Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Greatest Gift

Posted on December 29, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”

Imagine receiving one gift

But, never accepting its love

Forsaking Father’s lasting grace

Angels witness all from above

This precious gift brings lasting peace

Why would God’s love remain unwrapped?

Sin continues weaving darkness

Triggering mankind to feel trapped

Spirit moves into heart’s fabric

Cosmic collision stirs within

Christ stepping into this dark breach

Divine love snaps sin’s frail linchpin

For God so loved this fallen world

His Holy Son pays for sin’s debts

Unlocking eternity’s gate

Christ’s mercy saves, without regrets

Now embracing and accepting

Father’s loving gift now received

Trusting in Savior’s greatest gift

Forgiveness, all who believe

**Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels.com**

From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “The greatest gift ever given was the sacrifice of Jesus, and all we must do is accept this free gift in joy forever with Him.”

Sin’s Island

Posted on December 22, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Colossians 3:1-2: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Living on sin’s island

Forsaking faith in Christ

Breathing in darkest fears

Grace seeming too high priced

Searching far horizon

Scanning each tidal wave

Feeling Spirit’s nudges

Christ Jesus comes to save

Witnessing Calvary

Flooding tears crying out

Asking big question . . . why?

Salvation, still in doubt

Observing blood-stained cross

Watching Christ breath His last

Wrestling with sinful flesh

Evil’s hold, standing fast

Awaking days later

Running to empty tomb

Accepting Christ this day

Leaving sin’s island room

**Photo by Alem Su00e1nchez on Pexels.com**

From 1 John 3:2-3: “Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when He is revealed, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. And all who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.”

Jesus Always (Elfchen Series #88)

Posted on December 10, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Journey

Blessed

Living water

Grace and forgiveness

Walking to eternal life

Jesus

Discovery

Sinfulness

Seeking redemption

Looking to Jesus

Integrity and character sidetracked

Repentance

Affirmation

Remembering

Every morning

Our baptismal waters

Salvation found in Christ

Promises

Divine Love

Posted on December 8, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From 1 John 4:9-10: “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Father reigns from above

Revealing divine love

Heaven’s whispering dove

God’s love never changes

Spanning earth’s vast ranges

Blessed interchanges

Mankind living in sin

Loving Christ, life begins

Cross becomes faith’s linchpin

Lasting love, none greater

Needing no translator

Grace shines, from Creator

Love’s divine foundation

Nurturing salvation

Life’s eternal station

From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “We didn’t earn the love God has for us, and that’s why we can never lose it.”

Sorrow to Joy

Posted on November 24, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From John 16:20: “Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy.”

Frightened, behind closed doors

Sorrowful tears cry out

Yesterday, filled with light

Today, darkness brings doubt

Disciples and others

Bewildered and scattered

Christ’s death crushes spirit

Faith’s fragileness shattered

No place to run toward

Trapped and shut-off from God

Tomorrow’s hope now gone

What makes this picture flawed?

Peter, John, and Mary

Cold, empty tomb proclaims

Resurrection witnessed

Evil’s planning in flames

Sorrow turning to joy

Messiah comes to save

Bloodied cross bears man’s sins

Chains no longer enslave

**Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com**

From John 20:18: “Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that He had said these things to her.”

Monday Memories: Seeking His Guidance

Posted on November 15, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Mike on Pexels.com

From Psalm 37:23-24: “Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when He delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.”

God wants us to succeed today

Asking for our patience and trust

Allowing faith to rebuild hope

Studying from His Word, we must

Always trusting in our Father

Bringing us guidance and His love

Achieving good through His name

Touching hearts, His joy sings above

We are never forsaken, never

Leading, God offers direction

Finding the means, moving forward

Meeting trials with reflection

The wicked gather all around

Following the Enemy’s lies

Causing God to judge their follies

Coming Judgment Day will apprise

Our Savior’s coming, all waiting

Receiving God’s Grace, what a gift

The Lord standing with the righteous

Accepting His plan, lives not adrift

We may still misstep and stumble

Preventing us from falling down

Reaching out, God’s hand guiding us

Fleeing, the thirsty Enemy frowns

Through His Word, the Father blesses

Giving generously, all with love

Choosing Jesus, Salvation comes

Seeking God’s guidance, from above

From the words of Dutch priest, writer, and theologian Henri Nouwen: “A spiritual discipline is necessary in order to move slowly from an absurd to an obedient life, from a life filled with noisy worries to a life in which there is some free inner space where we can listen to our God and follow His guidance.”

man s hand in shallow focus and grayscale photography

Photo by lalesh aldarwish on Pexels.com

Father’s Gifts (Elfchen Series #84)

Posted on November 12, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Freedom

Sin

Darkness prowling

One eternal sacrifice

Savior’s blood breaks chains

Forgiveness

**Photo by Castorly Stock on Pexels.com**

Reborn

Awaken

New dawn

High Priest Jesus

Empty tomb forever rejoices

Salvation

**Photo by Flo Maderebner on Pexels.com**

Eternity

Love

None greater

Father sends Son

World saved through Him

Believe

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.

Life’s Linchpin

Posted on October 21, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Isaiah 53:7: “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He did not open his mouth.”

**Photo by Maruxa Lomoljo Koren on Pexels.com**

From Eden’s lush garden

Man’s sin corrupting all

God sees Calvary’s cross

Jesus accepts His call

God comes to earth as Christ

Son of God walks in light

Fallen world can’t crush Him

Darkness loses this fight

Jesus never wavers

Father’s plan never rests

World quakes under evil

His Son conquers each test

Like sheep, man has strayed

Lost in darkness and sin

Wheels of life falling off

Cross restores life’s linchpin

Do you truly believe?

Righteous Son pours self out

Sin’s death now defeated

Step forward, never doubt

From Isaiah 53:11: “Out of His anguish He shall see light; He shall find satisfaction through His knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and He shall bear their iniquities.”

Faith’s Dilemma

Posted on October 17, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Romans 7:14-15: “For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”

**Photo by Tima Miroshnic**henko on Pexels.com

Even after salvation

Evil gathers temptation

Satan never giving up

His truth always false, made-up

Man continues to wrestle

Sin looks for place to nestle

Feelings of condemnation

Life bears guilty fixation

Inner conflict tears apart

Jesus speaks truth to each heart

Faith’s dilemma overcome

Favored, steady, beating drum

Savior’s blood wipes sin away

Blessed by love, trust never sways

God’s grace eternally flows

His constant love never slows

Father shall never reject

Those who faithfully connect

False promises never blind

Truth of Scripture filling minds

**Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com**

From Romans 8:1-2: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

Divine Favor

Posted on October 10, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

Dead from our trespasses

Sin ruling over man

Living outside God’s law

Called to accept His plan

God opens grace-filled door

Cooling desires of flesh

Sharing His mercy’s love

Today begins afresh

Salvation accepted

Lord’s spring of grace will flow

Tasting divine favor

Mistakes washed white as snow

Life christened with God’s joy

Made alive in Jesus

Overcoming weakness

Lord’s divine grace frees us

Eternal age to come

Lord’s love shall see us through

Saving us from darkness

Grace through faith comes in view

From 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”

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Journey

Discovery

Affirmation

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Freedom

Reborn

Eternity

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