Category Archives: Being What God Created

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What’s in your back yard?

50 feet from swimming pool
less than 120 feet from house in back yard

Our sissy dog Dudley, a Shih Tzu, family pet, and definitely an inside house dog, got scared of the lightning and thunder while we were away from home.  He manages to get out of the house, chew a hole in the back yard fence and……. he’s gone!  Stayed out all night!  Look what was at the backyard the same time sissy dog Dudley was running away from the thunder.  What happened with the Big Dud?  He’s alright.  We found him the next morning.  (I’ll share that story in a few weeks).  But for now, look at that big cat!!

This is at our backyard, not in the wilderness of Colorado, but in the “wilderness” of my backyard in Mississippi!  This huge bobcat has been seen a few times on my deer trail cameras.  I’ve actually seen him with my own eyes in the daytime once this year.  He’s a big ‘un.  My dog Dudley, would have to look up to see the cat’s tail.  Seriously, this is a big cat.

I saw his track a few days ago right next to our backyard fence.  I’m thinking that no predator would be crazy enough (or hungry enough) to come this close to humans and the house.  So, I set up the trail camera next to the back yard.  (Click, click snapshot!) I hate to be the bearer of bad news, …….. but this cat has been in my back yard.  What has brought this big cat so close to where we live?  The bird feeder, the squirrels, food scraps,…… uh oh delicious Dudley?

1 Peter 5:8The Voice (VOICE) 8 Most importantly, be disciplined and stay on guard. Your enemy the devil is prowling around outside like a roaring lion, just waiting and hoping for the chance to devour someone.

Most of the time I share stories of God’s love, His abundant life for us, and how we travel our spiritual journey being what God has created us to be.  But I need to remind myself and you, that our enemy the devil is out there prowling around doing all he can to destroy us.  Our lives, our families, our friendships, our Christian walk, any and everything he can get his claws into.  And remember, he’s a big ‘un.

Our enemy desires to consume us, but we find strength to resist him when we are dependent upon God for His strength.  The best way to fight the devil?  Be aware that he is closer to you and your house than you think.  Live your life depending on God (with His strength, not just yours)  My God is an awesome God. and, He’s the BIGGEST BIG ‘UN.    See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth  wildernesspreacher

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A New Year, A New Friendship with an Old Friend

knife

A friend of mine gave me this knife for a Christmas present about 12 years ago.  Funny how time flies by so fast.  Back then we were busy taking our children to ballgames, school events, birthday parties, activities, on and on.  Seems like my friend and I saw each other on a weekly basis, if not daily.  I have fond memories of coaching city league baseball, gathering the families together just to eat pizza or a hamburger, even taking Scout trips to some place in the woods, (while wearing headphones so we could listening to Miss State football).  We would get our families together and share a time for Christmas.  That’s how I got this knife.

Funny, how over time we hardly see each other now.  Our children are grown.  Our paths in life don’t cross as much nowadays.  We see each other at life events; a wedding, a funeral of a family member, or an occasional chance meeting at a local store.  Is there a friendship still in existence between us?  I say “yes, there is!”  But, just like the knife he gave me, it needs to be continuously sharpened.  Having friends requires a “sacrifice” of our time.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased.  Hebrews13:16

So, my old friend, let’s start a new “sharpened” friendship.  We may not meet at the ball field every night like we use to.  Now, it may be around a campfire talking about past adventures, and planning new adventures.  Our sharpened friendship may now consist of just staying in touch more often.  Since I’m realizing that this spiritual journey is not a “God and me”, but a “God and we” adventure, it makes me realize that God himself puts people in my life to help me and sustain me.  How do they do this?  Just by being my friend!

What about you?  Are there friendships that you have that need to be sharpened!  Without a doubt, the devil and his forces do whatever is necessary to break up our friendships.  Through misunderstandings, lack of time, disagreements, just people being people, our friendships that God Himself brought into our lives may get “dulled and unworkable” Ever tried to use a dull knife?  Ever tried to keep a “dulled, tedious friendship”?

Don’t wait on your friend.  You do the sharpening on your friendship. For with such “sacrifices”, God is pleased.

 

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Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Adventurous Year

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Well, the year is about over my friends.  I couldn’t and wouldn’t do this blog without YOU!  I want to get to know all of you even more this coming year. From my family and friends who have been with me for years, to you online readers that have become my friend over the past months.  From you guys in Colorado, Michigan, Washington, New Jersey and 15 other states.  From all ya’ll in Mississippi,  From you that read this from Brazil, Mexico, Spain, and 10 other countries so far. Continue to travel with me on this spiritual journey.

I sense a great need in friendship from my readers.  As we all travel this journey, we do need to realize that there are others traveling with us as well.  Our Lord and Saviour has blessed each of us by promising to be with us every step of the way.   What have I learned from this past year?  My journey is not just a God and me trip, but a God and we adventure.  This includes YOU!

I want to personally hear from each of you.  Send me an email   danainsworth@wildernesspreacher.com  I want to know what your interests are.  I want to know what you are facing this coming year in your own spiritual journey.

What will the wilderness preacher be doing this year?  Sharing, lots of sharing.  There will be several weeks of fishing this summer with families at Horn Creek Christian Camp, Colorado.  (They asked me if I would volunteer to help take families fishing………duh….YEAH!).  Fishing adventures with folks back in Mississippi are planned.  Several hiking trips, a few ATV rides, hunting expeditions, campouts, campfires under the stars, white water rafting, and just sittin’ back drinking coffee with friends are all in store for the year 2015 (and possibly another journey requiring a passport to another country sshhhh)  All of this with you being invited to come along.  Whether some of you actually get to enjoy the adventures with me personally, or whether you get to live them with us by reading online,  we will continue on this spiritual journey seeking God and living our life as He has created us to be!  See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth