Slavery

     I am saddened over the division in our country and the lack of respect for our justice system.  As I watched the discord over the outcome of the Zimmerman trial I believe that a lot of the problem stems from long ago with past slavery issues.  I wish I could say that slavery is a thing of the past but as I sit under “A Friendly Shade,” I am thinking of a totally different type of slavery which imprisons us.   We are all free today under the law, but we make ourselves slaves and imprison ourselves when we fail to forgive, when we fail to put the past behind us, when we fail to control our thoughts and our anger, and when we fail to accept responsibility for our own actions and the result of those actions.     

     In all honesty, no one is new to slavery.  Most everyone has been a slave at some point in time, and I see more and more people becoming slaves today.    We, ourselves, are to blame.  It does no good to point the finger at someone else because we will find there are 3 more pointing back at us.  As difficult as it may sometimes be, most of us are  not willing to overcome our obstacles and face our own responsibility. 

     There are many sources of slavery I could choose to write about, but as a banker I have chosen money or, rather, our lack of money.  We find in the Old Testament that when the famine came the people had not planned.  They had not stored up a reserve to assist them in times of need. 

     “When the money of the people of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all Egypt came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? Our money is all gone.”  Genesis 47:15   This was the beginning of slavery for the Israelites.  Their torture, labor, and torment lasted for years until God rescued them.  After that amazing saving experience they still grumbled.  Even though they saw miracles, they were not content.  They cheered as God divided the Red Sea and allowed them to walk through to dry land.  They witnessed the miracle as God led them by day in a pillar of a cloud and by night in a pillar of fire.  They were filled by the bread God rained down from heaven every morning.  The people had been delivered from their slavery, yet they  were discontented and not satisfied; they remained slaves to their fear.   They still wanted to be taken care of. 

     As a banker and loan officer, I see people everyday who have not planned.  They  live for the present.  They do not make saving a way of life.  Most everyone will agree that it is hard to save in the economy we are in today, but even a little every month soon adds up.  Not only have they not attempted to put up a reserve of funds, they have placed excessive charges on credit cards.  Many restructure their home loans to get out of debt, but they are soon, once again, slaves to adding up more credit card debt because they have not broken the chains that hold them in bondage.  Although there is a place for credit cards, it is my firm belief they are not to be used for everyday needs and desires especially if the owner of the card has not acquired the wisdom, desire, and willingness to sacrifice in order to pay them off on a planned schedule.  Lack of planning, discontentment, and a desire for material possessions have made us slaves to the credit card company.

     Take a look at what Luke 14:28 tell us, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower.  Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”  

     Then, there are those who rely on government assistance to get them by on a daily basis.  They see no need to even look for a rewarding job.  Why should they?  Working tax payers will take care of them.  We also see people willing to rob, steal, and kill from those who make an honest living. But where does it get them?  Truth be known, this type of money is usually spent too quickly on their own addictions; addictions they have become slaves to.     

     In Proverbs 13:11 we have a warning about gaining money through dishonesty and are provided wisdom about saving.   “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” 

     My method of saving may not have been the best, but I grew it little by little.  When I first started working, I did not make much money, but I remember putting a mere $5.00 a pay period into a savings account.  Sounds small!  But with every raise I increased that amount.  With every bonus I added more money.  I was proud as I watched my savings grow.   With that savings, I was able to meet unexpected expenses.  I could also use it to secure loans, if needed, while reserving my own funds. 

      I have also learned that unnecessary temptations to buy can be avoided by using the old method of paying with cash rather than a credit card.  There is something to be said about knowing that once my cash is gone there is no other means left to meet my  financial needs; whereby, if a credit card is used I often don’t consider the need and if I could actually do without this purchase; I don’t have to think about it until the bill comes around.  By that time too much debts has accumulated for me to pay it off all at once.  I find myself asking, “Why did I buy that?  Could I have done without it?”  I should have asked at the time, “Do I really need this?  Will it serve a purpose?”  If I had thought about it for a while or considered using the last of my available cash, the desire for instant gratification may have gone away and I would not have imprisoned myself with needless spending.   

     Imprisonment and slavery comes in so many forms and we must invest well in all areas of our lives to claim the Promised Land.  I firmly believe God wants to bless us.  He wants us to live well, but we have to do our part. 

     In Isaiah 55:2 we have more words to live by. “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?  Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.”

     God is our Bread of Life, and our labor for Him and His work is more rewarding than material possessions.  In Matthew 25:18 we are given a parable to consider about a man who was given five bags of gold.  He invested well; however, there was another man who did not invest well.  “But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hide his master’s money.   Vs. 27 “Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 

     The question is, “Are we willing to place the blame where it belongs? Are we willing to turn the negatives of life into positives?  Are we  willing to claim the Promised Land by accepting our  responsibility to invest well whether it be money, forgiveness, reliance on others, anger, or even inward thoughts?  Are we willing to do what it takes to remove the slavery that holds us in chains? 

 

 

Candy Crush!

     There is a game that is all the rage.  Those that play it loudly proclaim, “I am hooked on Candy Crush!”  I must say, that I am on my way to the same addiction.  Besides loving my sugary candies, I do like a good challenge, and Candy Crush provides just that.  It all started with a desire to find something to keep me occupied.  I was also eager to see what kind of game everyone was talking about and finding so enticing.    I fell into it hook, line, and sinker, although, it took a while to realize some of the clues needed to help win the game.    The more I play it, the more I enjoy the thrill of hearing that little widget announce, “Sweet! Delicious! Devine! Tasty!” and then, oh yes, “Candy Crush!” 

     As of right now, I am sitting under “A Friendly Shade” anxiously and  impatiently waiting for time to be added so I can once again delve into a new level of Candy Crush.  You see, I used up my “lives” – (time) because I was frantically and unsuccessfully trying to crush the jellies.  

      This being said, there is nothing wrong with the game; but it is merely symbolism for the way people get drawn into situations in which we never thought we would find ourselves.  We may lose our focus while looking for a thrill; something to take away the boredom.  We follow the trend of what everyone else is doing.  Sad, but true.  Even when we find ourselves wandering off course, we often continue on down the same path, unwilling to change directions.  

     My question is, “What could we do differently to keep life from being boring? What can we do to get us back on track once we have veered off into the wrong direction? How do we regain our focus?”    Hmmm! Just as in the game of Candy Crush, it takes baby steps to get back into the game of life.  It takes doing it “one day at a time.”  We may need to find something daily that sparks an interest; something rewarding, just as in Candy Crush when we are rewarded by getting four candy colors in a row; when we can use the one  candy that sparkles with all the different colors to crush many other candies.  Besides finding something that sparks an interest and something rewarding, we need to replace our hunger for fulfillment with something good in order to crush the loneliness that led us down the wrong path in first place.  What is more filling than God Himself and His Word? He is the Higher Power in life that keeps us on the right track. 

     Even if we find that spark of interest, there are still times when life gets frantic and stressful. It is then we need to “HALT: Don’t get too hungry, too angry, too lonely, or too tired.”   With God in our lives, we can eliminate our hunger and be filled, we will be less tempted to allow anger to rob us of our blessings, we will have a constant companion to prevent loneliness, and we can rest in the fullness of His promises.

     It is awesome that at the end of the day, when I account for my daily activity, I know my slip-ups and mishaps are forgiven; they are crushed through God's grace.  This is so “Sweet! Delicious! Devine! Tasty!”  It’s a win! Oh yes, “CANDY CRUSH!!!” 

The Mountain Climb

     Just thinking about climbing a steep mountain scares me. The slope is steep and the terrain is treacherous and rugged.  A mountain climber has to train; he wants the best teacher available; a teacher who will help him learn the skill of safety to take on the climb.  Isn't that how life is?  We have to learn the skill of overcoming obstacles along our journey.  We need a lifeline.  We need the  best teacher available.  That teacher is God.  He is our safety harness; the One who helps us, quides us, and keeps us secure until He comes to take us home. 

       

Climb That Mountain

 One more step,

Just a few more miles.

One of these days, I’m gonna scale that mountain.

It’s just a cliff away,

But that’ll be, another day.

One more foothold,

Just another struggle to conquer.

One of these days, I’ll reach that mountain peak.

It’s just a reach away,

But I’ll touch it, some day.

 

One more valley,

Just another climb.

I’ll hike that mountain in due time.

It’s just beyond my grasp,

But, one day, it will be within my clasp.

 

One more sunset,

One more dawn.

Someday, I’ll reach that mountain top.

For now, it’s too tall and too far away,

But there’ll come a time, one day.

One of these days,

There’ll be a trail to blaze.

The climb will be steep,

With no time to sleep.

It’s just over the bright horizon,

Something beautiful; to me unknown.

 

 Look up toward the mountain top!

I’m gonna climb it; I just won’t stop!

Some may past me on the way.

But I’ll get there; it’ll happen, some day!

                                        Mary Crisp Jameson

 

Declaration of Independence

     The Fourth of July commemorates the Declaration of Independence.  It is  America’s day for celebrating and is marked by patriotic displays and fireworks.  Americans love their freedom; although many take it for granted.  We fly our flags and wear our colors of red, white, and blue.  We sing our patriotic songs, such as: “The Star-Spangled Banner”, “God Bless America”, “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”, and many others. Yet, all too often, we neglect to care for the land in which we have been so blessed to live.  Where is our pride in our “land of opportunity” as we litter our streets and highways?  We enjoy our grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, watermelons, and home-made ice cream but fail to praise the God who provided our bountiful feasts and our freedom. 

     Among the highlights of the Fourth of July are firework displays which are shared at parks, fairgrounds, neighborhoods, lakeside parks, and baseball fields.  Crowds gather just before dusk, spread their blankets on the ground or unfold their lawn chairs, and prepare to be wowed by the bright, crackling sound of skyrockets and other types of fireworks.  Men, women, and children are watching! They are anxiously waiting for the first burst of colors to streak across the sky and light up into the many sparks of colors, typically oranges, silvers, purples, reds, and blues.  As the first boom sounds out loud and clear, the people point and exclaim in wonder at the beauty of it all.  The fireworks have finally begun, sending out a magnificent array of lights illuminating the darkened sky.  Too soon, the show is over.  As the last of the ashes descend, the crowd silently folds their blankets and chairs and walk away.

      Watching it all, I can't help but think about how I love the land in which I live, and I can't praise God enough for allowing me to live in Arkansas, a place where I was born and raised by loving parents.  I love God even more for giving me my very own "Declaration of Independence," when I accepted Him into my life.  That was a special time in my life for it was the time I really won my freedom.

     This freedom has a completely different meaning.  Things can change and have changed in this land we love; laws change and people change, but God and His law will never change.  Once I accepted and believed in God, I discovered that my freedom with Him will never change; I have no fear that it will be lost.

     As I celebrate my very own Independence Day, I hope God will find me watching, not for beautiful firework displays, but for the amazing appearance of His coming in the sky.  Much like the crowd watching for the fireworks display, I must continually remain vigilant and watchful for I do not know the hour I need to look up to see the magnificent of the moment.  "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."  Matthew 24:42   It will all happen so quickly. “The Lord will come like a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2b

     I certainly do not want to miss my own fireworks display.  It will be so much greater than any I have ever seen before.  "For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:27.   “At the time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky,…they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:30  And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.” Mark 13:26-27

      I wonder, “Will the crowd be pointing at the amazing display?”   “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him…” Revelations 1:7  

      Will we have any warning as to the time to watch?  “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars.  On the earth, nations will be anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.  Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.  At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads…” Luke 21:25-28

     How will His coming change those of us who eagerly await Him?  “…And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.  Philippians 3:20”  “…then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:4b  “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:4

      What an introduction there will be to the amazing display of fireworks that is to come.   “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…..”  1 Thessalonians 4:  16-17.

     As I ascend into heaven to meet my Lord, will I be too excited to care about those left behind, or will I look back and weep for those left to endure troubling times?  Will they watch as I change into a glorious new array of light ascending into the sky? Will they mourn with regret, or will they simply fold up their blankets and lawn chairs and walk away? 

 

 

 

 

A Forever Friend

     A friend is defined as someone you know and like and is a supporter.  Yet, I would take it a step further and say that they must like me, as well.   They should be someone with whom I can share my values and confidences without concern that these will be passed on to become a “gossip column.”

     Some of us have those types of friends.  They may have developed in childhood and stayed with us, or they may have developed as we met new acquaintances along our journey in life.  Those relationships are precious.  Then, some friendships are here for a while but, for whatever reason, have gone by the way-side.  They were here only for a season; at a time when their friendship was needed.  

     Some of us have a host of friends, and some have only a few.  Whatever the case, sometimes I am sure there are times when we question whether our confidences will be betrayed.  We may be fearful of allowing them to know the true person we really are.  We may choose to disclose one area of our life to one friend while disclosing another side to another friend. 

     Regardless of how many friends we have or what we choose to disclose, there is one true relationship which takes the form of 3 friends; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Here is a relationship that can be counted on.  Our whole being is disclosed to them, and we are still loved.  We need have no fear of what will be disclosed to others, and we have a certainty that They will be on our side through thick and thin. 

      We are told in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.”  That friend is Jesus!  He knew how we would treat Him, and He chose to die for us, anyway. 

     We are also told in Proverbs 18:24, “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”  I believe that friend is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  God knew us before we were born, He has every hair numbered.  He is a friend who knows all about us.  Nothing is hidden.  It is God the Father, though Jesus’s intercession, who gives us the Holy Spirit.  “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.  John 14:16-17.  

     Our friend, the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us leads and directs us. He helps us make the right decisions.  He is our shining light.  “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:13.

     There is no greater friend or relationship than the friend we have in the Trinty; God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.   He promises to be our friend forever if we will only believe.  How simple is that?

     However, as in any friendship, it takes work on our part to develop a strong, lasting intimate  relationship.  We have to step out in faith and belief, being confident in the guidance and protection bestowed upon us.  There is no place for compromise and empty promises.  We have to lay out a groundwork of honesty.  God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit stand waiting every day for us to knock on the door to share our burdens, our fears, our hopes, our joys, and our dreams.  God is a friend who understands it all. 
     Yet, developing a friendship is a two-way street.  We need to befriend Him back.  God wants us to love Him with our thankfulness, prayers, and reading of the Word.  He wants us to get to know Him.  He wants quiet time from us so we can listen for the silent voice and nudging of the Spirit.  He wants us to share His great love with others.  Is that too much to ask for an eternal home with our best friend?