BURNING BRIDGES

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY AL USA)

PROLOGUE

One of my famous Old Time Religion preacher Dad’s quotes, although not from the Scriptures, was “Don’t Burn Any Bridges.” As a young lad, I failed to pay much attention to his famous quote, until later on in life, when I was out on my own.

According to the Internet definition:” The idiomatic phrase "burn bridges" means the inability to revert to an earlier state or position. In other words, "burning your bridges" implies being forced to continue with a specific course of action, with no point of return or the provision to reinstate the original.”

Enter today’s regressive socialistic American culture. In my opinion, this afore- mentioned philosophy, attitude or viewpoint would not work well with our tried-and-true red blooded patriotic American’s. I would only hope that we as a nation would and will return to our roots. Those I want to return to are the philosophies of the good old days, the Old Time Religion, and America's fundamental foundation of freedom.

Our current socialist culture always seems to find originalist judicial philosophy troubling. They are troubled by the views of Jefferson, Madison and other Founders. In "Of the Study of Law in the United States," James Wilson, a signatory to the Declaration of Independence and one of the six original Supreme Court Justices appointed by George Washington, had this to say about interpretation of the Constitution: "The first and governing maxim in the interpretation of a statute is to discover the meaning of those who made it."

Samuel Adams, known as the father of the American Revolution, once said, "If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin."

In "The American Crisis," Thomas Payne wrote, "Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder; but if a thief breaks into my house, burns and destroys my property, and kills or threatens to kill me, or those that are in it, and to 'bind me in all cases whatsoever' to his absolute will, am I to suffer it?"

What about so-called misinformation or fake news? Yes, Jefferson wrote about that, too. "Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle. The real extent of this state of misinformation is known only to those who are in situations to confront facts within their knowledge with the lies of the day."

John Witherspoon, A Sermon Delivered at Public Thanksgiving after Peace: "Is it reasonable to expect wisdom from the ignorant? Fidelity from the profligate? Assiduity and application to public business from men of a dissipated life? Is it reasonable to commit the management of public revenue to one who has wasted his own patrimony? Those, therefore, who pay no regard to religion and sobriety in the persons whom they send to the legislature of any State are guilty of the greatest absurdity and will soon pay dear for their folly."

(Afore mentioned founding father quotes were given in part by Bob Livingston, Editor, The Bob Livingston Letter)

It's time to move on with another fiction parable blog, that of an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Let us label it “Burning Bridges.” I trust you will enjoy its content.

In preparation for this patriotic blog, please read (Psalm 33:12-32). In this anonymous hymn of grace, the psalmist calls on the righteous to praise the Lord. (Psalm 32:1-3)

It’s been a rather taxing week for me, down at the Christian college. Today’s advanced students really put this ole professor of Early Church History through the wringer. Perhaps it is time for this older than dirt and twice as gritty professor to pull the pension plug.

Nonetheless, thanks to Providence it was the weekend at last. I decided to go out to the back deck for a breath of fresh air. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Grandmother's old striped pillow glider was moving swiftly back and forth, in tune with the wind.

My better judgement told me to not get involved, but my senior inquisitive nature took over. As I came close to the glider, it seemed to pull me in causing me to fall back onto the glider. That’s the last I remember. Off again I went into another of my dreamland adventures. I've been having a lot of those lately.

It was in the heart of the day, and I was walking down a lonely country road, sweating like an old sugar mill mule. The more I walked, the more I wondered where I was and where I was headed. Nothing looked familiar.

I came upon a dilapidated road sign covered over by the undergrowth of many years of vines and weeds. Pulling back the foliage I began to read, “Caution, Burned Bridge Out Ahead.” Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, so I moved on down the road.

I considered what I had read, but how close was this burned-out bridge? However, as if being divinely driven by some unknown force, I continued to move on down this Bridge Road. Since I still had not seen anyone coming or going, I continued on my path.

After what seemed like an eternity of walking all alone in the wilderness, I finally came to the bridge, or what was left of it. It had burned almost completely to the ground. Crossing was virtually impossible.

What do I do next? I wondered. I surely can’t go forward, and I sure hate to back track through that forgotten wilderness. Why would anyone in their right mind want to burn such an out-of-the-way travel landmark down?”

Being exhausted from the hike, I decided to rest a bit and found a large, inviting rock there by the burn-out and decided to stop and rest, and think.

What now will I do? If this is a dream, why on earth can I not have a good dream for a change? Or at least have a successful conclusion? After a little thinking and much praying, it happened. Unbelievable, but it did happen.

I looked up and couldn’t believe my eyes. The old burned-out bridge was gone completely. In its place was a brand-new structure. Not only that but people, many people, of all descriptions were casually walking across this new bridge.

This is not for real. These people are all from my historical past. This just can’t be heaven on earth, surely not.

My reaction then was to stop someone, anyone, and get some information. However, I had no luck, for the entire scene suddenly changed. There was no more rural road, no bridge or people. I was back home, as if it never had happened, still sitting there snugly on grandmother's old glider.

So much for my dream, I surmised, but quickly gave it all up to answered prayer. Yes, with His help, we can still recover from life’s burn-out bridges. Now I'm enjoying my much deserved, much needed pension. Amen!

(Hebrews 6:10) “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."

EPILOGUE

I realize it's hard out there in today’s world. It seems as if this old tried and true Republic of America is ripping apart at the seams. The choice is ours, however. We can easily concede defeat, or live in victory, according to the promise of our divine Creator, God.

For me, I choose victory. (Romans 8:37) I choose to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11, 13-17) in my fight against the schemes of the Devil.

For you see, we are all in a spiritual war of many unseen battles and our enemies are the demonic host of Satan, always assembled for mortal combat. (Ephesians 6:12)

I’ll fight!

I’ll fight till the last socialist is not around.

I’ll fight till the last progressive is not found.

I’ll fight till all of them have left our town.

I’ll fight till our great county is found sound.

I’ll fight till I have become homeward bound.

I’ll fight!

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