Category Archives: People I’ve met along the way

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The Power of Heartfelt Worship: A Christmas Reflection

I have a confession to share. I heard someone sing a Christmas song over twenty years ago that changed forever how I hear someone sing. Confused? So was I.

Someone invited my family and me to this small country church. Christmas was just days away, so they decorated the small country sanctuary with poinsettias in every window. A tradition in many Baptist churches was about to unfold. This was a Sunday night sing. Everyone is encouraged to sing. It’s your chance to sing a solo, maybe join a quartet, or someone play an instrument. C’mon, one and all. Or maybe not.

This middle-aged man had already signed the official “Who’s singing tonight” list. I learned to say that he was slow. The term intellectually disabled is now used.

As we were being greeted by church members, a shall we say squabble was going on in the back of the church.

A prominent lady in the church was attempting to get this guy, we’ll call him Paul — not to sing. I’m shaking hands with folks, but my attention is on Paul and this lady; let’s call her Edith. Edith, Paul, and the sound man are having what I see is a one-sided conversation.

The sound man interrupts the greetings in this small church when he shouts, “he wants to sing, let him sing!”

All the church members and visitors alike heard and felt an awkward silence.

Edith sees that everyone is watching them. She quickly marches down the aisle, huffing and puffing, revealing she’s not getting her way.

The pastor greets everyone and invites us to join in the worship and celebration of Christmas. Holiday music has always been a favorite of mine. I grew up singing all the carols of Christmas. So, I was excited to be here and to join in the singing.

Several folks, young and old, took their turns singing for the crowd of maybe 40 people.

Even Edith! She had a reputation for being a talented singer. She proved that as she sang “O Holy Night” for her contribution to the night’s singing. That’s one of the hardest songs to sing!

Impressive is how I would describe her voice. Powerful, and technically correct in so many ways. However, its emptiness disturbed me. I’m here to worship, yet I’m feeling empty after hearing a beautifully sung song. What’s wrong? Is it me? How many times have you been in a church service to worship and it just ain’t happening?

Paul’s turn has now been called out from the list of singers. He has been sitting on the very back pew. It takes several moments for him to make his way to the front and grab the microphone. Whispers intermittently broke the silence. The whispers may as well have been shouts as it was obvious people were disapproving of Paul’s attempt at singing.

He announces his song for the night. It’s the “Little Drummer Boy”. Did I just hear a snicker from someone in the audience? I’m pretty sure it was Edith.

Paul has no accompaniment tape. He has no one playing the piano accompanying him. No one is encouraging him. There is no one supporting him. No one is helping this man. He has no one.

Whether it was from the uneasiness of the moment, or from just not knowing what to expect, not a sound was being made from the congregation.

Paul clears his throat. He sings with his head bowed low. I’ve got to tell you I was pulling for him, hoping he could at least make it through the song.

“Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum”. Paul is barely audible. I struggle to hear him.

“Baby Jesus, I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum.” OK good, he’s singing a little louder, and it’s on key enough that everyone, even Edith, should feel he did a good job.

What happened next is what I remember every Christmas season. Paul raised his head, looking towards the ceiling. Tears flow from and down this man’s face like I’ve never seen before. What’s striking is that Paul is singing as he is crying. What is a difficult task for vocalists, regardless of skill? Why, it’s singing during a cry.

As he’s looking up, he sings the words, “Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum.” The biggest smile came over this man’s face. Whatever he was experiencing was contagious because the biggest smile came over my……… soul.

I saw a humble man, with no help from anyone, give all that he had to his Jesus. And Jesus smiled at him.

There in that small country church I saw true worship. I heard someone sing to their God. It wasn’t showy, superficial Edith. It was Paul. Just Paul. He showed his love to God, and I got to see Paul’s response as he knew God was smiling back at him.

All these years later, I enjoy talented singers. It’s fun to hear exceptional singers use their voices. But I’m always on the hunt for singers who sing from the heart. They sing to their God. They live for their God. And He smiles at them. He smiles not because of what we have or don’t have. He smiles because he loves. God is Love. Paul knows that. Do You?

You and I have no gift worthy of giving to a King. Yet, all God wants is you and me, just as we are. In this hurry-up, hectic world during the Christmas season, we lose focus. Busyness causes anxiety. Stress causes us to lose sight and sound of the true Christmas story.

For God so loved the world, that He GAVE us His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

Watching and listening to Paul those 20-plus years ago still motivates me to sing from the heart. More importantly, Paul gave me encouragement to LIVE from the heart. It’s not what you do, but who He is that causes God to love you.

Does God love me? You’d better believe it. He’s got my picture on His Heavenly refrigerator door!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Dan Ainsworth Wilderness Preacher

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Healing Pain: Trust in Jesus the Chiropractor

Jesus is a chiropractor

This pain has got to stop. Even though I hide it well, I’m suffering. Hey, I’ve done all I know to do; something has got to give. I need help.

I set the appointment, filled out all the paperwork, checked in, and now I’m waiting. That was quick; now I’m in the doctor’s office. Didn’t even have time to get more nervous and scared. In walks this young man with a beard. He speaks to me in a gentle voice. He told me his name. (His initials are J.C.) Then he asked me what my problem is. It causes me to ponder that he asks that question to complete strangers every day, in and out. But without a doubt, he seemed to be totally interested in my life and what was going on.

Okay, I’ll interact with this guy. I tell him about the pain. I also tell him about the stupid stuff I’ve done over the years to cause damage to my body.  Stupid stuff like all the dares and risks we took in our younger days when we think we are invincible.  (I’m being real here and confessing the stupid stuff, so, you be real and admit you’ve been stupid too). You know, the sports activities, lifting loads too heavy for your back and shoulders, neglect, bad posture habits, on and on. It’s unreal what we do to our bodies.

