Our First Love

 Our First Love

A Word on Prophecy, The Love of Money and Brokenness

    
I see folks on Facebook talking about praying to God to heal the land, and to stop the evil in the land, and to drive away pestilence and all of that. I've heard it for years.  But, do they consider how God will do this? Are you really ready for it? Maybe the problem isn't the things YOU think are the problem. Maybe those things are the symptoms. Maybe our love of money is the problem? We are like fish swimming in the love of money. It is everything we breathe, even if we don't want to believe it.

Remember, the love of money is the root of all evil. (1 Timothy 6:10)

When God brings a person to Himself, He often breaks the person. He has to get them to let go of everything and turn to God only. That is how it works in real life, that is how it works in God's Word. It works that way with individuals, and it works that way with nations. God does not see things the way we see them.

 So, are you willing to be broken? Are you willing to be poor? Are you willing to suffer, and trust God? What if God allows our economy to be destroyed? Would you help the poor? If he makes you one of them? When Christ returns He judges the nations. He says nothing about abortion, racism, homosexuality, pornography, drugs, or any of the other things preachers preach about. He says..."What you did unto the least of these you did unto me...."  (Matthew 25)  He judges based upon whether we loved. Whether we helped the poor, the sick, the naked, the prisoner.   THAT! is good stewardship. That! is what a good and faithful servant does. He acts as His master and let's the sun shine on the just and the unjust.

Yes, we are saved by Grace through faith, being born again and confessing Jesus as our Lord. But, people who are really saved hear His voice and love others. They do the things the Lord would do. That is Godliness.

Remember in God's Word, when God sent the people into Babylon, he does it because they were greedy and destroyed the land. They allowed no rest for the land or the people. Just money, money money. Greed. They did not trust God to take care of them while they let the land rest. They did not trust God. So, He put them in a situation where they had no choice but to trust Him. And the land rested. The debts were forgiven. All the wealth was taken away. (I'm not going to give you the verses. You need to learn God's Word, and learn how to use a concordance. There are great ones online. Read Jeremiah)

 Are we really ready for God to help us? Are we really ready to realize that maybe the abortion we cry about are caused by our love of money? Are we willing to see that our children are handing our land over to the enemy because of our love of money?  Are we willing to believe that our love of money, keeps us from being good stewards, and helping those around us?  Are we willing to see that every industry and institution is corrupted by the love of money? Even His houses of worship makes decisions because of  the love of money, instead of people?

The time is drawing short. Revelation speaks of the Black Horse, which is obviously an economic collapse with famine. (Rev. 6)

The Book of James has this to say about the same event.

"Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

² Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.

³ Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

⁴ Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

⁵ Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

⁶ Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you."  ---James 5:1-6

Don't think that rapture will remove you. It's better to turn to God and let Him break you. That is real healing. It's coming.

So...

Don't be surprised when we are broken.
Don't be surprised when we need wheel barrows full of cash.
Don't be surprised when we run to Egypt to sell all we have for some corn meal.
Don't be surprised, when the cows of Bashan, walk around in filthy rags. (Look it up)
Don't be surprised when we are sold into Babylon
Don't be surprised when we must choose between Christ and a bite of food, or the Mark.

Do you really want God to heal us? Do you trust Him enough to let Him break us? Joy comes in the morning; when we remember our real first love.

Who is your first love? God or Mammon? Be honest? 

This is not condemnation, this a call to turn to God.

The love of money is very deceptive and hides well.

Who is your first love?

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

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Photo by the Author, A sunrise over Alexandria, Virginia

Confess Our Sins

 Confess Our Sins

A Word on Confession

It says in First John chapter one, to confess our sins and he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

So what does this mean? 

It means don't hide anything from God. You sin. It's a fact. ” If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10) So, if you cannot admit that you sin, then you do not know Christ.

 

If you honestly cannot think of any sins, then ask God to show you. But, you better hang on. Because God will let you see how bad you really are.

