Tag Archives: Christianity

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Any Hope For the Next Generation?

Wondering What Their Future Will Be

I’m wondering what the future holds for my son and daughter. What does the future hold for all you guys in your 20’s and 30’s?  Even those in your 40’s.

It’s a whole different world out there.  I know, I know,……. I’m gonna sound like an “old geiser” whose wishin’ for the old days, but my oh my, how this world is changing.

I grew up making a living by mostly working on a tractor, working on a farm for my living.  Actually there have been many different careers that I have been involved in to pay the bills.  From working on the farm with cattle, gardens, and chickens to selling insurance and mutual funds, digging graves, and owning a funeral home.  What I’ve learned on this career journey is preparing me for what’s to come as I enter the final quarter of my life.

The newer generation is also learning as they begin their careers.  But whew………. what’s out there today for them to have to be involved in.  GOOD and BAD!!!

I got my knowledge from reading books (even the encyclopedias…… man I do sound like an old geezer).  They get theirs, well shoot, they just google and ask Siri.  Even gettin’ me to look things up that way.

I got the world’s news from reporters.  They get theirs from “talking heads”.  They get theirs from people who take what’s truly happening and “spin it” to meet specific goals and agendas.  Where’s the truth?  How is anyone supposed to know what is truly happening?

This newer generation spends time with a bent neck looking down at their phones or whatever devices to see who is socially interacting with them.  How many likes, how many views.  Back in the day, the only electrical device I bent my neck down to watch was the toaster!  (I know, I’m an old timer.)

Anywhere you look it seems that people are getting angry/impatient/selfish and troubled.  I guess I was too busy back in the day on the tractor with cows and the dog to notice the angry and troubled people then.

 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, evil men who push away the truth from them.   For the truth about God is known to them instinctively;  God has put this knowledge in their hearts.  Since earliest times men have seen the earth and sky and all God made, and have known of his existence and great eternal power. So they will have no excuse when they stand before God at Judgment Day.

   Yes, they knew about him all right, but they wouldn’t admit it or worship him or even thank him for all his daily care. And after a while they began to think up silly ideas of what God was like and what he wanted them to do. The result was that their foolish minds became dark and confused.  Claiming themselves to be wise without God, they became utter fools instead.  Romans 1:18-22

That scripture was written a couple of thousand years ago. Hmm……., I guess the world hasn’t changed that much after all.  Maybe things just happen faster nowadays.

Here’s some advice from someone in the 4th quarter of his life.   Someone who can say, “I have been with God on this journey,….. and He has been with me.  That makes me a HAVE been not a “has been”.  This someone is me.  My advice to the newer generations?………..

Don’t become wise without God.  This world is crazy enough without you becoming mixed up in it.  Stay above the fray.  Be in the world but NOT of the world.  Make sure God is with you.  Most of all,…….. make sure you are WITH God.  There’s not enough time in this blog to tell you all you need to know about this life and journey.  It will take time to learn,…… it will take a life time!  Make sure your life is ALIVE!  How does one do that?  That’s the mystery of this spiritual journey you and I are own.  There are highs and there are lows.  Ups and downs, but stay focused on your Lord and Saviour Jesus.

I have been and will continue to be.  Since I have been, this means that I am not a “has been”.  I firmly have hope for these newer generations.  Hope, not in worldly craziness, but in God’s eternal stability and support……. for them.

My 4th quarter has begun.  My son taught me that the last two minutes of the ball game were the most important.  All the other time in the game is leading up to this most important time.  I agree.  I say it again!  I have been and will continue to be.  Since I have been and am BEING, this means that I am not a “has been”.  My 4th quarter will involve interacting more with these newer generations.  I may not physically be on my tractor plowing new ground and cultivating the soil,……. but that prepared me for my time now of plowing new relationships with people and cultivating friendships with others on this spiritual journey we are all own.

I have hope for these newer generations.  If you don’t,……. I KNOW WHERE YOU CAN FIND SOME!!

See Ya!   Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

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The First Christmas Without My Father

Yep, I Am My Father's Son

This is my first Christmas without my Father.  He passed away back in May.  In memory of him we had a breakfast of big biscuits, BACON!!, deer sausage,… and fried squirrel (his favorite).

Over all these years, I learned a lot from my Dad.  Here’s one of the many stories.  I was about 12 years old.  It was Christmas Day, but we were out early giving hay to the cows.  Back then, it didn’t matter what was happening, there were farm chores that had to be done.  Feeding the cows their daily ration of hay was one of them.   So we left the house a little early to get this done that day.  I’m twelve, but I’m feeling just as big a man as anybody.  See, Daddy would drive the truck into the field.  I would jump on back of the truck and throw the bales of hay off for the cows.  (AND I GOT TO USE A KNIFE!!).  For a young fellow, the excitement of using a knife to cut the baling twine from the hay bales was…….. (well, you just have to be a twelve year old to know how that feels)

We are trying to finish early with the feeding. One more small herd of cattle on the way back home to feed.  Then it’s back to the house and play with Christmas presents and eat,eat, and eat.  But first we had to stop by a house.  The house was one of the part time workers that would help occasionally with our farm.  As I remember, Daddy went in and gave the guy some money owed him.  I stayed in the truck warming up with the heater on, as it was really cold that day.

My Father comes out shaking his head, gets in the truck, and says to me, “He doesn’t have anything for Christmas.  He’s not celebrating or nothing!”

