Monthly Archives: January 2017

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The Hard Work Has Its Rewards

Take a drive down Airport Road the next few days and you will see flowers along side the fence.  The flowers continue for days it seems.  Actually, if measured, it’s more like a half a mile of continuous yellow daffodils.  These daffodils are one of the first signs of spring on our farm.  How did they get there?

I know the answer,  So let me share with ya!  My Father planted them.  He was in his 80’s when he started this project. (He’s 87 now!)  Every year he has planted more.  At times, he planted some himself, Other times, he would hire someone to help, (even had Mother out there helping, not sure he paid her though!)  But over the years a few clumps of flowers have turned into a river of yellow and greens.  You can’t help but notice them as you drive by.

It was a lot of hard work.  Planting the flowers and bulbs took a lot of time.  Care had to be given especially when they were just planted.  So why would he do this?  He can see God’s beauty in everything (even in people).

Colossians 3:17 (NIV)17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I’ve got to brag on this man even if he is my father.  He has driven up and down this road an uncountable number of times over the years.  This is his farm.  He has seen a lot of wonderful things on this place.  A newborn calf, a new crop of hay, a barn being built and filled with this hay,…… all he has witnessed in his lifetime.  Other things he saw driving up and down this road.  He saw two sons grow up.  They both are able to still live close by.  He has seen the deer, a covey of quail…….. and a hawk.  He worked the land, fixed the fences, mowed the road right of way…….  He did it all.   AND, he did it in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Yep, it was all for the glory of God!  (Even when he lost one of his fingers in a cow roping accident!)

Which is why there are flowers beside the road.  Everyday that he drives up and down this road he sees God’s beauty.  He sees and feels God’s presence.  In his own country farmer way, he has planted these flowers hoping that OTHERS will see and feel the God my Daddy worships. 

The flowers are a way that he can share this beauty with others, including you.  So when you drive by his farm and see the flowers, you won’t hear an organ or piano playing,(but you can hear God’s music from the wind, trees, cows, and farm activities).  You won’t hear a choir,(but you will hear the birds, the quail, turkeys,…..and the hawk).  You won’t hear any preaching. (Well, there are two donkeys that will Heeeee Hawwww at ya!)   But, do yourself a favor.  Slow down, roll your windows down and drive slowly by.  You will hear and see God and his beauty.

2 Timothy 2:6 (NIV)6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

Wiley Ainsworth, the hard working farmer, has received his share of God’s blessings.  Now, this hard working man gets to see others receiving a blessing from the flowers that he planted for God’s glory.

Papaw, the hard work is and will continue to pay off.

See Ya!!  Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, Stopping to smell the Roses Daffodils

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What’s Holding You Back?

The poor tree.  It’s spent a lot of years with this tire wrapped around its trunk.  You know that’s bound to have been a problem.  Yet, even with this tire in a position to restrain the tree, the tree has continued to grow.

I’m betting that years ago the tire didn’t even bother the tree.  As the tree grew thicker in circumference the tire started making its presence known.  If I were that tree, I’d be complaining……….. and so would you.   “How come I’m the only one with a tire wrapped around me. Lord, it’s not fair!”  Or the classic, “Well, if things weren’t like they are, I could be doing so much more.” Or how about this one. “Hey, have you noticed I have a tire wrapped around me?  Let me tell you about it.”(Or let me tell you about any and every problem that is in my life.  How much time have ya got?)

Poor, poor, pitiful me. I guess that’s just part of being human on this spiritual journey.  We focus on the bad, the problems, the headaches, the uncontrollable events in our lives.  We focus on the “tires” that surround us.  NOT THIS TREE!!!

This tree has taught me (and now you), a lesson.  A lesson in life.  A lesson in endurance and perseverance.  The lesson?  Keep on keeping on.

Instead of focusing on the tire, the tree focused on growing.  And grow it HAS!!  Down here in the South we would say that this is a “big ole” tree. It slowly but surely………….. (maybe I should say it patiently and steadily) grew.  The tire actually has not stopped the tree from growing. I’ve seen barbed wire wrapped around a tree that would eventually kill it.  Why?  Because the wire grew INTO the tree.  But this tree continued to patiently grow.  As it has grown, it has continued to swell inside of the tire.  The tree is in the tire, but not of the tire.

