Tag Archives: Christianity

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Give me a sign, Lord. Then I’ll…. ooops!

Well, here’s your sign laying in the road.  I stopped, backed up, and moved the sign off of the pavement. It started me to thinking.  Did someone hit this sign with their car because they didn’t see it?  Maybe they were going too fast, or texting while driving, or so preoccupied with whatever was happening on their side of the windshield that they didn’t see what was on the other side of the windshield.  Whoa!!!!! What if they had hit a child instead of just the sign?  Would whatever reason they have for this collision be good enough to justify that they hit something or heaven forbid someone?

Signs, signs, everywhere signs (a 70’s rock song).  But do we read the signs?  Stop sign? only if there are other cars. Caution light?…..means hurry up before it turns red.  Yield sign?…… not if I’m havin’ a bad day buddy.   A slow- children at play sign? To someone it must mean plow into it and launch it from the shoulder of the road to the driving lane itself.

Too many of us live our lives the same way that we drive.  We concentrate on just what’s inside the windshield.  You know, me, myself, and I.  We even ask God to give us a sign and help me and what happens?  We plow right through it. Whoa!!!!!

Mark 8:11-12 The Voice   11 they were met by Pharisees—ready with their questions and tests—seeking some sign from heaven that His teaching was from God.

Jesus (sighing with disappointment): 12 Why does this generation ask for a sign before they will believe? ….

Why is Jesus disappointed?  He knows that He has already given us many signs.  He also has given us…… Himself.  Yet, we try to do it without Him, focus on our inward selfish lives, preoccupied with me,myself, and more of me.  Is it any wonder that we don’t see Him?  He’s disappointed also because we plow right through chances and opportunities to “slow down” and just BE His children.  (Do you ever play with God?  After all you are His child.  Just a thought.)

  In your spiritual travels, that slow- children at play sign is there for you.  You are the child that God is trying to protect……. from you yourself.  While “driving” down this “road of life”, we can actually run over ourselves.  We can be our own worst enemy. Focus on being God’s child, not on wanting more signs.  He won’t be disappointed!  Neither will you.         See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth  wilderness preacher

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Why is Your Garbage on my Driveway

Ok, you’ve “done gone and made me mad”!  This is my piece of God’s green Earth.  It’s where I live.  I see this view every day.  But I can’t enjoy this view because of your Stinkin’ Garbage.

What’s on the list?  Don’t get me started.  plastic bags, candy wrappers, bottles, beer cans.  I could go on and on…… I think I will….. Wendy’s, McDonald’s, and Sonic bags and paper towels.  Chick-Fil-A bag and wrappers….. This fast food location is over 40 miles away, yet you wait until my driveway to litter.  These bags serve a purpose when you order to go. They just don’t belong next to my mailbox.  Wait, I’m not finished with the list of your junk.  discarded motor oil containers, a dirty diaper…. A DIRTY DIAPER……..a t- shirt, personal hygiene items…… cigarette butts, a busted coffee mug, a stray dog, hair brush, your junk mail (with your name on it……Busted).  Yes, believe me when I say that I have picked up this garbage all within 25 feet of my mailbox.  All within the past three  months.  I guess I’m through ranting and raving……. No I’m not….. I also picked up  your Electric bill.  It’s yours because my name isn’t xxxxxx  sxxxxxxx , and I don’t live in Mt. Olive.  The half full bottle of wine was a different find, along with the Jergens skin so soft.  What’s next?  Oh, I know.  The worn out, slightly stained sofa or love seat.  I’ll pull in my driveway off Airport Road and there it will be.  OK, you get my drift.  Well, apparently I’m getting everybody else’s.

Romans 12:2Contemporary English Version (CEV)2 Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.

Well, I’ve calmed down. Staci gave me a snickers candy bar, and yes, I threw the wrapper in the trash can.  Aren’t there times when you feel like you are getting dumped on by everyone?  Those are especially the times we need to let God change the way we think. There will always be “trash and garbage” from other people.  Whether it happens because they are careless, out of convenience, or just plain inconsiderate, it’s going to be happening. It’s irritating, but don’t let it come between you and God.  You may then become the trash you so despise.

I’ll continue to pick up other folks trash that is thrown on me.  Why? Cause it gets in the way of my seeing God’s beauty and Glory.  Focus on His works.  Focus on what He’s creating you to BE.  Don’t focus on the trash…….. but look at God’s green Earth.  Where?  It’s at the end of your drive.  But more importantly, God’s “green Earth” is in your own heart.  Because of this world you’ll have to deal with garbage thrown even at your heart.  Why?  I don’t know. Trash happens.  You’ll have to pick it up, and throw it away yourself.  Don’t let it get in the way.  Make sure your heart stays clean!  Allow God to change the way you think.

 

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I’m singing the Church special, and I choke!!

Yes I actually choked up.  Here’s why.  I’m singing the song ‘Wayfaring Stranger’.  The song means a lot to me because it tells us that no matter what, we’ll see our Heavenly Father.  Our journey at times will be rough and steep.  But no matter what, we will be with Jesus.

Sitting not 10 feet in front of me is my dear friend.  He has seen dark clouds, He has lived a steep journey.  Health issues, stroke, have left my friend in the position of only being able to speak maybe three words at a time.

But I see him. And also yes, I see my living Lord and Savior shining through this man.  My friends’ eyes are watery, and squinting tightly together.  His lips are moving and he does something that he can’t do.  I get choked up.  My throat is tightening, uh oh, I’m having thoughts that I’m not gonna make it through the song…..

I love to sing.  Also when I sing, I look at people while singing to them.  I want to connect.  Make sure they are hearing me, make sure the words are being heard.  I see people smiling, some are nodding along to the beat.  As always, there are a few with that “bored, whatever” look.  What pleases me is that there are people singing along.

So, what was my friend doing that he can’t do?  He was mouthing the words to the song.  Not just two or three words that his physical body will only allow.  But he is singing every single word.  I’m getting choked up again writing this.  My friend isn’t just singing a song,  he lives it.

To see a fellow human being actually living in Christ is inspiring to me.  I do not pity my friend, nor do I feel sorry for him.  Actually I want more of what my friend has!

What does he have? He’s got God’s love shining in him, faith and trust in the unseen, and a joy coming from deep within.   He is the Wayfaring Stranger.

Travel well my friend, knowing in your heart with all the confidence in the world, that you will one day in Heaven see your Heavenly Father.  Continue to travel knowing that each day you’ll see your Lord and Savior right there with you every step of the way.   We need more friends like this.  Thank you Lord for my friend and his inspiration to the world.

See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth  wilderness preacher