Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

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.”

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Encountering His Wisdom (Elfchen Series #137)

Posted on January 27, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

Listening

Questions

Seeking help

Father never forsakes

Faith carries us through

Answers

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Nourishing

Waking

Each morning

Day’s agenda reset

Grace sustains another soul

Living

Encouraging

Hearing

Daily prayers

Mercy brings patience

Father’s glory shall shine

Believing

**Photo by Arina Krasnikova 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.

Uplifting Mercy (Elfchen Series #136)

Posted on January 20, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

Conversation

Daily

Blessed dialogue

God and self

Listening to His love

Prayer

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Direction

Trusting

Christ’s light

Leading one’s journey

Along His chosen path

Faith

**Photo by Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com**

Transition

Creator’s

Lasting insight

Through free-flowing grace

Timing of life’s seasons

Fulfillment

**Photo by Samuel Kalina on Pexels.com**

Darkness Overcome

Posted on January 18, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

From Isaiah 9:2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”

Walking without light

Actions filled with sin

False gods and idols

Faith absent within

Living in darkness

Gloom filled with torment

God’s conquered people

Called now to repent

Hearing prophet’s call

Shadows hidden theft

Nation’s ember glows

God has never left

Seeing promised grace

Filled with renewed hope

Evil crawls away

Faith grasps mercy’s rope

Easing life’s burdens

True light’s beating drum

Fear replaced with joy

Darkness overcome

**Photo by Rastislav Durica on Pexels.com**

From Isaiah 9:4: “For the yoke of their burden and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, You have broken as on the day of Midian.”

God’s Embrace

Posted on January 11, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 85:5-6: “Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?”

Searching to find peace

Hidden by dark winds

Discomfort arrives

For mankind hath sinned

Touched by God’s embrace

Peace steps into light

Feeling His comfort

Grace washes flesh white

Praying to Father

Hope now reaches out

Finding peace at last

His Word carries clout

Steps walking in faith

God’s love shall not cease

Replacing darkness

Sharing endless peace

From Luke 2:12-14: “This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors!'”

Praising His Light

Posted on January 8, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

From Isaiah 9:2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”

From Bethlehem, arrives light

Lying in stable’s manger

Humble birth of hope’s Savior

Grace no longer man’s stranger

Shepherds witness God’s glory

Kneeling and praising His light

Justice shall cover this land

Mercy’s, one eternal flight

Christ answers His Father’s call

Saving every tender reed

Light pushes away darkness

Evil shall never impede

Righteousness shall mark all days

Opening each heart and mind

Jesus shall never waver

His light, perfectly aligned

From Isaiah 42:6-7: “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.”

Monday Memories: Infinite God

Posted on January 2, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

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From 1 Peter 5:6-7: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all our anxiety oh Him, because He cares for you.”

God, our Creator

In Heaven above

Standing powerful

Sends infinite love

Father in Heaven

Promises fulfill

Support and courage

His infinite skill

Read God’s Holy Word

Be bold, life begins

His love filled with care

Grace overcomes sin

Walking with our Lord

His strong hands extend

Trust always in Him

Whatever contends

Miraculous brings

Infinite outcomes

Filled with sacred love

Like a beating drum

Our finite minds weep

Lack of faith descends

Our infinite God

Holds, never to bend

Our Lord’s specialty

Impossible makes

Genuine and true

His love, no mistake

Rely on God’s ways

Hopeless turns to hope

Prayer lifts worry

Walking life’s tightrope

God’s eternal love

Endures forever

He holds on to us

With faith, whenever

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Originally published January, 2020.

Welcoming Savior

Posted on January 1, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

From Luke 2:10-11: “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.'”

Fling wide each window

Open every gate

God walks among us

Welcoming Savior

Choir of angels sing

From heavens above

City of David

Salvation’s bright light

Answer to prayers

Shepherds witness birth

Praise this King of Kings

Called Emmanuel

Trust God’s divine plan

Faith’s most Holy Rock

Fill hearts with gladness

Redemption paid for

Father’s act of grace

Eternity’s gift

Hope, peace, joy, and love

Welcoming Savior

From Galatians 5:22-24: “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

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Listening

Nourishing

Encouraging

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Conversation

Direction

Transition

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