Confess it all to him. Tell him about your addiction, your adultery, your hate, your violence. Tell him about all your filth. Your pride, your unkindness, your false beliefs, your rebellion. Sins of commission and sins of omission. Remember that homeless guy, God wanted you to help but you were too busy?

Confess it.

Because He will forgive you.

But...think about it.

He already forgave us and washed us in His blood when we were saved.

Do we need further washing?

Of course not. He is not referring to that.

He is telling us He will forgive us, because the devil is telling us He won't. 

 

The enemy whispers into our mind that we have fallen too far. Or that we are not worth it. or that we should be ashamed or fear God. Those are lies.

God loves us and is on our side.

Not only that, but God is telling us that He will wash our feet and make us whole; despite the lies the enemy tells us. (John 13:6-10)

But not only that..God will clean up our life. Meaning that as we keep confessing, and praying. He is working to help us overcome these sins that keep us down.

He is helping us to overcome them, as we give them to him to defeat.

 

There are things I have prayed over and confessed to Him for years. And I have seen Him molding me, and changing me.

Praise Jesus

 

He does not leave us. He is with us and works in our lives, as we walk in the Spirit, confessing to Him.

 

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photo by the Author

Read more from Chris on Blogger

Our Suffering In Christ

 Our Suffering In Christ

A Word on Suffering and Abiding

When we get saved, we confess Jesus as our Lord, and believe in Him alone for salvation.

We are called to Walk in the Spirit, And to abide in Him.

We get great joy in the Lord. Prayers answered. Life changing experiences, and we see Him working to protect and grow us.

But, times of trouble do come.

There are many reasons, and we can debate each one. But the end answer is always the same.

Draw closer to the Lord. Lean on Him. Trust his goodness and His promises. Believe and abide.

I can tell you that when trouble comes, the first thing the devil does is whisper into my mind that God is far from me. That He is not listening. That He doesn't care. That He has made up His mind.

The devil says that God is all powerful, and would take the trouble away in a heart beat. That God is punishing me. That God is going to destroy me.

This is what happened with Eve. The enemy got her to doubt God's goodness and promises.

We see in Job, that he lost everything, even his own health. All to get him to blame God and cast Him aside. Satan even used Job's wife to torment him.

Job questioned. But he did not curse God.

Even Jesus when He was taken by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted, like we are. He refused to turn in to himself. He continued to rely on the father and trust the father.

When Eve turned from God, destruction came. When the Israelites turned from God, the enemy had reign to destroy them.

There is suffering in Christ, but joy comes in the morning, when we abide.

I'm not talking about sinning. Our sins are forgiven and washed. We are dead to sins. I'm talking about abiding through suffering.

The devil tempts us to turn away, back to our old life. Back to our old way of doing things. He tempts us to get angry at God and cast Him aside.

We do not lose our salvation, if we ever had it. But, if we turn from God, things will not get better. We have opened ourselves up for worse. And have rejected the only real friend we have.

But God is faithful. He will keep trying to draw us to Him, regardless of our rejection. Like Peter, He comes to see if we will confess Him and turn to Him.

When we suffer, and abide in Christ. He is with us and comes with us through the other side. Then we can see the truth. That He was with us the whole time, and our faith in Him grows.

As these last days get closer, things will get worse. The temptation will be to reject Him and join the Apostate Church.

But, stay with Him. He will see you through. It might be as if by fire, or by the skin of your teeth, but He is there. Trust Him

Like Job said "though He slay me, still will I trust in Him." (Job 13:15)

 

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photo by the writer, an old train tunnel in Southern Illinois. Tunnel Hill Trail.

God's Contract

 God's Contract

A Word on Service

 

God has moved in my life many times. He has moved to bless me. He has moved to correct me. He has moved to save me, and He has moved to protect me. He has also moved in ways that I have not understood, and still don’t understand. He is God, and we can trust Him.

In my life God often moves because I ask Him. Just simply because I ask. He loves me.

Other times, it’s based upon faith. I trust Him, and step out, believing His Word.

But, other times, it’s based upon sincere brokenness.

I am done.

I am spent.

I can’t do it anymore.

