Category Archives: Steps Along This Journey

Posted on

In God’s Timing

The path suddenly became so covered with snow that there would be no way to take the group I’m guiding any higher on the mountain.

It went from this:

The path quickly turned to now this!

Good thing that I’m doing a scouting run on the trail. In a few days, I’ll be guiding a group of high school Seniors from Mississippi into the wilderness of Colorado. But,…… on this trail,……. it ain’t happening!

It would have been two more miles on this trail to reach our goal for this hike. Pretty obvious now, that we are going to have to change our plans. But now what?

I’ve promised these students a great time in the outdoors. We are going to hike, camp, explore, fish, and just enjoy nature at its best. But with the snow pack deep on the trail (two to four feet deep still) , our plans must be changed. I promised a great fun filled time. Not a time of torture. Not too many students from Mississippi would consider a two mile hike IN SNOWSHOES to be fun! Whew! We must change our plans.

I couldn’t help but think of a saying I have been hearing a lot of lately. If you want to know if God has a sense of humor, just make a plan. 😉

Doesn’t it seem like too many times, we make a plan for our life, but it doesn’t go as planned.

Oh sure, it might even be with “good intentions”, and dog gone it, it doesn’t happen as you and I have planned. Maybe a big life decision, a plan for a new chapter in your life, just a day trip, or in my case……… a hike up Music Pass Trail ,….. all planned out, but not happening.

Now what? Well, as a guide to others, I now have to rely on my Guide.

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
    to the soul who seeks him.
 It is good that one should wait quietly
   for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26

Most of the times our plans don’t go as planned is because things are not happening as quickly as I planned. 😉 I’m beginning to see more and more that by me focusing on my plans instead of focusing on God’s Plan for my life,…..well, I have to slow down and wait for God and his good plans for me.

He gave me a good life’s lesson by having this snow pack block my trip further up the mountain. I now have to wait on God and His direction.

In this particular journey, God showed me a beautiful waterfall. I took a different path, scouted it, and this is what I found:

Wow! Pretty! I would not have seen this if I had been able to follow my plan! Now, I’ll get to share this view with the high school Seniors! My plans took a detour because of heavy snow. God’s plans for me led me to another journey to another place to another interaction with Him and His glory. I’m learning to wait. Learning to wait on God. It’s made all the difference!!!!

My plan…… is to follow God’s plan!

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

Posted on

Being Filled With Hope

Being filled with hope. That’s what I like about being a Christian. Being filled with hope. That’s what I like about fly fishing.

I’m excited, can’t wait, looking forward to this newest adventure,…… and I want you to come along with me. The next few months, I’ll be “guiding” several groups, families, and individuals into the wilderness to hike,explore, and best of all, do some flyfishing! The excitement of what we will experience gets the best of me sometimes. Knowing that someone may experience a hike to the mountaintop for the first time is a rush. Seeing a “just made new friend” catch a cutthroat trout for the first time is something I get a “kick out of”. Seeing a person change from just holding a fishing pole to actually getting into a rhythm and casting a fly makes me “come alive”. And there’s a Big, Big, part of me that wants to share these experiences with everyone, including you who read my wilderness preacher blog. So to everyone, you’re invited. Plan a trip, jump on a plane, Staci and I will pick you up at the airport if needed. Contrary to what “People” say, you don’t need a lot of money, time, patience, physical ability, or heck,…. you don’t need much of anything except a desire. Let’s change that to this,…… you just need the PASSION to want to get out to the mountains, rivers, streams, and lakes. I’ll be glad to go along side of ya!

Those of you who physically won’t be along for each trip, well, there’s good news!!!!!! I’m devoting the next few months of this blog to report on these fishing/hiking/ exploring trips. Each of you will get to experience these adventures as if you were there yourself!

What is it about exploring the wilderness? More specifically, what is it about flyfishing? Why am I so obsessed, so passionate, so “BEING ALIVE” when I’m flyfishing?

I came across this quote the other day. It sums it up better than I can.

The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. John Buchan

Bam! That’s it for me!! That’s what causes my excitement! The never ending hope! Just one more cast. The next cast is going to be the one. Missed….. well, try again…… just one more. No luck? No problem cause the next fishing spot, the next day, the next lake. I’ve got an unlimited supply of hope. That’s what makes this so REAL for me. It’s not what you’ve caught. It’s not how many or how big the fish. It’s the pursuit of what is elusive (a mystery), and knowing that there is real hope in catching it.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. NIV Romans 15:13

See, that’s why I’m also obsessed, passionate, and living my life by “BEING ALIVE” as a Christian! God gives His children (me and you) an unlimited supply of hope. It’s not how you’ve lived in the past (whether good or bad). It’s not how big or how many fish ( your status, or wealth, or possessions.) (Or even how good you try to be) It’s the HOPE in Jesus Christ.

