Junction City Journey

Friday, October 8

I began my journey in Junction City at 8:30 AM. What? You thought I was in Ogden?

Earlier this week, I noticed a faded painted sign on a brick building in downtown Ogden . . . it said "JUNCTION CITY". And, I remembered that a newly rejuvenated and still-in-progress section of town is called "The Junction".

Last night, the whole family went to Hastings, a local bookstore with a coffee shop . . . it's a lot like Borders or Barnes & Noble and it's a favorite of Homer III, Alicia, and their kids. Sandra and I went along, of course, because we do not want to miss an opportunity to be with our grand kids. Everyone scattered to find a book or magazine. I found a "local" section and selected a thin book offering a photographic history of Ogden. I learned a lot about the history behind the term "Junction City."

Two beautiful rivers flow out of the Wasatch Mountains above what is now Ogden. The Ogden River and the Weber River merge within two miles of Union Station. In 1846, years before the Mormons arrived, a mountain man/trapper named Miles Goodyear built Fort Buenaventura beside the Weber River, near its junction with the Ogden River. The fort actually marked a site that had been a meeting place, a "rendezvous," for a generation of rugged men like Jim Bridger and Peter Ogden.

The "golden spike" united the first trans-continental railroad only 25 miles from Ogden, which was the staging area for the last section of that railroad. Ogden became a junction for several railroads. Hundreds of thousands of settlers passed through Ogden on their way to the west coast, or back. Today, most passenger trains stop in Salt Lake City, but Ogden still has a railroad yard that is bigger than some of the cities I've lived in!

So, Ogden is known locally as "Junction City."

Today I chose a different route. I parked on Grant Avenue at 21st Street, walked south on Grant to 25th, then turned west on 25th to Wall Avenue. I crossed 25th and walked back to Grant, then turned south again to 27th, where I crossed the street and returned north to 25th. I turned east on 25th to Washington, crossed the street, and turned west on 25th, to Grant. Turning north on Grant, I walked back to my car. Thus, my path marked a large "cross" in the middle of town. I actually walked to the junction of 25th Street and Grant Avenue 4 times.

The weather was cool and damp. The streets were wet from early morning rains. At that early hour and in the wet weather, there were few people on the streets. But, walked and conversed with the triune God.

On my path I passed right in front of the Wonderbread Thrift Store, where I saw Zingers, Ding Dongs, Twinkies, Snowballs, and, of course, bread. I only mention this because my sister Sue Carrigan has been complaining about my frequent references to food! Hey Sue! The store was closed.

I passed the Salvation Army, which seems to have a positive presence in the city. I need to return and make contact with the leadership there.

Walking along Grant, I was inspired to pray, "Lord, grant me the joy of knowing and doing your will. Grant me your wisdom, love, and power, in Jesus' Name! Grant this town a great time of renewal and revival with a great harvest of souls! Grant us seasons of refreshing in the Holy Spirit? Grant us great things, Oh Father!"

Much of my time walking was spent thinking and talking to God about my life. The path of my life has crossed the path of Ogden City. This is a "junction" that is very real to me right now. I'm not certain God has brought me to Ogden to stay. I am open to returning to California, and moving to any other state in the west is not out of the question.

When I resigned my Templeton pastorate in July, I felt a little like Abraham . . . when people asked, "Where are you going?" I often responded with, "Like Abraham, I'm going to a country that God will show me." Today I realized that Abraham pitched his tent and built altars in several locations before he seemed to find a more permanent location.

So, I am at a junction. While I am here, I ask God to teach me and shape me. One thing I am certain of . . . God wants me to remember that there are people on and around the streets of our towns and cities everywhere who need to know about His love, grace, and power! I can never retreat to the safe confines of a church facility and a church family . . . I must go into the streets of whatever town I land in, and do everything I can to make disciples among lost people!