Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Monday Memories: 24/7 Refuge

Posted on February 3, 2025 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 31:24: “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.”

Facing life’s trials and critics

Soul and body wasting away

Discouraged, hurting, and distressed

Broken down, strength failing . . . decay

Needing encouragement with love

Safe from others, place for healing

Looking for refuge, where to turn

Life under siege, tired and reeling

Seeking lasting grace and mercy

Delivering us from dark gloom

Rescue arrives, stand and rejoice

His steadfast love, fully in bloom

Staffed by a special redeemer

Our strength, comrade, fortress, and rock

Holding us up with steadfast love

Follow Him, our living bedrock

Called by another name . . . Jesus

**Photo by Riccardo Bresciani on Pexels.com**

From Psalm 31:1-2: “In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.”

Originally published September, 2020.

Monday Memories: Choose His Path

Posted on May 13, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

photography of mountains under cloudy sky

Photo by Simon Matzinger on Pexels.com

We have a clear path to choose

Anything else, we definitely lose

A godless enemy brings emptiness

He prowls and waits, eager to strike

His path only leads to unhappiness

Our lives feel like a bursting dike

We see the good life in front of us

But the light comes with false hopes

Glamour and riches without the fuss

Darkness clouds over life’s periscope

Gloomy doom brings promises, so empty

A champion bears our guilt and shame

There is a better way, filled with plenty

Life truly means more than just a game

The Light of Salvation chases away the dark

Christ bears our wounds at a bloody cross

The enemy slithers away, gone is his spark

Jesus’ Holy righteousness reaches across

Our loving Father sacrifices His only Son

His shed blood atones for our sinful ways

An empty tomb declares, Christ has won

Accept me and follow, He proudly says

We have a clear path to choose

Anything else, we definitely lose

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Originally published October, 2019.

Monday Memories: Living Water

Posted on April 15, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Alexander Zvir on Pexels.com**

What dark depths dwell in our lives?

Sinful nature, lost like sheep

Hearts fill with lasting troubles

Seeing life’s well, much too deep

Returning without promise

Jacob’s well cannot quench thirst

Our parched lips, where’s our relief?

Sinful souls, ready to burst

God’s Grace, in living water

Blessing in truth and spirit

Gushing with eternal life

Drink deeply, never fear it

Who will bring us this water?

We look, but the well is deep

Jesus draws living water

Saving His lost, thirsty sheep

From John 4:11-15: “The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?’ Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.’ The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.'”

Originally published June, 2020.

Monday Memories: Following His Voice

Posted on April 1, 2024 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.

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com

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

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

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.”

Originally published May, 2020.

Monday Memories: Journey to Jerusalem

Posted on March 25, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

From John 10:9-10: “I am the gate. Whoever enters by Me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán on Pexels.com

Triumphantly

Jesus enters a joyous city

Jerusalem sings

Praising His name . . . Hosanna!

Witnessing

Emotional betrayal

Denying Christ

Then a rooster crows

Watching

Stunning procession fills the streets

Mocking with scorn

Would-be king, carrying our Cross

Hopes

Dashed by cruel Roman justice

Absent of sin

Son of Man, never to walk free

Numbness

With tears, seeing and hearing

Experiencing anguish

Horror at a blood-stained Cross

Photo by Alem Sánchez on Pexels.com

Silence

Covering the land, Father weeps

Messiah suffers

Many rejecting our Holy God

Hearing

Good News on Easter morning

Our Savior

Defeating sin and death

Empty

Dark tomb proclaims God’s plan

Jesus Christ

Risen! Reigning forevermore

Connecting

Dots between manger and Cross

Our Father

Love for us never wanes

Lingering

In the shadow of a criminal’s cross

Singing Alleluia!

To lasting, true meaning of the Cross

Glory

Residing forever in the Cross

Good Shepherd

Caring for His precious flock

Photo by icon0.com on Pexels.com

From Ephesians 2:8-10: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God–not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what He has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.”

Originally published April, 2020.

Monday Memories: Walking with Us

Posted on March 4, 2024 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

Photo by Sebastian Palomino on Pexels.com

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

Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com

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.”

Originally published April, 2020.

Monday Memories: Failing Once Again

Posted on January 29, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Failing once again

Life’s troubles bomb away

Whom shall I turn to?

Failing once again

Darkness moves ever closer

Where is the light?

Failing once again

Shame swallows me up

How can my spirit be restored?

Failing once again

Life’s torments engulf me

Why . . . why?

Failing once again

Loneliness surrounds my heart

What recourse do I have?

Failing once again

Life’s hour glass, now nearly empty

When will I be free?

selective focus photography of hour glass

Photo by samer daboul on Pexels.com

Failing once again . . .

Turning to my Heavenly Father

Never thinking of me as a bother

From a Cross, Salvation’s light sheds hope

Pulled up from the Pit by a Holy rope

Kneeling before the Savior, sins and all

Humbling following Him will be my call

Through a broken body and shed blood

By Grace alone, escaping life’s flash flood

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The structure of this poem features dual parts. In the beginning verses, the reader is taken to a much darker place. Using themes of sorrow, darkness, and hopelessness presents a challenge to both the reader and the writer. In answering the questions found in the poem, the ending verses are structured around common Christian themes of hope, joy, light, and rebirth.

Originally published May, 2020.

Monday Memories: God Walks Ahead

Posted on January 8, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Todd Trapani on Pexels.com

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

Photo by Felix Mittermeier on Pexels.com

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.'”

Originally published April, 2020.

Monday Memories: Vigorous Joy

Posted on November 27, 2023 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.”

Photo by Jill Wellington on Pexels.com

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

Photo by Bekka Mongeau on Pexels.com

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.”

Originally published April, 2020.

Monday Memories: Speaking to Thee

Posted on October 9, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

This short poem is inspired from two different hymns: “Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak” and “I Love to Tell the Story.”

Photo by Ave Calvar Martinez on Pexels.com

Telling His true story

Jesus, His glory reigns

Unseen, heaven above

Breaking sinful chains

Hungering and thirsting

Weary, endless despair

Message of Salvation

Answering these prayers

Firm rock, speaking to thee

Living echoes of hope

Children, lost and alone

Faith walking life’s tightrope

Hidden depths, troubled sea

Precious wisdom fills thee

Hearing His glowing words

Loving hand calms the sea

low angle photo grayscale of person tightrope walking

Photo by Marcelo Moreira on Pexels.com

One of my favorite hymns is “Earth and All Stars” which we sang many times at my former church in Montana. Here is a link for the hymn:

Do you have a favorite hymn (an old favorite or a more current one)? Let’s have a discussion in the comments.

Originally published May, 2020.

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