Big Sky Writer

I was a classroom teacher for a couple of decades, and there was a question that I sometimes heard from my students:Why do we have to learn this?We’re never going to use this stuff! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Every once in a while, you read a book that reminds you how fragile life can be—and how faithful God is in the midst of challenging times.Where the Wind Leads by Vinh Chung is one of those books. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."Voltaire This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Musicians are StorytellersFor those of you who have listened to me for a while, you know that I think musicians are some of the best storytellers in a society. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

“This is the day that the Lord has made;let us rejoice and be glad in it.”— Psalm 118:24 (ESV) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Post ScriptA couple of years after leaving the Army, I had an opportunity to hear two special speakers at a church event.They were both men who had served in Vietnam—but in a very different way than I had. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

A very long time ago, a prophet by the name of Isaiah spoke of an extraordinary event that would happen.“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”— Isaiah 7:14 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

My last day in the Army finally arrived.Everything I owned was stuffed into my duffel bag, and I was wearing my uniform for the last time as I headed to a special room where all the soldiers being discharged that day were gathered. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Milei is known for exposing the flawed logic behind easy political solutions—whether it's printing currency to solve economic crises or assuming that credentials automatically produce wisdom. His message reminds us that real change requires discipline, responsibility, and truth, not shortcuts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Time for a little change from my normal Substack posts.Because today is a special day for me.Fifty-four years ago, I received a great gift from God — my beautiful wife, Sharon. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Back to Fort SillI didn’t know what I would be doing when I returned to Fort Sill.When I arrived at the post, an officer told me I was going to work at the Combat Development Command. I had no idea what that even was. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Noah Webster (1758–1843) was an American lexicographer, educator, and one of the most influential shapers of early American culture. Best known for creating the first truly American dictionary, Webster believed that a strong republic required citizens grounded in moral truth. A committed Christian, he saw the Bible—especially the New Testament—as essential for forming virtue, character, and civic responsibility in the rising generation. His work in education and language was driven by the conviction that a free nation could only endure if its people were instructed in both knowledge and biblical principles.“Our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican principles is the Bible, particularly the New Testament, or the Christian religion... The Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children under a free government ought to be instructed.”Noah Webster in “History of the United States” published in 1832. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

When I arrived back in the States, I found that my brother was handling all of Dad’s affairs. He took care of the bills Dad had left behind and the few belongings he had when he passed away.It was a blessing having a brother who could shoulder those responsibilities. But that also meant there wasn’t much for me to do during this emergency leave. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Dr. Benjamin Rush (1746-1813) was an American physician, educator, political leader, and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the country.Several years after the end of the War for Independence, Rush described what he believed was important in educating young people if the United States of America was to continue as a republican form of government giving freedom and liberty to the people.“… the only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments.… the religion I mean to recommend in this place is that of the New Testament.”Dr. Benjamin Rush, from “Of the Mode of Education Proper in a Republic”Today in America over 49 million students attend public schools. In how many of those schools do you think children are being given a foundation in the truths of the Bible?Will our nation pay the price for excluding God from the lives of our children?Think about it.ResourcesIf you would like to know more about Dr. Benjamin Rush, check out the following:Benjamin Rush in Grokipedia.Benjamin Rush in Britannica This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Over one hundred years ago, an American President wrote a proclamation encouraging the people to set aside a day thanking God for His blessings.As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, how many Americans are taking time to thank God for all He has done for us? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) changed the way we see the natural world. Known as the Father of Modern Taxonomy, he created the system of naming and classifying plants and animals that is still used in science today. The system developed by Linnaeus organized creation into categories that gave structure to the seemingly endless diversity of life.But for Linnaeus, science was more than classification — it was worship. He believed that studying nature was following the footsteps of the Creator. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

When I returned to Da Nang, I headed straight to my hootch to see if it was still there, or if someone else had claimed it, and then I would have to find a new home. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

