Category Archives: Being What God Created

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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

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Giving Good Directions

The directions to our “Higher Ground” property says to take the next left when you pass over the cattle gap. We had a missionary from Dominican Republic traveling to our house to spend the week. Late,late at night (2:00 am), he was trying to find our house. He confided with us the next day that the directions were clear,…………. except,……….. what is a cattle gap?

Jim from the Dominican Republic was coming to Westcliffe, Colorado to interact with Blue Fire Legacy, a ministry, get this,………. that ministers to ministers. Staci and I met Mark and Dallas from this ministry a while back. We sincerely believe in what they do. They live their faith, they follow God’s Will, and, ….. they minister to ministers. Pastors, missionaries, church leaders, you name it, Mark and Dallas will “come alongside them” in their ministry as they help others along on their journey. They counsel, they encourage, they LISTEN.

We decided to “team up” with Blue Fire Legacy, so we volunteered to be a “host home” for the visiting ministers (and their families). They have their sessions with Mark and Dallas, then come hang out and “chill” here at Higher Ground. It’s a God thing, I truly believe. Check them out.
https://bluefirelegacy.org/

Back to giving good directions. Jim told us he had never heard of a cattle gap, much less seen one. He spent several minutes and miles riding up and down Reed Road looking for our driveway (and whatever cattle gap). That got me to thinking. How do I tell someone to turn at the cattle gap, when they don’t even know what a cattle gap is. Some of our Texas friends, (shout out to Becky and Earl!) tell us that it is a cattle guard, not a cattle gap. Whatever it is, seems that there is a little bit of confusion to my directions.

That got me to thinking…………. what about my directions to Christians that are just beginning their journey. Directions that some of us take for granted. I’ve got to admit to you my readers, maybe I don’t explain myself concerning following Christ as well as I should. “Cattle gaps” in spiritual terms may be this. The Blood of Christ is all that matters. Put your Faith and Trust in God, or Trust the Lord with all your heart and not on your own understanding. Those sentences may be just words to lots of you. Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger.

It’s a growing process. Actually when Jim told us he got lost because he couldn’t find the “cattle gap”, we all had a good laugh. We also became closer to each other by realizing that we are all in this together.

So, readers, let’s all have a good laugh. Our words we use, our thoughts, and yes, even our beliefs, sometimes when written on paper may actually be “cattle gaps” to other people. Hang in there with me (and each other). Maybe, just maybe you are beginning to realize that we are all in this together.

When spiritual “food” is given to you, and thoughts or meanings are difficult to understand, ask someone. Take time to reach out to others for better directions. Take time to reach out to God Himself for directions. He’s always there to listen and guide. Because of Jesus our Lord, we truly are all in this together.

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, giving and getting directions!!

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Does God Actually Paint Sunsets?

Everybody enjoys seeing a beautiful sunset. But for me, personally, they have been painted by God just for me (and you). Here’s why.

I dabble in painting myself. Nothing outstanding, but hey, it’s pretty good. 😉 A few months ago, I painted a picture of a sunset for my mother. I used epoxy paints on a plain piece of plyboard. Nothing fancy,…….. but,………

My Mother and I have a living, loving, relationship. Because we are connected in such a way, she just loved the painting. Here’s the “kicker”. When she looks at the picture, she doesn’t see a sunset, she sees a picture that I painted for her. I was there one day when she was talking about “the picture”. People were commenting that it was a beautiful picture of a sunset. She kept commenting that it was a picture that I painted for her. I’m pretty sure if it wasn’t so heavy, it would be hanging on her refrigerator door!

The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

That’s it! Case closed!

I have a living ,loving, relationship with God Almighty through Jesus Christ His Son. Because I believe in Him, I get to experience Him in EVERYTHING each and every day! Lots of people will comment on beautiful sunsets. I comment on what God painted for me (and you).

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. God’s painting is in the eyes of the believer! (personal question……….Do you see what He’s painting for you?)

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, giving Glory to God through His paintings!!!!!!