Bad, Bad, Lands--Picture Blog

Writing Letters

Hey Guys,

I'm about to hit the road to Yellowstone for the last leg (finally) in our tour out west. Some of the land out here is absolutely beautiful. Most of the rolling green hills look like Hobbiton, and the rocky spires of the Black Hills look like Mordor. There are no words to describe it, so I'll refrain for now. Anyway, I'll post some pictures later.

Some have asked information about writing or sending letters. The address for me will be two part. First, for U.S. mail (letters, etc) and another for packages or UPS

Mail: Trey Gardenhire
General Delivery-Canyon
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

UPS Packages:
Trey Gardenhire
YNP Lodges-Canyon Personnel Office
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

I hope you all employ this so I can get letters and packages :).

Please pray for the last leg of our journey.

Trey

Just A Mirror For The Sun/Vespers in the Midwest

Info: Kyle and I arrived in Platte City around 10:10 CDT. We made it to the hotel safe and soundly and will begin continue our excursion at 7am. We'll drive approx. 12 hours again tomorrow to Rapid City, SD.

Reflection

Everyday in Missouri, the sun sets over the western horizon. The colors jump from the sky full of indigo, pink, blue, with soft clouds to give a glorious scene. Somewhere in between listening to The Avett Brothers and Gorillaz, Kyle asked me to switch to his 'Hymns' playlist. After a few hymns, I noticed another playlist called 'Greek Chants'. Curiosity made me click, and so began a series of soft, Greek chants. While the sun lowered over the horizon, I sat listening to the soft chanting--Worship.

During that moment, I believe I entered into worship. I mistake worship for an elated state I conjure with music, noise, and meditative practices, yet this isn't true. Worship is awe and wonder towards God. While I can't paint the picture, my soul required no conjuring because I only became aware of the chorus singing around me. If I listened close enough, I could hear the rocks chant softly in their own language. Perhaps the tall trees would shout louder than all the rest. Maybe the clouds would whisper or hum softly--it made no difference--we were worshiping God together. Worship did not come from within but from without. I did not set my mind on worship, I simply couldn't resist worship. I could not pretend I wondered at God, because I did. I awed at the beauty of the sunset, seeing it sweat of color and beauty. Wonder and awe can't be manufactured or manipulated, but evoked from entering into the worship around us. While all of creation groans for the revealing of the Sons of God (Romans 8:22-23, and while you're at it, read the chapter and the book if you have time).

Perhaps I miss this because I'm too busy trying to make worship work instead of allowing the God to wonder. Worship is happening around us whether or not we admit its work around us. Simply, we must allow its work within us as well. I do not mean that we manufacture more 'environments' for worship, but pause-- enter into the worship already taking place.

Just some thoughts, please pray and comment on any other experiences here.

With Love,

Trey