During my emergency leave from Vietnam, I spent thirty days at home — visiting friends, my church, and most importantly, my dad.We talked like we never had before — about war, books, and faith.I didn’t know it would be our last conversation.This is the story of those days … and the lesson God taught me about sharing His truth while there’s still time. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

It’s funny how quickly we grow dependent on technology — on devices that make life easier, smoother, faster. But sometimes, that convenience dulls our sense of wonder and gratitude.Maybe slowing down isn’t such a bad thing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) was one of the greatest scientists of all time. His discoveries in vaccines, pasteurization, and germ theory have literally saved millions of lives.But he was more than just a microbiologist or chemist. He was a man who saw that true science points to God.Pasteur is often credited with saying:“The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator.”Louis PasteurEvery new discovery wasn’t a reason to boast in human knowledge—it was a reason to marvel at divine wisdom.Take time today to look at God’s creation and see how great God is. Step outside. Look at the sky, a tree, or even the smallest flower, and remember this is God’s handiwork.Lift up your eyes on high and see:who created these?Isaiah 40:26 (ESV)God has made it clear that His creation reveals who He is, and God holds people accountable to recognize Him.For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.Romans 1:18-25 (ESV)Don’t suppress the truth.Don’t choose to become a fool.Like Pasteur, choose to be amazed by the Creator.Before I go, I’d like to share a blessing with you from the Old Testament.“May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.”Numbers 6:24-26 (The Living Bible)Until next time … be the reason someone smiles today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Criticism is something we all face. Sometimes it helps us grow, but often it can discourage us and make us doubt ourselves. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Funny quotes about fishing and the internet may get a chuckle, but they reveal something deeper: our tendency to avoid real needs by hiding behind screens. True faith calls us to feed both body and soul. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

“O beautiful for spacious skies…” — the words are unforgettable, but do you know the story behind them? In 1893, Katharine Lee Bates stood atop Pike’s Peak and was so moved by the view that she began writing what would become America the Beautiful.It's a song that is both a celebration and a prayer: God shed His grace on thee. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Jesus warned, “Beware of false prophets…inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). We need to discern these wolves in our own time and remain grounded in the truth of God’s Word. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

On the eve of the Presidential Election in 1964, Ronald Reagan addressed the nation and shared what he thought made America great.“The greatness of America doesn’t begin in Washington; it begins with each of you — in the mighty spirit of free people under God, in the bedrock values you live by each day in your families, neighborhoods, and workplaces.”Ronald Reagan, 1964These words weren’t just campaign pronouncements. They were an expression of Reagan’s understanding of why America was a great nation.We don’t hear such thoughts made by most of our politicians today. We should ask ourselves if we are still a free people under God.And we should consider what bedrock values we are living by today? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Artificial Intelligence is changing the job market faster than ever. Some careers are disappearing, while others—rooted in human connection and hands-on skill—are becoming more valuable. As we enter this AI empowered age, seeking God’s wisdom is the most important career advice I can give you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

In a world flooded with half-truths and political spin, are we settling for what just sounds right instead of what is right? This short reflection asks a pointed question: how many times do you need to be lied to before you stop trusting the source? Featuring a sobering quote from George Whitefield and a look back at 2020’s “mostly peaceful protests,” this piece is a challenge to seek truth—not a version of it that’s convenient, but the real thing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Let’s admit it: we all follow rules.It might be an organization we work for.I remember when I was in the Army, they told me when I would get up, when I would take a shower, how I would make my bed, when I would eat, when I would go to bed, when I would get a haircut and how that haircut would look, just to name a few of the rules.They had rules for just about everything, and those rules better be obeyed or else.Now after I left the Army, that wasn’t the end of rules in my life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Since the politicians in the government today are working so very hard figuring out how to spend the money they take from us, I thought you might enjoy a little trip back in time.Let’s go back about sixty years and see what another politician said about how the government deals with money. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, wrote a letter in 1917 that should resonate with us today.“The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

"Our world faces storms of wars, moral collapse, and looming threats—do we need a lifeboat to rescue us? Inspired by Dwight L. Moody's call to share Jesus with people." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Click the player above to watch the video or read the transcript below.Thank you, Mark. And thank you for dropping by to listen.Time for another history lesson.I have always been fascinated by how people developed things throughout history.Think about it.The very first people on earth had to eat. But there were no stores—no supermarkets, no Walmarts, no Costcos, no McDonalds or Burger Kings. And no DoorDash to bring the food right to their door. Yet people still had to eat.They had to look around the world they lived in and try to figure out how they would survive.Check out the image of the field of wheat below.If you saw that field of wheat and you were really hungry, you might grab a stalk, pull it out of the ground and start gnawing on it. If you did that, I don’t think you would enjoy what you were eating.But I guess if you were desperately hungry, you might grab anything that growing out of the ground and eat it, hoping that you would satisfy your hunger without making you sick.Historically, what fascinates me is that people figured out that the field of wheat in front of them was food. Good food.But they had to do some things first.They could take that stalk of wheat, remove the heads from the stalk, clean the kernels from the head, get rid of the outer husk of the kernels, and then take a couple of rocks to smash the kernels into flour.With that flour, they could add some ingredients, heat it in a fire, and create a tasty loaf of bread.Would you have ever thought of doing something like that?I don’t think I would have.Which means that even if I was surrounded by a field of wheat, I just might starve to death. I certainly wouldn’t have a loaf of bread, or an English muffin, or a cinnamon roll.The Family MillstoneArchaeologists have discovered that people learned to process wheat thousands of years ago. Initially, a family might get a couple of rocks to crush the grain into flour. Probably something like a mortar and pestle.Over time, however, things became a little more sophisticated. People made two circular stones: one stationary stone was placed on the ground, and the other was set on top of it. The kernels were placed between the stones and the top stone was rotated by hand, crushing the kernels into flour. The stones were small, 12 to 18 inches in diameter, weighed between 20 to 30 pounds, and they worked for a single household.The Donkey MillstoneBut for a larger farm, of if a group of farmers got together, they needed something bigger to handle turning their wheat into flour.They created what was called a “mýlos onikós” which means “donkey millstone.”The mylos onikos was a very large millstone. It could be 3 to 5 feet in diameter, 6 to 12 inches thick, and weigh hundreds of pounds. Some have even been found that weigh over 1,000 pounds.The millstones were so big and heavy, they needed an animal such as a donkey to turn them.Hence their name.Jesus and ChildrenWhich brings me to the point of today’s history lesson.About 2,000 years ago Jesus was teaching his disciples an important lesson. He had a child brought to him and he explained:“… whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” — Matthew 18:6 (ESV)Jesus didn’t mince words when he described what someone deserves if they cause a child to sin.He used the term “mylos onikos”, which his listeners understood to mean a massive stone that weighed hundreds of pounds.The image is brutal.If you play a role in causing a child to sin, Jesus says you deserve far worse than having a millstone weighing hundreds of pounds tied around your neck, being taken out on a boat into the ocean, and being dumped overboard.It’s a serious warning.Are We Leading Children Astray?As we look at our world today, are the influences bombarding our children leading them to sin?Streaming videos, social media, movies, TV, video games, smart phones—even our schools and some of our churches.Our children are spending hours every day marinating in a culture that seems determined to keep them from the God who loves them while encouraging them to embrace sin as a way of life.Ask God to show you how to be a light to the people, especially children, that He brings into your world today.Before I go, I’d like to share a blessing with you from the Old Testament.“May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.”Numbers 6:24-26 (The Living Bible)Until next time … be the reason someone smiles today This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Justice is a big deal to God.In fact, God had a warning for people who thought just doing “religious” acts would give them a free ride to heaven.“He has told you, O man, 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?”Micah 6:8 (ESV)To do justice.God requires it of people who want to please him. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Our local mall isn’t what it used to be. Another store just closed, leaving yet another empty storefront in its wake. During a recent visit, I had an unexpected conversation with a store clerk facing an uncertain future—and it reminded me how important it is to offer encouragement.In this post, I reflect on the decline of brick-and-mortar retail, lingering Christmas displays in mid-March, and a couple of books worth reading if you’re curious about the people shaping our government. Plus, I leave you with a blessing from the Old Testament.Until next time … be the reason someone smiles today! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

