Category Archives: Friendship

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The Touch of the Master’s Hand

Jim Kilburn MasterFlyfisherman

Meet Jim,  a master at the art of fly fishing.  God put this man in my path, literally.  I was driving down a Colorado gravel road and Jim and his wife, June, were walking on the road.  I slowed down my truck, (probably was speeding), and when I recognized him my heart and soul wanted to meet this man.  I’ve known about him. Actually met him once before.  This guy knows how to fish.  I need help, I’ll confess to you.  I need help so bad, that I’m going to give Jim a call.  But I’m nervous.

See, Jim is a master at fly fishing.  He has fished with  guys that have written books about fly fishing .  Jim, himself, could probably write his own books, but honestly I think all his time has been spent fishing rather than writing about it.  Like I said, I’m nervous but I’m taking the plunge.  I ask him will he teach me how to fish.  I’m prepared to hear him say anything.  Anything like, “Well, someday”, or “you’ll have to get back with me”.  I’m even prepared to hear him say, “No, I don’t have time to teach someone like you.”  But he says, “Sure, be glad to.  I can go in the morning”.  Now I’m really nervous.  The Master is going to teach me how to fish.

jimtyingknot

Does he teach me how to fish?  Well………….first he taught me some knot tying.  I’ve tied knots all my life, but Jim had several knots that he says are the best….  and they were.  I’m all fumble fingers, but I could sense the patience from the Master as he showed me (over and over) how to tie the knots and the flies.  Does he show me how to fish?

jimbughuntin

Well,……. now we study the “bugs” that are in the creek and under the rocks in the water.  He shows me nymphs, and well, I don’t know the names of all the “bugs and worms and critters” that he is showing me.  I’m hoping that there is not going to be a test on what I’m being taught.  I don’t know the names, but I now know what they look like and I’ve got flies that match what is naturally in this river and lake and that’s what I’ll be using for bait.  I’m fixing to catch fish!!  Bam!!!

But first,…….

jimcasting

Jim shows me how to cast a fly rod.  I’m in heaven!!   Jim is in his Glory!  I’m witnessing a beautiful event.  The rhythm of his cast, the smile on his face, the splendor of the mountains and lake.  This is great……. until he says……… “Here use my rod, now you try it”.  Uh oh, uuhhhh, now it’s more like heck because I’m fixing to royally mess things up.

I’m whippin’ the rod, popping the line, but hey, I’m casting.  Jim has patience as I’ve said.  He also has understanding, a teaching heart, and even more patience with me.  It’s becoming obvious to me now, that Jim has a love for fly fishing.  So much love that he is willing to give of his time to be with me on this fishing adventure.

He has been standing far away, probably so that he won’t get hit by my hook while I’m casting,(or should I say whippin’, flappin’, jerking’,popping his fly rod).  He walks over and says the most unusual thing.  “Listen to the rod“.  Hear the whoosh the line makes as it’s being cast.  Well, knock me down with a feather, (or 8ft 6weight fly rod).  I hear it.  By hearing the “whoosh” sound I’m able to get the “rhythm” of the cast.  It’s almost magical the difference  this has made for me.  I’m “in the zone”, “in the groove”, “back in the saddle”.  I’m ready to catch fish.  Bring it on!!  But wait……..

Has Jim taught me how to fish like I asked of him?  He’s taught me how to tie knots, to see what insects are available, to cast, to read the water, how to move around and in the water to approach fish.  Now he’s teaching me how to fight!  This day had started with a terrible hard blowing wind.  I honestly expected the master to call off today’s fishing adventure because of the difficult wind.  Instead he shows me how to fight……. yes, to fight the wind.  Wind may ruin a lot of fishing days for some folks, but not Jim.  And now not me.  I’ve learned techniques to use to battle this foe.

But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6:33 NIV

On our spiritual journey just like this fishing adventure, we must come to the point where we ask the Master for help.  What we sometimes don’t realize is that our Master is helping us live this Christian walk.  But it’s the small things that make the journey.  God’s time with each of us is priceless.  He teaches, (with lots of patience and understanding).  He prepares us for the big adventure of living our lives by showing us day by day, event by event, good times and bad.  He also teaches us and prepares us for the fight.  The fight against evil forces, the fight against my own self lots of times.  Does God teach us how to live?  Did Jim teach me how to fish?  I really can’t pin down the moment I learned how to fish from Jim or for that matter when I learned to live a Christian way of life from my Heavenly Father.  I think in both instances the realization came to me that it wasn’t my learning that was important, but the spending of time with the Master……. Jim in my fishing adventure…….. My Lord and Saviour in my Christian journey.

I’m sure that I should write more concerning this subject.  But I’ve got fish to catch…… and a Christian journey waiting to be explored.  Good luck.  And fight that wind!!!!!

