One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: To dwell in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, to gaze on the Lord’s beauty. Psalms 27:4
(Photo: Yellowstone National Park)
Tag Archives: Yellowstone
Boiling
This picture was taken 3 years ago at the Boiling River in Yellowstone NP. It is called that because the geothermal water emerges from the ground and drains into the Gardner River here. It’s not quite boiling but it is hot enough to burn. The recent storms and flooding have completely changed the site; the path to walk from the parking has been washed away and river has changed its course so that the geothermal water no longer joins where it did before.
It is stunning to see pictures of roads washed out and bridges vanished. Another reminder of forces that dwarf the power of human efforts.
Impressions
This is the lower falls of the Yellowstone River. Impressive even from almost a mile away. While we were there, I was able to experience the falls from the top and hike to the bottom of the falls as well as seeing them from the distance. Different aspects stand out from the different perspectives. It is dizzying to be at the top and look down. At the bottom, you get to experience the spray up close. But only from a distance are you able to appreciate context.
Bless the Lord
Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty, Covering Yourself with light as with a cloak, Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain. He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind; He makes the winds His messengers, Flaming fire His ministers. He established the earth upon its foundations, So that it will not totter forever and ever. Psalms 104:1-5
Photo: Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone
God’s Presence
This photo was taken on one of our last days at Yellowstone. When we arrived at this trail, we had to wait a few minutes because there were a large number of bison crossing the trail about where I was standing to take this picture. They are visible near the center of this photo.
There were a couple of times during our trip when bison crossing the road created a back up of cars. Close encounters with bison are not infrequent. In fact, I was surprised at how easy it was to observe them up close (from our car). They seem quite oblivious to the people and cars around them. Then you read reports about a bison attacking a car (or person) and you realize they not completely oblivious to our presence around them.
I think we are often like the bison – nearly oblivious to God’s presence around us. Occasionally, we do recognize God and can not help but react.
An Imperfect World
This is the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone. When we were there, we saw the spring from multiple different views on two different days. This was the first day we saw it; it was a very cloudy and drizzly day. As a result, it was hard to get a really good view of the spring. We went back 2 days later on a much clearer (and warmer) day. What a difference in the views! That said, the views were still amazing this first day.
So what would my impression of the Grand Prismatic Spring have been if I had only seen it the first day? Disappointment? How often are we disappointed because something is not “perfect”? How do we even know what is perfect?
Heavens and Earth
Long ago you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish but you will remain. They will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like clothes, and they change. But you are the same, and your years do not end. Psalm 102:25-27
(Photo: Yellowstone Lake, view from Mt Washburn)
Beauty
This is Gibbon Falls, located beside the main road in Yellowstone National Park. It is one of the smaller falls in the Park and yet, still beautiful and magnificent.
It is easy to compare ourselves/our lives to others and feel lacking. Better to appreciate the unique beauty that God has given each of us.
Steam
This is another photo of the Grand Prismatic hot spring in Yellowstone National Park. From this angle, the main thing visible from the spring is the stream rising. I like how the steam seems to merge with the clouds in the background. Which I suppose is literally what happens (eventually).
We are told we are dust and to dust we shall return (Gen 3:19). Since our bodies are about 50-60% water, maybe a more scientifically accurate statement would be we are water and to water we shall return.
Hot Springs
One of those many amazing aspects of Yellowstone is the connectedness of the geothermal features. This is a photo at the Mammoth Hot Springs. The water here comes from the Norris Geyser Basin, about 20 miles away. The water carries calcium carbonate which is deposited as the water cools.
In a similar way, God is continually shaping us.
Signs Along the Way 