Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Called to Persevere

Posted on May 31, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

From Hebrews 10:19-20: “Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh).”

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Sharing these words of eternal hope

Living with hope-filling optimism

Gathering with positive people

Persevering through God’s bold prism

Living as faithful children of God

Hearing our Father’s message of hope

Realizing now, hope springs from our Lord

Praising His Word, helping us to cope

Joining into a New Covenant

Filling with assurance from His Creed

Approaching with hearts, clean from evil

Washing with His pure water, indeed

Recalling our earlier struggles

Showing compassion through hopeful hearts

Maintaining endurance, life’s ahead

Remaining faithful, as life restarts

Holding fast to God’s blessings of hope

Encouraging daily, each other

Blessing with our love and gracious deeds

Standing with our sisters and brothers

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From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Jim Cymbala: “We urgently need people who encourage and inspire us to move toward God.”

Never Alone

Posted on May 27, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

I keep a daily journal of “take-aways” from my devotional readings. This poem was crafted from some of my February entries.

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Sitting alone and hopeless

Faith’s shadow, covered in rust

God awakens mind and soul

In His Spirit, words bring trust

Turning to God, always there

His footprints walking ahead

Through life’s hefty challenges

Our Lord brings our daily bread

Reading from His Holy Word

Always giving thanks and praise

Marvelous things, God has done

Our hope alive and ablaze

Growing in faith, from our woes

Therefore, pray . . . listen . . . follow

Righteous life following Christ

Savior’s hope, never hollow

Facing temptation each day

Alignment with Son of God

Blood and body shed for us

Boldly fleeing evil’s fraud

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From Galatians 6:1-2: “My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Deliverance from Troubles

Posted on May 24, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

The Bible offers a rich source of thanksgiving, hope, and deliverance as Psalm 107 inspires the text for this poem.

From Psalm 107:1-2: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those He redeemed from trouble.”

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Thanking our Lord above

Seeing His wondrous deeds

His Holy, steadfast love

All humankind, He leads

Overwhelming distress

Crying out to the Lord

Discovering His light

Living by His accord

Bringing us from darkness

Satisfying our thirst

Saving us with His light

Loving us, always first

Filling endless hunger

Breaking these sinful chains

Reaching out to His light

Trusting God, with the reins

Halting all wickedness

Calming all stormy winds

Healing us with His light

Forgiving dark-filled sins

Praising our Redeemer

Hearing cries, not ignored

Delivering His light

Giving thanks to our Lord

Thanking our Lord above

Seeing His wondrous deeds

His Holy, steadfast love

All humankind, He leads

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From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll: “Circumstances occur that could easily crush us. We can hand the circumstances to God and ask Him to take control or we can roll up our mental sleeves and slug it out.”

Haiku Series #77 (With God)

Posted on May 19, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

Following

God tells Joshua

Meditating on His Word—

Still crucial today

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His Grace

Being born of God

Overcoming life’s trials—

By our faith alone

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Eternal Hope

Tough times approaching

Trusting, now and forever—

Depending on God

crop sportswoman doing exercise with kettlebell in gym

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Beholding a New Day

Posted on May 17, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

Our Heavenly Father, we rejoice and humbly receive your precious gift of a new day. Our hopes burn brighter as we give thanks for your blessing of this gift. Amen.

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Emerging each morning, a new dawn

Waiting outside our door, neatly wrapped

Walking next to us, God understands

Bringing us love, never feeling trapped

Designing His gift, a new day calls

Witnessing God’s deeds, each day unfolds

Allowing us, to live out each day

Feeling His Grace, hearts never grow old

Guarding us during times of trouble

Opening gates each day, His stronghold

Trusting in God, never forsaken

Singing His praises, humble yet bold

Kneeling and praying, as this day ends

Rejoicing, in all our Father sends

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From Psalm 9:10: “And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”

Following His Voice

Posted on May 10, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

From 1 Peter 2:25: “For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

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Like sheep, we wander astray

Turning away from our Lord

Feeling harassed and helpless

Sheep lost, by our own accord

God lays a new cornerstone

Our Good Shepherd, Holy Son

Calling us, hearing His voice

His work will never be done

Leading us, on this right path

Following His voice, love flows

With Him, we shall never want

Restoring souls, we all grow

Good Shepherd, loving His sheep

Bringing comfort, rod and staff

Green pastures, nourishing us

Still waters, on our behalf

Jesus, loving Good Shepherd

Unblemished, Lamb of God casts

Body and blood on that Cross

Risen Savior, His hope lasts

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From Christian author, W. Phillip Keller: “It takes some of us a lifetime to learn that Christ, our Good Shepherd, knows exactly what He is doing with us.”

Walking with Us

Posted on April 29, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

This poem is inspired from a post from Jan Beek, based upon a recent Sunday message from her church. The message enlightened me with some wonderful applications to “The Walk to Emmaus.” Visit her post for this wonderful message, complemented with some great hymns.

empty highway overlooking mountain under dark skies

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Empty, very little hope

Weary, walking this grim road

Lonely, life hides in darkness

Misery, each step feels slowed

Believing, He would be king

Remembering, life seemed alive

Listening, His words brought hope

Blessing, barren lives would thrive

Ignored, a bloody Cross stands

Vanquished, His tomb sitting hushed

Restored, hope rises again

Conquered, sin and death now crushed

Raised, Savior walking with us

Transformed, our hope now restored

Energized, with daily steps

Saved, by our Lord’s new accord

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From Luke 24:13-16: “Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.”

Vigorous Joy

Posted on April 19, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

From Christian campus ministry founder, Bill Bright: “The joy of God is experienced as I love, trust, and obey God–no matter the circumstances.”

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Celebrating Jesus each and every day

Receiving our lasting, priceless gift of joy

Smiling faces, always with kind words spoken

Experiencing our Lord’s vigorous joy

Child of God, leaping with joy

Messiah’s birth, sends great joy

Rejoicing, today rises up as God’s day

Praising our faithful, Almighty Lord with joy

Sending out His strength and hope, God’s justice reigns

Experiencing our Lord’s vigorous joy

Fruit of the Spirit, brings joy

God’s love, proclaiming His joy

Fleeing life’s messy scene, sorrow and worry

Lasting an eternity, singing with joy

Restoring in us, His joy of Salvation

Experiencing our Lord’s vigorous joy

Life’s trials, nothing but joy

Holy Spirit, shouts with joy

Waking all of the city on Easter morn

Singing praises of “Alleluia” with joy

Restoring hope, defeating death on the Cross

Experiencing our Lord’s vigorous joy

Jesus, lasting source of joy

He’s Risen! Salvation’s joy

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From John 15:11: “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”

Monday Memories: Frozen Morning

Posted on April 13, 2020 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

landscape photography of dried trees on snow covered ground

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God Walks Ahead

Posted on April 8, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

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From the words of Moses

Don’t fear, be unafraid

Our Lord will fight for us

Standing firm, comes His aid

Protecting evermore

God stands everlasting

Delivers from bondage

His love, full and lasting

Sending His Son to earth

Jesus’ footprints cry out

Step in line, follow me

His peace reigns, without doubt

Crying out to our Lord

Consumed by life’s furnace

Covered by eagles’ wings

Follow Him with sureness

Darkened tomb found empty

Jesus overcoming death

Knowing God’s in control

Stay faithful, with each breath

Father always with us

Never forsaking us

His hope, comforting us

Walking ahead of us

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From Exodus 14:13-14: “But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.'”

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Following

His Grace

Eternal Hope

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