Jim Brown's Message

After years of blacksmithing and traveling as a farrier, I began teaching at 4H camps and horse related seminars. I saw how folks were always interested in the forging.

Crowds would gather around to watch red hot iron formed on the anvil.

After a bad horseshoeing accident, I was told I could never return to my trade again.

I thought that My Lord had really thrown me a curve ball. I believe in the scripture "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28.

Although I'd read it and learned it in church, I simply could not see how a middle aged Farrier with no other marketable skills and a bad back would ever be useful to any one -- let alone make a living that I knew and loved.

I asked The Lord for his reassurance and guidance. Confident that He gave me my skill and passion for a purpose, I decided I was going to trust him no matter what the outcome.

Well I hate to admit that before long I was getting a little - no, a whole lot weary after five years without any income. Selling off all I could to get along another day, I knew I shouldn't have asked God for the patience of Job. But this is where I must give God the glory.

I walked down to the barn and stood staring at a large pile of old, rusty horseshoes. In frustration, I scooped one off of the top, walked over to my anvil and struck the shoe hard as I could with my trusty old hammer. When I looked at the horseshoe, I saw that it had been shaped into the Christian symbol ICTHUS, or the Christian fish.

I knew right then that I was in the Lords hands all the time, and that old rusty pile of discarded and unwanted shoes was too.

Today , I can travel around with my mobile blacksmith shop demonstrating the way things were made a few short years ago.

Everywhere I go folks love to watch and smell the art of the blacksmith, truly living history.

The blacksmithing trade is seeing a resurgence both for the quality of workmanship and the appreciation of our past, and I am blessed to be a part of that energy.

Please call or email me with any questions. I would love to be a part of your event.

As much as I'd like to go everywhere, my weekends are filling up. Please don't hesitate to call.

Jim Brown