Tag Archives: a step onward and upward

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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

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God showed you His plans and you did what???

We constantly pray to God for direction, guidance, help to do the right thing.  But what happens when He gives us help from above and we deep down choose not to take it?

Picture this.  This pond is basically a mud hole.  It was designed to be a watering hole for the cows.  But, because of a lack of rain lately, it’s drying up.  Not much water is left.   I noticed that there are a few fish swirling in the muddy water.  Now, I have a plan.

I take a seine (large net) and surround what’s left of the watering hole.  As I pull the net out of the water, 4 grown bass jump over the net escaping(in their eyes) what ever is before them.  BAD MOVE, this pond will be dried up in a few days.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

How many times do we “jump the net” God is  using to move us along on His plans for us.  Just like those fish that “jumped the net” to get away, we do things thinking that this will better our situation.  It’s almost when I think for myself,  that’s when trouble comes around.  Everyday decisions, all the way up to life changing decisions, we think we know best don’t we?  I truly believe God gives us a “good head on our shoulders” to think with.  But God sometimes uses supernatural ways to move us along on our journey (think seines/nets).  We don’t understand (cause it supernatural, duh) so we’re afraid to go.  We pray for divine wisdom, supernatural guidance, being led by an omnipotent God.  Aw man, when it happens we get scared and “jump the net”.  More comfortable where we are……….and slowly the pond dries up.

I like the way a friend of mine is living his Christian journey.  Instead of twiddlin’ his fingers waiting on understanding from the Lord, he is chasing the mystery of God!

The fish that I caught in the seine are being carried to a large 8 acre spring fed lake.  They got it made now! (Stay tuned to see what plans they will follow to prosper!)

My plans for you... to prosper

My plans for you… to prosper

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Watching a leaf fall (season’s change)

With no one but God there with me, I walked deeper into the woods.  Watching the leaves fall, one particular leaf caught my eye. It was floating every so gently down from the very tops of these trees.  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.

season's change

season’s change

What are you telling me God?  What are you showing me this time?  Does God speak to me every time I take a walk?  Honestly no, but I want to make sure that I am paying attention every time so that when he does shows me something, I won’t miss it.

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.  Now a carpet of thick leaves are on the woods’ floor.  This leaf is reminding me of the dear friend who is being buried today.  But also of someone who is changing careers.  Now I have a thought of my own child recovering from surgery.  Now my thoughts are on my own life and the changes that are taking place.  There are always changes, good and bad.

Obviously, there’s way too much thinking going on in my head. It’s best that I continue to walk. The steady rhythm of my stride gives a calming effect. The smell of these leaves I’m  stomping through, feeling this crisp autumn air, hearing the creatures of the forest (I hear geese!) are all making my senses come alive.

My walks and hikes take me literally down streets, up mountains, through forests, across rivers.  Most of the time I am in secluded quiet areas, occasionally time is spent on “walks” that are filled with people.I take walks to clear my mind and hear from God.  Sometimes it’s a long hike, Sometimes it’s just a few minutes.  Other activities may be involved; hunting, fishing, walking the dog with Staci.  I’ll park farther away from the door at Walmart, just so I can walk.  It’s therapy for me.  I say I’m doing it for the exercise, but I’m clearing my mind… and listening…..

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

Whatever changes are going on in your life, this poem is for you:

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 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

 

My walks and hikes in this spiritual journey are taken with Jesus.  I love and live this following verse: John 14:6The Voice (VOICE)Jesus: 6 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”, literally.  If you’re stuck in a rut spiritually, “take a hike” on the path called Jesus.

I seem to get pulled into nature to hear from God.  Where do you go to hear from your Lord and Saviour? click here to comment or share.