Once again read this quote: The charm of fishing (BEING a Christian) is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive(The Mystery of God) but attainable (By Jesus Christ), a perpetual series of occasions for hope (for blessings, joy, and peace).

God has given me a desire to seek after Him. I don’t understand many things here on this Earth. Since I don’t understand, I’ve learned to TRUST my Lord and Saviour. The Hope He’s given me (as well as you too), by the Holy Spirit, allows me to wake up each morning and say “God, what are You AND I gonna do today?”

SEEKING God’s Will and fish

So, join in with me the next few months by reading (and sharing) my blog. It’s your blog too you know.

I’ve made a bold statement and plan for these adventures. It’s this. They are not going to be just a good thing,…… but a GOD THING!!! I’m looking forward to these trips, and having you along with us.

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

Don’t settle for fish sticks
Posted on

Hurt People Hurt People (Comforted people comfort others)

It’s my Birthday, let’s have knee surgery!


Yep, the ole knee needed some surgery. The Doctor said there were a couple of tears, he could go in and fix it, ………..and I would be good to go within a week! Thankfully this was not a bunch of repair or replacement work on the knee. So honestly, it hasn’t been as bad as it could have been. But,……… bad enough to cause a little pain and hurt. How do I celebrate my Birthday when I’m hurting? (Just like you, admit it right now), if you or me are hurting, it’s pretty much a given that others are going to have to hurt as well.

C’mon now. I’m admitting so you might as well admit it too. We are not the best patients. We don’t like to experience pain. If we HAVE to experience pain, then ALL of us want someone else to be right there experiencing their own pain as well. Ever notice that the people we are the closest to, and care for the most, are the ones that we jump on the quickest. Well yea,…….duh…….. they are the easiest targets. Plus, they don’t know to get out of the way. 😉

Pain , what pain!! Need to stick my arm and hook me to an IV! Bring it on lady! What now? Banged my left arm on the side rails of the bed. Who did that? Dunno, they’ve taken my glasses so I can’t see who did it. It might have been me myself. I can’t remember now cause the nite nite medicine is starting to take effect.

Whew, that was quick. I’m awake now. After I’m allowed to fully wake, in walks THAT nurse. You know, when you first go in for surgery, everybody is, “Hey, how ya doin’, oh it’s your birthday, aren’t you sweet!” But THAT nurse is like, “Hey, let’s get you out of here, NOW!!!” She’s bossing me around. Do this, do that. Oh she’s got a smile on her face because she knows the torture she’s fixing to give to me. PAIN??? When the nurse ripped off the heart monitor pads along with hair, skin, and what seemed like the very fiber of my being, what did I do? Nothing. I took it like a man! Pain?? Bring it on lady. Pain? No problem. I can handle it. Load me into the car like a sack of potatoes. Shut the car door. Smile and wave at THAT nurse as she’s headed for the next victim. I’m now headed home. What pain and hurt I will be experiencing, I will be able to handle it. How will I handle it you ask? By making sure others are hurting. Just like you remember, I’m a people. And,…. hurt people hurt people.

Staci is driving me home. That makes her the easy target. I honestly don’t mean to be short,testy, and a little on the grumpy side. The pain is not too bad, but there is enough hurt there for me to be,….. well,…..short, testy, and a little on the grumpy side.

Traffic is terrible. That’s her fault. I deserve a honey bun. We stop and it takes FOREVER for her to go get it. Since I took it “like a man” concerning all that THAT nurse did to me, I now made Staci relive the whole thing with me. “Like a man”, I’m expecting sympathy from my sweetheart. Instead I get “poor baby”. I might as well go back to sleep.


2 Corinthians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

I’m back home now, the sleepy time medicine has gone away, and most of the skin injuries from THAT nurse have started healing, I’ve got to admit something.I realize that during my time of pain and hurting, Staci was by my side comforting me.

Our God and Heavenly Father provide us with comfort from all of our troubles. He does this out of love and compassion. He also does this so that we in turn can share His comfort to others just like He does to us. Totally makes sense, except when YOU are the one hurting.

Hurt people hurt people. We see it all around us. Comforted people comfort others. Do you see much of that? Hmmm…. you yourself can take a step in showing someone some comfort. Our Lord and Saviour stands there ready to comfort you during your times of hurt. Talk with Him and to Him about your needs. Then BE a Christian and share some comfort to this hurting world. One person at a time. Even to THAT nurse!!

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher.