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Finding Comfort in Nature: God’s Messages Unveiled

As I walked deeper into the woods, only God was with me. Watching the leaves fall, one particular leaf caught my eye. It descended gently from the tree summits. Swaying back and forth, with a slow tumble, a dance was taking place that happens over and over. I actually got a picture as it is dancing to the ground.

What are you telling me, God? This is a question I ask constantly. I believe our Christian journey has many mysteries, don’t you? So, to help me focus on God and His plans for me, I try to live in curiosity, watching for the mysteries that He can help me solve.

By myself, I have trouble solving even the smallest of mysteries. Mysteries like crossword puzzles, the right amount of creamer in my wife’s coffee, what time the 5:00 news comes on.

I struggle with all the mysteries of life. I best understand a spiritual mystery by listening and watching, waiting for my Lord and Savior’s explanations. I need His help.

Hearing from God? I bet you are expecting me to say, read the Bible. Hmmm, appropriate answer, but that’s a great way to VERIFY a message from God. Pray? You undoubtedly get closer to God and His Will through prayer.

Being in nature is when I personally feel I “hear and see” God. Fly-fishing, elk hunting, hiking the mountains, walking in the park — these are all excuses to get me into the woods, into nature, where I can hear from God.

What are you showing me this time? Does God speak to me every time I take a walk? Do I catch a fish on every trip? Even though the answer is no, I still want to pay close attention to everything, so I can grasp whatever is being shown to me.

This one leaf landed on the path I hike on. Three days ago, the trees you see in the picture were still holding their leaves. A carpet of thick leaves now covers the woods’ floor. This leaf reminds me of a dear friend who is being buried today. I now think of someone who is changing careers. Now I have thoughts of my children having their own children. My thoughts focus on my life plus current shifts. There are always changes, good and bad.

My mind is full of too much thinking. It’s best for me to continue walking. The steady rhythm of my stride gives a calming effect. The smell of these leaves I’m strolling through, feeling this crisp autumn air, hearing the creatures of the forest (I hear geese!) are all making my senses come alive.

Being in nature clears my mind. My brain is jumbled with numerous thoughts, but they’re intentionally thinning out to a single question. God, what are you telling me?

Is God talking to me on this trip? He is. He says, “Keep walking, son. Lots of leaves to fall on this path. Lots of changes will always take place. You just keep walking; I’ll be there with you. That will never change.”

Comfort is what I felt on this hike. Not comfort that comes from a relaxing recliner chair. Not comfort from a fireplace. But comfort felt in my soul. How? I talked with a superior being! His words were “heard” by me on this hike! All the changes and shifts in my life, yet He said I’ll be there with you.

Regardless of your current shifts, here’s a poem for you. What I felt in the woods is summed up here.

“You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left. Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her, or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember her only in that she is gone, or you can cherish her memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back. Or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.” David Harkin

I walk and hike on this spiritual journey with Jesus. I love and live by the following verse: John 14:6 (VOICE) Jesus: I am the path, the truth, and the energy of life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

If you’re stuck behind a desk, you need to “take a hike” for better physical wellness. If you’re stuck in a rut spiritually, “take a hike” on the path called Jesus. Spiritual wellness is just as important.

I seem to get pulled into nature to hear from God. Where do you go to hear from your Heavenly Father?

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

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Healing Pain: Trust in Jesus the Chiropractor

Jesus is a 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.

I set the appointment, filled out all the paperwork, 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 in a gentle voice. He told me his name. (His initials are J.C.) Then he asked me what my problem is. It causes me to ponder that he asks that question to complete strangers every day, in and out. But without a doubt, he seemed to be totally interested in my life and what was going on.

Okay, I’ll interact with this guy. I tell 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 bodies.

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 another ” 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 me. ,In this case, he used an X ray. Told me exactly what was wrong. Showed me why I had such 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 stretch out 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, if 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 these. Then we’ll cover up the problem with numbing medicines.. Does that sound like your life?  Also I thought 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.

