Tag Archives: building a log cabin

Posted on

Ready,…. Set,….. now Wait

Here is the picture of  “Shadow” the red tail hawk I trained for falconry a couple of years ago.  When I’ve completed the log house construction, (in a few months), I’m looking forward to getting back in  my hobby of falconry, which I’ve done for 18 years.

These birds are amazing.  The skills they use to hunt, the abilities they possess for flying, their keen eyesight, all make these birds of prey a creature of beauty to be around and fly. They already know how to hunt, they just have to get use to being around me.  Every bird I’ve used in falconry over the years quickly adjusted to flying to my glove, allowing me to “partner” with them on their hunting adventures. What do I admire most about hawks and birds of prey?  There ability to wait. Huh?

Take a look for yourself.  When do you normally see a hawk or eagle or other bird of prey?  Yep, you see them casually sitting in a tree or on a light pole.  Maybe you see them effortlessly circling high in the sky.  They are waiting.  Waiting on the next opportunity to catch a meal.

They are sitting on go.  The bird is very much prepared for the next move.   I’ve never noticed any of my falconry birds (ten different hawks and owls the past few years) act as if they are anxious, or fretful,………. or worried.  They just wait…….  I wish I could be more like that.

[Confession time] I get in a hurry sometimes.  I get anxious and even worried for what is usually no reason at all.  But I’m ready to go.  Get the show on the road, hit the trail, move it.  But what is truly necessary is for me to WAIT.

Last week we were full steam ahead on the log home moving and construction.  This week,…….. a delay.  Probably the first delay of many to come..  My construction guy in Colorado is building a house currently.  He will have to get finished with it before he starts mine.  There is a problem with the painting of his current project, and it’s pushing everything (including my log home project) back two weeks. (or more).   So, I got to wait.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

Waiting on the construction of my log home is a good physical example of my also waiting on God in my spiritual journey.  Don’t you sometimes feel like God could be moving at a faster pace in your life?  I mean if you could do this, or have this to happen, then you could go ahead and get this, that, or the other done.  I’ve even had times where I’ve suddenly felt closer to God, and that’s when I wanted to go out and DO something good.  But wait……..

God’s got a much better idea and plan for your life.   Wait on Him.  I’m not saying wait on the couch with a sack of ‘tater chips!!!  I’m saying that you and I need to be like “Shadow” the hawk.  Be prepared, be in tune, be sitting on go!   Opportunities are provided to us by God Himself.  Opportunities to show others His love, opportunities to Be a Christian in everyday activities.  But the most important opportunity is when our Lord and Saviour gives us a chance, or allows something to happen that helps us draw closer to Him.  Many times that involves waiting.

So, wait,…….wait on the Lord,……… then fly my friend, FLY!!!

See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth  wilderness preacher

 

Posted on

I’m In Over My Head

......and Why You should Join Me.

And it begins…….Time to take my log house apart, log by log, load this house on two flatbed trucks and haul them 1140 miles to our property in Westcliffe, Colorado.  Woohoo!!

I’ll admit it, I’m “in over my head”.  It’s too much.  It’s too hard.  I don’t have control over anything!   You’ve had that same “in over your head” feeling, right?  Something very important to you has become too much to handle, too expensive, or maybe just too difficult because you have lost control!  What ya gonna do now?

This blog writes about everyday things, and shares a scripture.  My prayer and goal is that God somehow then uses it to help you on your very own spiritual journey. I firmly believe that He uses me to reach out to others.  My writings have been described as simple, nothing elaborate to me or my writings.  I’ll take that as a compliment! (I plant the seeds, God takes it from there). Here is the mystery and complicated vision to my simple way of writing.  When I’m writing a story about an everyday ordinary event, what I’m really writing about is how this applies to my spiritual journey.  What’s even more puzzling is how this writing is actually describing what is going on in YOUR life and YOUR VERY OWN spiritual journey.  So, am I writing about a physical activity concerning the building of the log home, or writing about what is being seen and shown spiritually in this same exact activity, or really and truly writing something about you, but just using a physical example to help you better understand yourself?  Well, yes to all three.  Whew!!!    Let me try explaining this again.

I write a story about a physical activity that is showing a spiritual truth.  You read this story, but somehow, someway you realize that this story really is to be used by you, for you to become one step closer to God on your spiritual journey. See, there is no way that this country boy with no formal theological training from some great big prestigious school or seminary should be doing this right?  Right, cause it’s obvious that I’m “in over my head”.  The wilderness preacher tries to write a story and reveal the spiritual meaning so that it applies to you?  Really?  That requires knowledge, communication skills, and the ability to reach you in your busy everyday life.  I’ll admit it, I’m “in over my head”.  I don’t stand a chance.  I don’t have a prayer.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait……….. I do have a prayer!    “Lord, could you help me?”

