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I’ve Got To Follow To See

Rabbit tracks…… Let’s follow because I want to see where he is now.

Taking a hike in my snowshoes the other day, I came across this set of tracks. Definitely fresh, and easy to see because of the fresh snow. The story was being told right there in front of me. Little bunny stopped and ate some grass sticking above the snow. Just a few feet further he made a quick right turn and was off to who knows where. I guess I’m the “who” that wants to know “where” so I follow. Rabbit Foo Foo was hopping through the forest. (Now you’re singing that old nursery rhyme too aren’t you?) This rabbit wasn’t picking anything up, he was just traveling through the snow. Occasionally, you could see where he stopped and ate. Uh oh, if you look right there you can see that he …….. ah,… well,…… when you got to go , you got to go! Right there in the pretty white snow. He went. Silly Rabbit…… (don’t say it 😉 ) ………… Trix are for kids. (I knew most of ya would say it!)

I bet I trailed the rabbit over a quarter of a mile. I saw where he came from, saw where he went (literally), and now I see where he has gone into a hole under some logs in a brush pile.

Following this rabbit was not my plan when I started on my snowshoeing hike this morning. But such an interesting story was before me in the snow, that I had to follow. I wasn’t interested in anything else going on around me. I was dead to the world because I am now totally consumed with following this story. That got me to thinkin’.

Luke 9:23 Then Jesus said to them, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

The cross back in Jesus day meant death. So when scripture says to “take up your cross”, I see it as meaning we must die to ourselves. You and I can easily turn our lives into an “all about me” plan. You know, everything we do is about me, myself, and I.

And along comes this Rabbit (I mean Jesus) and His story. We can’t keep making our own trail in the snow. We must follow Him if we want to see and hear Him. When we get so caught up in Jesus and His story for me and you, we truly become “dead” to the world.

I lost all track of time following the rabbit’s trail. There was no thoughts going through my head about me, myself, and I. It was all about the rabbit. Since I was “dead to the world” because of my focus on the trail, I must have been “carrying my cross”. And I thought it was because I was in snowshoes walking in heavy snow. ha……. Wasn’t really that heavy either.

Pray this prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to be so focused on following you, that I take up my cross “become dead to the world”, and follow wherever You go. Give me direction and spiritual “eyes” to see where Your story for my life is taking me. I want to see and hear from you. I love you Lord.

Focus more on where God is leading you and less on making your own trail.


See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher!

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I Wonder What They’re Thinking



Most of the time they truly like each other, but then there are times when they fight. Well, they fight like cats and dogs! When they think I’m not looking, (or they just forget that I’m there), that’s when it happens. One will steal the other’s food. One will go into “attack mode” for no reason at all. One irritates the other, the other irritates right back. Both of these animals are mine. I claim them both. I feed, protect, and love on both of them. I got more than enough for the both of them. They got it made. And yet, there is something inside of them,…… when they forget I’m there, or they just can’t control themselves,…….. BOOM there goes a swat, a bark, the stealing of food. Why can’t they get along?

A little background on my pets/ fur babies/ 4 legged children. Dudley, the dog, came to us as a little puppy. He was picked from a litter, selected because of his nature of being a companion. Where ever Staci goes, The big Dud goes too. Oh, he’s got a little wolfy blood in him so he hangs around me as well 😉 Friendly, sweet, and a people loving puppy, he’s been around for 9 years.

Katrina, called Kat for short has been around since hurricane Katrina in 2005. (14 yrs old) After the hurricane passed over our property, there was this tiny little kitten about 20 feet high in the tree next to our house. I took pity on this poor, hungry, scared little kitty cat. Poor thing was starving. She was in the tree meowin’ her head off. I placed some food and milk at the base of the tree……… and she’s been here ever since.

Funny thing is, to this day, her meower doesn’t work. What that means is this. When most cats make a noise it comes out MMEEOOWW! Kat makes a noise that comes out like this. MMEEE. Aside from her meower not working, she’s a typical cat. But, she was wild from the get go. It was years before she would let me pet her. She’s very aloof, likes being alone, and is still an excellent hunter. (She’s always brought gifts to us. mice, moles, a squirrel, birds, etc) Would leave them right in the front door step way for Staci to see.

Since both animals belong to me, they have had to come to an understanding with each other, and with me. No fighting. No growling, hissing, swatting, chasing, none of that dog-vs-cat stuff.

For the most part, they have been excellent companions in the Ainsworth household. It’s just when they forget I’m around. That’s why I wonder what they are thinking sometimes. How can they forget that I’m around? I mean, I provide for them, where they live is mine in the first place. Yet, something comes over them and they forget. Their little ole cat and dog minds get filled up with “it’s mine cause I want it” attitudes. Next thing you know, I have to step in with the classic phrase, “Hey, you two cut it out or I’ll whoop both of ya’!”

1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

These two wouldn’t have any love for each other if it wasn’t for me. The only reason they love, (and they truly do) each other is because of me. My love is there because these pets belong to me.

So,……. you see where I’m headed with this. You belong to the Kingdom of God. Doesn’t matter if you got “picked” or He found you in the middle of a storm. You are His. You and I have got it made. God provides for us. We get to live with Him.