I want to ask you a most serious question. 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 you yourself. 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!! 

The world we live in these days has so little that we can trust in. Hard to put trust in politicians, advice from so called experts, even Facebook. They all have a way of letting us down when all we want is the truth. The Truth. Will you trust me enough that I could give you a good recommendation for the hurt in your life? If it’s physical pain, I have J.C. the chiropractor’s number. Give me a call. If it’s spiritual pain, let me share Jesus with you. Leave me a comment (it will be private).

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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Pressing Forward: Embracing Life’s Journey

Have you ever attempted to drive by only your rearview mirror? Ever try living your life by only looking back at what’s already happened?

Driving across country early, early one morning, I saw a most beautiful sight in my rearview mirror. It was a sunrise. A glorious sunrise. It’s always cool to me to see the sun burst over the horizon. Getting to see those first few rays followed quickly by a full sun shining is something that never grows old to me. Initially, there was darkness; subsequently, a shade of pink became visible. A beautiful dance followed, with the clouds swirling by, sharing their purples and reds. A brilliant golden glow began its rise above the horizon. Anticipating that first bright ray of sunshine, I drove the next couple of miles while basically looking only in my rearview mirror.

Just like that, it was there. A sunrise! Good morning, Lord! I’ve been driving for a few hours in the dark, kinda getting sleepy. The light wakes me up and motivates me to drive for several more hours. But I won’t be looking in the rearview mirror anymore.

  I’m looking ahead. Looking ahead so I won’t hit anything for sure, but looking ahead so that I won’t miss anything either. Now, the light behind me, which supports me, is guiding my path.

Philippians 3:14  GWT  I run (press on) toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.

I want more out of this life. More out of work, my play, my marriage, my family, …. more out of myself. Not a greedy more. However, I desire more regarding God’s promise. He promised abundant life. Abundance is coming when I arrive in Heaven, but I also want it now! That doesn’t mean a fancy car and lots of money. Life won’t be free of hardships or devoid of painful experiences. No, God’s heavenly call means believing in Jesus. Trusting in a God who supports you. This belief and way of life gives us an authentic way to PRESS ON and continue our spiritual journeys. Isn’t His providing and protecting us a source of His giving us abundance?

We frequently long to go back in time and dwell in the past. Times spent with friends and family members, times to be cherished, good times in the past. The “good ole days” seem far superior to our current situation.

Driven by God’s promise, I move forward. His light shines the way for me. I know lots of time in religious talk it’s said to “keep your eyes on God”. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus”. I get that. Stay focused on Him. Don’t we try to stay focused on Him by “looking in the rearview mirror”? We think, “God, why can’t it be like it used to be?”

Nope, let’s press on. My friends, let’s keep going on our journey. Know this. Even on the darkest of nights, the sun is about to rise over the horizon. Sure, it is a glorious sight to see the sunrise in your rearview. However, observe future developments and see where the light guides you. 

Because God’s Son supports me, I am inspired to keep going. It’s a heavenly calling that you and I can receive even while still in this earthly human body. A relationship between little ole you and a Most Awesome God. Wow! And you thought a sunrise was a thing of beauty.

Sunrise, the all-day sunshine, and the sunsets provide us with light to see our path during the day. Even at night there is artificial light, as well as natural light to help us continue our journey.

These beautiful experiences you see in your rearview mirror. Cherish them. Use them to grow closer to God. Whether a spiritual high, a beautiful family experience, or even just a pleasant day, it’s great to relive them (in your rearview mirror).

But realize God has promised us abundance! Press forward on your journey. The illumination of the daytime reveals the view forward.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

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. Romans 15:13

Beautiful sunrises in the rearview mirror are astounding. But having hope, joy and peace provided by God gives me and you high expectations for our future.

Our spiritual view on this journey is accompanied by rearview mirrors(memories of past spiritual encounters) and full view windshields (full views ahead filled with hope, joy, and peace). Press on!

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher