Tag Archives: God’s Love

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I Wonder What They’re Thinking



Most of the time they truly like each other, but then there are times when they fight. Well, they fight like cats and dogs! When they think I’m not looking, (or they just forget that I’m there), that’s when it happens. One will steal the other’s food. One will go into “attack mode” for no reason at all. One irritates the other, the other irritates right back. Both of these animals are mine. I claim them both. I feed, protect, and love on both of them. I got more than enough for the both of them. They got it made. And yet, there is something inside of them,…… when they forget I’m there, or they just can’t control themselves,…….. BOOM there goes a swat, a bark, the stealing of food. Why can’t they get along?

A little background on my pets/ fur babies/ 4 legged children. Dudley, the dog, came to us as a little puppy. He was picked from a litter, selected because of his nature of being a companion. Where ever Staci goes, The big Dud goes too. Oh, he’s got a little wolfy blood in him so he hangs around me as well 😉 Friendly, sweet, and a people loving puppy, he’s been around for 9 years.

Katrina, called Kat for short has been around since hurricane Katrina in 2005. (14 yrs old) After the hurricane passed over our property, there was this tiny little kitten about 20 feet high in the tree next to our house. I took pity on this poor, hungry, scared little kitty cat. Poor thing was starving. She was in the tree meowin’ her head off. I placed some food and milk at the base of the tree……… and she’s been here ever since.

Funny thing is, to this day, her meower doesn’t work. What that means is this. When most cats make a noise it comes out MMEEOOWW! Kat makes a noise that comes out like this. MMEEE. Aside from her meower not working, she’s a typical cat. But, she was wild from the get go. It was years before she would let me pet her. She’s very aloof, likes being alone, and is still an excellent hunter. (She’s always brought gifts to us. mice, moles, a squirrel, birds, etc) Would leave them right in the front door step way for Staci to see.

Since both animals belong to me, they have had to come to an understanding with each other, and with me. No fighting. No growling, hissing, swatting, chasing, none of that dog-vs-cat stuff.

For the most part, they have been excellent companions in the Ainsworth household. It’s just when they forget I’m around. That’s why I wonder what they are thinking sometimes. How can they forget that I’m around? I mean, I provide for them, where they live is mine in the first place. Yet, something comes over them and they forget. Their little ole cat and dog minds get filled up with “it’s mine cause I want it” attitudes. Next thing you know, I have to step in with the classic phrase, “Hey, you two cut it out or I’ll whoop both of ya’!”

1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

These two wouldn’t have any love for each other if it wasn’t for me. The only reason they love, (and they truly do) each other is because of me. My love is there because these pets belong to me.

So,……. you see where I’m headed with this. You belong to the Kingdom of God. Doesn’t matter if you got “picked” or He found you in the middle of a storm. You are His. You and I have got it made. God provides for us. We get to live with Him.

But whenever we “forget that God’s around”, that’s when we go back to the “it’s mine cause I want it” way of thinking. Better be careful! You especially don’t want to hear God say, “Hey, you two better cut that out.” Oh, and He will whoop the both of ya. There are many instances in the Bible where people didn’t get along. They were basically fighting like cats and dogs. Why? What were they thinking? Dunno. Basically it always boils down to this. They forgot that God was around.

Live your life focused on God’s Love. Even if you’re a “dog” or a “cat”. Everybody knows who you are. (even if you’re meower doesn’t work). When you and I realize that we BOTH belong to God, it makes for a much more happy family atmosphere. I live because of God’s Love.

Lord, help me to show others Your love that is in me. I love that cat and that dog. This love for my pets is but a small token example of the love You have for me. Could you help me not to forget that You are always around. Amen.

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

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Birds of the Air

I feel like I’m at an airport.  This picture is showing pinion jays cruising in and out on their natural runways.  It doesn’t take long for these birds to find the food in my bird feeders.  Chickadees, jays, nuthatches, woodpeckers, red-winged blackbirds, grosbeaks, and some sparrows all come to dine at Dan and Staci’s buffet tree feeder.  Dang chipmunks and squirrels drop by as well.

They are all welcome.  It’s a joy and delight to watch these birds every morning,  Grab a cup of coffee, grab a front row seat (by the fireplace), and let the show begin.  Constant fly-ins, fly-outs, fly-bys, flying using those wonderful feathers God gave them to use.

 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Matthew 6:26

Hmmm…. if I just filled the bird feeders with sunflower seeds, then this can mean that God is using me to feed HIS birds !   In some small and seemingly insignificant way I’m being used by my God to fulfill His desires and His plans.  Never looked at it this way, just thought I was feeding the birds.

Maybe you have a bird feeder.  Hmmm……….maybe you have a “people feeder”.  What I’m getting at is this.  Each and everyday day you get a chance, an opportunity to help another person as they travel on their own journey.  It may seem small and insignificant….until you realize that God can use you and your “oh,it’s no big deal” opportunities…… to further His desires and His plans in other peoples lives.

Being used by God for His Purpose, His Desires, His Glory……… that’s a pretty good place to be!  It gives you a chance to bless and be blessed.  Being a part of God’s plan and handiwork is truly a desire of mine.  You and I don’t need to belittle or “shoot down” our small times of helping others.  A kind word here, a thoughtful act there, a prayer given for someone, a Christian deed done for another person,……..it all gives Glory back to God!

So,……put out a “people feeder” in your spiritual journey.  Fill it with whatever “bird seed” God’s given you to share.  It might be He’s given you His love to share.  Or share some of your  kindness, faith, and hope to others in this world.  After all, Jesus was given to you and me.  We in turn can share.  Small and insignificant you may think, but in the big picture you and your activities are fitting into the plans of God.

Helping somebody with a flat tire, letting someone use your phone, cheerful words, take ’em with ya to eat, ……..just listening to someone…., I could go on and on.  These are just the “bird seeds” that this someone needed.  Look-a-there!!   Your Heavenly Father feeds the birds of the air.  He also “feeds” His children!  And,…….you get to be a part of it!!

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!!!