Dead Weight

Learning from the past

I heard something fascinating this morning and I had to check it out to see if it is historically factual. I trusted the source of this telltale punishment for criminals,(murderers in particular?), and I am pleased to have found the information I was seeking. I will share a snippet in the next quoted paragraph, with a link below it, and you dear reader, can read on from there if you so choose. 

Dead Weight

"This term has come down through the generations, and to us it means to carry that which has no benefit or purpose and it can actually cause(s) harm. However, to the Romans, the term referred to practice of strapping a dead body to a criminal. They were forced to live out there last few weeks in a walking punishment by carrying a maggot infested corpse strapped to their bare back. During the process of decomposition, it slowly leaked poisons into the criminal, making them sicker and sicker until they finally died a very slow, painful, stench-filled death."

Link: https://wemmons.wordpress.com/2013/12/03/whats-that-strapped-to-your-back/

Political and other figures

Picture with me in your minds eye, certain well know political figures (not hard to do since they take up so much airtime and space in our media feeds), and other sordid characters from every known walk of life: business, financial, medical, media, "spiritual", to count a few, who have committed heinous in our faces crime. They roam freely, fly like birds without a care in the world ~ while wanting to restrict and contain other humans ~ and promulgate propaganda with poisonous psychosocial seasonings, seemingly getting away with all of it. 

Next imagine with me these minions of the devil, carrying dead weight; the corpses of the victims they consciously and cruelly slew without hesitation, remorse, or regret. See the back breaking burden of their killed and carried victims, seeping into their souls, reminding them that they too, with days numbered, will die. If it takes quite a while for their own execution, they will suffer excruciating, unremitting pain that no one can, or will, rescue them from. To kill without repercussions immediately administered, eventually leads to insanity. Mark my words, dear reader, killing causes crazy. 

A man or woman when completely alone, relives their days. The wicked are haunted by the choices they make and are perpetually fearful of being caught, captured, held to account. Can you imagine the paranoia? 

Critically adding mass

As vomitrocious as it sounds and looks in our imagination to be carrying dead weight, it is what is happening in the invisible-to-us world. Each murderer carries on his back their victims, and while we cannot see it, and while we watch what looks like an expression of their freedom, they are critically adding mass, dead weight upon dead weight, onto themselves, damning themselves without stoppage: "a very slow, painful, stench-filled death."

YUCK! 🤢

We cannot avoid consequences for sinful disobedience:

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done (Revelation 20:12)

AND

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death (James 1:14-15)

While carrying dead weight, meaning the corpse of a human victim on the back of the murderer, sounds grotesque, it would be one of those deterrent type public displays of what NOT TO DO, wouldn't it dear reader?

Alas, stomaching the stench would be wretched, and alas, the current stench of immorality is becoming so repugnant as to turn me off of my GMO food and drink ... I guess I will look up to the crystal clear blue parts of our chemtrail streaked skies, and ask the Lord of heaven and earth to give me strength and courage to face yet another day in a falling fast world. 

Lastly ... a vote ...

Yes, make murderers carry the dead weight of their victims, or no?

✅ Yes please‼️ Let's bring this stinky punishment back

✅ No... Thank-you for asking⁉️ That is super creepy

Whispering Ugly Nothings

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour (Exodus 20:16)

You ever get that feeling when you are with someone, that they hold you suspect? That when you speak, they are pulling back and assessing, while at the same time giving you stink eye without realizing?

Recently I got confirmation that the person I am describing, really does hold me at arms length, as though I am not to be trusted. Words unexpressed, speak loudly in body language. I had to wonder why? and ask the question, Why would this person look at me sideways when I speak, give my opinions, offer help, or make suggestions?

Well, I am so glad I asked! Guilty, she was and is: guilty by association. 

Unfortunately for this poor unwitting soul, she has been exposed to viciousness vocalized by two others that willingly bore false witness, against yours truly. I say false witness, because gossipers that speak about someone frequently, and then cheerfully break bread with the very same person they spoke badly about, are the worst and purest form of hypocrite. One must never trust, or believe, the words ushered from the mouths of people like this, and if anything, they must be held suspect. 

