Tag Archives: growing spiritually

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I’m singing the Church special, and I choke!!

friends

Yes I actually choked up.  Here’s why.  I’m singing the song ‘Wayfaring Stranger’.  The song means a lot to me because it tells us that no matter what, we’ll see our Heavenly Father.  Our journey at times will be rough and steep.  But no matter what, we will be with Jesus.

Sitting not 10 feet in front of me is my dear friend.  He has seen dark clouds, He has lived a steep journey.  Health issues, stroke, have left my friend in the position of only being able to speak maybe three words at a time.

But I see him. And also yes, I see my living Lord and Savior shining through this man.  My friends’ eyes are watery, and squinting tightly together.  His lips are moving and he does something that he can’t do.  I get choked up.  My throat is tightening, uh oh, I’m having thoughts that I’m not gonna make it through the song…..

I love to sing.  Also when I sing, I look at people while singing to them.  I want to connect.  Make sure they are hearing me, make sure the words are being heard.  I see people smiling, some are nodding along to the beat.  As always, there are a few with that “bored, whatever” look.  What pleases me is that there are people singing along.

So, what was my friend doing that he can’t do?  He was mouthing the words to the song.  Not just two or three words that his physical body will only allow.  But he is singing every single word.  I’m getting choked up again writing this.  My friend isn’t just singing a song,  he lives it.

To see a fellow human being actually living in Christ is inspiring to me.  I do not pity my friend, nor do I feel sorry for him.  Actually I want more of what my friend has!

What does he have? He’s got God’s love shining in him, faith and trust in the unseen, and a joy coming from deep within.   He is the Wayfaring Stranger.

Travel well my friend, knowing in your heart with all the confidence in the world, that you will one day in Heaven see your Heavenly Father.  Continue to travel knowing that each day you’ll see your Lord and Savior right there with you every step of the way.   We need more friends like this.  Thank you Lord for my friend and his inspiration to the world.

See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth  wilderness preacher

 

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When you’re down and out, stop and help someone.

losing phone

I just lost a ski, but what’s worse, I just lost my phone.  It’s laying there in the snow.  See it?  Well, I didn’t.

This time last year, Staci and I were playing in the snow of Colorado.  Just a couple of weeks earlier I bought a brand new iphone.  It was in the unzipped front pocket of my jacket. When we reached the bottom of the mountain, suddenly my priorities changed from having fun to finding my phone.  And just like a man, I didn’t have insurance for my phone because, well, ah, I’m responsible and well, ah,……. back to finding my phone.

I travel back up the mountain to where I fell.  Staci called my phone over and over, again and again.  I’m taking a few steps and listening in the area where I fell.  A few more steps, listen……. a few more….nothing.  It’s gone.

A big chunk of money just went down the drain, (or snow).  I have been stupid.(not zipping my coat pocket, no insurance even though I know my history, etc, etc.)  I could go on and on about how dumb this is, but I’ll let Staci do that.  She’s good at noticing my faults. 😉  Actually she is very understanding at this point, because she knows how bad I am feeling about my latest encounter and episode of (Big Intro here)…….. The Adventures and Dumb, Stupid Stuff of Dan A.  …….  starring…..me.

We continue to ski for a couple of hours.  I’m about as happy as a Green Bay fan watching this years Super Bowl.  We stop by the lost and found as we leave to report my phone being lost.  Good news!!  They tell us that they have 12 phones in the back.  Yeaaaa!  I feel better.  At least there are 12 other stupid, I mean unlucky people on this mountain.  Well, bummer, none of the phones are mine.  We leave and head back to our room.

A couple hours after supper, Staci’s phone rings.  “Hey”, she shouts, “It’s you calling me on the phone”.  She let’s it ring again. And again.  I holler, “Well answer it honey.  I know that I am here, but someone has my phone and is calling you!”  “Oh, OK” she responds.  Sometimes, that girl can drive me crazy, but I do love her.

A young guy from Texas is on my phone talking to her and this is his story.  He was snowboarding like he always does.  For some crazy reason he falls.  The Texas dude says that he never falls.  While he is down and out in the snow, he looks right in front of him, and there is this phone.  He puts it in his pocket and continues his snowboarding.  When he gets back to his hotel, he remembers the phone.  A smart fellow here, because he said he looked to see who had been called the most on the phone and decided to call.

OK, what are the odds that 1) my phone was not locked, 2) the battery was not dead, 3) an honest guy decided against selling it himself ….. and 4) that Staci would decide to answer the phone call!

