Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Joy’s Game Changer (Third Sunday of Advent)

Posted on December 11, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

From Isaiah 35:10: “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Facing constant waves

Overwhelming despair

Father seeking to save

Eternal grace cares

Bethlehem manger

Looking beyond today

Savior, joy’s game changer

Mercy’s light conveys

Hope breathes, Son of Man

King of Kings, Prince of Peace

God opens His divine plan

Joy’s new centerpiece

Angels’ choir deploys

Always singing above

Reflections full of joy

Peace filling with love

Scaling highest slopes

Locating lasting peace

Rebuilding life’s new hope

Joy shall never cease

Peace restored, anew

Joy’s steady, beating drum

Tomorrow’s hope accrues

Salvation to come

With lyrics composed by renowned English hymn writer, Issac Watts, “Joy to the World” has become the most published Christmas hymn in North America. These verses were penned in 1719, and they share an interpretation from Psalm 98. In this Advent season, the hymn holds a special place with its emphasis on the joy we have been patiently waiting for.

John Newton Quote

Posted on December 11, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com**

Here is the humble confidence of faith–that what God begins shall not miscarry and those whom He leads shall not be lost.

From Mark 10:43-45: “But it is not so among you; instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.”

John Newton (1725-1807) was an English pastor who also was a writer of several hymns, including the beloved “Amazing Grace.” His early life is filled with contrasts, when compared to his later life. He served as a ship’s captain during the slave trade, but later renounced his work after his conversion to Christianity. He became an outspoken opponent of the slave trade later in his life.

God with Us (Elfchen Series #130)

Posted on December 9, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

Renewing

God’s

Magnificent creation

Praising every sunrise

Worshipping His blessed peace

Sustaining

**Photo by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi on Pexels.com**

Affirming

God’s

Sustaining spirit

Sunset never closes

Reaching for tomorrow’s hope

Awakening

Cleansing

God’s

Awakening message

Endless joy sings

Mercy delivers His love

Forgiving

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.

John Calvin Quote

Posted on December 9, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Kristina Paukshtite on Pexels.com**

Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness.

From Psalm 55:22: “Redeem Israel, O God, out of all its troubles.”

Seeking Christian Soldiers

Posted on December 7, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

From 1 Samuel 18:14-16: “David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. When Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, for it was he who marched out and came in leading them.”

Marching upright, heaven’s sacred drum

Accepting His will, faithfully come

Shattering evil’s empty façade

Navigating from darkness, with God

Trusting His hands, molding every heart

Following Spirit, renewing start

Searching heavens, finding lasting peace

Living in righteousness, never cease

Leaving sinful ways, Jesus leading

Steering life’s mission, now proceeding

Heeding His call, taking faith’s high road

Promising light, Lord’s mercy bestowed

Looking past Bethlehem, blood-stained cross

Seeing empty tomb, enemy’s loss

Building up redemption’s faithful walls

Touching another soul, God’s grace calls

Seeking Christian soldiers, through His Word

Lasting victory, no longer blurred

Stepping on ashes, filled with untruth

Marching with Christ, believing His truth

**Photo by u0410u043bu0435u043au0441u0435u0439 u0412u04on Pexels.com**

From 2 Timothy 2:2-3: “What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

Harry Ironside Quote

Posted on December 7, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

The flame of testimony burns brightly when fed with the oil of grace.

From Psalm 23:5-6: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Harry Ironside (1876-1951) was a Canadian-born pastor, theologian, and Christian author. This renowned Bible teacher wrote over 100 books, booklets, and pamphlets.

Monday Memories: Countless Blessings

Posted on December 5, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

Psalm 106:1: “Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.”

Photo by Pedro Sandrini on Pexels.com

Life’s journey hurries along

Blessing with joy and her song

Remembering His blessings each day

Our mighty God molds us like clay

God crafts His creation with love

Offering His blessings from above

Rising from cold, darkened tomb

Christ restores light to every room

Filling with Spirit, no more strife

Savior extends His bread of life

Hiding, dark enemy ready to harm and take

Christ’s way conquers, with love He makes

Son of Man submits to our Holy Lord

Paying for sin’s ransom, so climb aboard

Being gracious for everything that shines

God, Savior, family, home, and love so fine

Life’s possessions are meager, they are

Blessings from God will carry us, truly far

Pause and consider, dropping to knees and bow

Praising God for infinite blessings, do it now

Psalm 29:11: May the Lord give strength to His people! May the Lord bless His people with peace.”

Originally published August, 2019 with revisions December, 2022.

John Wilbur Chapman Quote

Posted on December 5, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

It is not the ship in the water but the water in the ship that sinks it. So it is not the Christian in the world but the world in the Christian that constitutes the danger.

From Galatians 5:16-17: “Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.”

American-born John Wilbur Chapman (1859-1918) was a Christian evangelist who traveled much of the United States and the world. He was influenced by the preaching of D. L. Moody as well as the ministry of Billy Sunday.

Peace Yet to Come (Second Sunday of Advent)

Posted on December 4, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

From Micah 5:3-5: “Therefore He shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of His kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they shall live secure, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth, and He shall be the one of peace.”

**Photo by Daniel Coello on Pexels.com**

From root of Jesse

Rises spirit of man’s hope

Filling believers with peace

Climbing up faith’s slope

Called to one body

Newborn King shall share His peace

Extending bridges to God

Writing hope’s new lease

As children of God

Blessed be His peacemakers

Filled with Father’s righteous peace

Hope’s new groundbreakers

Future hope muffled

Reconciled through Father’s grace

Reclaiming merciful peace

Bethlehem’s birthplace

Hope’s light filled with peace

Easing burdens of others

Shattering sinful darkness

For every brother

Creation’s spirit

Promise of restoration

Foretaste of peace yet to come

Hope’s new foundation

Another beloved Advent hymn is “What Child is This.” The lyrics were crafted by English hymn writer and poet, William Chatterton Dix, in 1865. In 1871, the tune of a traditional English song, “Greensleeves,” was added to the lyrics. This hymn shares the spirit of peace, forever witnessed in the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Helen Keller Quote

Posted on December 4, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com**

Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

From Job 36:11: “If they listen and serve Him, they complete their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness.”

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Renewing

Affirming

Cleansing

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