Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Where is Hope?

Posted on February 24, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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The location of Hope County can’t be found on any maps

Perhaps hope resides in our caring hearts ready to tap

Last year’s drought

Brings misery and dried-up hope

Optimistic farmers seed spring crops with unwavering hope

A nearby processing plant

Will close soon with vanishing hope

Hurting families look to God for new hope

A nation’s inner fiber

Torn and ripped apart with faltering hope

Martin Luther King proclaims a message of rebuilding hope

A man sits despaired and forlorn

Being laid off with a future that offers spiritless hope

Receiving a new job brings praise to a God of immense hope

A crime-ridden neighborhood

Breathes each day with an absence of hope

Community spirit and love return with true hope

A charred Apollo spacecraft

Dashes an American moon journey with little hope

Neil Armstrong walks on the moon with restored hope

A scorned and forgotten child

Feels left out at school with fading hope

A passionate teacher smiles and brings refreshing hope

A middle-aged woman

Receives news that her body is filled with cancer and no hope

Prayers intercede filled with cancer-free and grace-filled hope

A sin-filled world

Awaits a Savior with never-ending hope

God sends His Son to deliver eternally-filled hope

Our world contains many places

Where hearts are filled with everlasting spirit and hope

Let’s never turn-off for a second our amazing hope

The Bible speaks a great deal about hope. Search for numerous examples such as from Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Everlasting Road

Posted on February 10, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

landscape photo of pathway between green leaf trees

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I am a solitary man traveling on an empty road

My life journey’s been an awfully heavy load

I yearn to walk a few more miles by the end of this day

My battered and worn shoes have so very much to say

I survive by myself after all of these long years

My past is filled with disappointments and tears

I have met few along this road who even say “hello”

My disheveled appearance keeps eyes looking low

I look ahead to what this day will offer to me

My weakened eyes make it challenging to see

I would welcome a hot meal and a warm shower

My bag of jerky will need to nourish for hours

I feel my energy running low on fuel just the same

My mind tries to stay alert as if playing a new game

I wish to stop by this large sycamore tree

My eyes can rest under its shade for free

I will rest and relax in peace along this quiet road

My journey will soon be finished, yet I never slowed

I will continue my peaceful trek down a lonesome route

My days are numbered, but I remain strong and stout

I am ready to meet my Lord on His righteous terms

His everlasting spirit brings much for me to affirm

Walk of Faith

Posted on February 9, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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From the Bible: For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

Public baptism by immersion occurs on this date

Young girl reveals her guided walk to faith’s gate

Scripture speaks of baptism at every turn

From this girl, we all have so much to learn

Believe, be baptized, and continue to be brave

For Christ arose and escaped from His grave

All are baptized into one body so pure

Made to drink one spirit, totally for sure

Christ’s baptism launches His ministry, rich for all

In God’s presence, His words forever stand tall

Scorned persecutor of Jesus’ faithful, Christian way

Saul baptized as Paul, with Lord’s forgiveness to stay

Believers baptized under God’s authority of thee

Through Father, Son, and Holy Spirit which see

Baptism generates life’s faithful walk, filled with newness

Youthful girl accepts Jesus as Savior, blessed trueness

Feeling transforming spirit of Father’s Holy, living water

Accepting God’s purpose, living as newfound daughter

This young girl’s act of faith inspires so many others

Opening eyes to witness, every sister and brother

I recently witnessed the baptism of a young girl who was ready to make her walk of faith public in front of the congregation. It was a very inspiring and emotionally-rich moment.

Nourishing Love

Posted on February 6, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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A beautiful garden planted in the spring with great love

Flowers and vegetables blessed with peace from above

Every detail carefully planned and tenderly done

All this fertile soil needs now is water and sun

The first few weeks bring excitement and growth

Green buds and a bit of color are amazing both

One week goes by without any tender loving care

The young, immature plants now seem a bit scared

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

Another week passes along without feeling a human hand

The fragile plants begin a slow march back to the land

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

A third week arrives with unhappiness and despair

The once promising garden can’t surely be repaired

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

From high above comes His promise to bring rain

Soon a gentle, nourishing mist reduces the pain

Humans need to be fed from above by Him

We must ask Him gently like singing a hymn

Without loving care, the garden and people will perish

The Lord adores all of His creation with love to cherish

Let us never, ever wonder and say . . .

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

To have little faith isn’t part of our day!

Moving Forward

Posted on February 3, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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Facing disappointment for many months and more

Feeling frustration and despair starting to soar

Realizing that this journey needs a mid-course correction

Pointing an unsteady compass in a totally new direction

Tiring from how many others have treated thee in the past

Looking forward to a future that brings happiness at last

Beating up thyself for any past, painful mistakes

Needing renewed courage for a new life to make

Knowing that this life needs a helping hand

Wanting to scan for a nurturing place to land

Reaching out comes the helping hand of thy God

Sending forth His grace to be thy staff and rod

Shielding eyes from brightest sun at a new dawn

Walking forward with energy that’s never gone

Mountaintop Wedding

Posted on February 1, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Montana’s Lone Mountain stands above most peaks

