Jesus is a chiropractor

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.

The appointment was set, all paperwork filled out, I’ve 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 with a gentle voice. He told me his name. (we’ll call him J.C.) Then he asked me what was the problem.  (Time out) Now he asks that question to complete strangers every day, in and out.  But, without a doubt, he seemed to totally be interested in my life and what was going on.  (Okay), I begin telling 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 body.

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 nother ” 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 of me.  In this case he used an x-ray.  Told me exactly what was wrong.  Showed me why I had 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 lay 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, 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 them.  Then we’ll cover up the problem with numbing medicines.. Does that sound like your life sometimes??  Also I thought that 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.

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 what you know.  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!!  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

 

 

A New Year, A New Friendship with an Old Friend

knife

A friend of mine gave me this knife for a Christmas present about 12 years ago.  Funny how time flies by so fast.  Back then we were busy taking our children to ballgames, school events, birthday parties, activities, on and on.  Seems like my friend and I saw each other on a weekly basis, if not daily.  I have fond memories of coaching city league baseball, gathering the families together just to eat pizza or a hamburger, even taking Scout trips to some place in the woods, (while wearing headphones so we could listening to Miss State football).  We would get our families together and share a time for Christmas.  That’s how I got this knife.

Funny, how over time we hardly see each other now.  Our children are grown.  Our paths in life don’t cross as much nowadays.  We see each other at life events; a wedding, a funeral of a family member, or an occasional chance meeting at a local store.  Is there a friendship still in existence between us?  I say “yes, there is!”  But, just like the knife he gave me, it needs to be continuously sharpened.  Having friends requires a “sacrifice” of our time.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased.  Hebrews13:16

So, my old friend, let’s start a new “sharpened” friendship.  We may not meet at the ball field every night like we use to.  Now, it may be around a campfire talking about past adventures, and planning new adventures.  Our sharpened friendship may now consist of just staying in touch more often.  Since I’m realizing that this spiritual journey is not a “God and me”, but a “God and we” adventure, it makes me realize that God himself puts people in my life to help me and sustain me.  How do they do this?  Just by being my friend!

What about you?  Are there friendships that you have that need to be sharpened!  Without a doubt, the devil and his forces do whatever is necessary to break up our friendships.  Through misunderstandings, lack of time, disagreements, just people being people, our friendships that God Himself brought into our lives may get “dulled and unworkable” Ever tried to use a dull knife?  Ever tried to keep a “dulled, tedious friendship”?

Don’t wait on your friend.  You do the sharpening on your friendship. For with such “sacrifices”, God is pleased.

 

Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Adventurous Year

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Well, the year is about over my friends.  I couldn’t and wouldn’t do this blog without YOU!  I want to get to know all of you even more this coming year. From my family and friends who have been with me for years, to you online readers that have become my friend over the past months.  From you guys in Colorado, Michigan, Washington, New Jersey and 15 other states.  From all ya’ll in Mississippi,  From you that read this from Brazil, Mexico, Spain, and 10 other countries so far. Continue to travel with me on this spiritual journey.

I sense a great need in friendship from my readers.  As we all travel this journey, we do need to realize that there are others traveling with us as well.  Our Lord and Saviour has blessed each of us by promising to be with us every step of the way.   What have I learned from this past year?  My journey is not just a God and me trip, but a God and we adventure.  This includes YOU!

I want to personally hear from each of you.  Send me an email   danainsworth@wildernesspreacher.com  I want to know what your interests are.  I want to know what you are facing this coming year in your own spiritual journey.

What will the wilderness preacher be doing this year?  Sharing, lots of sharing.  There will be several weeks of fishing this summer with families at Horn Creek Christian Camp, Colorado.  (They asked me if I would volunteer to help take families fishing………duh….YEAH!).  Fishing adventures with folks back in Mississippi are planned.  Several hiking trips, a few ATV rides, hunting expeditions, campouts, campfires under the stars, white water rafting, and just sittin’ back drinking coffee with friends are all in store for the year 2015 (and possibly another journey requiring a passport to another country sshhhh)  All of this with you being invited to come along.  Whether some of you actually get to enjoy the adventures with me personally, or whether you get to live them with us by reading online,  we will continue on this spiritual journey seeking God and living our life as He has created us to be!  See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth