Tag Archives: horse

Posted on

Are You A Mule or Horse?

I never thought I’d ask a lady such a question,….. but I did. “Mam, would you mind if I took a picture of your ah, mule?” That’s probably not a question most of us have ever heard, much less said to someone. Apparently this lady has heard it plenty of times before. She immediately jumped off her mule. (guess she didn’t want to be in the picture). I snapped a few pictures and asked her a few questions.

I’m at the Horn Creek Trailhead. It’s pretty obvious she and her friend are heading out for a ride with her mules into the Colorado backcountry. Several times I’ve seen people bring their horses to ride the trails. Today I’m witnessing two mules on this journey.

“So, I’m wondering if you think your mule is stubborn,” I said as I took pictures. Her comments surprised me. “Not at all,” she said, “As a matter of fact, I consider him smart. He is sure footed, easy going, not easily spooked. But the best thing is he won’t put his foot down somewhere that he feels will cause him harm.”

“So why are they known for being stubborn?” I mean, I had to ask her that because that’s all I’ve ever heard about mules. They are stubborn.

Her conversation with me was truly enlightening. Because they tend to protect themselves from harm way more than horses, they are cautious and careful,…….. sometimes to the point of looking “stubborn”. They may not want to load into the trailer because in their eyes it will be nothing but trouble. That creek may be deeper than it looks so he’s gonna hesitate a while. (The horse on the other hand will plow right through the water, trotting (and stumbling) his way through.)

I guess that’s the difference I’ve seen between horses and mules. Horses are known for their spirit, speed, grace, and power! Mules are known for their….. stubbornness.

But as this lady told me more and more about her mule, I began to realize how valuable (and how misunderstood) is this creation of God’s called a mule.

Why did she like a mule better than a horse? Her answer was filled with pride. “Because he’s my mule!” A bond has been created between the lady and her mule that is stronger than anything a horse could offer. Remember me saying a mule is very protective and strives to stay away from harm? So he is also with his owner. They develop a close bond. Mules tend to remember things (both good and bad). He will go out of his way to protect himself and his rider. I’d want that characteristic for sure on some of these trails out here. Try riding on a three foot wide trail. Especially one that drops off on one side straight down for about fifty feet. (that’s what I’ve been told is the drop off distance,……. I’m too scared to look for myself!)

I think I want to be more like a mule. Especially in these “crazy” times we are facing and living in. I want to travel my life’s path with a “sure-footed walk”. Don’t let the doubts and fears take over. I want to live my life in an “easy going” mule kinda way. That translates to not letting the “things of this world” bother me so much. I want to enjoy this God-given abundant life without being “easily spooked”.

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 1 Corinthians 13:11

MY owner (God) and His Cowboy Son (Jesus) have a deep bond with me. I have a deep bond with them as well. This journey will have highs and lows, ups and downs, laughter and tears. But knowing that I’m becoming sure footed, easy going, and not easily spooked will allow me to experience God in ways that only us “mules” can understand!

Can I get an AMEN! Can I get a Hallelujah! Can I get a HEE HAW!!!!! 😉

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

‘

Posted on

The Legacy You Leave Is The Life That You Lead

carved tree

I was “bushwhacking” through the wilderness of Colorado when I came upon this carved tree.  Looks like Mr. Monte left his mark on this aspen tree.  No major roads, not even a small trail was close by.  I’m curious how many people have walked here. Possibly ole Chas and me and that’s it.  Possibly could be that lots of folks hiking off the beaten path have walked here.  They just didn’t leave their mark.  I didn’t either.  Carving on a living tree just doesn’t seem proper for me to do.  I’m sure glad Mr. Montes did over 65 years ago.  It made me start thinking about what my legacy might be.  What will people remember about me AND YOU?  Ever thought about it?

Well, think about this.  The legacy you leave is the life that you lead.  That’s a pretty neat saying!  Some leave a legacy for others to remember them by in the form of a building, a big chunk of money, a monument, (a carved tree), etc., etc.  But you and I could leave a great legacy just by the life that you lead.  Just like leading a horse.

leading your horse

Whoa!  (Grab a cup of coffee as I explain). Back to leading the horse……..  Have you ever thought of your own life as being your own horse?  Look at it like this, Both your life and your horse are controlled by you.  You lead your horse to water, down the path, over the river and through the woods…….. You get the idea.  Well, you lead your own life too don’t you?  You have control over your own life.  What you do, where you go, when you go.  You yourself get to choose what you will do and be with your own life.

Sure there are times when we feel we’ve lost control.  When the horse spooks, or the horse doesn’t obey a certain command.  The same thing happens with our lives.  We sometimes get spooked.  Maybe I don’t even  obey a command given by none other than me.  You know, like when you do something even when you know you shouldn’t or you didn’t do something that deep down you knew you should.  See what I mean by leading your own life?  Your horse can bolt on his own, but most nearly all the time he goes where you lead him.  So does the life that you lead.

The life that you lead (you), is the life that you live.  Our lives follow where we lead them.  We lead/live our lives with our heart and soul.  That’s the best  I can explain it.

Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.  They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.  Psalm 112: 6,7

Your legacy, the life that you lead, can be handed down to others.  This is not to say that you go around bragging, tootin’ your own horn.  But you live in a way that others will take notice.  They SEE your trust in the Lord.  They feel your heart.  Looks like you’ve saddled up your own life and now you are leading and living your own life.  While you lead your own life, it’s good to be able to follow God’s lead and direction.

Lead as you are being led.

See Ya!    Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

Posted on

Hard Livin’ on a prayer

peeling bark from the logs just like the pioneers and old timers

peeling bark from the logs just like the pioneers and old timers

It’s hard work.  It takes a lot of elbow grease, literally.  I’m using a drawknife to pull and scrape the bark from these logs.  As I’m breathing hard in this thin Colorado air, I’m thinking of just how hard our ancestors worked to make a living.  The drawknife is a steel blade that I pull under the bark and slice a piece from the log itself.  It’s very back breaking, with shoulders and arms pulling in a rhythm to peel the bark inch by inch, foot by foot, and finally the whole log itself is ready to be used. (see the pile of logs in the back)

I’m using these logs to build a deck on our house here in Colorado.  I’ve got to have a place where my friends (THAT INCLUDES YOU!!!) and I can sit and look at the mountains.  It’s hard work, it’s even harder on these joints and muscles of mine. I guess you’re wondering why I do this?  Well, there is an enjoyment, a sense of accomplishment knowing that I’m doing something that will be useful to me (AND YOU!!) in the future.  With this clear conscience I feel God is pleased.

2 Timothy 1:3 NIV  I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

Paul wrote this to Timothy.  I’m now writing this to you. (yes, YOU).  I’m thankful for the work ethic that was passed on down to me from my father and his father and on and on.  But I’m also thankful for the prayer ethic that has been passed down to me also.

It seems that  in todays’ world that there is not much of either the hard working or the true praying going on.  I’d like to see a change in that.  How can it be changed?  Only way this country boy thinking preacher sees to do this is by one person at a time.

As with the scripture I chose for this week, I have a clear conscience.  That means that I believe with my whole heart that I’m headed in the right direction by following Christ and His teachings.

And every day I remember you in my prayers. (yes, YOU!)  I have a list of growing subscribers that I look through.  No, I don’t read the entire list each and every day and go Lord, remember so and so from Magee, Ms.  And also remember so and so from Texas.  It’s not like back in “Romper Room” for those of you that remember that old show.  I don’t take a magic mirror and read everyones’ name out loud so they will get a “prayer treat” for the day.  But at the same time it’s not like…. “God is great, God is good, pass the bacon”.  It’s way more serious than either of these examples.

As with the scripture, I constantly remember you in my prayers. (Seriously, YOU!)  Praying can be compared to peeling the bark from these logs.  It’s time consuming, It can be considered “hard work” because of all the other things that have to be done and set aside so that you can pray.  I guess you’re wondering why I do this?  Well, there is an enjoyment, a sense of accomplishment knowing that I’m doing something that will be useful to me (AND YOU!!) in the future.  With this clear conscience I feel God is pleased.

If there is a special time or need for prayer, drop me a line.  I won’t share with others.  I’ve got a prayer request I’d like for you to add in your prayer list.  Me.  On this journey we are all on, we help each other, we support each other, we love each other, and we pray for each other.  It’s kinda like feeding each others horses.  Your horse or my horse doesn’t need feeding only when there is a crisis, or problem, or special need.  Definitely feed your horse in those times, but each and every day, make sure you feed your horse………. and feed my horse too.  Praying works the same way.

Clear your conscience.  See Ya!!!

Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher