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Why You Don’t Fit In

will I fit in

Well, it’s started.  My dream of building my own log house, it’s now a reality.  The first step anyways.  The first of many logs has been cut, scraped free of bark, and now marked for it’s place in the wall.  But there’s a problem.  It doesn’t fit in.

I’ve read the how to book over and over.  I marked where the chainsaw and I are going to “dance” on this log.  It’s a big log.  It’s hard to maneuver.  But one thing I’m quickly learning about cutting and crafting big logs into a log home I will call my own.  It takes time.  It takes patience.  AND,   it takes small moves a little at the time that gradually turn into a big change.

First I had to move this log about 40 yards.  How do you move 1800 pounds of wood when I can only pick up oh, about 75 lbs myself?  You use lifts with wheels, also roll bars, also cant hooks.  See, I’ve got equipment to help me roll, slide, and move these heavy logs.  But honestly what I’ve come to grips with is this.  To move this massive log several yards means that I move it several inches at a time.  Over and over, until it is where it’s supposed to be.

Then the DANCE!  Funny how a chainsaw has become my constant companion.  Over the years, I’ve had more difficult and aggravating times with a chainsaw while growing up on the farm.  Mainly cause they wouldn’t crank. They’d make me madder than a wet hen. I threw one into a lake one time.  Sold one to a friend for 5 dollars one time.  It wouldn’t crank so it was worthless to me.  Naturally he could crank it.

But the chainsaw I have now is my constant companion.  I keep it fine tuned, sharp, and ready to run.  It’ll crank in three pulls or less.  I dance with this saw as I cut and carve each log to fit.  Lots of cuts at certain angles.  Carving on each log that will in turn cause it to fit with the next log……..which cause it to fit and turn into a log house.  Again I’m seeing a trend here.  It takes small moves a little at the time that gradually turn into a big change.

What’s crazy is that I’m using logs that look straight, but are actually  crooked, bent, having all kinds of curves and crevices.  But when the chainsaw and I get finished with the “dance” on them, they fit each other tight.  Tight as skinny jeans on that worship leader guy.

I’m using what’s called a scriber.  Without boring you with details, basically it’s a contraption that you must keep level at all times.  It has two pens on it that mark where the two logs will touch.  You take your chainsaw and cut at the pen mark.  Funny thing is, you flip the log upside down to cut it.  You don’t know if it’s going to fit until you flip it back over.  Then voila!!! if all markings were done correctly, the dance was done with precision and all cuts made precisely……..you got a log that fits!!!!  Tighter than a pair of jeans on ……. well you get the idea!

a good fit

But now let’s talk about you.  You feel that you don’t fit in, huh.  What, with other people?  Those friends, or that special someone?   Or is it you don’t fit in with this spiritual walk you are on?  These logs are a good visual example of what it takes to fit in.  When you want to fit in with other people you realize that we all are different with our own crooks and crevices.  Our own personalities and ways.  Our strengths and our weaknesses.  Just like the logs, its difficult to really fit in when you try to be like the other log instead of being yourself.

I don’t need to be like the other log.  I need to let God “dance” on and with me.  Let Him carve me into what He has in store for me.  What he has planned for me.  By letting God work/carve/dance with me, this will in turn help me to fit in with my own spiritual journey.  And get this…… His will in my life will allow me to fit in with friends and even that special someone.

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity Jeremiah 29: 11-14

So, if you want to fit in, then it’s you and God.  Seek His will.  Pray to Him.  Pray with Him.  “Dance” with Him.  Yep, He’ll have to carve on ya’ a little.  But it’s not to hurt you, it’s to cause you to fit in.  In your mind you were picturing two logs fitting together.  In God’s mind it’s a much bigger and better plan.  It’s in His house!!

See Ya!   Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, chain saw dancer, fittin’ in with God’s plans

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Fishing with The Queens of Heart

Rebekah

This Sunday School class wanted to come eat fish.  More than that they wanted to come catch fish.  They brought joy to my heart.  Why?  Cause when I’m 96 I hope to still be fishin’!

Yep, one lady was 96.   Another was ninety-two.  Then a few in their 80’s, or really they would say 39 and holding.  But they all belong to the same Sunday School Class.  They also really belong to each other.  Today, they belong to me.  I’m going to make sure they have a good time at the cabin and lake.

It was a chilly day.  The wind was gonna be bothersome.  But hey, a day fishin’ is better than a day doing whatever, right?  The ladies, (and a couple of guys) got out of the van.  Greetings were exchanged.  They looked around the place, casually walked down to the lake, and then……

There were some chairs we had placed in the yard next to the lake.  The ladies spotted them and claimed each one of them.  It was obvious they were enjoying themselves on their outdoor adventure.  Honestly, they would have been thrilled just to sit there and enjoy nature and each other’s company.  But they came to fish, so then……..

One of the ladies grabbed a cane pole.  While all her friends were still sitting (and watching), she baits her hook and lowers the cork and bait into the water.  It wasn’t ten seconds before she’s hauling out a beautiful catfish.  And then,…….

Well, those ladies were after those fish like a pack of dogs on a 3-legged cat.  I mean they jumped out of the chairs, made a bee line for the fishin’ poles, and it was on then buddy.  It looked like a mad dash at the opening of Wal-Mart.  It looked like……

Have you ever been to a picnic with a bunch of Baptists?  When someone brings out the bucket of chicken, they jump on it.  That’s what these ladies did.  They jumped on going fishin’.  Chairs were knocked over (they didn’t even notice).  Poles got tangled up as they started this adventure.  But from the bottom of my heart, they made my day.

Excitement was in the air.  All were catching fish. They caught 60. I should know because Jodi and I cleaned them.  It was a good time all around.

Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails.  Psalm 71:9
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The only casting these ladies did today was with the rod and reels.  The catfish were big, so the cane poles didn’t last long.  Ladies, you come back any time.  The joy you possess in your hearts is contagious.  Everyone there that day couldn’t be helped but be renewed in their own hearts with joy.  Especially me.  I was busy “helping others”, but in turn it gave me such a blessing of joy.  Thanks for comin’ Ladies Sunday School Class.
I’m working on that alligator hunt for ya’ll.  We’ll need to include your pastor!  He can be the bait!!
See Ya!!  Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, part time fishin’ guide, full time experiencing God’s blessings

 

 

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Trouble in the Corn Patch. This Christian Talks Politics

 

 

Trouble in the Corn Field

I put these scarecrows in my corn field to see what would happen.  I’ll let the crows and varmints tell me who is for real.  The results?  Nothing but TROUBLE!!
I grow corn.  I love to grow corn.  Been growing corn all my life.  Just like my father, and his father, and his, on and on.  But in these troubling times we live in, it seems that everything has become out of order and it’s turning people against one another.
Scarecrows are propped up in the fields.  They are put there by people.  But in the political world, scarecrows have received power from individuals and groups that make these scarecrows able to tell other individuals and groups how they should grow corn. This in turn gives them more power. This in turn makes other groups and individuals want to get their own scarecrows and give them a larger power to undo what the other scarecrows have done.  A vicious cycle has begun.
I grow corn because it’s a part of my life.  I even share corn with others.  Some people look forward to these corn sharing times.  Others I’m sure don’t care for my corn as much as I.  That’s alright.  I’m not gonna cram my “corn” down their throats.  I’ve got a neighbor who grows sunflowers in his garden.  Also got a dear friend who doesn’t care for corn, but she grows flowers and roses in her garden spot.  There’s even a neighbor with an ideal garden spot, but he chooses to let it grow weeds.  We all think he’s on the lazy side, but to each his own.
But now the scarecrows have enough power and they are using their power to tell me what I can and can’t do with my corn field .  They don’t want me to share my corn anymore.  They insist that I not be allowed to grow corn even in my own garden anymore.  Not like I do it anyways.  They tell me it’s better if I do it the “scarecrow’s” way.  They can better manage who gets the corn.  Scarecrows have a way of telling you that they can do any and everything better.  But to me it’s just them showing that they have power and they want more power.  Power over you….. and power over me.  They don’t really care about me or you.
What has become hurtful to me is how scarecrows (in order to get more power) make people see their differences instead of what we have in common.  My neighbors and I are all so different.  But we also have a lot in common.  We have a genuine mutual respect for each other even though we grow different gardens.  But scarecrows see this mutual respect and love we have for each other as a weakness, (no power there).  They would rather dig and stir up divisions between me and my neighbors.
A scarecrow uses fears, and promises to protect you as a way for more power.  Crazy to me how in today’s politics people pick and choose who they want to be a scarecrow so they can prop them up in their fields.  You’ve got one candidate who lies all the time, yes people know that it’s lies.  They don’t believe what this scarecrow says, yet they still like what she says.   On the other hand you’ve got this politician who is not a politician because he can say whatever is on his mind.  People like that…….until he says something on his mind,….. and wait, you can’t say something like that…….   But they still like what he says.  Both scarecrows are after power.  Then when they get power you know what they want then?   Yep, more power.
Now I’ve got local Mississippi scarecrows that someone propped up in my field.  These scarecrows are telling me that they will protect my rights to grow corn.  I can discriminate who I give my corn to and who I choose to have in my corn field.  This is what they are saying to me……. so that they will have power as a scarecrow.
What is going on here????  I’m starting to like my Amish friends way of growing corn.  They don’t use scarecrows.  They don’t see the need for it.   Funny isn’t it, how Amish people “grow their own corn” as they see fit.  Nobody is trying to make them grow flowers.  No scarecrows are trying to “protect” their way of life.  They have a certain way of doing things.  They live their lives as they believe.  They respect you and ask that you respect them.  That’s IT!!!   That’s what’s going on here!!!  No respect for others comes from scarecrows.  That would be a weakness.  No power can be gained from this.
      My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.   1 Corinthians 2:4-5
I preach in the wilderness.  This world of concrete, bricks, roads, and buildings seems to be more of a wilderness than the mountains of Colorado or the swamps of Mississippi that I journey through.  I am a Christian. (It’s like growing corn.)  It’s a way of life for me.  My mother and father lived this way of life.  My children continue to live this way.  They may not (plow their garden) like I do.  My children read scriptures from their phone, not from a worn leather covered Bible book.  But we all (grow corn) live as Christians.  Some of my neighbors don’t live this way.  But I don’t want some government scarecrow to come prop himself up in my “corn field” and tell me how to live as a Christian.  We are putting our faith too much in human wisdom (and scarecrows).  I believe that my power to live here on this Earth comes from God’s power.  God loves me and you so much that He sent Jesus to us to cover our faults and shortcomings.  (Yes, that would be sin).  But for us to show NO RESPECT to each other is hurtful, unkind and too me, not being Christlike.
So do me a favor.  Your scarecrows will see me living a humble, gentle, caring for others life.  And yes, I’ll be sharing (corn).  I’ll be sharing with others what being a Christian is about.  Don’t sic your scarecrows on me.  Let me grow my corn (be a Christian).  Let me fly my flag of choice.  Let me sing the songs I choose.  Let me live as a free man in this great country.  I won’t sic any scarecrows on you either.  We all look different, act different, dress different.  Our political options only seem to lead to more differences.  I’m honestly sick of it.
Hey let’s do each other a favor.  No scarecrows involved.  Let’s meet for a drink and a conversation.  Bring your iced tea, or water, or beer……….. see we are already looking at our differences instead of what we have in common.  I don’t like beer, you don’t like tea…… who says we have to be like the other?…..  C’mon get out of this mindset that if you are not like me then you must change.  We have so much more in common that we realize.  Yet today’s world thrives on the strife and hurt that being different from each other causes.  It’s where politicians get there power.
I’ll be prayerfully waiting to hear from you.  Local scarecrows tell me I can discriminate who comes in my corn field.  Good.  I don’t want politicians ruining what God has given me, so no politicians allowed.  You won’t get any power from me.  I’m relying on God’s power to give me direction on my spiritual journey.  You guys come visit with me.  I’ll be in the “corn field”.
See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, trusting in God, not man