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

Being in over your head causes me (and I bet you) to rely on God’s Will.  Asking God for help means you are willing to give up controlling your life yourself.  That’s a big step.  We normally want to do things our way.  Getting in over your head focuses you on God’s Will, His timing, His desires for you.  Looka there,……. you are being what God created you to be!!!!!

 

My friends, over the next several months I’ll be sharing all about the activities concerning the building of the log home.   But wait, what I’ll really be writing about is the inexhaustible riches and love of Christ.   But wait, what you’ll really be reading is something that is drawing you one step closer to God.  Go figure!!

Ephesians 3:7-10The Message (MSG)  8-10 And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ.

Are you “in over your head” spiritually?  Maybe you are just standing in ankle deep water afraid to go deeper?  Are you saying “little prayers” because of the fear and lack of faith in the “Big Prayers”.  Do you still keep God inside of this tiny little box that you want to control, or have you realized that this Awesome, All Mighty, All Powerful Holy Being, wants to have a living loving relationship with you?

When someone says that they are “in over their head”, they usually mean that they no longer have control.  That’s why I’m admitting that I am “in over my head”.  But it’s a good thing in my spiritual life.  I no longer have control of my life.  I gave it all to God.  He is in control.  A song I’ve been hearing a lot lately says this in one of the verses.  My faith has become my eyes.

My challenge to you is to live so that you are “in over your head”.  God can take care of those problems too big for you to control.  God will also provide opportunities to grow with Him that only He can provide.  When you spiritually live life “in over your head” you break out of that little box you hide in, you step out of that comfort zone that has made life a rut.  Most important of all, you have let your faith become your eyes.  Was blind, but now you see (with faith).

Join with me over these next few months. I’ll be sharing what’s going on with the construction of the log home.  Tell others to join as well.  This log cabin adventure has taken a life of its own.  I’m wanting to share with you through the building of my log home how God is working (and loving) each of us each and every day.

[prayer]  Lord could you be with my friends and me this week. Be with us in a way that we feel your presence.  Be with all of us as we live life “in over our heads”.  Be with us as we look to you for direction and guidance.  Lord help me and my friends.  Help me to BE what you’ve created me to be.

I’m in over my head……… and it’s right where I need to BE!!!

 

See Ya!   Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

 

 

Posted on

Can You Make Those Around You Better?

The Girl Behind The Camera

The girl behind the camera is Julia Bhansali.   Julia is signed with my daughter Jamie’s modeling agency, JEA Model Management.  She has “the look” so she makes great pictures.  But according to Jamie, not only is she good in front of a camera, she is good at taking photographs and videos.
Today Julia’s challenge is to shoot pictures of the wilderness preacher and his log cabin work………………  and make me look good.  Challenge accepted, but I’m thinking this may take a while.
I’ve never enjoyed having my picture taken.  I don’t have “the look”.  I always feel like if I take a picture of myself, all the flaws and imperfections are there for the whole world to see.  (You feel the same way about pictures of yourself don’t ya?)  The same with taking pictures of my work on the log house I’m building.  The pictures I take are to show a work in progress.  But if you look closely, you will see faults, defects, mistakes, and slipups.
But I have learned that pictures tell a story to lots of people better than the written word.  Pictures can tell MY story even better than MY own spoken word.  So, I’ve accepted the fact that I need help to tell my story.  So, “Jamie and Julia, can you help me tell my story?”………………….  They do, and………… they make me look better in the process.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Can you make those around you better?  The people in your life, at work, at home, at school.  There may even be a person that out of the blue God sends your way.  It’s your opportunity, your chance.  All people have flaws, faults, mistakes, and slipups in there lives.  That’s easy to see.  But do this for others and yourself.  Do, say, and BE what you can to help those around you have a better life. 
Helping others to be a better person themselves,………It’s a way of sharing God’s Love.  It’s the way of being/living as a Christian.
Thanks Jamie and Julia for helping me be better.  Jamie was directing and giving ideas (and camera angles).  Julia was in my face, not looking for flaws, but looking for my story.(I’ll never forget, while she is filming me as I played the flute, she was humming along to the same Christian praise song that I was playing.)
You two young ladies helped me share my story in a better way.  But in the process you’ve made me a better man.
Click here to see Julia’s movie clip of “As For Me and My House”