Tag Archives: hearing from God

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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

 

 

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Slow down…..at least to the speed limit

slowdownto speedlimit

The above picture illustrates what was happening to me on Highway 13.  I’m driving in my pickup 60mph headed to Prentiss from Magee,Ms.  That’s 5mph above the speed limit, but still in the safe, “you won’t get a ticket” speed zone. Well, that’s what everybody says.  I look in my rear view mirror.  One, two, three cars and a truck are immediately behind me.  It’s obvious to me that I am holding everyone back.  I’m going faster than I should and yet they are trying to go around me.

Now I notice that there are ice patches on the road and bridges I’m crossing.  Well, I’m slowing down to……52mph!  You would have thought I had kicked their puppy, or stolen their kids candy,…..or “rang” my Ms State cowbell out the window at them as I drive.  The looks and honk they gave me let me know they were ticked off.  What did I do?  I’m driving barely under the speed limit now because of the ice, and it’s annoying the cars behind me.

Two cars have passed, but now four are behind me.  If you’ve ever driven hwy 13, you know it’s straight as an arrow, but with small up and down hills all along.  Every time I get to the top of one of these hills, another car passes.  That’s when I get another look from the driver that I’m annoying them.  Apparently I’m doing something wrong.  Why is everyone in such a hurry?  Here comes a truck passing me now,  I bet this guy’s doing seventy.  Hey!  I know that guy!  He didn’t even wave he’s in such a hurry.

These other drivers are making me want to speed just to keep up with everyone else.  Then we will all be in a hurry, but I’m guessing that none of us will really know why.  It’s reminding me of that old country song by the group Alabama.  “I’m in a hurry but don’t know why.  I rush and rush until life’s no fun” It’s an old song.  Google it.

I’m being passed again by a young fellow in a red sporty looking car.  I should also share that I am now driving a measly 50 mph.  I give him my best “country boy how ya doin’ wave”.  He gives me his best “three finger salute”  It’s on now!  I’m going to join in on this speed game.  I don’t want people to make me feel that I’m annoying, or going too slow, or not living in the fast lane like they are.  It reminds me.  It reminds me……… of being a Christian in this rat race world we live in.

Psalm 46:10New American Standard Bible (NASB)10 “ Be Still (Cease striving) and know that I am God;”

That’s what we need to do.  I’m not saying to stop and be still on hwy 13.  You’ll get “runned over”.  I’m saying we need to Be still and know God.  Cease striving, quit being in a hurry (spiritually) just because everyone else is.  Spend a little time with God.  He may show you some “ice patches” to avoid in your life.  I can assure you that He is never annoyed when you slow down from life’s distractions.

So in my spiritual journey, if it looks like I’m traveling too slow for you, I still want you to wave as you pass.  Even give me the salute if you feel like it, (careful, I know that language myself and I might salute back!).  Maybe you’re passing me because of having to be busy just to stay ahead of others.  Maybe it’s just a habit you have.  You know, passing others just to feel important.  Maybe “the more I do, the better person I am” has become your religion.  Maybe you rush and rush (spiritually) until life’s no fun.  Look back in your rear view mirror and you’ll see me Being (cease striving) and getting to know God.  I might even be pulling off on the side of the road every now and then.

See Ya!   Dan Ainsworth   wilderness preacher