastern bloodsucking conenose, jagged ambush bug, leafhopper assassin bug, orange assassin bug, pennsylvania assassin bug, pale green ASSASSIN bug, north america wheel bug, masked hunter.  (All images courtesy of Pinterest)

 

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

The umpire and the catcher (from the game of baseball).