Category Archives: Verse For The Week

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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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Slow down…..at least to the speed limit

slowdownto speedlimit

The above picture illustrates what was happening to me on Highway 13.  I’m driving in my pickup 60mph headed to Prentiss from Magee,Ms.  That’s 5mph above the speed limit, but still in the safe, “you won’t get a ticket” speed zone. Well, that’s what everybody says.  I look in my rear view mirror.  One, two, three cars and a truck are immediately behind me.  It’s obvious to me that I am holding everyone back.  I’m going faster than I should and yet they are trying to go around me.

Now I notice that there are ice patches on the road and bridges I’m crossing.  Well, I’m slowing down to……52mph!  You would have thought I had kicked their puppy, or stolen their kids candy,…..or “rang” my Ms State cowbell out the window at them as I drive.  The looks and honk they gave me let me know they were ticked off.  What did I do?  I’m driving barely under the speed limit now because of the ice, and it’s annoying the cars behind me.

Two cars have passed, but now four are behind me.  If you’ve ever driven hwy 13, you know it’s straight as an arrow, but with small up and down hills all along.  Every time I get to the top of one of these hills, another car passes.  That’s when I get another look from the driver that I’m annoying them.  Apparently I’m doing something wrong.  Why is everyone in such a hurry?  Here comes a truck passing me now,  I bet this guy’s doing seventy.  Hey!  I know that guy!  He didn’t even wave he’s in such a hurry.

These other drivers are making me want to speed just to keep up with everyone else.  Then we will all be in a hurry, but I’m guessing that none of us will really know why.  It’s reminding me of that old country song by the group Alabama.  “I’m in a hurry but don’t know why.  I rush and rush until life’s no fun” It’s an old song.  Google it.

I’m being passed again by a young fellow in a red sporty looking car.  I should also share that I am now driving a measly 50 mph.  I give him my best “country boy how ya doin’ wave”.  He gives me his best “three finger salute”  It’s on now!  I’m going to join in on this speed game.  I don’t want people to make me feel that I’m annoying, or going too slow, or not living in the fast lane like they are.  It reminds me.  It reminds me……… of being a Christian in this rat race world we live in.

Psalm 46:10New American Standard Bible (NASB)10 “ Be Still (Cease striving) and know that I am God;”

That’s what we need to do.  I’m not saying to stop and be still on hwy 13.  You’ll get “runned over”.  I’m saying we need to Be still and know God.  Cease striving, quit being in a hurry (spiritually) just because everyone else is.  Spend a little time with God.  He may show you some “ice patches” to avoid in your life.  I can assure you that He is never annoyed when you slow down from life’s distractions.

So in my spiritual journey, if it looks like I’m traveling too slow for you, I still want you to wave as you pass.  Even give me the salute if you feel like it, (careful, I know that language myself and I might salute back!).  Maybe you’re passing me because of having to be busy just to stay ahead of others.  Maybe it’s just a habit you have.  You know, passing others just to feel important.  Maybe “the more I do, the better person I am” has become your religion.  Maybe you rush and rush (spiritually) until life’s no fun.  Look back in your rear view mirror and you’ll see me Being (cease striving) and getting to know God.  I might even be pulling off on the side of the road every now and then.

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