Tag Archives: Being God’s Creation

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Catching a Bolt of Lightning

All the signs are there.  Moisture in the air, afternoon heat, an updraft from the mountain slope, all giving hints that a storm with lightning would appear.

Plus the fact that the weatherman said 60% chance of rain with severe storms.  So I knew that the storms would be approaching along with the lightning.  I set up my camera behind the safety of my living room window and waited for the show.  I wanted to “catch the lightning” in a picture.

Bam!  Ooops missed that one.  Boom! that one was a little too close.  It looks like I can see sheets of rain across the valley, so the main part of the storm should be here any…… Ka Pow! (blinding light)………   I got it!!!!!

The power of a lightning bolt is well, among other things, scary.  Especially to this farm boy who has witnessed lots of lightning as well as where lightning strikes occurred.  The splintered trees, the welded fence post, the cables welded together in a chicken house (that I was standing in), all testify to the powers of a lightning bolt.

I’m scared of lightning, just like my dog.  😉   But at the same time, I’m drawn to it.  When I’m in my safety zone, in a car, or better yet, in the house, I love to witness this power of God.  The power, the mystery, the wonder, the glory.

Psalm 97:3-5New International Version (NIV)4 His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.

Jeremiah 33New International Version (NIV)  2 “This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: 3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

I’m scared of God and His Power.  But at the same time, I’m drawn to it.  When I’m in my safety zone, I love to witness His power.  The power, the mystery, the wonder, the Glory.

A quick discussion about this “safety zone” for God and His Power.  It’s called being in His Will.  God is with you on your spiritual journey.  His desire is for you to BE with Him as well.  Seeking God’s Will for your life is an everyday happening.  What is so amazing is that you can call to Him for guidance and He will answer you.  How?  In a quiet time with Him, in a prayer, when reading your Bible(yep, it’s still a good source).  My God is a Most Loving and Forgiving God.

At the same time, I wouldn’t want to be out of my “safety zone” when God’s Righteous power and His Wrath came through because……..Ka Pow!!!! You get the idea.

Stay safely in “the arms of God”.  Constantly look for His will in your life.  And get ready, because you asked Him and called out to Him didn’t you?  You did didn’t you?  Well then, the great and unsearchable things you don’t know (and understand) are on the way……………All the signs are there.  Be looking, especially with your heart.

See Ya!   wilderness preacher Dan Ainsworth

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I will lift up my eyes!

"I will lift up my eyes"

“I will lift up my eyes”

I look to the mountains for inspiration, but today I’m inspired by what’s 3 feet away.  God, what are you showing me?

This morning’s hike was at daybreak.  I actually was walking before daylight. I took this path, but when the sunlight began shining and showing the flowers and their glory, I turned and walked back.  And watched…… and watched……. and was inspired.

before the light shines

Before the sun came out, my focus was on the path and the mountains,…… and even what’s past that,…. the sky.  But as the light grew stronger I became more aware of the things closer to me.  I saw the trees, the pastures, and…… the flowers.   Those flowers!  As each one was being bathed by the new morning sunlight, I saw colors take on stronger hues.  Their intensity grew in every instant.  As the sun moved upon the horizon first one flower, then two, now five, now dozens…………. now the whole meadow is coming alive with colors.  My photography doesn’t do it justice, but you get the picture(Pun intended) 😉

These flowers are Being what God created them to be.  They are beautifully made, and God’s Glory shines all over them!

1 John 1:7The Voice (VOICE)7 If we walk step by step in the light, where the Father is, then we are ultimately connected to each other through the sacrifice of Jesus His Son. His blood purifies us from all our sins.

beauty3

 

I do focus on the mountains and what’s far away.  God’s teaching me.  He’s not far away, He’s here….. focus on the next step, the next day, even the next moment.  If I walk in His light, He will reveal to me things on my journey.  Things like we are all forgiven of our sins.  Things like we all get to share in this wonderful light from God, (His Son Jesus).

I turn and can feel the sunlight warming up my face.  I also feel God’s light and Glory shining on me.  He’s not a mountaintop away, He’s ……. well, ….. I feel him.  He’s right here with me…….and you.

Share His love with others.  Let your light shine!

See Ya!!!  Dan Ainsworth  wildernesspreacher

 

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Living instead of dying

My Indian Flute From a Storm Damaged Tree, to something "Alive"

My Indian Flute From a Storm Damaged Tree, to something “Alive”

For whatever reason, a powerful storm named Hurricane Katrina came through and heavily damaged my farm and timberland.  One particular tree was uprooted and destroyed.  This tree was such a big part of my life.  Now what?

This tree was once a growing beautiful cedar tree.  It could be seen by all.  Now it’s nothing but shattered pieces of wood.  Too damaged for anything but firewood.  But, but, there is a part of it that seems to be “calling out to me”.  I saw off a piece of the trunk that contains the heart wood.  Now a new journey begins.

This piece of wood is now shaped, and carved, and designed, and …….. created to be something even more special to me.  It’s not a piece of wood anymore.  It is my Native American flute.  I made it.  It now makes beautiful music with a most haunting sound.  From a dead and dying situation, now comes an instrument that brings a soothing sound when played.  This flute comes alive and causes those to hear it to “come alive” as well.

2 Corinthians 5:17  If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Think about it!  Even as a Christian, even as we follow our Lord and Saviour, for whatever reason, powerful storms come into our lives.  Something that is such a big part of our lives is suddenly uprooted and destroyed.  A marriage gets torn apart, your job is suddenly being laid off, the health you’ve enjoyed for years now uprooted and destroyed.  Now what?

When the going gets tough the ……….     I know you just finished the saying.  The tough get going.  Yep, but that’s how us humans think every situation should be handled.  Man up!  Take charge!  Take care of it and move on!   Easier said than done, right.

Could it be that even when the storms bring their damage that God still has a plan and design for you His child?  It is hard to see (and especially understand) that He will still be there.  Just like the flute, He continues to shape, carve, and create you to be His creation.  Why would God continue to do this?  Love.  My flute is special to me because I made it.  You are special to God because He made you.  He loves you plain and simple.

When the going gets tough…….. the tough “come alive” as God shapes, carves, designs, and continues to create you to be something even more special to Him.  He takes that part that contains your Heart!

Thank you God for being there with me and my friends.

(To hear the flute being played, click on the video below)