I guess that’s all that Daddy needed to see.  We go straight back to the house.  He tells me to wait in the truck.  It didn’t take him long to come back out with a grocery bag.  It was filled with oranges, some sticks of peppermint candy, and a few odds and ends from the food pantry.  Nothing special, no toys, no big surprises.  He told me as we were driving back to the man’s house that oranges and fruit was what my Daddy himself would get for Christmas.  Oh, occasionally they would get a toy or new clothes, but they could count on the oranges and fruit each Christmas.

We made it back to the man’s house.  Daddy got out, carried the grocery bag in, didn’t stay but a minute, and was back in the truck driving towards our home.  and he said, “Now he’s got Christmas.  He may not like oranges like I do, but at least He’s got Christmas!”

So what do you and I do when a loved one is no longer with us for the Holidays?  Well, we keep their traditions going, Don’t ya think?

This Christmas Day, some of my family and I will go somewhere to someone who is not having a Christmas.  It may be a needy family, or someone at the gas station, or maybe the waitress or one of the food servers that have to work on Christmas.  (Wherever my Heavenly Father gives me an opportunity) I will go and give them a present.  When I get back in my car, I will then say, “He/She may not like the present as much as I do, but at least He/She’s got Christmas!”

Yep, I am my Father’s Son!!!!!

But the angel said unto them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”  Luke 2:10 

I spend a lot of time with my Heavenly Father as well.  He’s teaching me a lot!  One of the many things, I’ve learned from Him is this.  This world can sure use a lot more love.  My Heavenly Father has filled me with His Love, Mercy, and Forgiveness till I’m overflowing with it.  So,………. I choose to go out and give some of that love away.  To a stranger, someone I’ve just met, an old friend……………  and to you reading this.  There is a great news of great joy I want to share with all people.  It’s the news of living a Christian Life.  I want to share it with you!!  Truly Merry CHRISTmas!!!!

There, you may not like it as much as I do, but you now have a little Christmas for yourself,…….. and maybe enough for you to now share with others.

Yep, I am my Heavenly Father’s child!!

(UPDATE)  At Daddy’s funeral a man came up to me and said he was a grandson of someone who use to work for my Dad.  Pretty sure because of what he told me his Grandfather was the one that got the oranges.

Merry Christmas!!!  Look for opportunities to “give a gift” to someone.

I thank ALL of you for reading this blog.  For sharing this with others, and for being with me on this journey, THANKS!  I’m looking forward to this new year!  Tell your friends to “saddle up” and join us!   We are all riding “different horses” but we are headed to the same destination!

SEE YA!!!! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, spreading Christmas Cheer just like Both of my Fathers!!!

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You Get Hurt When Trying To Help

Silly Honeybee!   She caused nothing but hurt and I was only trying to help.

I was fixing her hive, making improvements, making things better for her.  Obviously, she didn’t see it that way.  Obviously, now I see things differently. (with only one eye!)

And now there you are……… not with a swollen, hurt eye, but with a big hurt of your own.  Hurt feelings, a hurting heart, and well, just a hurting all over.  Why?  because you are trying to help someone.  You are trying to help, but nothing but hurt is showing up.  Who is it you are offering help?  Maybe a friend, a family member, an ex?  Maybe a complete stranger………or maybe even yourself.  You honestly are offering true help, not a selfish “do what I say do”.  You are looking out for that someone, and whatever hurtful situation is there.  Now it is now being thrown back on you.

Hurt people hurt people.  Say it our loud.  Hurt people hurt people.

A difficult place for any of us to be.  You have nothing but good intentions, but the hurt person is hurting.  I’ve hurt before,……. so have you.  All the good advice, all the positive words, all the motivational speeches, ALL that can be said or done, will only meet a solid wall of hurt.  

Try hitting your thumb with a hammer, then adding 24+32+89.  Go………….

Years ago as a preacher, I would give scripture, advice, and counsel to a hurting world of church folks.  Now, on this journey with God as the wilderness preacher, I see things in a different view. (even on days with one good eye).

It’s all about the hurt.  Hurt people hurt people.  There it is again.  While I so wish that I could do or say something to make your hurt go away, it doesn’t.  While you so wish that you could do or say something to someone to get rid of their hurt, it doesn’t.  Bummer.  Matter of fact you and I get hurt in the process of trying to help.  Double bummers.  What cha going to do?

Jesus gives us a great example.  HIMSELF!!!  I don’t think anyone tried to help others as much as He did.  I don’t think anyone got hurt from trying to help like He did.  He died for our sins.  He was crucified for helping people full of hurt.

My different point of view is this.  Give that hurting person what it takes to get rid of the hurt.  Love.  God’s Love.  Help in word or deeds will actually become helpful when the hurt is relieved.

Just as it’s not pleasant to look at my hurting eye, it’s not pleasant to look on someone that’s hurting.  And now, now you got to love on them.  Can’t do it you say??  I know, cause it’s someone who just hurt you even as you are trying to help.  No love to share with them, right?  AHhhhhh, that’s why it needs to be God’s Love.  And you got to be the one that shares it.

These hurtful situations are just another opportunity for you to know God and His ways for you.  Ask God for guidance with what to do or say.  Keep asking.  Keep helping others.  Yep, you’ll also keep getting hurt at times as well.  But this journey will allow you to KNOW God better and better.  It’s in His word.

With my different view now, I feel like I no longer need to be an “answer man” trying to solve a hurting world’s problems.  Instead, I need to share God’s Love to others who are on this spiritual journey that you and I are on.

Maybe we all should share God’s Love as we “help” others with their hurt.  Love your neighbor, love the stranger, even love the “ex”.  You’ll need help from God for that.  I hope you yourself are not hurting so much that you refuse God’s help.  Are you hurting?  Remember, hurt people hurt people……and that hurt’s God himself.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17

Love Ya!  Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher