Category Archives: Steps Along This Journey

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When you’re down and out, stop and help someone.

losing phone

I just lost a ski, but what’s worse, I just lost my phone.  It’s laying there in the snow.  See it?  Well, I didn’t.

This time last year, Staci and I were playing in the snow of Colorado.  Just a couple of weeks earlier I bought a brand new iphone.  It was in the unzipped front pocket of my jacket. When we reached the bottom of the mountain, suddenly my priorities changed from having fun to finding my phone.  And just like a man, I didn’t have insurance for my phone because, well, ah, I’m responsible and well, ah,……. back to finding my phone.

I travel back up the mountain to where I fell.  Staci called my phone over and over, again and again.  I’m taking a few steps and listening in the area where I fell.  A few more steps, listen……. a few more….nothing.  It’s gone.

A big chunk of money just went down the drain, (or snow).  I have been stupid.(not zipping my coat pocket, no insurance even though I know my history, etc, etc.)  I could go on and on about how dumb this is, but I’ll let Staci do that.  She’s good at noticing my faults. 😉  Actually she is very understanding at this point, because she knows how bad I am feeling about my latest encounter and episode of (Big Intro here)…….. The Adventures and Dumb, Stupid Stuff of Dan A.  …….  starring…..me.

We continue to ski for a couple of hours.  I’m about as happy as a Green Bay fan watching this years Super Bowl.  We stop by the lost and found as we leave to report my phone being lost.  Good news!!  They tell us that they have 12 phones in the back.  Yeaaaa!  I feel better.  At least there are 12 other stupid, I mean unlucky people on this mountain.  Well, bummer, none of the phones are mine.  We leave and head back to our room.

A couple hours after supper, Staci’s phone rings.  “Hey”, she shouts, “It’s you calling me on the phone”.  She let’s it ring again. And again.  I holler, “Well answer it honey.  I know that I am here, but someone has my phone and is calling you!”  “Oh, OK” she responds.  Sometimes, that girl can drive me crazy, but I do love her.

A young guy from Texas is on my phone talking to her and this is his story.  He was snowboarding like he always does.  For some crazy reason he falls.  The Texas dude says that he never falls.  While he is down and out in the snow, he looks right in front of him, and there is this phone.  He puts it in his pocket and continues his snowboarding.  When he gets back to his hotel, he remembers the phone.  A smart fellow here, because he said he looked to see who had been called the most on the phone and decided to call.

OK, what are the odds that 1) my phone was not locked, 2) the battery was not dead, 3) an honest guy decided against selling it himself ….. and 4) that Staci would decide to answer the phone call!

Next time I am down and out,  I’m gonna look around and see if I can help someone while I’m there.  That’s what the dude from Texas showed me.

What does the scripture show us?     2 Corinthians 12 The Voice (VOICE) 10 I am at peace and even take pleasure in any weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and afflictions for the sake of the Anointed because when I am at my weakest, He makes me strong.

I can’t explain why bad things happen. Is it my fault, bad luck, God staying away, or God actually allowing something bad.  What I do know is this.  In bad times, hard times, stupid times, it’s easy to see our weaknesses.  But also won’t you agree that this is when we focus and can see that  God’s strength is there for us.

So next time for whatever reason you are down and out, look around like my Texas dude friend.  You might be able to see God’s strength.  While you are down, help someone……. even yourself!!  Keep looking!  See ya!

Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

 

 

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Jesus is a chiropractor

chiropractor

This pain has got to stop.  Even though I hide it well, I’m suffering.  Hey, I’ve done all I know to do, something has got to give.  I need help.

The appointment was set, all paperwork filled out, I’ve checked in and now I’m waiting.  That was quick, now I’m in the Doctor’s office. Didn’t even have time to get more nervous and scared. In walks this young man with a beard.  He speaks to me with a gentle voice. He told me his name. (we’ll call him J.C.) Then he asked me what was the problem.  (Time out) Now he asks that question to complete strangers every day, in and out.  But, without a doubt, he seemed to totally be interested in my life and what was going on.  (Okay), I begin telling him about the pain. I also tell him about the stupid stuff I’ve done over the years to cause damage to my body.  Stupid stuff like all the dares and risks we took in our younger days when we think we are invincible.  (I’m being real here and confessing the stupid stuff, so, you be real and admit you’ve been stupid too). You know, the sports activities, lifting loads too heavy for your back and shoulders, neglect, bad posture habits, on and on.  It’s unreal what we do to our body.

He listens.  Something that seems to be missing in this world.  He listens.  Then he says, ” let’s see what we can do about this”.  He lays his hands on me.  What I will always remember is that he immediately touched the muscles in my neck that were hurting.  He used big words that I didn’t understand.  Said I had a something in my whatever muscle.  There was a “subli something or nother ” in my vertebra.  What I’m trying to say is this.  I didn’t understand what he was saying to his assistant who was writing it down, but I knew that he knew more about what was going on inside of me than I did.

Then he looked inside of me.  In this case he used an x-ray.  Told me exactly what was wrong.  Showed me why I had pain in my life.  Then he said, “we can fix this.”  He didn’t say, you’ve done stupid things, or you’ve waited too long, or anything to make me feel unworthy of seeking his help.  He just calmly said, “I can help”.

So now he asks me to lay on the table face down.  He places one hand on my neck, and brings my arm behind my back.  (time out) Now you guys know me,  My involvement with falconry, with wolves and predators, this position that I am now in, is totally a submissive position.  In the wild, you have a claw on your neck and your wing, leg, or arm is pulled behind your back, you are totally in submission.   Why would I submit to this?  Because I trusted J.C..  I didn’t understand, nor did I really know this guy.   But I trusted him.

What happened next is a blur.  I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, kick myself for not doing this sooner, or………..  My neck went ccccccrrkkk.  He realigned me.  He began a physical journey that I am now on.  A journey that doesn’t have pain from the past going along with it.

So, my daily devotion for this day was this (and it can’t be a coincidence).  John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Why had I not gone to see the chiropractor before this?  Well, I didn’t believe in their ways.  You know, the world says that when you have pain that you need a pill, or shot, or surgery, or well, let’s just do all of them.  Then we’ll cover up the problem with numbing medicines.. Does that sound like your life sometimes??  Also I thought that I could handle this on my own.  After all, who better to run my life than me.  A chiropractor?  All he will do is some touchy feely stuff.  Then he will yank on your head.  People will expect me to say I’m Healed!  And he’ll want to keep seeing me.  Honestly though,  I was just scared of him.

Is your spiritual life filled with pain.  Go see J. C. “the chiropractor”, Jesus Christ.  He’ll listen to you.  He’ll look inside of you, and show that He knows more about what’s going on inside of you than what you know.  When you come to the point that you trust Him, he will realign your life.  Don’t expect to understand, or know what words to use.  Just Trust!!  And by the way, J.C.(Jesus Christ), will want to continue to see you.  It’s a good thing.

I thank God for J.C.

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth  wilderness preacher

 

 

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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