But whenever we “forget that God’s around”, that’s when we go back to the “it’s mine cause I want it” way of thinking. Better be careful! You especially don’t want to hear God say, “Hey, you two better cut that out.” Oh, and He will whoop the both of ya. There are many instances in the Bible where people didn’t get along. They were basically fighting like cats and dogs. Why? What were they thinking? Dunno. Basically it always boils down to this. They forgot that God was around.

Live your life focused on God’s Love. Even if you’re a “dog” or a “cat”. Everybody knows who you are. (even if you’re meower doesn’t work). When you and I realize that we BOTH belong to God, it makes for a much more happy family atmosphere. I live because of God’s Love.

Lord, help me to show others Your love that is in me. I love that cat and that dog. This love for my pets is but a small token example of the love You have for me. Could you help me not to forget that You are always around. Amen.

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

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Staying Hungry

This wild hawk has developed a trusting relationship with me. This bond we have together is because of one thing…… she’s hungry. She has learned that I will feed her, and feed her well!!

These hawks that are used in falconry are true athletes. It’s amazing watching them as they fly. Why doesn’t she just fly away when we are out hunting? That’s the whole point, she can if she wants. She has free will. But she knows that I have food. She knows me well enough now to realize it’s a good thing to hang around this guy. If we don’t jump a squirrel for her to chase and catch, then there’s always the drumstick or piece of meat held in my hand. Here’s how this works.

You come over to my house. I say to you, ” If you will run to my mailbox (several hundred yards), I will give you a good ole hamburger and fries.” But you’ve just eaten and maybe you’re a little bit lazy and full. Since you are NOT HUNGRY, you are not gonna do it. That’s fine, no problem. We will just wait till tomorrow. Now, you ARE HUNGRY! I say “If you will run to my mailbox, I will give you a steak and bake potato.” Bam!! You’ve gone!! And I keep my word every time. You now have a nourishing good meal. ENJOY!

That’s how I train my hawks. I don’t starve them, that would be bad. These flying athletes have to be in top shape to do and BE what they are. A weak starving hawk would not survive very long it’s sad to say.

But a strong hungry hawk,…….. now that’s a sight to behold. The passion these birds exhibit. The skills they possess. It’s so hard to describe once you’ve seen them up close…… and held them in your hand.

How do I know when they are hungry? I weigh them. Yep, it’s how falconers have done it for centuries. This red tail hawk with a wingspan of four feet weighs between two and three pounds! Remember, they are designed for flight. Their bones are hollow, their feathers light. Most people guess “Dakota” weighs 8 to 10 pounds just by looking at her. She looks that big, but her actual weight is two pounds and five ounces. Her targeted flying weight is two pounds and four ounces.

What do I mean her flying weight? It’s what she weighs when she is the most focused on ME. I weigh her every time I fly her. I’ve learned that if she is heavier than 2lb 4 oz, she acts lazy. She won’t fly to my glove as quickly. Actually she tends to just want to sit in a tree on a perch and look around. She may even have thoughts of flying away. In a day or two when she gets hungry again, she might entertain the idea of coming back to me. But that’s time we’ve lost that we could have been together.

If she weighs less than 2lb 4 oz, she acts tired and lethargic. The day I trapped her from the wild she weighed UNDER two pounds. She was on the verge of starving. (Remember, she had the injured talon.) I had to feed her quite a bit to get her energy level up and have her in a healthy condition.

But,…… when her weight is exactly 2 lb 4 oz ….. it’s almost magical. It’s when she comes alive. She is focused on me. She’s focused on my glove and food. She’s focused on my every move. Most importantly, she wants to be with me as we travel seeking game and opportunities to fly.

2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

For this year’s resolution, I’ve asked God to keep me hungry in my relationship with Him. The world thinks I’m missing out,….. that I’m starving. Nope, Nada, far from it. I’m hungry for a Word from God. A strong Christian ……….now that’s a sight to behold. A strong Christian is what I want to be.

“Hearing” a word from God can be received in many ways. A song, a coincidence, through a conversation with another person, everyday life, all are ways that God speaks to us. But careful,……how do I know My Lord and Saviour is speaking to me in a small coincidence? Here’s how.

By staying focused on God. That small “coincidence” must be backed up and confirmed with scripture. A word from God must always line up with the Word of God (The Bible).

Maybe look at it like this. I communicate with “Dak” while we are out flying. How? By voice commands and whistles. But I also communicate (talk) to her by my body language, how I’m moving/walking,…… where my glove is,… even little things like what my fingers are doing. (reaching for a piece of meat). When “Dak” is hungry, she sees each and every little move I make. She is focused. She knows my will and what I’m wanting from her. She goes where I go.

Everything I do and say while out hunting with this hawk is done to keep this trusting relationship strong between us. (That’s the falconry Bible).

So if you are sensing a Word from God in your own life, I am so happy and proud for you. But when you are focused on Christ, it won’t be just one Word. It will combine with the Holy Spirit’s moving in your life. It will combine with the Bible, your everyday activities, your thoughts and prayers,……. your life itself. And you will be “going” where God is going.

Stay hungry my friends!

Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, falconer, seeking a word from my Heavenly Father