Joshua Tree soars in “Gods Country”

Traveling thru Wyoming and Montana, the brilliance of this album soars.

A sense of place is clear in the music – and it simply makes more sense when combined with this landscape!

Tetons or Old Faithful

Driving near “The Church of the Transfiguration” near Jackson, I find myself reflecting on my faith. In some ways I wonder if my faith resembles the Tetons. Sometimes it’s easy to see it (them), but at other times it’s shrouded in cloud. When the sun is out you can really see the mountaintops, but in the stormy weather it can be impossible.

However, I think my faith is like a geyser in Yellowstone. Just like “Old Faithful”, under pressure it erupts and can be seen easily, but when the pressure declines, it becomes hidden. My faith, just like the geyser remains alive, it’s just that it diminishes before once again pressure forces it into the public.

It’s worrying!

Thankfully God is ever present and unchanging.

Wouldn’t it be great to always be on. I wonder how realistic this is and as I write this, I question what “on” actually is? Is it some Evangelical fervor, or maybe it’s more about relationship? So many different models around, so I guess the only safe options to model on is that of God made Flesh.

Jesus has a personal relationship with the Father. He spoke regularly, treated Him as if he was an ever present friend. The difference between physical and spiritual presence did not appear a delineation for Jesus.

It reminds me of a story told by Brennan Manning about a man who doesn’t know how to talk to God. His priest tells him to go home and imagine God sitting across from him in a chair. In this practical manner the man finds God is there next to him. perhaps this is today’s insight.

I need to sit. I need to be still long enough to have a conversation. I need to sit with my God, speak a little, but listen with ears and heart.

Pearl Street Bagels

After two failed cappuccinos, I’ve finally fund somewhere to grab a coffee and sit and relax.
It’s a funky cafe in the street behind my hotel. The coffee is the best I’ve had in a week.

Outside the temperature in about 1 degree and the mountain wind drops it lower. Small snow flakes are falling and the wind is fighting against the remaining leaves on the beech tree. The snow is strengthening and its now almost horizontal. Thankfully its a short walk back.

The cafe radiates with loud conversations. People discussing life in the small town of 86,000. Despite the enormous beauty, life continues to bring challenges. The big conversation is last nights Presidential Debate. Wyoming has 5 seats in the election with Jackson being the lone Democrat area.
This is a hunting State. A State of cowboys, ranchers, their tough resilient people. But around here it’s complimented by environmentalists and the socially aware. It’s an interesting mix.

Outside the snow is strengthening and gathering on the ground. I love this place.

In Gods Country

I hit the road at 7am in time to catch dawn over the Tetons. Given the snow that fell yesterday and the forecast for today, I don’t hold much hope, but it’s gotten me up. As I head out of Jackson, I see Some stars, alerting that the sky isn’t completely full of clouds.

As dawn breaks, there is still the absence of color as the cloud has rolled in and shrouded the mountains, but the outline remains. I head to the Snake River outlook, just as the sky begins to open. Amazing.

The camera clicks as I try and record the moment, knowing that it will be impossible to capture the biting chill and sounds within the confines of an image. The shots are great, but it’s so cold I have to retreat to the car with the heater on full to defrost my fingers.

Throwing the car into drive, I head over to Mormon Row to see what the light is like on the old barn. Snow has lightly dusted the barn and surrounds. It’s a beautiful morning and I simply can’t believe that I’m here.

I head home via antelope drive and find a large herd of bison grazing. Somehow these amazing beasts have become my favorite. Tough, resistant, committed.

It has been a amazing morning, one that ranks right up there in my life.

I drive back to Jackson with U2 playing and feel an overwhelming sense of the potential and blessing that this country has received. Let’s hope it’s used for good.