I had a birthday a couple of months ago and felt pretty good about being alive.And then I ran across a report that put a damper on my day.It was just a number.Only a number. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Thomas Sowell, an American economist, wrote book in 2000 called Basic Economics: A Common Sense Guide to the Economy.“It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong.”Thomas SowellThink about that for a minute. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Winter in Montana is no joke—especially when you weren’t born here. In this lighthearted piece, I share my battle with snow shoveling, my close encounter with a driveway snowbank, and a few reflections on surviving the cold. Plus, a quick update on my latest writing project and some recommendations for Valentine’s Day gifts. Grab a cup of something warm and join me for a snowy adventure! ❄️ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

You probably know people who say all the “right things” but whose lives demonstrate something very different than what they say.We give those people — “them” — a number of names: phony, hypocrite, two-faced, pretender … to name just a few. Many of those names are less-than-kind.But whatever you call “them”, you have to admit it’s a pretty common human condition. People have been talking a game they don’t live for a long time. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

As the dust settles from the recent elections, it’s worth reflecting on an observation often attributed to Milton Berle:“You can lead a man to Congress, but you can’t make him think.”Milton BerleWhile this quip might seem unfair to our elected officials, it’s hard not to recall moments that make you wonder—like the time a congressman expressed concern that an island might tip over if the military stationed too many resources there.In fairness to the Congressman, when critics pointed out that islands are mountain peaks rising from the ocean floor—not flat, floating thingies—he later claimed he was just joking. Whether or not that’s true, the incident highlights the colorful moments that often accompany public office.NOTE: Although Berle is widely credited with this quote, some attribute it to other sources. Regardless of its origins, the humor and insight resonate across generations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

In a speech at an Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast in 1984, President Ronald Reagan emphasized the importance of recognizing God sovereignty in our national life.Reagan stated that democracy and the nation itself would not survive if the people forgot that we are one nation under God.“… without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”President Ronald Reagan This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Imagine a world where your pillow adjusts to stop your snoring, a smartwatch tracks your sleep cycles, and a robot mows your lawn. Two weeks ago, I stepped into that future at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where over 140,000 people gathered to witness cutting-edge innovations from more than 4,500 exhibitors. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Travel in our world today is always an adventure.I recently attended CES 2025 in Las Vegas and thought I’d share a few observations about my travel experiences. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Have you ever imagined a church in a shopping mall? In this piece, I explore some of the challenges my church has faced in trusting God's plan for finding a home for our congregation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Christmas 2025 is over, but as I reflect on the messages our culture conveyed through various media, I see that most either missed the point or deliberately ignored the true significance of Christmas. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Today I’d like to take a trip back into history to look at a particular town.It was a small town. Historians guess — and that’s all they really can do … just guess — that the population was around 2,000 or 3,000 people.Like I said, it was a small town.But something happened in that small town that would change the world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

About 700 years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of the Messiah."For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."Isaiah 9:6 (ESV) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Did you know the first Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation was about more than just gratitude? Let's look at George Washington’s 1789 proclamation and its call to acknowledge God, thank Him for His blessings, and seek forgiveness for our nation’s sins. Discover how Thanksgiving was originally intended to unite Americans in faith and reflection—and consider how we can celebrate it today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

“A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have.”This warning has echoed throughout American political discourse for decades, surfacing in debates on government power and personal freedom. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

On October 25, 2024, which is just a few weeks ago, the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Defense issued a report titled “Audit of C-17 Spare Parts Pricing.” I grant you that title probably won’t make you rush out to buy it just so you could have fun reading material.But it’s an interesting report as we consider how the government spends the money they take from us. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

The government always wants ... needs ... our money. But there is a problem.“Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com