Think with me now, dear reader. What does bearing false witness, actually mean?

I think of lies, manipulation, mean spiritedness, criticism, and a desire to wound another, or their reputation, when that person hasn't the chance to defend themselves, or establish that they have strength of character. A false witness is willing to undermine others in devious ways. I think of telltale signs that someone is guilty of hypocrisy, and has a gossipy nature... one of them is obvious obsequiousness; another is feigned humility; and yet another is excessive generosity. These can all be counted as covers for a guilty conscience, in order to continue relationship. 

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain (James 1:26)

What to do, what to do, when confronted with information that confirms what we know to be true?

I have known for some time, that two people that are no longer in my life, engaged in malicious gossip about me. I bit my tongue, and am doing so now, choosing to refrain from confronting either of them. They know what they said, how often, and to whom. They must live with themselves, knowing that they are pretenders, liars, obsequious, duplicitous, and guilty, not because whatever they said was necessarily untrue, because perhaps, in their eyes, what they said and still say about me, they can somehow justify, but because they received my hospitality repeatedly, and when they hugged or kissed me goodbye, they drove an invisible dagger in my back each time they held me close. 

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be (James 3:10)

Dear reader, are you, or have you ever been, guilty of gossip? How about bearing false witness about someone because they irked you, you didn't like what they had to say, or you believed things about them, spoken to you by others, before you got to know them for yourself?

The ninth commandment is one to be taken seriously because of the damage it causes to the body of Christ when disobeyed and broken. Professing Christians must recognize that if they are gossiping and or bearing false witness, they are sinning against the Lord and their neighbour. One day, each of us will have to give an answer for every idle word spoken: 

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment (Matthew 12:36)

Today, I relied on God's strength to help me refrain from sending a message to one person in particular. I will allow her shame to condemn or hopefully, convict her to repentance. A gossip is an unsavoury type character, and they have difficulty holding on to long term relationships because they cannot be trusted: this said, I leave her and the other, and the other, and the ones you have encountered too, dear reader, to God. 

In the mean time, I will turn the other cheek, and hope like crazy, that sooner, rather than later, these people get caught in the snares they have set for others, and that they fall at the feet of Jesus to ask Him to change their hearts and help rudder their tongue. 

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile (Psalms 34:13)

Introducing Death

In this interview, Death has agreed to attempt honesty in his answers. As you read, be skeptical when considering his responses. Deception is part of his modus operandi, and as always, thinking while reading is required. 

Here we go 

Me: Good Morning Death

Death: Is it?

Me: Okay, I see we are starting right in, without formalities

Death: You humans (snicker)

Me: We humans what?

Death: This is a grave matter (lip curls in destain and mockery), and you want to be polite

Me: No need to be aggressive

Death: Hahaha, you are hilarious

Me: What's so funny?

Death: How would you describe me then, little human?

Me: I don't know... people go to a better place once they die. They rest in peace, and get reunited with their loved ones, and pets

Death: Awe, yes, that

Me: That?

Death: RIP, better place, loved ones, pets. Delightful, simply delightful

Me: I'm glad you are confirming what I am saying (seems Death is agreeing but I feel dis ease and slightly shaken as we continue. I decide to share a little more.)

Me: Yes well, we humans gather for a Celebration of Life when someone dies. We throw a party in remembrance of them

Death: Yes (grin)

Me: So you think these send offs are a good thing?

Death: They are exactly what I want them to be

Me: What do you mean? What do you want them to be?

Death stares me in the eye, minus blinking. A shiver travels from my tailbone up to the base of my neck, and I feel my knees quivering. I wait for what seems an eternity for his answer. Foreboding settles into my being. Finally, he states:

Death: Denial

Me: Denial? (I am confused) 

Me: What is being denied?

Death: Me (his face distorts into a lopsided grin, and I can't help feeling an urge to bolt, get far away from him, from it, from this sense that I cannot escape as long as he sits so close by)

Death waits but I am tongue tied while his glare bores into my soul. What is he waiting for, I wonder? I start to panic, unable to move. My mind is jabbled with racing thoughts. The word scrabble in my head prevent the forming of sentences; I cannot grasp and hold a single thought, let alone verbalize.

My heart is racing, my palms are sweating. I am no longer confident in my questioning Death, and I realize I have gotten in over my head. I cannot hold his gaze and feel skewed to my seat, pinned in place.

Death: You know, you don't have to be so uncomfortable with me (Death speaks and I am startled out of my stupor, and somehow soothed with the sound of his silky voice. I swallow, and tentatively consider asking, What do you mean?) 

After a time, and a time and a half, I muster some courage, and inquire:

Me: Can you say more please? (Death responds immediately)

Death: I am a relief in times of trouble. I am a go to, something you can count on to take away the pain (his eyes have become slits; the corners of his mouth curled into crescents) 

He continues:

Death: I can help you, if you want

Me: Help me? How?

Death: When things get tough. You know, like the time your father died and the world went grey? Why, you could decide at any time you like, to join him. I can help you with that

Me: I am not sure what you are suggesting?

Death: Surely, you will live to see your father again. You could see him sooner if you like. You could see him today

Panic sets in as I realize the direction Death is wanting to take me. Shaking my head, I deny Death. In my mind I am screaming NOOOO, NOOOO, I will not do your bidding, take your suggestions, follow your wicked hints to fall into an early grave. He is still sitting so close by. I can no longer stomach his company. What he is saying is shrill and gashes my soul. 

Suicide? To be with my father? Can Death really promise me this? Does he have the ability to deliver? Is this what I believe? Is this what he wants me to believe?

Without planning, my eyes close tightly to block out his face. My hands cup and cover my ears to stop them up from hearing his voice. My knees, calves and ankles touch, drawn tightly together, as my upper body curls slightly into the beginning stages of becoming a ball, protecting my heart and innards from his verbal assault on my mind and spirit. Death is the enemy, and I cannot stand him and what he wants for me. 

Silence. The sound is deafening. The still is somehow soporific.

I begin to unfurl, uncovering my ears whilst opening my eyes. Will Death still be there, waiting for me? 

Dear reader, is Death, waiting for you?

______________________________________________________________

Death is a thief, and must be taken seriously, as a killer, a murderer, a snuffer of life. As of late, platitudes have replaced deep grieving when someone dies suddenly, unexpectedly, oddly...

There is no RIP, dear one, if someone dies after a life of disobedience to God. There is no such thing as happy ever heavenly after, for those that do not know the living God. A person that passes from this world into the next, is not frolicking in fields with furry friends, or meandering flower filled meadows with relatives of old. Death does not introduce them to all knowing consciousness once their body expires and their soul is plucked from the carcass...

If a person dies without Christ as their Saviour and King, they will not be in His presence upon their departure from this plain. They will, go somewhere, but not to Him. 

You may wonder at my confidence, how I came to be clear on this grave matter (pun intended). The Bible, dear reader, The Bible and reading with eyes of faith, a mind keen to comprehend, and a hope that trusts in the Creator, and not in what the world has to fleetingly offer and quickly rescind. 

You and I will one day die, but we are not to take our lives into our own hands or entrust it to others. To plan or plot our own expiry date, is to steal life away, to commit murder of self, and to deeply deny God His place as our soul/sole life provider.

Do you trust Him with your life? Will you trust Him to take care of you in your after life, the one you will transfer into once you take your last earthly breath? 

I hope so 

I hope to one day see you in heaven, where Jesus reigns and rules supreme, and love is so abundant that we could all bust wide open with joy confetti shooting out of us in all directions 

That, is my hope

God has the final say Psalm 9:7-12:

But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgement. And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. 

Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings. When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.