See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth apprentice fly fisherman, apprentice Christian, wilderness preacher

dantrout1

“Learning as I spend time with the Master”

 

 

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Cutting a bee “hive” out of a wall

removing bees from the wall

removing bees from the wall

A Catholic Priest and two Baptist preachers walk into a room filled with bees.  Sounds like the beginning of a joke, huh?  No, it’s actually the beginning of an adventure I experienced here in Westcliffe, Colorado.  There were bees in the wall of one of the buildings at Horn Creek Christian Camp (where I volunteer in the summers).  They gave me the chance to remove the bee colony (estimated 30 – 40,000 bees) to a better location at my friends’ place.  The local priest had a lot of experience with bee removal.  The video (click below to watch) is a summary of the 4 hour time it took to cut out the bees and transfer them to their new home.

Bees are an amazing sight to watch.  The honey is an extra benefit.  Even here at Horn Creek (altitude of 9,000 feet) with cold winters, the bees not only manage to survive, but actually thrive in harsh mountain conditions. A single queen along with 40,000 worker bees all working together, each doing their part.  Some of the bees are nurse bees tending to the eggs laid by the queen.  Some are foraging bees, seeking nectar from flowers in the mountain valleys for their honey production.  A few of the older ornery bees have become guard bees. Their job is to protect and sting any intruders. (we met a few of these during the cutout 😉 )

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!  Psalm 133:1 NIV

We could learn a lot from honeybees.  They are definitely beeing what God has created them to bee!  Whether in your church,family, or whatever social situation comes your way, look for what you have in common with other people.  Todays’ world is spending way too much time on our differences and what divides us as a nation, or community, or even as potential friends.  Just like the bees, we all can work side by side doing what God has created each of us to do.  Now you go and Bee what God has created you to be.  He is your Heavenly King, or in this example, the Queen?………

See Ya!   Dan Ainsworth  wilderness preacher

 

 

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Hard Livin’ on a prayer

peeling bark from the logs just like the pioneers and old timers

peeling bark from the logs just like the pioneers and old timers

It’s hard work.  It takes a lot of elbow grease, literally.  I’m using a drawknife to pull and scrape the bark from these logs.  As I’m breathing hard in this thin Colorado air, I’m thinking of just how hard our ancestors worked to make a living.  The drawknife is a steel blade that I pull under the bark and slice a piece from the log itself.  It’s very back breaking, with shoulders and arms pulling in a rhythm to peel the bark inch by inch, foot by foot, and finally the whole log itself is ready to be used. (see the pile of logs in the back)

I’m using these logs to build a deck on our house here in Colorado.  I’ve got to have a place where my friends (THAT INCLUDES YOU!!!) and I can sit and look at the mountains.  It’s hard work, it’s even harder on these joints and muscles of mine. I guess you’re wondering why I do this?  Well, there is an enjoyment, a sense of accomplishment knowing that I’m doing something that will be useful to me (AND YOU!!) in the future.  With this clear conscience I feel God is pleased.

2 Timothy 1:3 NIV  I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

Paul wrote this to Timothy.  I’m now writing this to you. (yes, YOU).  I’m thankful for the work ethic that was passed on down to me from my father and his father and on and on.  But I’m also thankful for the prayer ethic that has been passed down to me also.

It seems that  in todays’ world that there is not much of either the hard working or the true praying going on.  I’d like to see a change in that.  How can it be changed?  Only way this country boy thinking preacher sees to do this is by one person at a time.

As with the scripture I chose for this week, I have a clear conscience.  That means that I believe with my whole heart that I’m headed in the right direction by following Christ and His teachings.

And every day I remember you in my prayers. (yes, YOU!)  I have a list of growing subscribers that I look through.  No, I don’t read the entire list each and every day and go Lord, remember so and so from Magee, Ms.  And also remember so and so from Texas.  It’s not like back in “Romper Room” for those of you that remember that old show.  I don’t take a magic mirror and read everyones’ name out loud so they will get a “prayer treat” for the day.  But at the same time it’s not like…. “God is great, God is good, pass the bacon”.  It’s way more serious than either of these examples.

As with the scripture, I constantly remember you in my prayers. (Seriously, YOU!)  Praying can be compared to peeling the bark from these logs.  It’s time consuming, It can be considered “hard work” because of all the other things that have to be done and set aside so that you can pray.  I guess you’re wondering why I do this?  Well, there is an enjoyment, a sense of accomplishment knowing that I’m doing something that will be useful to me (AND YOU!!) in the future.  With this clear conscience I feel God is pleased.

If there is a special time or need for prayer, drop me a line.  I won’t share with others.  I’ve got a prayer request I’d like for you to add in your prayer list.  Me.  On this journey we are all on, we help each other, we support each other, we love each other, and we pray for each other.  It’s kinda like feeding each others horses.  Your horse or my horse doesn’t need feeding only when there is a crisis, or problem, or special need.  Definitely feed your horse in those times, but each and every day, make sure you feed your horse………. and feed my horse too.  Praying works the same way.

Clear your conscience.  See Ya!!!

Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher