I put these scarecrows in my corn field to see what would happen.  I’ll let the crows and varmints tell me who is for real.  The results?  Nothing but TROUBLE!!

I grow corn.  I love to grow corn.  Been growing corn all my life.  Just like my father, and his father, and his, on and on.  But in these troubling times we live in, it seems that everything has become out of order and it’s turning people against one another.

Scarecrows are propped up in the fields.  They are put there by people.  But in the political world, scarecrows have received power from individuals and groups that make these scarecrows able to tell other individuals and groups how they should grow corn. This in turn gives them more power. This in turn makes other groups and individuals want to get their own scarecrows and give them a larger power to undo what the other scarecrows have done.  A vicious cycle has begun.

I grow corn because it’s a part of my life.  I even share corn with others.  Some people look forward to these corn sharing times.  Others I’m sure don’t care for my corn as much as I.  That’s alright.  I’m not gonna cram my “corn” down their throats.  I’ve got a neighbor who grows sunflowers in his garden.  Also got a dear friend who doesn’t care for corn, but she grows flowers and roses in her garden spot.  There’s even a neighbor with an ideal garden spot, but he chooses to let it grow weeds.  We all think he’s on the lazy side, but to each his own.

But now the scarecrows have enough power and they are using their power to tell me what I can and can’t do with my corn field .  They don’t want me to share my corn anymore.  They insist that I not be allowed to grow corn even in my own garden anymore.  Not like I do it anyways.  They tell me it’s better if I do it the “scarecrow’s” way.  They can better manage who gets the corn.  Scarecrows have a way of telling you that they can do any and everything better.  But to me it’s just them showing that they have power and they want more power.  Power over you….. and power over me.  They don’t really care about me or you.

What has become hurtful to me is how scarecrows (in order to get more power) make people see their differences instead of what we have in common.  My neighbors and I are all so different.  But we also have a lot in common.  We have a genuine mutual respect for each other even though we grow different gardens.  But scarecrows see this mutual respect and love we have for each other as a weakness, (no power there).  They would rather dig and stir up divisions between me and my neighbors.

A scarecrow uses fears, and promises to protect you as a way for more power.  Crazy to me how in today’s politics people pick and choose who they want to be a scarecrow so they can prop them up in their fields.  You’ve got one candidate who lies all the time, yes people know that it’s lies.  They don’t believe what this scarecrow says, yet they still like what she says.   On the other hand you’ve got this politician who is not a politician because he can say whatever is on his mind.  People like that…….until he says something on his mind,….. and wait, you can’t say something like that…….   But they still like what he says.  Both scarecrows are after power.  Then when they get power you know what they want then?   Yep, more power.

Now I’ve got local Mississippi scarecrows that someone propped up in my field.  These scarecrows are telling me that they will protect my rights to grow corn.  I can discriminate who I give my corn to and who I choose to have in my corn field.  This is what they are saying to me……. so that they will have power as a scarecrow.

What is going on here????  I’m starting to like my Amish friends way of growing corn.  They don’t use scarecrows.  They don’t see the need for it.   Funny isn’t it, how Amish people “grow their own corn” as they see fit.  Nobody is trying to make them grow flowers.  No scarecrows are trying to “protect” their way of life.  They have a certain way of doing things.  They live their lives as they believe.  They respect you and ask that you respect them.  That’s IT!!!   That’s what’s going on here!!!  No respect for others comes from scarecrows.  That would be a weakness.  No power can be gained from this.

I preach in the wilderness.  This world of concrete, bricks, roads, and buildings seems to be more of a wilderness than the mountains of Colorado or the swamps of Mississippi that I journey through.  I am a Christian. (It’s like growing corn.)  It’s a way of life for me.  My mother and father lived this way of life.  My children continue to live this way.  They may not (plow their garden) like I do.  My children read scriptures from their phone, not from a worn leather covered Bible book.  But we all (grow corn) live as Christians.  Some of my neighbors don’t live this way.  But I don’t want some government scarecrow to come prop himself up in my “corn field” and tell me how to live as a Christian.  We are putting our faith too much in human wisdom (and scarecrows).  I believe that my power to live here on this Earth comes from God’s power.  God loves me and you so much that He sent Jesus to us to cover our faults and shortcomings.  (Yes, that would be sin).  But for us to show NO RESPECT to each other is hurtful, unkind and too me, not being Christlike.

So do me a favor.  Your scarecrows will see me living a humble, gentle, caring for others life.  And yes, I’ll be sharing (corn).  I’ll be sharing with others what being a Christian is about.  Don’t sic your scarecrows on me.  Let me grow my corn (be a Christian).  Let me fly my flag of choice.  Let me sing the songs I choose.  Let me live as a free man in this great country.  I won’t sic any scarecrows on you either.  We all look different, act different, dress different.  Our political options only seem to lead to more differences.  I’m honestly sick of it.

Hey let’s do each other a favor.  No scarecrows involved.  Let’s meet for a drink and a conversation.  Bring your iced tea, or water, or beer……….. see we are already looking at our differences instead of what we have in common.  I don’t like beer, you don’t like tea…… who says we have to be like the other?…..  C’mon get out of this mindset that if you are not like me then you must change.  We have so much more in common that we realize.  Yet today’s world thrives on the strife and hurt that being different from each other causes.  It’s where politicians get there power.

I’ll be prayerfully waiting to hear from you.  Local scarecrows tell me I can discriminate who comes in my corn field.  Good.  I don’t want politicians ruining what God has given me, so no politicians allowed.  You won’t get any power from me.  I’m relying on God’s power to give me direction on my spiritual journey.  You guys come visit with me.  I’ll be in the “corn field”.

See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, trusting in God, not man