Tag Archives: Being God’s Creation

Posted on

When Garbage Leads To “Stinkin’ Thinkin'”

Oh Boy! That’s a lot of garbage! It’s right in front of my Christmas decorations I’m in the process of putting up. Why so much garbage?

Everyday life brings with it the garbage. Milk jug, plastic bags, food wrappers, food scraps, junk mail, cardboard, more paper from the mail, a pair of worn out socks,…… it goes on and on and on! What’s worse,……. I didn’t get the trash out in time last week so now it’s piling up from my being late and careless.

Our garbage is picked up every Thursday morning. Sometimes they don’t drive their big garbage truck by till after noon. But today they decided to come early. I mean it must have been at sunrise early. I got the garbage out at a normal time. For me it was a normal time, but the trash guys had already come and gone. I realized this later when I went to town and saw EVERYBODY’S garbage picked up but mine. Now What?

Well, guess I’ll have to keep up with it till next Thursday. Yep, keep up with the old garbage and at the same time, the new everyday regular garbage keeps coming. It’s stacking up….. overflowing,….. TAKING OVER!!!!!!!

Psalm 51: 10 -12 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

I experienced an episode of “stinkin’ thinkin'” the other day. You know what I’m talking about. When your head get filled with doubts, problems, pressures, aggravations (I got put on hold for 45 minutes gggrrrrr). Everyday activities brings with them the everyday “garbage ” thoughts that have to be handled. Most of the time you and I can handle them with a “normal” amount of brain usage! But then for whatever reasons, the thought processes that allow us to function in our everyday lives becomes backed up with garbage. Trash, garbage, junk, …….we get overrun and the “stinkin thinkin” takes over. What’s the cure?

Let’s see. A cure for garbage thoughts in my head,……. I got it. any of the following will do: vacation, massage, food, a “take my mind off of it” movie, even a Hallmark movie, more food, and CHOCOLATE!!!

All of the above work for me. Well, maybe not the Hallmark movie that I’ve seen twice already. Seriously, I bet these work for you too. But for only so long, then the garbage “stinkin’ thinkin'” starts piling up again.

The best cure for stinkin’ thinkin’…………. is an everyday walk with God. The garbage that gets into our heads is still an issue, but with God’s help it gets taken out and doesn’t back up and take over. I’m so grateful that our Lord and Saviour is there to walk and talk with me each and everyday. I’m glad that He doesn’t just show up in my life every Thursday morning with His great big “Trash truck”.

Focus on the blessing that God is with you each and every day. Him being with you, that’s a blessing right there. Jesus going where you go. You going where He goes. As everyday life throws garbage at you, have you ever thought about how God reaches around you and grabs that “empty can”, “banana peel”, or “‘tater chip bag”, and says “I’ve got that.”

I’m not trying to make this a trivial and belittling thing about God’s Power and Glory. What I want you to understand is this.

Give your life to God. Give your whole life to God. Surrender everything you have to Him. Yep, everything. Give Him your time, talents, money…….. everything. But ALSO, ….. ALSO,.. give Him your garbage, your trash, junk, and all the”crap” going on in your life.

“Lord will you please help me and my friends here, with our “stinkin’ thinkin’ “. I surrender it all. Like that song You keep placing in my path everyday says, “God you’ve got all my victories, and God you’ve got all my defeats” Thanks for BEING with me each and everyday. I’m wanting this Christmas to be less about the garbage piling up and more,more, more about God, and what You mean to me. Amen.

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

Posted on

Living A Long Life

We celebrated Ethel’s life of 103 1/2 years a few days ago! We celebrated because she is now in heaven! She was my family’s adopted grandmother. We celebrated that as well! Ethel was good at……. BEING Ethel.

BEING Ethel meant that you were good at helping other people. After 103 years I’m sure she had a big influence on lots of folks, and also on lots of different generations. She was a great neighbor to so many friends. She could cook apple fritters, chicken and dumplings, cakes, and on and on.

But BEING Ethel mainly meant being comfortable with who you are. For me personally all those years I saw Ethel BEING Ethel,….. well it was comforting to me. She gave me a sense of relaxation if that makes any sense.

See, Ethel was always easy going, fun to be around. She had a glimmer in her eyes. She was quick with that short quiet laugh of hers. Ethel BEING Ethel was just a joy. Plain and simple she was just fun!

