Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Never in Doubt

Posted on July 20, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

From Isaiah 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

Man navigates life’s way

Some survey ocean’s charts

Searching through its vastness

Peace fills every heart

Other times, sailing ahead

Without any vision

Vanishing in darkness

Journey’s poor decision

Life’s opportunities

Man’s knowledge not enough

Setting sail, just by chance

Tomorrow’s seas, too rough

Sound advice waits with God

His Word highlights life’s route

Sharing grace, peace follows

Time’s fate, never in doubt

God’s righteous hand steering

Toward harbor’s safe dock

Aligning ship’s rudder

Destination . . . faith’s rock

From Psalm 37:23-24: “Our steps are made firm by the Lord when He delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.”

Monday Memories: Opportunity Knocks

Posted on July 18, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 23:1-3: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for His name’s sake.”

gray and white filled of snow trees and pathwalk

Photo by Egor Kamelev on Pexels.com

Walking lost in the still darkness of night

Realizing the Lord delivers His might

Knocking at the door of life, He arrives

Granting a safe place, helps us to survive

Finding lasting peace in His Holy verse

Quenching our parched thirst, like a caring nurse

Coming with righteousness, Christ our Shepherd

Refueling us today, always treasured

Re-energizing empty hearts and souls

Blowing away blackest clouds, God controls

Lighting our way, God’s eternal love shines

Breathing His Word, offering faithful signs

Facing life’s challenges, Christ walks with us

Giving Grace, His way never brings a fuss

Guiding us to the Promised Land, Christ leads

Saving us from sin, from a Cross which bleeds

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com

Watchman Nee Quote

Posted on July 18, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

If you would test the character of anything, you only need to enquire whether that that thing leads you to God or away from God.

From James 1:2-4: “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing.”

Watchman Nee (1903-1972) was a Chinese church leader and Christian teacher. He authored a collection of Christian books, and he endured persecution for his beliefs. Ultimately, he died while being imprisoned for the final twenty years of his life.

Help in Trouble

Posted on July 17, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 46:1-3: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.”

**Photo by Marcos Fernandes de Matos on Pexels.com**

Drowning in sinfulness

Darkness covers this land

Needing help in trouble

God reaches out His hand

Facing our transgressions

Mighty hand bringing grace

Saving us, all alone

God tapping life’s backspace

Sending love through His Son

Refuge found in one cross

Squashing dark’s empty hope

God triggers evil’s loss

Leaning on His wisdom

Strength flows from His power

Living with righteousness

God rebuilds faith’s tower

Knowing we walk with Him

Lord’s armor covers thee

Praying in Christ’s spirit

God’s mercy sets us free

From Ephesians 6:13: Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day and, having prevailed against everything, to stand firm.”

Shepherding Actions (Elfchen Series #109)

Posted on July 15, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

Serving Others

Christ’s

Central command

Love, care, feed

Shepherd’s hands at work

Disciples

**Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com**

Extending Grace

Life’s

Puzzle pieces

Scattered and lost

Shepherd finds each one

Savior

**Photo by Sharon Snider on Pexels.com**

Coming Home

Hearing

Shepherd’s calling

Following in faith

Spirit leads our way

Believing

**Photo by Nicole Michalou on Pexels.com**

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.

Season of Discouragement

Posted on July 13, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

From Nehemiah 1:3: “They replied, ‘The remnant there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.'”

**Photo by Mark Plu00f6tz on Pexels.com**

Shining locomotive churning along

Life ascending every mountain peak

Suddenly, trusty light turns to darkness

Disappointment abounds, whom shall we seek?

Loyal tracks of faith, now wrecked and ruined

Trusting walls of protection, now in shambles

Shepherd’s gate to heaven, forever crushed

Life in darkness, attempts to unscramble

Season of discouragement, shrouds small faith

Eyes filling with tears, overwhelming scene

Kneeling below bloody, Golgotha cross

Prayer fills with forgiveness, hope blooms green

God’s attentive ear, mercy listens in

Rebuilding life within Christ, faith’s linchpin

From Nehemiah 1:11: “O Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants who delight in revering Your name. Give success to Your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man!”

Faith Through Love (Elfchen Series #108)

Posted on July 8, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

Lost

Pursuing

Flesh’s desires

Filled with works

Life falls short in

Darkness

Faith

Truth

Speaks boldly

Christ’s Holy Word

Building hope through Spirit’s

Fruits

Found

Love

Thy neighbor

Obedience to Christ

Grace meeting our needs

Freedom

On Our Way

Posted on July 6, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

On our way—

Following

Son of God,

Jesus Christ

On our way—

Witnessing

Faithful hope,

Filled with Christ

On our way—

Confronting

Day’s darkness,

Buoyed by Christ

On our way—

Restoring

Shattered lives,

Praising Christ

On our way—

Quieting

Stormy seas,

Christ as work

On our way—

Conquering

Evil’s foe,

Christ with us

On our way—

Redeeming

Wayward souls,

Christ’s love saves

On our way—

Proclaiming

Thankful hearts,

Blessed Christ

On our way—

Rejoicing

Forever,

Within Christ

From Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”

The inspiration for this poem comes from the hymn, “On Our Way, Rejoicing.” Here are the lyrics and music of this beloved song.

Retelling His Story

Posted on July 3, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

From Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

**Photo by FRANK MERIu00d1O on Pexels.com**

Retelling His story

Filling with wonder’s peace

Becoming never old

Rekindling life’s new lease

Witnessing His message

Loving God with whole heart

Grasping forever’s grace

Walking with Lord’s fresh start

Retelling His story

Sitting near empty tomb

Sharing Salvation’s news

Lighting yesterday’s gloom

Tasting His Holy Word

Longing for heaven’s home

Hungering for much more

Breaking chains, free to roam

Retelling His story

Finding Jesus nearby

Seeking new mercy’s grace

Cherishing faith’s bullseye

**Photo by Adrien Olichon on Pexels.com**

This inspiration for this poem comes from the beloved hymn, “I Love to Tell the Story.” One of any believers most blessed tasks is to share and tell the story of Jesus Christ. Country singer Alan Jackson is a renowned Gospel singer, and he sings this wonderful hymn. Enjoy.

Monday Memories: Expressions of Hope

Posted on June 27, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by icon0.com on Pexels.com

Expressions of hope are written throughout the Old Testament. At times, the people of Israel lost hope, but God always found ways to restore their trust and hope to believe in Him.

From Psalm 65:5: “By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and the farthest seas.

Broken faith with God

Flicker of hope remains

Have hope, seek God

Hopeful in His deeds

Place our Living God

Above all other gods

Light turns into darkness

Hiding in the shadows

Yet, God remains close

Hope grows once again

Living tree of hope

Will live into eternity

New buds always sprout

Strength from the Father

There is always hope

Even in darkest times

Life’s trials uproot hope

Adversaries line up against

God hears our cries

Intervenes when hope’s weak

Ancestors of Jacob witness

Their hope in God

The God of Jacob

Always God of Hope

God keeps His decrees

Believe, look to God

God remains always faithful

Our Lord reigns forever

For God’s righteous believers

Hope ends in gladness

Way of the Lord

Offers refuge with wisdom

Follow God with hope

Always in our hearts

Tree of Life endures

Ready to sustain us

Hope shows the light

Steady on life’s course

When spirit is dried

Hope quenches our thirst

God opens hope’s door

Inviting us to enter

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Serving Others

Extending Grace

Coming Home

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Lost

Faith

Found

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