Garrote

(Choking)

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11 (KJV)

This writer could not tell you how many times he used the above verse when asked to pray in public places, even at the church house. In God's answer book, His manufacturer's handbook, everything tells us that good is upward, evil is downward among the many things with which we are daily choked, the bottomless ocean of information, addictions and heathen actions of our fellow man, cruelty of terrorism, in this post Christian world, what is there about me, and I am only responsible for me, that would attract people to Christianity, a saving knowledge of our Blessed Lord.

When we leave the church house on Sunday, do we actually take our faith into the workplace on Monday? Your government and society does not want you to do so. Prosperity is more than just making money. Barriers must be broken down in learning the best version of yourself and honoring Creator God. You are not stuck where you start. Everyday we learn of some individual, even in this post Christian world, who has honored the world with their lives. Read about Dr. Condoleeza Rice and her climb from the ghettos of Alabama. Learn about Governor Bobby Jindal and his rise from poverty into political relevance.

"But just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." (1 Corinthians 2:9)

In the post Christian world of regulations and controls, where Satan has been very effective in brainwashing the minds of even our children (television, state controlled education), the adventure of the Christian life is not very popular. Who needs God when you have the government? To the Germans, one of the most advanced civilizations on Earth, Mr. Adolf Hitler said, “The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation.” In other words, 'I already have your children'.

In the struggles of living, at least in America, where 50% of the population still works for a living, the average family is choked with survival. You pay high taxes but still must home school your own children. You pay your taxes but still must compete with government subsidized competition. You pay your taxes but are still choked by licenses-permits-threats. You pay your taxes but law enforcement seems to favor the criminal. We all remember the song "Choices":

I've had choices since the day that I was born

There were voices that told me right from wrong

If I had listened, no I wouldn't be here today

Living and dying with the choices I've made

Responsible living has become a necessary task which offends the world. Even the Christian wants a "bell-hop" God, just available when you need him. Giving to God and our fellow man is just an add-on not a necessity. We think God and our fellow man appreciates our tips, government makes sure that the ne'er-do-wells live well, takes care of all their needs (health, housing, college grants etc.) so they can spend their money on their wants. A person with character chokes on the excuses of counterfeits, Satan has always paid off with counterfeits. Today's world is choking-struggling with counterfeit education, food products, even spirituality.

One of my cousin's widow, he had died unexpectedly, and shortly after that their son was killed in an automobile crash, told me of the way her pastor would visit her always bringing their conversations around to sex. She became so disappointed-disgusted that she stopped going to church. When she died, she asked that this pastor not have anything to do with her death. Jesus does not need cowards to carry his cross. 

That old wheel is gonna roll around once more

When it does it will even up the score

Don’t be weak: as they sew, they will reap

Turn the other cheek and don’t give in

That old wheel will roll around again

The Christian faith is 90% raw courage, we are not afraid to live and certainly not afraid to die. It is so important that we not become choked, even strangled, by the cares of this world. 

19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Mark 4:19 (KJV)

It is not a choice, it is an obligation, to love as Jesus loved, because He told us to love one another (John 13:34). In our busy lives we forget to love one another, even our own friends and family. Recently, one of my friends told me about the death of his father. His father was dying in a hospice facility. He said, "I sat with him day after day. At the end, the nurse said to me, 'He's leaving us.' His limbs were getting cold. I reached over and kissed him on the forehead and walked out of the room. Now why did I not kiss him while he still had presence of mind? Why did I not tell him I loved him before he died?" You see, he had choked back the most important message-meaning of life, God, for God is love.