The tree is not so “poor” after all.  It has grown over time, in such a way that it is having an affect on its surroundings………… not letting the surroundings and situations affect it.  This is a strong and powerful tree.  I want to be like that!!

The lessons I’ve learned from this tree.  Have patience.  Keep going by growing.  Don’t focus and worry about what’s surrounding you.  Spend time and energy on what you let grow inside of you.  It’s more about your attitude than the “tire”.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had. Romans 15:5

See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

 

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Can You Ask God For a Sign?

I ask God for a sign.  I’m all alone on this one.  I’ve got to make this decision myself. Is this whole idea of building a log home in the mountains of Colorado the right thing to do?   I mean, I’m fixing to sink a lot of time and money into this project. Lord, I’ve felt your pulling and your calling.  But are we both sure this is the right thing to do?  That’s when it happened.

I looked straight up and saw two jets crisscrossing on their separate paths to wherever.  There paths formed a perfect X right above me.(See the picture I took on my phone.)   An X, as in “X marks the spot“.  Did I just receive a sign from the Father concerning my decision?

“Here’s your sign”, signed God.  No, it wasn’t like that.  But I was making a big decision and I wanted confirmation from my Holy Father that this was the right thing to do.  Confirmation, assurance, going forth without a doubt.  We all want to make decisions with the bold assurance that it is totally 110% correct.  What’s the old saying?  “Dang the torpedoes and full steam ahead”.  Press on and no turning back.  But there is that thought process that is always there.  You now the one.  The “Yea, but what ifs” thoughts that can cloud your mind.

So do you ask God for a sign?  Have you asked Him to give you a sign as to  which way you should go, which choice to make?

I’ll admit that I ask God for signs.  Uh oh, some of you are thinking that’s wrong.  We are to live by Faith.  We are to live by what’s not seen. We are not to test God or treat Him as if He answers our every want and need just like WE WANT It to be.

I agree with all that.  But,…….I still ask God for signs.  Do you still think that’s wrong?  Ok, how does this sound to ya?    If I ask for a sign so that I can continue my “justifying my every move” way of living, this would be wrong.  This leads to an empty life.  Things come between me and God.  Something comes between you and God, that’s called sin, right?

But if I watch for signs so that I continue in God’s Will, this leads to the true and real Christian walk with God.

You hunters out there, you look for signs as you trail a deer.  It keeps you on track.

You parents can see signs in your children when they may be having troubles in their life.  It keeps you close to them.

The doctor looks for signs as to what is ailing you.  His ability to see these signs keeps you healthy.

A detective, a card player, a boxer, a stock broker,……watch for signs to know when to make a move.

Drivers all across the country watch for signs to give them direction.  As for traffic signs, we take them for granted.  Don’t even realize they are there,…… until we miss the exit, or go past the turn, or………. get pulled over for speeding (guilty).

“Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”  Isaiah 7:11

I ask God for signs.  I’ve also asked that He gives me what it takes to see His signals. I don’t tell, demand, or force this on my Lord.  It’s my way of communicating with Him.  Please understand me on this.  The signs are there.  The Word of God contains a sign.  The prayer you give up to God may be a sign.  A conversation with someone, a “coincidence” at work, a dream, even a bad situation can be a sign.  Your sign could be the daily devotion this morning, a certain song, or even an “X” painted in the sky.

It’s time to go hunting for signs. Not man made, made up signs.  Hunt for God’s direction in your life so you can stay on track.  (I never would have seen the X in the sky if I hadn’t been looking for it)

Not seeing any sign?  Does the hunter give up, or does he look even harder.  Maybe God has given you signs, but He wants you to look closer and be “hungrier” for Him, so that’s why your signs are not easily seen.  Be patient, be willing, be observant.

I ask God for signs.  But my focus is not on seeing the signs, but on Being His child, Being in His Will, and surprise, surprise,…….. BEING what God has created me to be.

See Ya!!   Dan Ainsworth   wilderness preacher, watching for my Father’s signs on this spiritual journey.