Tag Archives: hearing from God

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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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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.