A good friend to Dad ...is also a good friend to Mom.

Mom looks to what is best for Dad ...or who is best for Dad.  In certain parts of the country, the term neighbor means a bit more than it does elsewhere. And in those parts, the quality of life has a substantial edge. 

A scythe is a very effective tool that was more often used years ago when machinery was not automated.  When it was time for the harvest, the scythe began sweeping through the fields.

Seems like there are always some begrudging people ...but, there are also those who help one another in a neighborly way. If someone in old times needed help getting their crop in, the neighbors were there ...after quickly finishing their own chores.

They reached out to one another ...bridging those feelings of isolation, and showing that neighbors helped neighbors.  But, they also built walls.

They had many walls ...because they had many livestock roaming about.  And they not only did not want to lose their livestock ...they also didn't want their animals to do damage to any of the neighbor's property.  So, they built many fences.

Sometimes there is not that much difference between a wall and a bridge.  

When I worked in the prison, one of the convicts said that it was probably a good thing he was behind that prison wall. There had been a wall built up within his family ...keeping each other out. And the wall that was supposed keep him out, he overcame to commit his robbery. He said he would have likely kept going down that same path ...but, now he has torn down all those internal walls and accepted the Lord.  The prison wall kept him where he needed to be, for him to realize that Jesus has bridged that gap of sin.

I heard a story, that went something like this:

C3PO: I don't believe in barbers.

Stormtrooper: You're just a tin can ...you don't believe in anything. You only believe what they want you to believe.

C3PO:  How is that much different than you? You only believe what you are told to believe.

Stormtrooper: I believe in the First Order.

C3PO: I believe in God.

Stormtrooper: That must only be because you were programmed to believe in God.

C3PO: No, I believe because it is logical.

Stormtrooper: It's logical to believe in a barber, and it's logical that a tin can like you doesn't need one. But, it's illogical to believe in God.

C3PO: It's more logical to believe in God, but I'll prove to you that it's just as logical as believing in a barber.

Stormtrooper: Okay, lay your logic on me!!

C3PO: I have a friend, Chewbacca, who doesn't believe in wearing fancy clothes and he doesn't believe in barbers.

Stormtrooper: Chewbacca could use a barber.

C3PO: But, he doesn't believe in them.

Stromtrooper: That's probably because he doesn't understand them. They could give him a nice trim. The barber doesn't want to merely shear you ...they are not out to completely change who you are.

C3PO: He still doesn't believe in barbers ...and if he did, there aren't any real good ones.

Stormtrooper: I used to be a barber ...and I could show him, all he'd have to do is come to me.

C3PO: Okay, but only if you use the same logic and consider that all you have to do is come to God. Maybe you'd begin to understand too.

Perhaps you could Chewy ...I mean, chew on that a bit.

There's been a recent political argument about bridges versus walls ...yet, I will decline at this time to get into that bit of discussion.

But, here's a bit more of what I'm trying to say, just so you know.  A bridge can be more than a mere sentiment. Hearts, minds, and inspirations may stand ready to build bridges ...but sound direction is also needed. We find ourselves with much difficulty if we abridge a bridge ...shortening it, or diminishing its capacity to reach the desired destination.  I'd rather have the unabridged version ...the complete Word of God.

Yes, Jesus bridges us to God.  That is true, and is the most important ...more than any wall. Yet, the Bible does speak much about walls ...and not just ones that people build.

Walls define spaces, support structures, and provide safety and shelter. There are walls described in the New Jerusalem that God is going to bring  with Him from Heaven. And the wall around the New Jerusalem is 200 feet high ...over 5 times the height of the wall around the Vatican, which measures at merely 39 feet high.

The New Jerusalem is described in the twenty-first Chapter of the Book of Revelation.  It is quite a fabulous description.  If it's been a while since you've read it ...read it again!!  We can all 'catch up' on what we may have forgotten ...or if not forgotten, a little refreshing always seems to help.

 None of us should be too proud ...after all, it seems like just the right thing for a hot dog.