"State of Belief" podcast
Coauthor Brad Lyons and host C. Welton Gaddy discuss "America's Holy Ground" and Chalice Press' publishing for progressive Christians in the April 27 podcast.
“Now We’re Talking with Doug Pagitt”
Coauthor Brad Lyons and Doug dig into "America's Holy Ground," its origins, some national park trivia, how you can use the book, and a bit at the end about the publishing life at Chalice Press. Jump to the Facebook Live broadcast.
America's Holy Ground Trailer #3: Grand Canyon
America's Holy Ground Trailer #2: What are your holy moments in America's holy ground?
America's Holy Ground Trailer #1: Old Faithful
Brad Lyons, coauthor: It was August of 1995, and I was exhausted. It had been a very hard year, and I left on vacation that summer not knowing if I was going to go back to the job I was leaving behind. We went west, to Mesa Verde National Park and Arches National Park, but the goal was Yellowstone.
We had an unforgettable time seeing the geysers and mudpots and the wildlife. But on the last night of our stay, knowing we would be heading back home the next day, I found myself outside, alone, waiting for Old Faithful to erupt one last time. As I sat there in the darkness, waiting, I gazed up at the stars, and I realized I was seeing something more – I was seeing tiny streaks arcing across the deep, dark Yellowstone sky. I was seeing the Perseid meteor shower! I didn’t realize I was going to see a meteor shower!
But there, in that moment, with Old Faithful roaring just a few yards away, it seemed the meteors poured out of the sky just for me. In the darkness, I realized how small I was, what a gift from God our big world truly is, and what a holy place Yellowstone could be. It also helped me to refocus and reconnect with my values. I ended up going back to that job. And when I think back to that time, I recognize what an important moment in my life that was. I realize that in those few solitary moments at Yellowstone, God was speaking to me.
What is your holy moment in America’s Holy Ground?