He listens. Something that seems to be missing in this world.  He listens. Then he says, ”let’s see what we can do about this”.  He lays his hands on me.

 What I will always remember is that he immediately touched the muscles in my neck that were hurting.  He used big words that I didn’t understand.  Said I had a something in my whatever muscle. There was a “subli something or another ” in my vertebra.  What I’m trying to say is this.  I didn’t understand what he was saying to his assistant who was writing it down, but I knew that he knew more about what was going on inside of me than I did.

Then he looked inside me. ,In this case, he used an X ray. Told me exactly what was wrong. Showed me why I had such pain in my life. Then he said, “We can fix this.” He didn’t say, you’ve done stupid things, or you’ve waited too long, or anything to make me feel unworthy of seeking his help. He just calmly said, “I can help”.

So now he asks me to stretch out on the table face down. He places one hand on my neck and brings my arm behind my back….. (time out) Now you guys know me, my involvement with falconry, with wolves and predators. This position that I am now in, is totally a submissive position. In the wild, if you have a claw on your neck and your wing, leg, or arm is pulled behind your back, you are totally in submission.   Why would I submit to this?  Because I trusted J.C..  I didn’t understand, nor did I really know this guy.   But I trusted him.

What happened next is a blur. I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, kick myself for not doing this sooner, or………..  My neck went ccccccrrkkk.  He realigned me. He began a physical journey that I am now on.  A journey that doesn’t have pain from the past going along with it.

So, my daily devotion for this day was this (and it can’t be a coincidence).  John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Why had I not gone to see the chiropractor before this? Well, I didn’t believe in their ways. You know, the world says that when you have pain that you need a pill, or shot, or surgery, or well, let’s just do all of these. Then we’ll cover up the problem with numbing medicines.. Does that sound like your life?  Also I thought I could handle this on my own.  After all, who better to run my life than me.  A chiropractor?  All he will do is some touchy feely stuff. Then he will yank on your head.  People will expect me to say ‘‘I’m Healed!” And he’ll want to keep seeing me. Honestly though, I was just scared of him.

I want to ask you a most serious question. Is your spiritual life filled with pain? Go see J. C. “the chiropractor”, Jesus Christ. He’ll listen to you. He’ll look inside of you, and show that He knows more about what’s going on inside of you than you yourself. When you come to the point that you trust Him, he will realign your life.  Don’t expect to understand, or know what words to use.  Just Trust!! 

The world we live in these days has so little that we can trust in. Hard to put trust in politicians, advice from so called experts, even Facebook. They all have a way of letting us down when all we want is the truth. The Truth. Will you trust me enough that I could give you a good recommendation for the hurt in your life? If it’s physical pain, I have J.C. the chiropractor’s number. Give me a call. If it’s spiritual pain, let me share Jesus with you. Leave me a comment (it will be private).

And by the way, J.C.(Jesus Christ), will want to continue to see you.  It’s a good thing.

I thank God for J.C.

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth Wilderness Preacher

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Carved Trees and Lasting Legacies

While bushwhacking in the Colorado wilderness, I discovered this carved tree. This aspen tree shows evidence of Mr. Monte’s presence. There were no roads or trails in the vicinity. My search for a quicker route to a fish-filled mountain lake resulted in this discovery. It makes me curious to think about how many people have walked this same spot. Maybe just old Chas and me. I’m willing to wager he was riding a horse. What motivated him to write this message? Was he starting an adventure? Might those have been his last days on Earth? We can only guess why Mr. Montes stopped 75 years ago, but I’m thankful he did. It prompted reflection on my lasting impact. How will people remember us? Ever thought about it?

Well, think about this. The legacy you leave can be the life that you lead. That’s a pretty neat saying! Some leave a legacy for others to remember them by as a building, a sizeable chunk of money, or a monument. Chas Monte left a message on a tree. 

We have the power to build a lasting legacy. I advise against carving messages into trees. So, how is that done? You define your legacy by how you live your life. Guiding your life is much like leading a horse.

Whoa! (Grab a cup of coffee as I explain). Have you ever considered the idea of your life being like your own horse? Consider this: you’re in charge of both your life and your horse. You lead your horse to water, down the path, over the river and through the woods. I think you get the idea. You also have your own life to lead, don’t you? Your life is in your own hands. Your actions, destinations, timing. You determine your life’s path.

Yes, we sometimes feel out of control. A scared or disobedient horse causes the same ‘out of control’ experience. Life can feel the same way. We sometimes get spooked. Sometimes we act against our better judgment. We don’t practice what we preach. Your frightened horse will go off the path. My horse and my life share a tendency to stray. I’m still trying to guide my life. Life’s journey is a struggle; things aren’t always falling into place.

Your life reflects your choices and actions. Your life follows your lead. You lead and guide with your heart and soul. That’s the best I can explain it. You have chosen your horse. Saddle up, take the reins of your life, and trust and pray as you continue on your Christian journey.

The righteous will stand firm. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112: 6,7.

We have the privilege of making our own decisions. I determine the path my life takes. I lead and guide according to my beliefs, following my Lord and Saviour with all my heart. My life and legacy will reflect how I follow God’s lead and guidance.

You can pass your legacy, the life you lead, on to others. Not that you go around bragging, tootin’ your own horn. Your life draws attention. They see your trust in the Lord. They feel your heart. You’ve taken the reins of your life. While you lead your own life, it’s good to follow God’s lead and direction.

Lead as you are being led. Follow Him!

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher “learning to follow as I’m being led”

Leave a comment, or send me a private message describing your legacy.