Category Archives: Friendship

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The Future Is In Good Hands

photo by Romalindasphotos

Meet the Maintenance crew at the church camp this summer. One’s a marine, one’s a geologist, one’s a draftsman in architecture, and the other is in wildlife ecology. The old guy,……..well that’s me. I had the privilege of BEING and working with these guys for part of this summer. I’ve come away with a better feeling of what the future holds.

These young men came ready to work,…….. and work hard is what they did. They would jump through a fire if it would have been asked of them. They jumped in the cold creek to clean out debris and improve the habitat for the trout. They danced……. yep they danced alright ,…….. with weed eaters, chainsaws, axes, shovels. (I think there was a little time for dancing with the girls on western dance night. 😉 ) They worked in rugged mountain terrain, under cabins, in the horse lots, and the cafeteria lines. They worked.

What impressed me most? Did I say how hard they worked? Let me fill you in on a little secret. We used chainsaws and weed eaters on acres of property. Impressive they were. But what I saw in these guys gave me such a bigger and better hope in the future. I saw young men being positive in how they viewed life. I saw young men seeking the true Christian journey for themselves and others. I saw such potential in all these guys. Not just possessing a good work ethic, but possessing something that is so needed in today’s world…….. A positive outlook on life…… and they have that because Jesus is their main focus.

1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

To everyone reading this let me say this…….. It truly was a joy, honor, and privilege to work with these young guys, and I do mean work. The future looks so much brighter now that I have seen some of the next generation in action. These guys (and so many more like them) will be daily setting an example to others of the true Christian walk.

To the guys let me share this……. Each of you guys possess gifts from God that each of you will learn more and more how to use. You had my back several times out there working. You made me look good! But know this, I’ve got your back as well. When you need a reference on that resume for the job you’re looking for………….. you’ve got a great one coming from me. Just say the word!

Know this as well my friends. God’s got your back as well. He’s always there to help you. Ask Him for the right words to say, for the directions to go in your life, and to guide you on your journey with Him………… and keep dancing!

“Dear Jesus, I thank you that these guys (and other young people in camp) were a part of my life for just a few weeks. They helped me “come alive” as I travel my own journey helping others “come alive”. Be with them as they move into their next chapter of life. Give them direction, show them Your love, let them see Your Power. I’ve got a feeling that they will be using it for Your Glory and Honor Lord. Amen”

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, groundskeeper, part time dancer

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Giving Good Directions

The directions to our “Higher Ground” property says to take the next left when you pass over the cattle gap. We had a missionary from Dominican Republic traveling to our house to spend the week. Late,late at night (2:00 am), he was trying to find our house. He confided with us the next day that the directions were clear,…………. except,……….. what is a cattle gap?

Jim from the Dominican Republic was coming to Westcliffe, Colorado to interact with Blue Fire Legacy, a ministry, get this,………. that ministers to ministers. Staci and I met Mark and Dallas from this ministry a while back. We sincerely believe in what they do. They live their faith, they follow God’s Will, and, ….. they minister to ministers. Pastors, missionaries, church leaders, you name it, Mark and Dallas will “come alongside them” in their ministry as they help others along on their journey. They counsel, they encourage, they LISTEN.

We decided to “team up” with Blue Fire Legacy, so we volunteered to be a “host home” for the visiting ministers (and their families). They have their sessions with Mark and Dallas, then come hang out and “chill” here at Higher Ground. It’s a God thing, I truly believe. Check them out.
https://bluefirelegacy.org/

Back to giving good directions. Jim told us he had never heard of a cattle gap, much less seen one. He spent several minutes and miles riding up and down Reed Road looking for our driveway (and whatever cattle gap). That got me to thinking. How do I tell someone to turn at the cattle gap, when they don’t even know what a cattle gap is. Some of our Texas friends, (shout out to Becky and Earl!) tell us that it is a cattle guard, not a cattle gap. Whatever it is, seems that there is a little bit of confusion to my directions.

That got me to thinking…………. what about my directions to Christians that are just beginning their journey. Directions that some of us take for granted. I’ve got to admit to you my readers, maybe I don’t explain myself concerning following Christ as well as I should. “Cattle gaps” in spiritual terms may be this. The Blood of Christ is all that matters. Put your Faith and Trust in God, or Trust the Lord with all your heart and not on your own understanding. Those sentences may be just words to lots of you. Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger.

It’s a growing process. Actually when Jim told us he got lost because he couldn’t find the “cattle gap”, we all had a good laugh. We also became closer to each other by realizing that we are all in this together.

