Posted on

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

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

Bend Don’t Break


The picture is of my 3 year old young, fragile quaking aspen trees, but it’s also a picture of the approaching storm headed straight for us in the background. Pretty little tree is about to be hit with hail, 50plus mile an hour winds, pelting rains, and more hail. Yet it will bend…….. and not break.

Not so with some of the other trees and limbs on our Higher Ground property. This Colorado storm packed a pretty good punch. A couple trees uprooted, several limbs broken, needles and pine cones everywhere,……. and I’m still looking for my bird feeder!

But the small young fragile looking quaking aspen tree has no damage. I watched it sway back and forth. I felt that at any moment it would snap. It wouldn’t surprise me if the leaves would go from “quaking” to torn to pieces and gone!

The leaves are designed to “quake”. That is, to shake back and forth as the wind blows. This movement gives aspen trees their name (Quaking Aspen). It’s also what gives them such an attractive appearance. It’s very soothing to be under an Aspen tree and hear the movements of the leaves. ( Time out for a nap 😉 )

So, my fellow Christian believers, we need to be more like that bending not breaking Aspen tree. When the storms of life are upon us we also should bend, not break.

How can we bend in our Christian witness? Isn’t that a sign of weakness? Well, let me compare your walk as a Christian to the way of my little Quaking Aspen tree.

This Aspen tree has a strong root structure. This provides nourishment,…… and stability. Strong roots allow the tree to make a stand. You have spiritual roots planted in the reading of the Bible, roots growing from praying to God, and roots being established from BEING who God has created you to be. Each and every day they grow further to provide even more spiritual nourishment,….. and stability. You have a rock solid foundation being built by your faith and trust. A tree that is all show but with no foundation is one that, ……. well, that’s the one that’s uprooted in my yard.

But your saying, “Yea, I get it, but in today’s world you can’t let people push you around. You can’t let them get away with their way of thinking when it goes against my beliefs. Take a stand! Fight back! Give them a dose of their own medicine!” Careful, Careful! That’s what happened to those other trees in my yard. Slowly over time these trees had become hardened, brittle, twisted, and hollow. They then were damaged when the storms came. Their weaknesses were shown when the storm attacked.

So how is my little Aspen tree able to withstand the storms. It stays flexible! This is not a sign of weakness, but of strength, …… Super Strength. The only way it can be flexible (above ground where everyone can see) is by having a strong immovable foundation. The roots are strong, very strong.

Those fragile branches and delicate leaves are focused on one thing……. Growing constantly towards the Sun! There’s the secret to being “flexible”. In our spiritual growth we must constantly be reaching and growing to the Son Jesus!

Sure, I myself get it. We must be rock solid in our beliefs. But understand what I’m saying. Someone who may not believe as I do will not see my rock solid trust and belief. They will only see my “fragile branches and delicate leaves”. They will see my (and your) reactions to the storms of life. If my focus is on following the Son/Sun, then my focus is not on the storms of life ( differences of opinion, hardships, insults, injuries,) Think about this…… when someone or something makes you mad, what happens? Yep, admit it. You snap! You break! You lose sight of the Son Jesus and focus on the hail/ hell that’s being thrown at you. That little fragile quaking Aspen just keeps on being God’s creation. It doesn’t try to run away from the storm, outdo the storm, or even beat the storm. It just remains “flexible”. Bending but not breaking as it grows towards the Son/Sun!

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Peter 3:18

I was feeling sorry for my little tree during the storm. Then I realized how it was showing a mighty strength and power in the middle of its storm by bending not breaking. I suddenly felt a little sorry for me (and you).

We have a challenge before us. Most people can’t see our “roots”. They can’t see or understand our faith, our trust, our beliefs. But they do see our “fragile limbs and delicate leaves”. They do see how we respond to the storms of life. My prayer is that we do show them that we are growing each and every day towards our Savior.

“Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for my little Aspen Tree. It helps me to see how I should grow towards you. This will help me to withstand the storms that come my way. Help me to grow a rock solid root structure in you. Help me and my friends with our unbelief. Help us to remain flexible and not “snap” at whatever is being thrown at us. I ask that our witness to others will reflect a growing closer to you. There are times I may look like I’m weak and fragile, but may my fragile and delicate witness be for You and Your Glory! You’ve not promised to keep us away from the storms, but you’ve promised to be with us IN these storms. I thank You for that. I sure do love you God!Amen”

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher