We’ve named the place “Higher Ground”!

The old hymn goes like this……..”I’m pressing on, the upward way.  New heights I’m gaining everyday.  Still praying as I onward bound, Lord plant my feet on higher ground.”

What was once just an ambituous dream is now almost completed.  There are already friends and family staying with us.  Already been some worship services on the deck with that view.  Been prayer times, crying times, praising with the Native American Flute times.  Mostly, just been times with God.  Times to talk with Him about my doubts and fears.  Ya thought I didn’t and don’t have to deal with doubts, fears, and troubles?  Think again.

Remember this picture from December 2015?

That’s the picture from my blog three years ago when this dream of mine started.  Just a toy model and a chainsaw!!  A lot of water under the bridge since then.  A lot of sawdust carved from 40 home grown trees in Mississippi that I planted 35 years ago.

Has it been worth it?  Well,……… it cost a whole lot more in money and time than originally planned.  I lost my patience many a time waiting on the construction guy.  He was and is a great builder.  He is very precise and a perfectionist with his workmanship.  But he never got a hold of his time management.  What he said would take three days took seventeen!  When he said they would be there on Monday, we wondered which Monday he was talking about.  It was enough to make a preacher cuss……… and this wilderness preacher did!!

Higher Ground hymn 2nd verse….. ” My heart has no desire to stay, where doubts arise and fears dismay.  Tho some may dwell where these abound, my prayer my aim is Higher Ground!”

As all of us travel our spiritual journey, the doubts and fears can make us stop short.  Shucks, sometimes they stop us dead in our tracks.  There were many days I’d catch myself WASTING my thinking times worrying about the what ifs,……. the yea buts,…….. the I don’t knows,……. the are you sures.  So many people get caught in these “mud pits” and this is where they get stuck.  I didn’t want to stay there.  With God’s help, I pressed on.  Day by day.  One construction phase at a time.  Staci and I continued…….

“Higher Ground” 3rd verse       I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

My Faith has grown during this project.  Things that were important to me, now,…….well not that it’s not important, but “living above the world” gives you a different perspective.  I don’t feel it’s necessary to count anymore.  Not needed anymore to keep up with numbers.  You know, how many people come, how many spiritual decisions made, how many guys showing up for the bible study, how many this and how many that. Ain’t got time for that!

When I go fishing I never keep up with how many casts, what baits were used, who caught what.  My 80 year old fishing buddy and I went the other day.  The fish weren’t biting well that particular day, but you couldn’t tell it by our having fun just being out there and with each other.  Just BEING!  We fish just to BE fishing!!  Same way with “living above the world”…….just BEING with God and sharing His love.  In His time, following His direction.

One important way I get to “live above the world” is by having some great people handle my everyday businesses.  People that I trust and respect.  I live like I’m retired, when actually behind the scenes these people are running the show.  I am truly blessed by these coworkers and friends!

Satan throws darts?   More like ballistic missiles, and hand grenades.  He throws a lot of CRAP as well.  Tries to stir things up between me and Staci, between me and contractor guy, between me and myself,…….. between me and my Saviour.  Ole devil is pretty good at it, I’ll have to admit it.  He can throw with the best of ’em.  He has a major league arm to throw all kinds of conflict and disruptions.  Still waitin’ on electrical guy!! (That’s been a major curve ball that the Devil appears to have thrown.)

Verse 4  I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

I’ve grown closer to God through the trials and tribulations of completing this dream.  I’ve grown closer with all the small victories along the way.  I might add I’ve grown closer to my God by reading other peoples books. ( shout out to June and Barry!)  I’ve seen and caught just enough of “God’s Glory” that I no longer plan for retreat times, prayer times, time alone with God times.  It’s changed into this.  I wake up and say “Lord, whatcha got in store for today!  I look forward to what’s in my journey”.  It’s all God’s time!  He is not interested in my helping Him,  He’s interested in my heart and with Being with Him.  All the things that I want and need to do for Him, then just fall in place.

So,…….. was it worth it?  This building of Staci’s and my log home?  Well, remember that the building of this log house is a physical way of showing how God has been “constructing” on me in my spiritual journey.  Taking crooked bent logs and turning them into something special.  I said “Lord, help me” and He’s taken me on one magnificent ride.  This spiritual journey has definitely been worth it.  (Even with all the CRAP the devil threw.)

OK, was it worth it?   For you?   If your reading this blog, then you know now that YOU have the opportunity to come out and visit with us.  STAY a day or two and see for yourself.  I can hear it now.  You telling your friends……. “Hey, next week I’m going to “Higher Ground”!!

But on a most personal and honest level, was this dream of building a log home in Colorado from trees that I planted in Mississippi worth it?  ………..stay tuned.!!!!…….(while my heart and soul are smiling and laughing)!!

See Ya!   Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher  (singing “Higher Ground” in my head)