Tag Archives: God’s Love

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That Sinking Feeling

What you see is what’s left of the ladder going to my Mother’s attic.  The step I was standing on broke. Then, two more steps broke under me as I made a short but intense journey down to the floor.  I know it was quick, but I remember thinking “This is gonna hurt”.  A big scratch from one of the now exposed nails, a slight twist of the ankle, a bruised tailbone (what, I still have a tail!), and hurt pride were my results from this encounter with the attic ladder.  I didn’t fall very far, but it was far enough.

My Mother needed help getting the Christmas tree and decorations down from the attic.  I’ve always like going back up in the attic.  Lots of memories up there.  Shucks, some of my toys from fifty years ago are still up there.  Today my assignment was to bring down the Christmas tree, lights, decorations, etc. for this years’ time of celebration.  To get to all the “stuff” that is in the attic, you have to pass through the gatekeeper.  You must climb the only source available to get to the attic.  That source?  An over 50 year old flimsy ladder.

It wasn’t a big surprise.  I had actually replaced a couple of steps a few years back. (Just didn’t replace the step I was standing on that broke).

What was amazing to me was how my brain was working.  In a split second it went from singing “I’ll be Home for Christmas”, to thinking I’m Fixin’ to Be on the Floor for Christmas.  From happy, carefree, holiday spirit to pain, anxiety, hurt, and thoughts of “this is going to be TROUBLE”.

2 Corinthians 4:17, NLT For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

I’ve read that during the holiday season, many folks have that sinking feeling.  It’s a time of year when we should be joyful, happy and celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus.  But the way our brain works sometimes, it causes us to also realize the hurts and pains in our lives.  Maybe you’ve lost loved ones, a friend is moving, health issues, things just haven’t turned out this year like they should have.  All good reasons to feel sad and experience the sinking feeling.  That sinking feeling can happen in an instant.  Your living and loving life when all of a sudden, uh oh you are “falling from a ladder”, and your sinking feeling is overwhelming you.

Look at that scripture again.  Our troubles produce a glory??  Gotta be kidding right? Well, guess not, it’s right there in the Bible.  So, I’m hearing you ask me, “How do my troubles produce a glory from and to God”?  Honestly, I don’t think I can answer for you on that one friends.

What I can say and do know is this.  I speak from experience because I have “fallen from a ladder” several different times, both physically and mentally.  While my earthly body and brain are focusing on the current hurts and troubles that I’m experiencing,  there is a spiritual part of me that remains focused on Christ.  Even when the pains of the life on Earth are giving me depression, sadness, and hurt there is a part of me that stays with God.  I know that God is staying with me.  That’s how I feel that glory is being produced.  The glory that an all powerful God is taking time to be with me is an amazing thing.  The glory that I am giving to this all knowing, all powerful God because He is with me is my humble way of giving back to God.

The troubles that you are going through right now?  I bet it’s tough.  Probably like falling from a 20 foot tall ladder.  But hear this.  Your troubles are huge because they are your very own troubles.  But compared to ……….   Hmmm, compared to……..  Wow, compared to…..  to the Great  and Everlasting Eternal Love of God, your troubles are small and won’t last very long.

I’m not putting down your troubles as a trivial and meaningless matter.  I’m lifting up your troubles to our All powerful, great and mighty God.  Jesus is Lord.  He is Lord of our lives.  He is Lord of our good times,  and ……… He is Lord of our troubles!  To God be the Glory!

Merry Christmas!

See Ya!   Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, full time ladder climber (to higher ground)

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You Are A Part of God’s Glory

upsidedownlogcarved

   The picture shows a log that has been turned upside down so that you can see where I’ve measured,scribed, cut ,carved, sawed, whittled, measured, notched, sanded, shaped, chiseled, and measured some more.  There are also stains on the logs from the blood, sweat, and tears that have been added to this log home.  I’m now close to getting to the top of the nine foot walls of the log home that I’m building.  It’s time to take a break….. and BE THANKFUL!!

 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Every log that is part of my home is either crooked, bent, scarred, blemished, ……..in other words, none of them are perfect.  But, BUT…., after I take hold of them and they get measured, scribed, cut, carved, sawed, whittled, measured, notched, sanded, shaped, chiseled, and measured some more……….. They fit.  They fit perfectly!!!  Just like me and you!!  Seriously, you fit into your own home filled with God’s Love.

Just like this log, I’m betting you had your life turned upside down at some point in time.  Didn’t know why did ya?  Didn’t understand did ya?

But God got a hold of you.  You may think of your life as just everyday living,…….. work, play, and any everyday activities.  But my friend, what if in God’s Eyes and His Love for you He saw it as time to be with Him.

God’s Love.  God’s Love, there is none better.  In spite of what some churchy religions seems to tell us, you can’t be “gooder” to get more love from God.  And in spite of what the world tries to tell you, you can’t be too “bad” to experience God’s Love.

That one thing right there is what I’m so thankful for this Thanksgiving.  God sent His son Jesus, because of His love, to save you through Him, not condemn you.

Jesus wants a loving relationship.  You can not be too “bad” to receive this love.  You will waste your (and His) time by trying to be good like you want to do it.  Instead, just seek the peace of Christ in your heart.  Let Him be the one who “pulls” you into doing good.  Let Him be the one that “carves out” the bad.  You need to Love on Jesus, cause He wants to Love on you.

Somehow, somewhere, you won’t understand it, and you won’t know just why, but God is gonna turn your life upside down.  He will then measure, scribe, cut, carve, saw, whittle, measure, notch, sand, shape, chisel, and measure some more.  That imperfect person you are will now fit perfectly.  Not because of you, but because of Him.  Because of His Love.

“Lord, I’m thankful that you love me.  Lord, I’m thankful that you take control and with your loving eyes, you measure, scribe, cut, carve,  saw, whittle, measure, notch, sand, shape, chisel, and measure me every day.  Most of all, I’m thankful for the Blood, Sweat, and Tears you have given for my life.  My glory is for you.  To God be the glory.

See Ya!    Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, being thankful.

 

 

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Wind Beneath My Wings

osceolaflying

Look closely.  This guy is hang gliding, but tagging along for the ride is an injured Bald Eagle named Osceola.  Osceola is 35 years old now, but when he was two he was injured from being shot.  His wing had to be amputated because of the damage, so he’ll never be able to fly until……….

While making a trip through Rock City, Tennessee, Staci and I had the good fortune to meet John Stokes.  He has a passion for flying (hence the hang glider) and a passion for flying birds.  More specifically, birds of prey.  He gives a talk with his hawks, owls, and the Eagle Osceola sharing his knowledge to any and everyone.  I was more than impressed with his show and exhibit.  (Really enjoyed seeing the vulture or what you and I call a buzzard running around and flying around us as he talked!

He took the time to share with us the story about Osceola.  Watch the video of them flying at the end of this blog

How many of us get “shot down” at some point in our Earthly lives.  How many of us would ever think that we would “fly” again after getting “shot down”.  No way, especially with only one wing.  Yet a relationship exists between two entirely different creatures.  This relationship is difficult to explain, but so obvious to see.  The eagle is able to fly.  Not from it’s own ability or effort, but from a creature (John) that has a love for this eagle.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

You and I use our own abilities and efforts to “fly” in this world.  Only when we get “shot down” do we realize how our efforts are only temporary.  God’s Love comes along and carries us.  God sustains us, strengthens us, and most of all is there right beside us.  Even through all eternity.  Soar higher my friend.

Two entirely different creatures……. God,……. and you.  It may be only when we get “shot down” that we realize how we use our own abilities and efforts to “fly”.  But you and I and our efforts are temporary.  We can only fly so high and so far for only a short time.  Unless,….  you have the Love of God in your life.  Why would this most awesome God want to help me, uphold me, be with me to “fly” forever and ever?  Oh yeah, it’s because He Loves Me!!  I’ll tag along for this ride!!

Thank You John for what you do.

And Thank You Jesus for what you do.  (prayer) “Lord be with my friends out there who have been shot down.  Let them not be dismayed by their circumstances.  But let them experience and see You and Your Love as you are the wind beneath their wings.  Amen

See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

Watch this perfect example of someone’s love allowing Osceola the eagle to fly again