Tag Archives: growing spiritually

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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

 

 

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Watching God By Planting Seeds

This acorn that I planted (for the deer) has sprouted and is on its way to becoming a great big mighty oak tree.  It will take time.  It will take patience.  Yes, I planted it, but the miracle is how it takes on a life and begins to grow.  Amazing to me how an acorn, (or grain of corn, or flower seed, or any kind of seed, can sit there dormant and idle.  Until,……., until, the right conditions appear (warmth and moisture), then this “dead” seed takes on a new life and begins to grow.

I’ve decided that’s why I love to garden,……… and plant flowers,…… and plant future trees.  It’s because I get to see them grow.  Through the everyday activities of planting and cultivating these plants, I get to see God’s miracle of life working through these plants.  I plant them, but God grows ’em.

I’ve decided that’s why I love to share as the wilderness preacher.  I plant the seeds in your heart.  There’s the seed of growing a relationship with God.  There’s a seed of living a Christian walk and way of life.  I’ve shown people how to “see” God in everyday outdoor activities.

My favorite kind of spiritual seed to plant?  It’s this.  Knowing that at anytime, anywhere I can say “Lord help me.” And He does, and He will.  It’s according to how He wants me to grow.  I hope you have allowed that “seed” to sprout and grow into a mighty force in your spiritual life.

I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.  1 Corinthians 3:6

What kind of seeds spiritually have and are you planting?  Where’s your garden?  Is it only in your own heart?  Well, that’s a good place to start, but there are opportunities for you, even you,….especially You to plant also in others.  See it’s no “big thing”.  You and I are only planting seeds.  We share opportunities, plant “ideas”.  Others come along and “water” them.  But the beauty, mystery, and miracle in all this is how God makes it grow.  We get to see His work in others.  We get to experience Him in our own lives.

Go out today and plant some seeds.  Plant them in a flower pot. Plant them in your yard or garden.  As they grow, it will remind you how God makes them grow.  It will also serve as a reminder of how He is inside of your heart and growing you!!

See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher loving life and the mystery of how God grows us.

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Can You Ask God For a Sign?

I ask God for a sign.  I’m all alone on this one.  I’ve got to make this decision myself. Is this whole idea of building a log home in the mountains of Colorado the right thing to do?   I mean, I’m fixing to sink a lot of time and money into this project. Lord, I’ve felt your pulling and your calling.  But are we both sure this is the right thing to do?  That’s when it happened.

I looked straight up and saw two jets crisscrossing on their separate paths to wherever.  There paths formed a perfect X right above me.(See the picture I took on my phone.)   An X, as in “X marks the spot“.  Did I just receive a sign from the Father concerning my decision?

“Here’s your sign”, signed God.  No, it wasn’t like that.  But I was making a big decision and I wanted confirmation from my Holy Father that this was the right thing to do.  Confirmation, assurance, going forth without a doubt.  We all want to make decisions with the bold assurance that it is totally 110% correct.  What’s the old saying?  “Dang the torpedoes and full steam ahead”.  Press on and no turning back.  But there is that thought process that is always there.  You now the one.  The “Yea, but what ifs” thoughts that can cloud your mind.

So do you ask God for a sign?  Have you asked Him to give you a sign as to  which way you should go, which choice to make?

I’ll admit that I ask God for signs.  Uh oh, some of you are thinking that’s wrong.  We are to live by Faith.  We are to live by what’s not seen. We are not to test God or treat Him as if He answers our every want and need just like WE WANT It to be.

I agree with all that.  But,…….I still ask God for signs.  Do you still think that’s wrong?  Ok, how does this sound to ya?    If I ask for a sign so that I can continue my “justifying my every move” way of living, this would be wrong.  This leads to an empty life.  Things come between me and God.  Something comes between you and God, that’s called sin, right?

But if I watch for signs so that I continue in God’s Will, this leads to the true and real Christian walk with God.

You hunters out there, you look for signs as you trail a deer.  It keeps you on track.

You parents can see signs in your children when they may be having troubles in their life.  It keeps you close to them.

The doctor looks for signs as to what is ailing you.  His ability to see these signs keeps you healthy.

A detective, a card player, a boxer, a stock broker,……watch for signs to know when to make a move.

Drivers all across the country watch for signs to give them direction.  As for traffic signs, we take them for granted.  Don’t even realize they are there,…… until we miss the exit, or go past the turn, or………. get pulled over for speeding (guilty).

“Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”  Isaiah 7:11

I ask God for signs.  I’ve also asked that He gives me what it takes to see His signals. I don’t tell, demand, or force this on my Lord.  It’s my way of communicating with Him.  Please understand me on this.  The signs are there.  The Word of God contains a sign.  The prayer you give up to God may be a sign.  A conversation with someone, a “coincidence” at work, a dream, even a bad situation can be a sign.  Your sign could be the daily devotion this morning, a certain song, or even an “X” painted in the sky.

It’s time to go hunting for signs. Not man made, made up signs.  Hunt for God’s direction in your life so you can stay on track.  (I never would have seen the X in the sky if I hadn’t been looking for it)

Not seeing any sign?  Does the hunter give up, or does he look even harder.  Maybe God has given you signs, but He wants you to look closer and be “hungrier” for Him, so that’s why your signs are not easily seen.  Be patient, be willing, be observant.

I ask God for signs.  But my focus is not on seeing the signs, but on Being His child, Being in His Will, and surprise, surprise,…….. BEING what God has created me to be.

See Ya!!   Dan Ainsworth   wilderness preacher, watching for my Father’s signs on this spiritual journey.