Providing skiing challenges and thrills for all to seek

Today brings sweet, special time on this tallest mountain

Witnessing marriage joy, more beautiful than any fountain

On cloudless and frigid Friday, love will indeed arrive

Blessing God’s joining of two people, to forever thrive

This loving couple enjoys their shared passion to ski

Planning to tie marital knot, wedding party shall see

Carried to lofty summit, gondola ride quite soaring

Bride and groom cement their love at mid-morning

There’s no more beautiful moment than a wedding

Linking of two lives as one, in this majestic setting

Wedding vows exchanged in blusterous, bitter cold

Sharing their simple words of love, special and bold

Precious wedding rings left at home, safely hidden

Dropping them in deep powder, would be forbidden

Brief ceremony proceeds to its eventual conclusion

Watching husband kissing wife, seals God’s union

Newly married couple, outfitted in finest skiing attire

Skiing as husband and wife, before daylight expires

Easy to find, youthful bride finishing her downhill run

Wearing white veil on top of her helmet, just for fun

Husband and wife, skiers with remarkable skill

Sharing and enjoying further runs, sharing thrills

Holy Father sanctifying this couple’s wedding day

Smiling at faithful love, with beloved words to say

My youngest daughter and her wonderful husband were married on February 2, 2018. Yes, they were married just below the summit of Lone Mountain in southwestern Montana. I honor their union with this poem. The picture was taken by a member of the wedding party, and it captures the newlyweds completing their first ski run as husband and wife.

Precious and Transforming Grace

Posted on January 28, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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God sends amazing grace freely to all

Offering to save sinners aren’t we all?

Jesus died on an old rugged cross for our salvation

Giving all of us a true path for avoiding temptation

There are no gifts greater than God’s grace

Flowing from His love, making no mistake

The Bible teaches all of us to follow the “Grace Path”

Justifying through faith in Christ keeps us on track

The righteous live each single moment by faith

Feeling God’s rich grace, so delicious to taste

Apostle Paul, a sinner like us, received mercy and life

Writing about God’s plan, he is freed from all strife

God fine tunes our hearts to receive his treasured gift

Redeeming love and grace keep us from running adrift

All we need is faith to live without harm

Running to God’s waiting and loving arms

Grace is a precious gift for all people to receive

Running from an enemy who continues to deceive

Abraham’s faith brings God’s great promise to light

Believing, he followed his Lord without any fright

Be content with what daily life throws at us

Raising up Christ to believers without any fuss

Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection burn bright

Allowing our faith to grow and never lose sight

Grace is given freely through Christ, from our Father

Replacing our works with daily faith without any bother

God opposes the proud, bringing His grace to the humble

Restoring, supporting, and strengthening when we stumble

Lord, relieve our uncertainties and lead us homeward

Abounding and steadfast love will carry us forward

God transforms sinners through His gift of grace

Following Christ will bring our lives to a proper place

All look to the Lord, His awesome wonder astounds

Sending grace by faith through Christ will abound

God sends amazing grace freely to all

Offering to save sinners aren’t we all?

It is amazing and insightful to find so many references of God’s grace in scripture as well as hymns. These resources helped with the writing of this poem. May all of you accept God’s free gift of grace.

Perfection

Posted on January 27, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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Perfection Defined:

The condition of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects.

Striving for absolute perfection proves to be elusive

Life provides few examples that are always conclusive

Perfection in bowling

Rolling 12 strikes in a row

Perfect school attendance

No absences during an entire school year

Perfect gymnastics performance

Scoring an “improbable” 10.0

Perfect school exam score

All questions answered correctly

Perfect completion of a crossword puzzle

Every square correctly filled in

Perfect game in baseball

Pitcher retires all batters—no one reaches first base

Perfect grades in school

All A’s . . . 4.0 GPA

Standards have been made to measure perfection

Challenging all to achieve for greater satisfaction

Individual actions and results to be told

Defining a level of perfection to behold

A “perfect” vacation

What makes it the best ever?

A “perfect” photograph

What makes this image so brilliant?

A “perfect” job

What provides the greatest satisfaction at work?

A “perfect” health report

What makes these results outstanding?

A “perfect” marriage

What moments are forever beautiful?

Subjective perfection is short-lived for a good reason

Definitions and expectations change with each season

When we think that our best efforts fall short

Allow Christ to bring us back to our home port

His unblemished life is perfection for sure

We follow His example for lives more pure

Forevermore

Posted on January 21, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Eduardo Braga on Pexels.com

Standing and lifting eyes upward

Asking for help

But, from where will it come?

Reading from a cherished Bible

Finding the words

Of a patient and gracious Lord

Humbling images of God’s plan

Creating the heavens

As well as the earth

Feeling the grace of God

Providing shade

At one’s right hand

Sleeping is never His wish

Watching over

His people at every moment

Praying to a compassionate Lord

Listening now

His words bring comfort

Protecting us at all times

Witnessing Him

Forevermore

The background for this poem comes from the Bible; see Psalm 121.

Frozen Morning

Posted on January 16, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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An elderly woman sits at her kitchen table

Wanting to stay warm today, if she is able

An Arctic blast from up North has arrived

Challenging her to survive and stay alive

Inside of the window, frosted over with ice

Wishing for a heated room, would be nice

Her few needs are quite simple at this time

Praying the thermostat will begin its climb

Ancient, unreliable space heater offers very little heat

Realizing now, she needs a blanket to cover her feet

She lives all alone without any other family close by

Losing hope, her faith seems ready to quit and cry

Suddenly, there is a knock at her frozen door

Opening it to discover the Lord brings more

A stranger with a fuel truck has finally arrived

Smiling, the woman begins to feel more alive

He fills her empty fuel tank until it’s almost full

Checking her boiler, it is working without a lull

A sense of inadequacy overwhelms the woman to tears

Feeling desperate, her pocketbook is empty she fears

The helpful man simply ignores her worries and leaves

Telling her that a shepherd will take care of her needs

The woman sits stunned and can’t understand what to see

Looking down an isolated road that is as empty as can be

Who paid to fill her empty fuel tank? She has no idea at all

Feeling a tender hug from above, her loving Lord pays a call

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