An Arkie’s Faith Building renovation

you know. Who stretched a measuring tape on it? On what were its footings sunk; who laid its cornerstone.” Job 38:4-6 (CEB)

Jesus explained the importance of building correctly in Luke 6:47-49 (CJB) “Everyone who comes to me, hears my words and acts on them — I will show you what he is like: he is like someone building a house who dug deep and laid the foundation on bedrock. When a flood came, the torrent beat against that house but couldn’t shake it, because it was constructed well. And whoever hears my words but doesn’t act on them is like someone who built his house on the ground without any foundation. As soon as the river struck it, it collapsed and that house became a horrendous wreck!”

Here are three areas of construction God has assigned to us. First, the Bible instructs us to build up ourselves spiritually. “But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:20 (MSG) God also calls us to build up the church. “Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” proceeded slowly as he dealt with the compromises necessary to deal with the poor original construction.

1 Corinthians 14:12 (NIV) Today, too many Christians seem to be tearing down the church instead of building it up.

When Terry had completed the walls, he and his dad began laying out the tile floor. They did a masterful job of laying the tile to look square even though the rooms were out of square. Watching them work, I thought of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 3:10 (VOICE). “Like a skilled architect and master builder, I laid a foundation based upon God’s grace given to me. Now others will come along to build on the foundation. Each serves in a different way and is to build upon it with great care.”

Whoever built my shop all those years ago was not a skilled architect or master builder. Whether new construction or reno- vations, building is a process that requires vision, planning, investment, and time. You must know what you want to build, prepare plans, and use proper construction tools and methods. If you don’t, anyone who has to work after you will have problems.

The same principles hold true as we build our lives. “Without the help of the Lord it is useless to build a home or to guard a city. It is useless to get up early and stay up late in order to earn a living. God takes care of his own, even while they sleep.” Psalms 127:1,2 (CEV) God wants us to be builders, but without his help, we will do a poor job.

If we try to build our lives without his help, God asks us, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations? Tell me if you know. Who set its measurements? Surely

Finally, God wants us to build up each other. “Don’t let any unwholesome words escape your lips. Instead, say whatever is good and will be useful in building people up, so that you will give grace to those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NTE) “So support one another. Keep building each other up as you have been doing.” 1

5:11 (VOICE)

Thessalonians

Gentle Reader, are you fulfilling your responsibility as a builder? Are you building up your spiritual strength, Jesus’ church, and the people God has placed in your life?

“As others build on the foundation (whether with gold, silver, gemstones, wood, hay, or straw), the quality of each person’s work will be revealed in time as it is tested by fire. If a man’s work stands the test of fire, he will be rewarded.” 1 Corinthians 3:12-14 (VOICE)

With God’s help, you can be a quality builder.

Pinecrest

continued from page 6 hold services and memorials or as a serene place of reflection.

According to Judith Roberson, cur rent president of the Pinecrest Board of Directors, “As needs for the ceme tery changed through the years, the ga zebo was enclosed to provide a meet ing place for the board of directors and to house cemetery documents and plat maps. Later, a maintenance garage was added to the structure to house tools and equipment used to maintain the appearance of the cemetery.”

The garage may be the same addition referenced in the historical report mentioning an addition was made to the small tool house originally built by Albert Middleton.

Odd Fellows Cemetery was renamed Pinecrest Memorial Gardens by a vote of the cemetery Board and recorded by the Polk County circuit clerk in Jan. 1933. Somewhere along the way, it was possibly shortened for accounting rea- sons to Pinecrest Memorial Park. According to an obituary for Lindsay in the Jan. 3, 1939, edition of The Times newspaper from Shreveport, Louisiana, his interment was in the Pinecrest Memorial Park. His wife Dora was interred there in 1914 while it retained the original name. The property was sold in Oct. 1925.

Upkeep

Originally a plan was established that when a burial plot was purchased, a small portion of that fee was set aside for upkeep of the grounds.

Lot owners were asked in 1922 to make annual donations for upkeep of the cemetery, most being willing to do this. It was a necessity to make payments on the cemetery property, upkeep and to make improvements.

Roberson said, “In 1975, families were given as opportunity to purchase a $100 CD to be given for a lifetime contribution to Pinecrest Cemetery for upkeep and maintenance. The interest from these CD’s, plus selling burial spaces, along with occasional donations is how current expenses are paid. Sadly, sales of plots have greatly diminished mainly due to increased cremation.”

Dilapidated structure

“The gazebo is old,” Roberson said. “The roof is leaking and nearly completely covered in moss. The side panels that were used to enclose the structure have shifted, shrunk and pulled away from the rock supports allowing moisture, wind, birds and whatever else access to our records. We are one storm away from all the contents being destroyed.”

Despite the cemetery approaching 120 years old, it does not qualify for grant aid or protection from the Arkansas Register of Historic Places or National Register of Historic Places. In part, the addition of the maintenance building, along with the panels and doors to enclose the original structure, prevent the once-beautiful gazebo from obtaining those grants.

Roberson said, “Other grant options have so much red tape that, that is not a See PINECREST continued on page 15

Bluegrass

continued from page 1

For the local folks, you might not want to camp, but then again, maybe you’re itching to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors while watching the sun set behind the peaks and looking up into a starry night sky while cattle low in the background. All of the above will be taking place at The Blue Zipline & Farm’s Bull Pasture Amphitheater. If you’ve not been out to the Ink location in a while, Shelly Alston and crew built a good-sized stage around the time of their Ouachita Bigfoot Festival last year. Slowly, but surely, they’ve been improving upon it.

Bring your lawn chairs out for an evening of great music with headliners Finley River Boys out of Branson. Banjo picker Gary Shipley is in the Missouri Bluegrass Hall of Fame. The quartet regularly performs shows for the demanding audience that comes from around the world to enjoy what Branson has to offer, and the Finley River Boys give them a taste of what bluegrass music is all about. Alston said they perform on occasion at Silver Dollar City and tour nationally.

The opening act is the trio known as The Smooth Jaspers. If you guessed they are from the general area of Harrison/Jasper area of Arkansas, then you are correct. When they perform as a five-piece, they are known as Greenland Station and also perform in Branson. There will also be two days of bluegrass jams around the area where the HSO will be working a concession stand, cooking hot dogs, burgers and nachos to raise money, the fire pit and storytelling take place, and the campsites are an easy walk across fields and pastures.

Tickets are $17, available via phone at 479-216-8639, or online at BlueZip LineFarm.com/. You can also pay $20 at the gate, but if you are planning to camp, calling ahead is suggested. Camping is $8 total for both nights. See the website for details.

The Blue is located at 142 Polk Road 185 in Ink. Turn by their sign by the old Ink store and carefully make your way down the narrow road. When it comes to a T-intersection, turn left onto the dirt road and follow it around for a half-mile or so and there will be another T-intersection. Turn right and you can’t miss the signs and parking area.

PINECREST continued from page 13 have so much red tape that, that is not a good way to go.”

Options

How to rectify the situation?

“There are currently two trains of thought,” Roberson said. “One is to repair what there is in place — put a new roof on, replace the inserted panels (which included door and windows) and replace the exterior with new siding.

“A second option would be to select a new site and erect a metal building to house the maintenance needs in one end and place an office for business, records and meetings in the other end. The gazebo would be restored to its original structure which is for memorial services and a place of meditation.”

It’s not only the gazebo that is at risk, but all of the vital records within. “A metal file cabinet, maps and plats are just standing along the wall that are open to the elements,” she said. “If the doors or windows were knocked out, or a hole forms in the roof to allow water to get in, they’re just open.” The maps and plats contain the cemetery’s records of various burial sites.

Either option to salvage and restore the gazebo and contents will require funding, but the Board is not certain of the amount. “About five years ago, or longer than that, we did have people come and appraise what it would take to replace the roof,” Roberson said. “At that time, we needed $7,500 to replace the roof. It would probably cost $12,000 - $15,000 now. I really don’t think it would be that difficult to restore it to the original, but the roof is going to be a booger to replace.”

Although the non-profit organization has CDs they hope will help in the interim period, in the current economy, who’s to say whether the interest rates will nosedive or gain? They are having to come up with an alternate plan, which might include major donations or a charitable gift with a memorial fund from the estate of a deceased donor. It could be all at once or a continuous payment for regular upkeep and repairs made through a will.

The 1970 report stated, “Entire families are buried here with no one left to help financially.”

Roberson said, “You never know who might be sitting somewhere and they’re thinking of distributing some of their estate. If they’ve got family members buried at Pinecrest may write us a check for half of what a need. If the word doesn’t get put out there and people don’t know of our needs, how could we ever expect to get donations? It’s time to pass the collection plate.”

Visitation

If you go to visit a gravesite, which many people will possibly do with Memorial Day quickly approaching, take notice of the moss covering the shingles leading up to the cupola of the gazebo. Mentally strip away the attached building and paneling covering the areas that were once openings and doorways. Take in the wood and stone building surrounded by ancient trees and imagine what the gazebo used to be — what it can be again.

“Memorial Day is a Decoration Day,” Roberson said as a reminder. “Lots of people do visit the cemetery. The guys are working to get it weedeated and mowed. We’ve been very fortunate in getting workers who are very conscientious and take pride in their work and do their darndest to keep it looking nice.”

All donations are tax deductible. The association requests that if you are led to help this endeavor, mail your donation to Pinecrest Cemetery, P.O. Box 864, Mena, AR 71953.

“Pinecrest is special to a lot of us.,” Roberson said. “Let’s ensure it stays that way.”