So, readers, let’s all have a good laugh. Our words we use, our thoughts, and yes, even our beliefs, sometimes when written on paper may actually be “cattle gaps” to other people. Hang in there with me (and each other). Maybe, just maybe you are beginning to realize that we are all in this together.

When spiritual “food” is given to you, and thoughts or meanings are difficult to understand, ask someone. Take time to reach out to others for better directions. Take time to reach out to God Himself for directions. He’s always there to listen and guide. Because of Jesus our Lord, we truly are all in this together.

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, giving and getting directions!!

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I Almost Died!

That’s the most common phrase from these youth (and adult chaperones) that was said on this adventure. What started out as a high school Senior camping trip turned into a journey where it was possible to see and hear from God Himself. And we like to have died. 😉

One instance of “I almost died” being said was when one of the adults got thrown out of the raft going down the Arkansas River in the Royal Gorge. (Huge rapids for sure!!) As cold as the water was, I’m sure his breath was taken away. I’m positive that he thought he was dying because Staci and I have been in the same position. (thrown out of the boat). The river guides were right there though. If and when things REALLY got serious, they would have taken action. (Hmmmm you know, God sees us when we think we are dying, having the worst day, thinking it’s never gonna get better? AND ……. we have to trust Him to know that if/when things really get serious He will (pull up beside us in that kayak) and protect us from harm. It’s just that when we no longer have control, we tend to start thinking the worst, right?

Another time that the phrase “I almost died” was said was when another adult leader (another adult…… I’m seeing a trend here) became “mesmerized” with the Amish horse buggy ahead of us. As he passed the horse buggy, well he kept looking back at the buggy instead of the oncoming car…… and well, this caused another adult leader to holler “We’re gonna die” as he grabbed the steering wheel to swerve back into the proper lane.

And then there was another adult leader who was concerned about actually making the 7 1/5 mile hike to Venable Falls and back. (I didn’t tell them exactly how far it was going to be cause, well, it’s a long way.) Best to just take the hike one step at a time. And woohoos to her cause she made it! She actually enjoyed it! She’s planning on coming back for a two day campout and wants to go to the summit of the mountains. But honestly those first few steps up the steep slope, she was thinking…… yep, “I’m gonna die.” But she didn’t. She actually “came Alive!”

Then the other adult lady chaperone became ill. (I’ve run out of adults now) In my opinion, the altitude was having it’s effect on her. Being in the back of the van that was dodging Amish buggies, rocks in the road, and wild animals wasn’t helping either. We stopped and got something simple to eat to ease her dizziness. It also helped that we got on a straighter road and she then sat up front. In just a short matter of time, she went from “I feel like I’m dying” to “Hey I feel SO much better. Let’s take a bunch of pictures.” She “came Alive!”

I want to thank the youth on this trip for taking care of these adults. 😉 (I’m not giving names for privacy sake on the internet) These youth………. they are great…….. they are fun to be around……. and they are my new friends! What was crystal clear from this trip is this. They belong to the family of God.

Many people were praying for this trip and it showed. I actually felt all those prayers! From the get go, this was to be a “God Thing”. Sure, we were going to have a fun time in the mountains and river. Lots to sight see. Lots of laughs and good times. But there was also this……….

I felt led to show them an experience with God. Not to just talk about Him, but to actually let everyone experience him. So, it had to be nothing about me. I am just to be the guide remember?

My goal (and my most sincerest of prayers) was to give them an opportunity to see and hear God in everything we did. Not just at devotion time, but in any and every situation. That’s when I noticed it. They were “coming Alive”.

Not sure if they ever said “I’m dying”, but they showed it. Their focus wasn’t on themselves. It was on seeing and hearing from God.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.Matthew 16:24

I saw it! It was a blessing for me to experience. It wasn’t anything super extraordinary. That’s what was so neat about the experience. Just an ordinary time for each person on the hike to have the chance to physically experience what so many of us feel we don’t get to have. I’m talking about experiencing God. Just Him. Just you.

I’ll let the youth share with you what happened. It’s not my place to share. It was spiritual, it was moving, and it was personal. Each one may have seen or heard something entirely different. I’ll give this much away. We had the Lord’s Supper on a mountain top. There was also a “foot washing” in the 38 degree rocky mountain creek of melting snow.

My new friends (and a few older ones), thanks for coming. Stay in touch. Like that wolf and mountain lion we talked about, I’ll be watching and keeping up with you guys.

This is you, and this is God!

One finger is you. One finger is God. What’s important is that the two stay close, stay tight, and stay together. How? Not anything that you can do my friend. It’s by having a living loving relationship with Jesus Christ. He gives His grace, His love, His forgiveness………His abundant Life!, Look and listen for Him in everything around you.





See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, so proud of my new friends!