Next time I am down and out,  I’m gonna look around and see if I can help someone while I’m there.  That’s what the dude from Texas showed me.

What does the scripture show us?     2 Corinthians 12 The Voice (VOICE) 10 I am at peace and even take pleasure in any weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and afflictions for the sake of the Anointed because when I am at my weakest, He makes me strong.

I can’t explain why bad things happen. Is it my fault, bad luck, God staying away, or God actually allowing something bad.  What I do know is this.  In bad times, hard times, stupid times, it’s easy to see our weaknesses.  But also won’t you agree that this is when we focus and can see that  God’s strength is there for us.

So next time for whatever reason you are down and out, look around like my Texas dude friend.  You might be able to see God’s strength.  While you are down, help someone……. even yourself!!  Keep looking!  See ya!

Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

 

 

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Jesus is a chiropractor

chiropractor

This pain has got to stop.  Even though I hide it well, I’m suffering.  Hey, I’ve done all I know to do, something has got to give.  I need help.

The appointment was set, all paperwork filled out, I’ve checked in and now I’m waiting.  That was quick, now I’m in the Doctor’s office. Didn’t even have time to get more nervous and scared. In walks this young man with a beard.  He speaks to me with a gentle voice. He told me his name. (we’ll call him J.C.) Then he asked me what was the problem.  (Time out) Now he asks that question to complete strangers every day, in and out.  But, without a doubt, he seemed to totally be interested in my life and what was going on.  (Okay), I begin telling him about the pain. I also tell him about the stupid stuff I’ve done over the years to cause damage to my body.  Stupid stuff like all the dares and risks we took in our younger days when we think we are invincible.  (I’m being real here and confessing the stupid stuff, so, you be real and admit you’ve been stupid too). You know, the sports activities, lifting loads too heavy for your back and shoulders, neglect, bad posture habits, on and on.  It’s unreal what we do to our body.

He listens.  Something that seems to be missing in this world.  He listens.  Then he says, ” let’s see what we can do about this”.  He lays his hands on me.  What I will always remember is that he immediately touched the muscles in my neck that were hurting.  He used big words that I didn’t understand.  Said I had a something in my whatever muscle.  There was a “subli something or nother ” in my vertebra.  What I’m trying to say is this.  I didn’t understand what he was saying to his assistant who was writing it down, but I knew that he knew more about what was going on inside of me than I did.

Then he looked inside of me.  In this case he used an x-ray.  Told me exactly what was wrong.  Showed me why I had pain in my life.  Then he said, “we can fix this.”  He didn’t say, you’ve done stupid things, or you’ve waited too long, or anything to make me feel unworthy of seeking his help.  He just calmly said, “I can help”.

So now he asks me to lay on the table face down.  He places one hand on my neck, and brings my arm behind my back.  (time out) Now you guys know me,  My involvement with falconry, with wolves and predators, this position that I am now in, is totally a submissive position.  In the wild, you have a claw on your neck and your wing, leg, or arm is pulled behind your back, you are totally in submission.   Why would I submit to this?  Because I trusted J.C..  I didn’t understand, nor did I really know this guy.   But I trusted him.

What happened next is a blur.  I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, kick myself for not doing this sooner, or………..  My neck went ccccccrrkkk.  He realigned me.  He began a physical journey that I am now on.  A journey that doesn’t have pain from the past going along with it.

So, my daily devotion for this day was this (and it can’t be a coincidence).  John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Why had I not gone to see the chiropractor before this?  Well, I didn’t believe in their ways.  You know, the world says that when you have pain that you need a pill, or shot, or surgery, or well, let’s just do all of them.  Then we’ll cover up the problem with numbing medicines.. Does that sound like your life sometimes??  Also I thought that I could handle this on my own.  After all, who better to run my life than me.  A chiropractor?  All he will do is some touchy feely stuff.  Then he will yank on your head.  People will expect me to say I’m Healed!  And he’ll want to keep seeing me.  Honestly though,  I was just scared of him.

Is your spiritual life filled with pain.  Go see J. C. “the chiropractor”, Jesus Christ.  He’ll listen to you.  He’ll look inside of you, and show that He knows more about what’s going on inside of you than what you know.  When you come to the point that you trust Him, he will realign your life.  Don’t expect to understand, or know what words to use.  Just Trust!!  And by the way, J.C.(Jesus Christ), will want to continue to see you.  It’s a good thing.

I thank God for J.C.

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth  wilderness preacher