Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Oswald Chambers Quote

Posted on May 6, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

Paul spent himself for one purpose only–that he might win men to Jesus Christ. Paul became a sacramental personality; wherever he went, Jesus Christ helped Himself to his life.

From 2 Corinthians 12:15: “I will most gladly spend and be spent for You. If I love You more, am I to be loved less?”

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.

Monday Memories: Man from Galilee

Posted on April 11, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Haley Black on Pexels.com

Who is this man from Galilee?

Born on a cloudless, starry night

No rooms available at the inn

A feed box becomes His bed

Holy Spirit brings forth this child

Virgin Mary becomes His loving mother

Humble beginning for Christ the King

Nation of Israel burdened by hopelessness

Oppressed under cruel, harsh Roman rule

Waiting for their God fulfilling Messiah

Little do the people really know

God has arrived in their midst

Bringing a way to eternal Salvation

Who is this man from Galilee?

Mary and Joseph care for Immanuel

Angels of God watch over all

Providing wise counsel through Joseph’s dream

Sending the family to Egypt’s safety

Avoiding Herod’s bloody and inhumane wrath

Fulfilling Scripture, God calls His Son

Returning home from the Egyptian lands

A dutiful boy becomes a Nazarene

Learning the worthy trade of carpentry

At twelve, He visits Jerusalem’s temple

Amazing all with His Godly perspectives

Spending time in His Father’s House

Who is this man from Galilee?

Baptized by John at the Jordan

Spending forty days and nights alone

Tempted by the evil one’s craftiness

Facing temptations like any of us

Overcoming and banishing each of them

Materialism, hedonism, and egoism mean nothing

This Nazarene man moves to Galilee

Beginning His ministry with a purpose

Calling out to twelve imperfect men

Take up your cross, follow Me!

God’s Word becomes bread of life

Disciples now fish for lost people

Who is this man from Galilee?

Reaching out to forsaken, sinful people

Performing miracles, left and then right

Preaching the Sermon on the Mount

Turning simple water into wedding wine

Healing the sick and the lame

All signs of His glory with God

Feeding the 5,000 seems truly impossible

Walking on water before Peter’s eyes

Few can imagine His ultimate fate

Eyes and ears closed and unaware

This man called Jesus brings light

On Resurrection Day, fulfilling God’s promise

The world now knows Jesus Christ!

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Love’s Arrival (Fourth Sunday in Advent)

Posted on December 19, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Isaiah 9:6-7: “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and His kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

Faithful God’s Holy love

Shining from Bethlehem

Blessed virgin gives birth

In world filled with mayhem

Hope springs forth from God’s love

Filling manger with grace

Messiah born this night

Stable now Holy place

Divine love preaches faith

Sharing Lord’s precious gift

Behold man’s salvation

Satan’s plans now adrift

Peace covers earth’s landscape

Sowing eternal love

Savior’s mission begins

Father views from above

Lasting joy now goes forth

Hearing angels singing

Christ’s love, Calvary’s cross

Forgiveness now bringing

You are invited to join in prayer: Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace. During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior. Amen.

Written in 1865 by English hymn writer, William Chatterton Dix, the hymn of “What Child Is This?” is sung by Charlotte Church. The lyrics are based upon the verses from Isaiah 9:6-7, and the tune is “Greensleeves.”

Filled with Joy (Third Sunday of Advent)

Posted on December 12, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Zephaniah 3:14-15: “Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, He has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.”

**Photo by Tobias Bju00f8rkli on Pexels.com**

Looking inward, changing selves

Repenting, reversing course

Searching for life’s cherished peace

Joy spreads from Bethlehem’s source

Reading, praying, reflecting

Preparing our minds and hearts

Beaming starlight in dark times

Joy brightens, world seeks restart

Rejoicing always, Lord is near

Restoring fortunes, Prince of Peace

Renewing tomorrow’s hope

Joy transcends Father’s new lease

Trusting in God’s promises

Waiting with welcoming grace

Singing praises, justice calls

Joy blossoms in this birthplace

Proclaiming mercy-filled peace

Glowing, rising midnight sun

Igniting life’s dormant faith

Joy worships birth of God’s Son

**Photo by Susanne Jutzeler on Pexels.com**

You are invited to join in prayer: Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace. During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior. Amen.

“Joy to the World” is frequently sung during the Advent and Christmas season. Written in 1719 by English minister and hymn writer, Isaac Watts, this hymn has been a favorite for well over 100 years in North America.

Breaking Free

Posted on February 21, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 31:3-4: “You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me, take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.”

**Photo by Dziana Hasanbekava on Pexels.com**

Crying out from devilish wasteland

Surrounded by desert’s empty sand

Caught, tangled in sin’s deceptive net

Buried under life’s heaviest debt

Captured by evil’s sly temptations

Confined to cellblock’s harsh reception

Engulfed by relentless guilt and shame

Throwing key away, dimming life’s flame

Praying to Holy Father above

Singing of His steadfast, faithful love

Seeking His mercy in valley’s distress

How will life move forward, from this mess?

Coming to life’s rescue, Jesus Christ

Accepting His grace, He pays full price

Breaking free from sin’s ongoing grip

Sailing on Spirit’s armored flagship

Exiting darkest, shame-filled prison

Beholding blood-stained Cross, He’s Risen!

Remaking character, with each day

Walking with Jesus, never shall stray

From Psalm 18:1-2: “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Garden’s Fountain

Posted on February 18, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Song of Solomon 4:12: “A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a garden locked, a fountain sealed.”

Heavenly garden, locked and closed

Eternal fountain, sealed and dry

Searching, Salvation’s hidden key

Faithless works, blinding sinful eyes

Body, soul, spirit in despair

Soul without spirit, dead to sin

Body without soul, starkest death

Life’s spirit, missing God’s linchpin

Holy Spirit, always at work

Lasting, heart-filled renovations

Infused into life’s coldest heart

Building restored soul’s foundation

Christ choreographs love-filled hearts

Breathing life into each saved soul

Lighting our way to Salvation

Father’s love leads to Christ’s patrol

Arriving at Heaven’s garden

Receiving its eternal key

Fountain flows with living water

Come rest under Salvation’s tree

**Photo by Oliver Sju00f6stru00f6m on Pexels.com**

From Song of Solomon 4:16: “Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind! Blow upon my garden that its fragrance may be wafted abroad. Let my beloved come to His garden, and eat its choicest fruits.”

Anthem of Grace

Posted on October 25, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

From Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Weary times, filled with quiet tears

Witnessing mankind’s cruelest hurts

Hate, division, violence, fears

God’s grace, peace, love . . . never deserts

When witnessing injustice, stand

Lift up voices, sing with passion

Offer a loving, helping hand

Filled with oneness and compassion

No longer sit with thoughts muzzled

Liberty-filled harmonies ring

God’s grace flows, days never puzzled

Loud as roaring seas, let us sing

God’s Word lighting eternal fires

Inside our faith, unwavering

Hope fills each heart, never expires

Teachings of Jesus, favoring

Jesus always front and center

Faithfully walking as His feet

Loving as His hands, our mentor

Marching on, His grace ever sweet

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

From 1 John 5:3-5: “For the love of God is this, that we obey His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Grace from Above

Posted on October 11, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

From Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

**Photo by Paulo Mu00e1rcio Dos Santos on Pexels.com**

Filled with mercy and love

God’s Word becoming flesh

Grace and truth, Christ proclaims

Spirit comes to refresh

God’s message resonates

Resist dark temptations

Gives grace to the humble

Receive His salvation

Believing in Jesus

Saved by “Amazing Grace”

Love transcends from above

Light shines upon each face

Doesn’t look for our faults

Our Lord never keeps score

His grace given freely

Loving us, evermore

Transformation through faith

Raising life from the dead

Unfathomable love

By grace, and blood Christ shed

From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll: “Grace operates apart from the response or the ability of the individual. Grace is one-sided. Grace is God giving Himself in full acceptance to someone who does not deserve it and can never earn it and will never be able to repay.”

24/7 Refuge

Posted on September 17, 2020 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.”

Charles L. Allen Quote

Posted on June 13, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God.

From John 16:32-33: “The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”

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