Friday, September 26, 2008

Stop To Think!!




This week I have been getting ready to paint a Bandit Wood Chipper for my cousin LeRoy. Wood chippers have powerful feed systems with large chipper openings that allow you to break down limbs and branches. One of the things that had to be done was the removal of all of the decals and stickers before painting. So that we would know where to put the new decals when we finished painting, I took pictures of all the decals and locations for reference.

Wood chippers are very dangerous machines. I have never used one, but after reading all of the warning decals I have new found respect for the dangers involved.

Stop to think

This one reads DANGER! STOP TO THINK!! Reaching or kicking into the infeed spout can cause serious injury or death! DO NOT reach with your hand or kick with your foot inside the feed spout. The feedrolls are very powerful. Once your hand or foot is grabbed by the feedrolls, you can be pulled into the chipper. Do not think you will be able to pull yourself out of the feedrolls. They will not let go!

danger

This one reads DANGER! SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH CAN OCCUR! UNLESS THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOLLOWED.

Do you think Bandit Industries Inc. is serious about their warning? Are they plain enough for you to understand? The wood chipper I am working on is literally covered with these warnings. I took 30 pictures of warning labels. The manufacturer wants to make sure that you understand the dangers of working with this machine.

warning

pin danger

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This one is very serious. BRUSH CHIPPERS ARE VERY DANGEROUS MACHINES TO OPERATE! READ AND BELIEVE THIS WARNING DECAL!

One line on this warning decal reads "There have been MANY ACCIDENTS involving the feed rolls, resulting in the amputation of hands, arms, feet, legs and DEATH. DO NOT let this happen to you!

All of these warnings made me think of the Bible, and all of the directions and warnings that God has placed in it.

In Jeremiah 6:10 the Bible says, "Who will listen to me? The people of Israel have closed ears, so they cannot hear my warnings. They don't like the word of the LORD; they don't want to listen to it!"

Why is it that we don't want to listen to the word of the Lord? When I read the warnings on a piece of machinery I take them seriously, but if I read it in the Bible I don't want to listen.

In Romans 6:23 there is a clear warning. As clear as the warning decals on a wood chipper. It says "The wages of sin is death". That is clear. Thankfully the verse doesn't end there. It also says "But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord".

The warnings on the wood chipper were not placed there because Bandit Industries Inc. doesn't want you to have any fun. They were not placed there just to restrict the user. They were placed there for the benefit of the user.

last chance stop

God's commandments are like the warnings on the wood chipper. They are not to restrict us, they are for our benefit.

Many times we look at God's law as a jail. We feel that it creates uncomfortable restrictions. We need to ask God to give us a love for his commandments, to instill in us a desire for the peace and safety of His law.

1 John 5:3 tells us "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome".

ten-commandments

5 comments:

  1. Hello, Richard in Mena, Arkansas. Glad to "meet" you. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving your comments. I'm happy to know that there are other Arkansas bloggers out there.

    I've read only a few of your blog entries so far, but will visit again soon to "catch up."

    I liked the analogy you made between the warnings on the wood chipper and the warnings we have received from the Bible. You have stated the case very well.

    Wishing you a pleasant and blessed weekend.

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  2. What a good reminder! Thank you for sharing this vital information! I don't think I am ever going to use a wood chipper such as these! SCARY stuff!

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  3. This is a great tie-in. Very effective!

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  4. They certainly make sure people don't miss the warnings. I got a laugh from the picture saying "Do Not Do This". I once had a packet of replacement lawn mower blades which warned "Do not attempt to change blades with motor running" are they for real, who would try such a thing??? Great illustration for highlighting the warnings of God's Word.
    Greetings from Tasmania

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  5. Thanks for sharing this insightful post about drum wood chippers! It's always great to learn more about these efficient and versatile machines. Keep up the good work!

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