Category Archives: fly fishing

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Being Filled With Hope

Being filled with hope. That’s what I like about being a Christian. Being filled with hope. That’s what I like about fly fishing.

I’m excited, can’t wait, looking forward to this newest adventure,…… and I want you to come along with me. The next few months, I’ll be “guiding” several groups, families, and individuals into the wilderness to hike,explore, and best of all, do some flyfishing! The excitement of what we will experience gets the best of me sometimes. Knowing that someone may experience a hike to the mountaintop for the first time is a rush. Seeing a “just made new friend” catch a cutthroat trout for the first time is something I get a “kick out of”. Seeing a person change from just holding a fishing pole to actually getting into a rhythm and casting a fly makes me “come alive”. And there’s a Big, Big, part of me that wants to share these experiences with everyone, including you who read my wilderness preacher blog. So to everyone, you’re invited. Plan a trip, jump on a plane, Staci and I will pick you up at the airport if needed. Contrary to what “People” say, you don’t need a lot of money, time, patience, physical ability, or heck,…. you don’t need much of anything except a desire. Let’s change that to this,…… you just need the PASSION to want to get out to the mountains, rivers, streams, and lakes. I’ll be glad to go along side of ya!

Those of you who physically won’t be along for each trip, well, there’s good news!!!!!! I’m devoting the next few months of this blog to report on these fishing/hiking/ exploring trips. Each of you will get to experience these adventures as if you were there yourself!

What is it about exploring the wilderness? More specifically, what is it about flyfishing? Why am I so obsessed, so passionate, so “BEING ALIVE” when I’m flyfishing?

I came across this quote the other day. It sums it up better than I can.

The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. John Buchan

Bam! That’s it for me!! That’s what causes my excitement! The never ending hope! Just one more cast. The next cast is going to be the one. Missed….. well, try again…… just one more. No luck? No problem cause the next fishing spot, the next day, the next lake. I’ve got an unlimited supply of hope. That’s what makes this so REAL for me. It’s not what you’ve caught. It’s not how many or how big the fish. It’s the pursuit of what is elusive (a mystery), and knowing that there is real hope in catching it.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. NIV Romans 15:13

See, that’s why I’m also obsessed, passionate, and living my life by “BEING ALIVE” as a Christian! God gives His children (me and you) an unlimited supply of hope. It’s not how you’ve lived in the past (whether good or bad). It’s not how big or how many fish ( your status, or wealth, or possessions.) (Or even how good you try to be) It’s the HOPE in Jesus Christ.

Once again read this quote: The charm of fishing (BEING a Christian) is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive(The Mystery of God) but attainable (By Jesus Christ), a perpetual series of occasions for hope (for blessings, joy, and peace).

God has given me a desire to seek after Him. I don’t understand many things here on this Earth. Since I don’t understand, I’ve learned to TRUST my Lord and Saviour. The Hope He’s given me (as well as you too), by the Holy Spirit, allows me to wake up each morning and say “God, what are You AND I gonna do today?”

SEEKING God’s Will and fish

So, join in with me the next few months by reading (and sharing) my blog. It’s your blog too you know.

I’ve made a bold statement and plan for these adventures. It’s this. They are not going to be just a good thing,…… but a GOD THING!!! I’m looking forward to these trips, and having you along with us.

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

Don’t settle for fish sticks
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Here’s The Story of Why There’s a Wilderness Preacher

 

Click on the short video above to understand better why I write the wilderness preacher blog.  It’s my prayer that you continue to read and watch as we both travel on our spiritual journeys together.

My writings have allowed me to reach out and “connect” with so many of you.  Men, ladies, younger guys and gals, I treasure all of the friendships that have developed.  I look forward to continuing this connection with you.  It’s not about me, it’s about coming alive on our travels and not just going through the motions.  There is a need to share with each other that I pray can come from these stories each week.  Stay tuned……….

See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth wildernesspreacher, and your friend

 

 

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Give Thanks, No Matter Your Situation………Seriously??????

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You’ve got problems.  You’ve got bad times, and here I am telling you it’s best to give thanks.  Hear me out before you tune me out.  Believe me, I’m hurting along with you.  Many of you are hurting, (and have shared with me your hurts).

In the picture above, I’m doing my best to stay on target.  That splash you see directly in front of the camera is my fly hitting the water.  That’s a bad thing.  It’s not going as planned or as it should.  The purpose of fishing a fly is to hit the target with a gentle throw of the rod and line.  The fly is then supposed to gracefully land on the water as if it were a real live fly.  Not go SPLAT!!  But hey, made the cast and went through all the motions to make it right.  Did I say I went through the motions?  Uh Oh, I’m goin’ through the motions………

Take a breath, count to 10, realize that a day fishin’ is better than a day doin’ anything.  I need to give thanks.  Thank You, Lord.  Thanks for the outdoors, thanks for this opportunity to fish.  Now all of a sudden it seems that I’m not just “goin’ through the motions”, but I’m actually “in the groove.  No more Splat! on the water.

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you 1 Thessalonians 5:12 -22 KJV

How does this relate to you and what’s going wrong in your life?  Take a look at this version from the Message.

16-18 Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. 

Those of you out there facing big problems, this fishing example is a feeble attempt to help us understand what this scripture is pointing out.  I should apologize for the feeble attempt, but I will never apologize for what this scripture says.  Give thanks, for this is what God wants.  No, no, don’t give thanks for being in the hospital (Splat), or struggling with a job (Splat), or hurtful relationship (Splat) or current bad event in your life (Splat, splat ,splat).  Don’t look for someone else who is having a worse time than you so that you can say, “Well, it could be worse.  At least I’m not like ole so and so……  But instead, look to God.  Stay on target.

Splat happens.  When it causes us to “go through the motions”, life just got less meaningful.  If we stay on target, life takes on new meaning.  Folks, we are all a  spiritual being living in a temporary physical body.  Yet, we don’t seem to live that way lots of times do we?

It’s Thanksgiving!  Be cheerful (stay on target).  Pray (helps with that target thing).  Thank God no matter what happens (He is the target).

         Lord I pray now for my friends that have Splat going on right now in their lives.  I wish they didn’t have to deal with it.  But I most want to thank You for who You are to us, and what You mean to us.  Thank You that you will be there beside each and every one.  You are a most awesome God.  Thank you for what you do and are going to do!  Help me and my friends not go through the motions because of “Splat”, but stay on target and stay “in the groove” with you. Help us focus on You.  You Lord, are worth living for.

May our Thanksgiving become a ThanksLiving!

See Ya God and friends!!!!!!        Dan Ainsworth  wildernesspreacher