Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Maya Angelou Quote

Posted on February 15, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

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

Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.

From 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a: “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs;it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”

Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was an American author, poet, and civil rights activist. Her body of published work is found in autobiographies, essays, poems, and numerous credits in plays, movies, and television shows.

Strength in Adversity

Posted on February 12, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

**Photo by Elina Fairytale on Pexels.com**

Imperfect life’s darkness

One more faltering step

Defeat again knocking

Discouragement’s doorstep

Observing faithful light

Glowing with lasting hope

Strength in adversity

Grasping mercy’s firm rope

Hearing Father, trust grows

Transforming future days

Faith journey maturing

Receiving grace, let’s pray

Evil’s message scuttled

Healing from Father’s hand

Peace brings lasting comfort

Affirming His commands

Beholding mighty works

Melting away concerns

Impossible vanquished

Trusting Father’s U-turn

From the words of English-born preacher Charles Inwood: “When God is going to do a wonderful thing, He begins with a difficulty. When He is going to do a very wonderful thing, He begins with an impossibility.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

Posted on February 12, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com**

But be careful to remember that you are freed for one thing only–to be absolutely devoted to your co-Worker.

From 1 Corinthians 3:9: “For we are God’s coworkers, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.

Faith’s Blessed Actions (Elfchen Series #139)

Posted on February 10, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

Stepping Up

Hearing

Christ’s call

Boldly following Him

Serving needs of others

Loving

**Photo by Antoni Shkraba on Pexels.com**

Life’s Turnabout

Loving

Jesus more

Leaving earthly ways

Rescued from tumultuous seas

Following

Making Differences

Following

With humbleness

Touching another life

Living in Christ’s presence

Hearing

**Photo by Pavel Danilyuk 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.

Paying Every Cost

Posted on February 8, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

From Matthew 4:16-17: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”

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

Beneath ocean’s depths

Hearing whispers of hope

God’s mercy always reigns

Transforming life’s scope

Atop mountain peaks

Echoing faith sings out

God’s righteousness descends

Removing all doubt

Across each valley

Lasting hymns, filled with pride

God’s nurturing love acts

Sending grace, Son guides

Throughout darkest world

Navigating light now leads

Christ’s faithful message calms

Healing’s peace proceeds

From Calvary’s cross

Searching for sheep, now lost

Good Shepherd never fails

Paying every cost

**Photo by Claudio Herrera on Pexels.com**

From Hebrews 13:20-21: “Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do His will, as He works among us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever. Amen.”

Grace Leading

Posted on February 5, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

From Matthew 5:13-14: “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.”

Life’s human experience

Never-ending shortcomings

Darkness follows every step

Hearing its constant drumming

God’s Word shatters evil’s myth

Called to His righteous standing

Light shines with divine goodness

Offering safest landing

God’s eternal promises

Resurrection defines hope

Faith growing, following Christ

Scaling each slippery slope

God’s faithfulness never tires

Jesus fulfilling His law

Holy Spirit reaches out

Teaching, transforming life’s flaws

Kingdom of Heaven beckons

Earthly journey will be hard

Grace leading, trusting each day

Laying bricks toward God’s courtyard

**Photo by Valeriia Miller on Pexels.com**

From Matthew 5:19: “Therefore, whoever break one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

John Newton Quote

Posted on February 5, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by John-Mark Smith on Pexels.com**

I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see. (taken from lyrics of “Amazing Grace.”)

From Hebrews 4:16: “Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.“

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.

Oswald Chambers Quote

Posted on February 3, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

We must build our faith, not on the fading light, but on the light that never fails.

From 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.”

Shall Never Rest

Posted on February 1, 2023 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.”

**Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com**

Through life’s foggy mist

God’s mercy filled

With eternal peace

Feeling trust build

Darkness to light

God’s spirit flowing

Faith’s quiet brook

Leading and knowing

Greenest meadow calls

God’s deepest love

Creation’s wings stir

Flying above

No greater warmth

God’s grace melts away

Life’s icy outlook

Kneeling now, let’s pray

One heart transformed

God shall never rest

New day’s promise

Seeking another quest

From 1 Chronicles 29:12-13: “Riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all. And now, our God, we give thanks to You and praise Your glorious name.”

Joyce Meyer Quote

Posted on February 1, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV on Pexels.com**

Don’t be addicted to approval. Follow your heart. Do what you believe God is telling you to do, and stand firm in Him and Him alone.

From 2 Corinthians 5:9: “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him.”

Joyce Meyer (born 1943) is an American Christian author and speaker.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Stepping Up

Life’s Turnabout

Making Differences

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: