Weekend with Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and Doc Holiday

Not really. But, wouldn’t that be pretty cool? I rode yesterday (6/21) (through the horrible cross-wind! 🌬️) to Dodge City, Kansas. Dodge City has a pretty interesting and somewhat sordid past. Most folks know Dodge City by the famous TV western “Gunsmoke” which aired from 1955 to 1975. That’s a long time for Martial Dillon, Ms. Kitty, and Cletus making sure things around these parts were kept respectable. 

As I said, the ride to Dodge was 85% fighting the 25-30 mph crosswind gusts that wanted me to change lanes! A bit scary at times, but manageable. It was warm toward the afternoon 95° and a bit dusty, but hey, I’m deep in the west now and expect things like that.

This morning I attended worship services at St. Cornelius Episcopal Church (ca. 1898). I walked in expecting Holy Eucharist, but experienced a Rite II Morning Prayer. Supply priests in this part of the country are as rare as they are in East Tennessee. The Morning Prayer service was led by a lay person who just happens to be in the process for Holy Orders, Jane Lindamood. The service was well done. I felt welcomed at stood out like a sore thumb among the 13 of us who were there. All Episcopal Churches have their own unique quirkiness, but God was worshipped none the less. They are on the verge of calling a priest. I pray that God has big plans for them! After church Jane and I went to a local Mexican restaurant and chatted. I made a new friend. She took me to see La Salsa Man (created by movie star Dennis Hoppper) that is next to the home where Dennis Hopper was raised. I went to Boot Hill in 2017 when I was here on an overnight, so I didn’t go see that again.

This afternoon was spent cleaning up (bike, clothes, gear, washing helmet, repacking, etc.). It was nice to have a “normal” Sunday where I got to do the things that help me have a great riding week. This coming week I am headed up through Nebraska, South Dakota, and into Montana. I understand that the weather is crazy - hot one day and cold the next, so I’m going to watch it closely. I don’t have anyone up here other than the Bishop of Montana that I plan to catch up with. Most of my connections are south, east, and west of here. Therefore, because this pilgrimage is about people and relationship connections, I plan to make new friends along the way, like Jane.

Today, I thank God for the Sabbath. Sabbath time for me is a time of intentional rest, regardless of the day. Many will argue that Saturday is the actual Sabbath, and for Biblical times that’s true. But since Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday, as Christians, we consider Sunday a day of greater solemnity and have set that day apart as sort of a “Christian Sabbath” for worship, study, and rest. 

On the ride to Dodge City, it was difficult to not think about the wind ripping across the prairie trying to blow me over. Wind is a powerful force! When we hear of wind in scripture, we can think of the Ruach or the Mighty Breath of God or the life force that sustains all things. Or, we can think of Pentecost, when the mighty rushing wind (the Holy Spirit) came upon all who were gathered there and landed on each like a flame. Wind is a powerful force. I know areas in the Midwest and west are subject to violent destruction because of wind (tornados, etc…) and there is a profound respect for destructive wind in these areas. But, they also use the wind to generate electricity, help with irrigation, and other remote agriculture and civil uses. They learned to harness the power of the wind to let it work for them and give them good things.

I feel that God wants good things for us. But in order to receive the good things we are offered, we need to be aligned with the wind (the Holy Spirit) and live life according to the way of Jesus.

Challenge to St. James & Self: On this Sabbath Day, be grateful for holy rest and think about how to align your life with the teachings of Jesus, responding to the Holy Spirit (the Wind).