Monthly Archives: July 2018

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“Granny” Steps Out of Her Comfort Zone

There were visitors at my gold and silver mine this week.  “Granny” stepped out of her comfort “box” and joined in on the adventure.

It’s more than just a short hike to the mine.  It involves walking down a steep slippery mountain (and climbing back up).  Lots of loose rocks to twist an ankle.  The thin air will cause you to have to breathe a little extra.  Did I mention that there are rattlesnakes in the area?  Oh, don’t forget the bats that hang out in the cave.  I’ve seen a scorpion or two.  Well since I’m telling all,……… we’ve seen mountain lion tracks, two bears, and the ever present pack of coyotes all within walking distance of the mine.

I talked “Granny” into going.  Really what motivated her to go was that her “babies” were going and THEY wanted her to go as well.  I’ll admit, I wasn’t much help.  Telling her all the DANGERS and BAD THINGS that COULD happen only brought out the worry and doubts about this trip.  But then again I did encourage “Granny”.  Step out of the comfort box was my advice.  You can’t hear a true wolf howl unless you get off the pavement and into the dirt roads and paths.  You gotta go to the gold mine to see the “babies” find their gold.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

A sound mind………. that means don’t do anything stupid.  But for so much of our lives and our spiritual journies we hold back out of FEAR,……DOUBTS,……and WORRY.

On your spiritual journey, as you search for that “gold mine”, remember God has given you POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND MIND.  Use it to find your treasures.  Use it to draw closer to God on your Christian Journey.  God gives you His Power and Glory so that in return you give the Glory and Love back to Him.  An awesome arrangement if you ask me.

Did the grandchildren, “babies”, find there gold in the mine?  Possibly, they all took a chunk of rock back home with them.

But let me share with you the treasures they did find.  They all stepped out of their own “comfort boxes”.  They hiked up a mountain pass, drove in the middle of a wilderness to see (and hear) a wolf, floated the rapids, saw fantastic views, and maybe, just maybe realized that God is with them everywhere they go.  Along with His Power and Love. 

And “Granny”, because you cast aside your fears and worries, you were there with your family as well.  They have wonderful memories of their “Granny” in the Gold mine.  You gave me a sweet memory too!

Live, become fully alive, not by hiding in your “comfort zones or boxes”, but by using God’s Gifts of power and Love.  Don’t let doubts and worries be your focus.

This family will tell ya that.  Yea, the journey involves a long, hot, bumpy, dusty,  “are we there yet” road (that’s the doubts and worries).  But the rewards are worth it.  (When they heard the wolf singing and howling)

“Granny”, there is another adventure waiting on you when you come back!  See, there is this ghost town with an abandoned mine…………..!!

See Ya!   Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher   AAAAWWWWOOOOooooo!!

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It’s in My Backyard

Colorado Wildfire

This is in my backyard!  The picture shows a closeup of what we see from our view at our log house.  It’s about 40 miles away, but definitely part of our view. Scary and powerful this destructive force.

It (this wildfire has been named the “Spring Fire”) destroys any and everything it comes across.  As of this hour, ( numbers change hourly) it has burned 105,000 acres, and destroyed 104 homes.  No telling the impact on the wildlife.  My heart hurts for what is happening there.

There are over 1,000 first responders there.  Firefighters, bulldozers, helicopters and aircraft that drop water are in the fight.  This is one of the largest fires in Colorado history.  My heart hurts but at the same time is so proud of these people who risk there all for people like me and you.  Sometimes fires here in the wilderness are started by lightning.  BUT…… in this case this fire was started by a careless, (and I’ll say it,…..STUPID) man.  A spark blew from an outdoor fire pit he was using during a fire ban and, well, there’s no going back now.

Today there is help from above! (literally!!)  It’s raining.  Something that we haven’t seen in many months!!  Beautiful fire quenching rain with some snow falling on the mountaintops even in July!  The church has been praying for rain.  Today, we got some.  My heart is filled with joy and Thanksgiving!!!  Thanks you Lord!!

Hebrews 12:28-29 “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

I’ve witnessed the power in an all consuming fire.  I’ve also seen what power even a gentle rain can show.

Each of us has a heart and soul that needs protection from  forces set out to destroy us spiritually.  I’ve witnessed first hand destructive forces out to harm my own soul, my relationships with family members, even my relationship with Jesus.  Scary the powers that are out there.  Until the time that our Heavenly Father brings the healing rains to our souls, you stay on guard.  You fight the fight.

When it comes to your very own heart and soul,  you are the first responder.  Just know that you’ve got an all powerful backup.  All you got to do is reach out to Him.  All that you got is,…. well,….He’s all that you need.  Say Lord, help me…….. and watch out!!!!!!  You’ll see powerful forces at work even in your very own heart and soul.

(Currently overnight because of the rains, and first responders the fire is currently 35% contained. )  It’s not over, but it’s headed in the right direction.  What about your heart and soul situation.  Is it headed in the right direction?

See Ya!!   Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher  dancing for joy because of rain