So here’s my question to you. What’s it like? What’s it like you BEING you? I know what it’s like for Dan to BE Dan. What’s it like you being you? Have you found out who you are and who you are supposed to be? Whoa there, not who people think you are supposed to be, but who God created you to be.

Psalm 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

My point is this. When people start BEING the person God created them to BE, then,……. that sense of joy, that inner peace, that “relaxed” feeling as you live your life starts flowing and people around you can sense it.

We are all riding “different horses” on our journeys while here on this Earth. By “different horses”, I mean that some of us are high energy, some easy going, some quiet, some very talkative. All are different. But that’s why it’s important for you to be you.

Ever have those days when you can’t stand yourself. (Makes me wonder what others are thinking of ya those days). You have to put up with “You” each and every day. You living with yourself, every minute of every day. Putting up with all your faults, your shortcomings. Hmmmm, it can get old can’t it!

That’s why I encourage folks to Be what God has created you to Be. Don’t just survive day to day. Live life to the fullest knowing that God’s got your back. He’s got your future as well. God created me as I am for a reason. The main reason was so that He and I can have a personal relationship with each other every day of this life. (and eternally after that!)

I’m “riding the horse” God gave me. Why I never could dunk a basketball or why I never have been able to play a guitar is beyond me. But the other things that God has blessed me within my life, well, that’s what I’m using to BE what God created me to BE!

What about you? Have you found out who you really are? Do you see your God given talents and abilities? They are there I can assure you.Have you asked God to help you in this life? Especially, have you asked God to BE with you as you travel this life. God is extremely good at BEING God. You’ve got to learn to BE yourself. It may take a lifetime to fully understand.

Ethel always seemed to have time to help others. Well she had the time! She had 103 1/2 years. Nope, it wasn’t that. Maybe like Ethel we have to TAKE the time for others.

Being what God created you to be. That’s a goal I’m encouraging you to do. Ethel was good at being Ethel. I loved her for it.

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

Posted on

Living With No Fear

Staci has no fear, and it’s because of several reasons. She is truly a pioneer woman, she likes adventures, and she likes to have FUN!! (The song “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” can be heard playing in the background!) Honestly, from someone who knows her well, (that would be me) 😉 in her brain she is still a teenage girl livin’ on the edge.



What would it be like to live without fear? Living life abundantly, no self made limits because of the “what ifs” , the “yea, but I don’t know about this”, the “you might get hurts”, or whatever doubts, fears, and anticipations of “the next thing that’s going to go wrong” in my life.

Now, I’m not talking about common sense decisions that are made to prevent harm to our lives and our bodies. That old joke of, “Here, hold my drink while I try this!” Or “hey let’s eat a Tide pod!” I mean, c’mon man, any and everybody must use their common sense to avoid harm to themselves. (I guess not, just read where some girl fell into a tiger den trying to get a selfie. 😮

Even Staci has enough sense not to do that……………..well, except for that closeup with the Buffalo. 😉 Staci is not scared of anything. Ooops,……….. forgot she is scared of frogs! But that just shows she’s human.

Anyways, what I’m talking about is living life to the fullest. Getting the most out of life. There’s no way for us humans to do this when fear is in control.

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

In the times you are afraid, filled with anxiety, full of worry, concerned about the unknown, are you truly living?

You are on a Christian journey right? Hmmm let’s see, is your day filled with worry, dread, trepidations, distress…….. fears? Whoa there pardner. You may need to “get off that horse”. The Christian journey should be filled with words like trust, follow, Be. Trust in Jesus, follow Him, and Be who He created you to Be! That’s “the horse” you need to be ridin’.

We may not be in control, but God is. We may not know the future, but you know the God that does. Choose for yourself not to let fear have control in your life. Let faith take the place of fear. Hmmm, that’s a scary thought in and of itself, huh? I can’t help you with that one, but I know someone who can. I pray to Him all the time.

“Lord, could you help me and my friend with our fears. The enemy uses our doubts and our worries to try to control us. Also God, when we are fearful it takes away from our relationship with You. Could You help us with that? Help us to follow you even into the “valley of the shadow of death”. Help our unbelief. We turn around and give You the Glory for who You are. You can make this ‘scaredy cat’ become a Lion! Help me and my friends grow from the frightened pathetic puppy into a howling Wolf!! It’s all because of You. God we love you! Amen.”

Live with Faith, not fear. It gives a better view for life!



See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher