Everyone knows what a trumpet looks like: shiny brass. But the Instrument of Hope is mostly black.
Except for the lead pipe — the straight part that extends from the mouthpiece.
It’s made of bullets.
“Bullets that were shot and fired out of a gun, cut up and pieced together,” says Josh Landress, who made it.
By David Freeze
I have lived on a farm nearly all my life. Born into a small dairy farm family, I now own another small farm. One constant in all that time has been chainsawing trees. When I was small, I remember my dad using a chainsaw but I also remember him trying to cut down trees using a two man saw. If you haven’t seen one, the thing has two big wooden handles, giant teeth and preferably two men to pull it back and forth to eventually fell a tree. It doesn’t work as well with a grown man and a spindly kid.
When I was in college and shortly after, I spent several years cutting trees to sell firewood for extra money. It was a lucrative side job and as you might have guessed, I loved the exercise involved. Sawing the tree down, cutting it into certain lengths, manually splitting the thicker pieces, and loading trucks for delivery had a certain manly appeal.
On my farm now, occasionally trees fall and need to be cut up. I know of two along the creek that need attention now. A least a couple saws are usually ready to get some action. Almost never do I cut a tree that is healthy. Most of my experience has to do with trees that need to come down or have fallen on their own.
Such was the case with one certain pecan tree on Millbridge Road this morning. The tree had outgrown its area and a portion of it was hanging over the owner’s house. She called and wanted me to take it down, so I went early last Sunday to check it out. Just a little touchy in spots on whether the falling tree would hit the house, I planned to use experience, a quality helper, a good saw, a tractor and a stout rope to make sure the tree didn’t damage the house.
Yes, I’ve taken down trees that worry me before. One of the most interesting situations involved a good-sized tree that likely would fall on an ex-mother in law’s house. I thought I could take it down safely and she and her husband didn’t want to pay the high price of a tree company. And the biggest thing—I wanted the challenge to get it down.
Licensed tree removal companies should have insurance to cover the damage of a mistake. A farmer with a tractor, a saw and some rope likely doesn’t. But the price is right. That was the situation this Saturday morning as I started removing low hanging limbs about 8am. My nephew joined me about 10am as we used a tractor and front end loader to take off some limbs that would counterbalance the way I wanted the tree to fall.
With all that done, one major limb still hung over the house and could spin the tree once it started to fall. With the rope tautly stretched to the tractor and my nephew set to pull it north as it started to fall, I circled the tree a couple times to make sure where I wanted to cut next. The base of the tree was about 17 inches thick, meaning that the 20 inch bar would be almost fully in use.
I took time for prayer twice during this adventure, just to ask for God’s to help me make the right decisions. At the last minute, I changed positions to cut from the uphill side of the tree. The saw ran perfectly and hit the pre-cut notch just right while the rope and tractor pulled forward after I signaled my nephew to do his part.
I run for fun and my heart is used to a good workout. Once I saw the chainsaw cut start widening, I knew the tree was slowly starting to fall. We had already cleared out good exit routes in case the tree twisted as it fell. I jumped up and ran up uphill, then turned to see the tree fall perfectly as was planned.
My heart was pounding, but all was well. Faith in my own experience and equipment, but a much greater faith in the power of prayer helped me to move forward. Similar situations occur often in life. Trust yourself and then trust God more. Move forward, dream and then be encouraged to achieve. You can do it with God’s help.
By Ann Farabee
So funny. I was in the grocery store and there was a man standing at the back of the store – with maybe 5 items in his buggy. He was talking on the phone. As I walked by, I heard him say in an irritated voice, “I’m IN the checkout line right now, but I will get OUT of line and go back and get IT for you!” (You can hear that tone of voice as you read, can’t you?)
Now, the man was nowhere near the checkout line and he knew I heard him, but all I got when we made eye contact was an irritated look to go along with the irritated voice. I, however, smiled brightly, and came very close to laughing. Oh, the wife (my assumption) was going to receive the item she had called him about, but he WAS going to make sure that she knew that he did NOT want to go ALL THE WAY to the other side of the store to get it. This is not what I would describe as a LABOR OF LOVE. Yes, he was willing to labor, but he was not showing the love.
The reality of my grocery store visit insight was that it brought me to a place where I examined my labor. Is it a labor of love or is it just labor? Does my conversation and demeanor show that I am laboring in love? Or, does my conversation and demeanor show that- yes, I labor for others, but I want to be sure they know how hard it is for me? Good question.
Where can we show our labor of love? Children, spouse, family, friends, the workplace, home, community, organizations, the church… In general, it is anywhere that we spend our time. Labor can be done with a spirit of love and purpose, or it can be done with a spirit of negativity. (Yes, ‘negativity’ is exemplified by the guy in the grocery store.) And, those we labor for can usually discern the spirit that we labor in….
God’s Word gives us great insight about our labor:
*Power of Labor- Ephesians 4:28 – Let him labor, work with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. (Yes, our labor helps us help others.)
*Promise of Labor- 1 Thessalonians 1:3 – Remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love. Matthew 11:28 – Come unto me all that labor and I will give you rest. (Yes, our labor of love will be remembered and God will give us rest.)
*Profit in Labor- Proverbs 14:23 – In all labor, there is profit. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 – If a man will not work, he shall not eat. (These two verses are pretty clear.)
*Prayer is Labor- Colossians 4:12 – Epaphras always labored fervently in prayer for others. (Let’s not forget to labor in prayer.)
I love the story where a little boy was carrying a heavy load of books. When the load became too heavy, he dropped them. His dad reached down, picked the books up, and put them back in his son’s arms. He then picked up his son and carried him. That is the same way God works in our lives as we labor. We may become weak, but that is when He actually makes us strong.
No, the ‘wife’ did not know that her husband was not already in the checkout line when she called, but she did know that he was not happy about having to pick up an additional grocery item for her. Dear man in the grocery store, here is a better response: “Yes, I’ll get it.” Translation: I love you, and I will show it- as I labor in love for you.
Now that I think about it, do we even need to call it labor? Let’s just call it love.
Take a minute to enjoy the peaceful beauty of nature…. From the BBC SpringWatch
Sometimes a stranger—not a friend or a loved one—can significantly improve our day, providing comfort or helping to broaden our perspective… From the Wall Street Journal
By Doug Creamer
On the day I returned from vacation, I went to get the mail. There were several letters, so I glanced through them as I walked up the driveway. Bill, bill, a piece of junk, and… a summons to jury duty! Are you kidding me? This was my third time to be called. I was NOT excited.
I looked to see when I was to report, and ironically, it was to be the same time I would have reported back to school. I wondered if God was punishing me for retiring. I have to admit, I was pretty grumpy for a few days.
The letter stated that I was to call the night before to see if I had to show up. I called, and of course, I did. I had a sinking feeling that not only would I have to show up, but that I would be one of the people selected to be on the jury. I just hoped it wouldn’t be a huge trial.
I arrived and checked myself in. As I sat down and looked around the room I sensed that none of us were very excited about being there. I decided right then that I needed to change my attitude. I am a citizen of this community, and in order for justice to exist in a fair and reasonable way I needed to do my duty with a positive attitude.
I prayed and asked God to forgive me for my negative attitude. There was a person on the other side of that courtroom door that needed someone who would listen with an open mind to all the evidence presented, and make a fair and impartial decision. God touched me and my mind, heart, and attitude were instantly corrected.
The clerk of court showed us a video about what an honor it was for us to serve and what our role would be in the process. A few minutes later, we were called into the courtroom and the jury selection process began. They called twelve people to come and sit in the jury box, and I was selected.
The assistant D.A. and the attorney both gave us some general questions and then talked with each one of us. It was a very interesting process trying to determine who would stay and who would be dismissed as jury members. I was very interested in the compassion that was shown to people who were caregivers or to those with health concerns.
The crime was a felony, but in the grand scheme of things, it was a minor crime. What impressed me the most was how professional everyone acted and how the individual was treated with dignity in spite of the charge. The details of the case and the outcome are immaterial, what matters the most is that the judge and jury gave both parties a fair chance at justice in this specific case.
I walked away with a renewed appreciation for our judicial system. If the same care is put into major cases as was in this case, then maybe we can hope that our system works. I am sure that mistakes are made because we live in a fallen world. There are certainly some people in every profession that do not always give their best, and we know that sometimes people don’t always tell the whole truth. But I still contend that my faith in our system was renewed by this process, and I am glad that I had this opportunity.
I am also glad that God’s system of justice is different in two key ways. First, all of us deserve to be sentenced to a life separated from the love of God. But if we are willing to repent, God, who is the fairest and best judge, will forgive us for all of our sins and failures. The gift of eternity with God is free for all who would receive Jesus as their savior. Second, if we have been wronged in life and we can find the strength to turn to God and give Him our case, He will take care of the situation and deal with those who wronged us. God’s justice far outweighs anything we could ever do.
I want to encourage you to open your hearts to God’s love. You may have committed unspeakable crimes, or you might think that you are a good person, but all of us are in need of God’s forgiveness. The only way to find God’s love and forgiveness is through repentance. God stands ready, arms wide open to you…run to Him while there is still time. Today is the perfect opportunity for you.
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
At first, I thought it was an aberration, just a good friend trying to make life easier for me after a festive birthday dinner. Her tone was firm, leaving no room for even a mouse-squeak of a protest.
“Don’t write me a thank you note; it’s not necessary.”
Do what? (This is a column by Celia Rivenbark from her website)
A bipartisan group in Raleigh has created North Carolina’s largest supper table to help communities hard-hit by disaster, like Hurricane Florence. From Our State Magazine
By Lynna Clark
This is my gardening bench, patiently waiting for Spring. Pots are ready. Dirt is on standby. Spades long to be picked up and used for good. Nearby chairs rock slightly with the winter wind. Even though the sun is shining, the calendar reports that it’s only February. Wait we must.
I could force the issue. My indoor starter plants beg to keep my potting table company. Roots of sweet potato vines and Wandering Jew would feel much more at home in dirt than in the bottles of water on my windowsill. Sunshine can be a deceptive friend. She calls out, “Come! Why wait? Let’s take charge of this day!”
Experience warns that sooner is not always better.
So we wait.
And pray.
Lord, please fill these hands… these pews… these hearts… this table… my empty bed… my life… this crib.
The hope we once had disappears behind the dark cloud of disappointment. And we continue to wait. And pray.
“I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”*
Then one day, winter becomes a distant memory.
“I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends. His mercies never cease.” **
Dear sweet Lord of heaven and earth, please strengthen us in the waiting. Help us give You glory, knowing You love us and care about our lives. You have given us the desires that wait in our hearts. You’ve told us to ask and never give up.*** Thy will be done. We love and trust You ever more.
*Mark9:24
**Lamentations3:20-22
***Luke18:1
I can’t believe that it is time to look ahead to what may come our way this winter. The Farmer’s Almanac has put out their predictions. Here is what they have to say… Are you ready for another winter ride, full of chills and thrills?! According to the 2020 Farmers’ Almanac, this winter will be filled with so many ups and downs on the thermometer, it may remind you of a “Polar Coaster.”