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Dr. Del Tackett is the author, architect and teacher for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project, a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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The Popo Agie Mystery
Posted on July 14, 2009
Filed Under Personal |
“…but Jesus often withdrew to lonely places…” Luke 5:16
The universe is filled with mysteries. Gravity is a mystery. Dark matter and dark energy are a mystery. The 1908 Tunguska explosion is a mystery. Really deep love is a mystery, especially when it can make your heart sing and ache at almost the same time.
There is also a mystery just outside of Lander, Wyoming, involving the Popo Agie River. It isn’t pronounced at all like you might think.
Try “Poe-Poe-Zhuh” with the “Zhuh” sounding like the “sia” on the end of amnesia. The last word is pronounced “Rih-vehr”…rhymes with “Lih-vehr” as in “liver”.
We hiked a couple miles up to the Popo Agie Falls, (are you pronouncing in right? Probably not. Revisit previous paragraph) which were spectacular. I will spare you all of the pictures of meadows and wildflowers and rocky cliffs, etc.
But the mystery comes when you follow the river down stream to where it rushes into a shallow cave and then…poof…disappears. It is called “The Sinks”.
The entire river just vanishes.
It reappears about a quarter of a mile away in a calm pool at what is called the “The Rise”. But dye tests show that it takes the river 2 to 3 hours to reappear. Where has it been? And when it does reappear, there is more water volume than when it “sank”. Where the river goes in the meantime is a mystery…and what has it been doing for all of that time?
It is much like the mystery of the socks in the dryer. I wrote about that some time ago. A single sock will disappear, sometimes for months, only to reappear…usually right after you finally threw the odd sock away, having lost all hope that you would ever find its mate (a sock without its true mate is worthless).
Well, all of this was fascinating to me: the Popo Agie, the Sinks, the Rise. I love seeing this kind of stuff.
But, sometimes we are kind of like the Popo Agie. We “disappear” for a while. Maybe we are lost in thought, maybe we are hiding from something that we don’t want to face, maybe we just need to get away.
Jesus did that, you know.
It’s not wrong for us to do so as well. In fact, maybe its a GOOD idea.
We all need time away. Not necessarily alone, but just to get away. Mothers especially need this. Husbands, make it happen for them.
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15 Responses to “The Popo Agie Mystery”
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hmmm… that is an interesting river… and yes, I think we all need to get some time away sometimes. Because sometimes, I feel as if life is going past me way too fast, and I am losing my breath way too fast. I just need to slow down a little bit, catch my breath, and then keep on running to try to catch up with life.
I love the story about the Popo Agie River (no, I am not pronouncing it correctly) and I think the Truth Project is the most powerful Bible study I have taken part in. Dr. Tackett is a brilliant teacher.
i feel like im runnning away from everything in my life. cause i dont want to face the issues i have, so i work consently!!!!!
Del, I am enjoying TP. My wife and I lead a Thursday night group in Napa. I saw the blog recently and add that my best friend from California, where we worked together in state service moved to Lander, WY, after he retired. I visited him last year and visited this river and falls. It was something to behold, like much of God’s creation. Keep up your good work and pray for us as the world seems to be chaning exponentially in USA.
Sounds like you have a cave system. A large pool could explain the time lag in dye appearance, and other underground feeder streams could explain the increase in volume.
What is stratigraphy? Limestone?
If only socks where like the river and come back more abundantly than when lost. LOL
The word of God is like the river. You take it in and then out of nowhere you are blessed beyond measure. Not only that verse but also other praises and supports surface. HE IS EVER FAITHFUL!
I agree Jesus made some beautiful and interesting country.
I lived near the Popo Agie, The sinks for 40 years and I never tired of watching the river disappear into the mountain and seeing where it comes out on the other side of the road.
Very kewl - what a rare treasure. And what a rare treasure it is to really “get away” once in awhile. It really can rejuvenate in all areas of your life! I need to do this more often and go seek treasures like this.
I love the amazing mysteries surrounding us. Truly expresses God’s profoundness. This river seems to be the epitome of how we should live our lives: free flowing with God’s Grace and as our sin disappears and we reappear in a better peaceful place abundantly overflowing with God’s Love. I am on my second time around on the Truth Project-can’t get enough! What an incredible teaching. Thanks Del for your eloquence.
I am SO thankful that Jesus left us the pattern of getting away to be with the Father to stay focused and get refreshed. I go on “dates with God” about once a month. I can tell when it is time to get away when I am feeling overwhelmed with what is before me. These get-away times help me to see God’s bigger picture and to prioritize.
I enjoy reading about God’s Creation and seeing pictures of the vast array of the work of His Hands. Thank you for taking a break and sharing how God works in your heart in His amazing general revelation.
I’m so grateful for The Truth Project, and for finding this Blog. My Church in Anaheim just featured TTP on Wednesday evenings, and last night was the final installment.
This story about the Popo Agie River reminded me of one of the Truth Project features, where you showed a beautiful video of God’s creation, coupled with a Worship song and captions. I cannot view His workmanship and think about His immense power and love for us without “losing it”!
When that video played, I started to weep, and couldn’t hold it back. My makeup began to “melt”, and I cried more. By the end, I was a blubbering fool, and had people sharing tissue with me. That’s okay… I don’t mind being a “Fool for Christ”!
Anyway, God’s creation so clearly speaks of His glory, how immense and limitless He is, and how beautiful He is, because He created beauty!
I love also the fact that He adds the interest of mystery and even humor to His creation! God is always interesting!
This story also reminded me how sad I am that our feature of The Truth Project is done now! I enjoyed it so much, and I will miss coming to get the next installment into the discussion of Truth. It is a Superb production!
The mystery of the Popo Agie is a good example of how an interesting mystery can draw people in, and motivate them to seek the answers to the puzzle. Let’s motivate those around us to seek the Truth!
Has or can anybody go down the river and follow it to the Rise? Just curious. NOT volunteering, although I am from the Volunteer state. Go Vols.
Someone may be able to sent a small submersible or even an optic cable to trace it. Just wondering about things.
Bless you, Del, for your kind comments about *mothers* especially needing time alone with God. Yes, they do, and blessed is the husband who sees that it happens.
I love the truth project. The first time I was doing it I spoke to my sons and the were doing TTP also one in WY and the other in Paupa New Guinea. I am going to send the Truth Cronicles to PNG for my grandchildren to watch. And anticiating your newest project.
Thank you for your wonderful work