I give myself totally to Him, and I’m willing to take whatever comes.

God knows our heart. He knows if we are being real with Him. He knows when we offer ourselves, unleavened, to Him. He knows.

In the early days of walking with God, I was not living a life I’m proud of. God was working on me, but I was far from where I am today. Not that I’m Mr. Perfect. But, I was pretty jacked up at the time.

Regardless of that fact, Jesus saved me, and was working on me. He was calling me to serve Him, and to draw closer and have a relationship with Him.

I didn’t know what to do, but I knew He was calling. Just like He is calling you.

So, I spoke to a pastor friend of mine and told him what I was feeling from God.

The pastor told me, to pray to the Lord, and imagine in my mind a contract. Just a blank contract. Then, to imagine signing it and giving it to God. Allowing God, the freedom to fill it out as He saw fit. So I did.

This was not my salvation, I was saved long before this. But I do believe this was the beginning of my ministry. The beginning of my service to Him. I became His servant.

After that prayer, great movement occurred in my life. Things started to change, and shift.

I do not want to go into details, but there is no doubt it was Him.

So, if you are saved and confused about what direction God has for you. Try praying this prayer.

Be real with God and surrender totally to whatever He might have.

But, understand that He might remove people from your life. He might do things to make you totally dependent upon Him. He might remove a job. Or give you a different job. He might take your home, and cause you to move. He might shake things so bad that people just abandon you. You might meet new people, or have your life rocked, in order to remove problems, or make you a better person.

When you give yourself totally to God, He must mold you. He must burn off the dross to purify the Gold. He must shake you to get rid of the chaff. He might break you to reshape you, and make you more useful for His kingdom.

It doesn’t have to be all bad. It can be full of joy as well, as you spend more time with Him. But, often we see changes as bad, even when they are not.

God has a purpose beyond our own purposes. He cares for us, but ultimately our eternal security, and blessings are far more important than our current life. Our kingdom work, and helping to save others is what matters most.

So, no matter how God moves. The final purpose is to draw us closer to Him. Every thing that happens, works together for our good. Because drawing closer to Him, and having that relationship is the best thing we can imagine.

God knows you. He loves you. He has what’s best for you. Trust Him.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

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Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photo by the writer,  an old train tunnel in Southern Illinois. Tunnel Hill Trail

Your Testimony

 Your Testimony

A Word on Spiritual Warfare and Knowing God.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”—Revelation 12:11.

The enemy cannot take our salvation, nor our testimony.

Our salvation is held in God’s hand and no created thing can touch it.

Our testimony is our experiences with God. When Jesus healed the Gadarene Demoniac he said “Go and tell your friends and family the great things God has done for you”

That’s testimony. Testimony is saying “All I know is that once I was lost but now I am found. I was once blind…but now I see.”. It is like Paul said, “I came unto you preaching nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

When we are saved, we have an encounter with God. This moment cannot be taken from you. YOU KNOW there is a God and He rewards those who seek Him. Because if you seek Him, it’s because He first called you, and you responded.

It’s not a belief. YOU KNOW. Then, as you walk with God, you encounter Him again and again. And YOU KNOW. This cannot be taken from you, like your salvation.

They can take your bible, they can take your church, they can take your friends and family, they can cancel you, they can take your income, but they cannot take your salvation or your testimony, because YOU KNOW. If you really KNOW.

In these last days, as things get worse, it is our job to use our salvation, and our testimony to overcome the enemy. Tell people the great things God has done for you. People need it.

Regardless, of what the future holds, people are suffering today. The peace and hope God has given you can help others. Not judging. Just giving them your testimony.

It doesn’t matter if you know the Bible, or if you can’t speak well. It doesn’t matter if you are the perfect little church boy. or a sinner barely getting through.

Just tell what has happened to you, with God. Just open your mouth and you will be surprised what comes out. God will give you the words, if you are willing, and honest.

Just ask Him. He will come running. He will help. He will save. He will show Himself to you. You will KNOW.

And that could be the end of the message. But, I want to go further.

The verse quoted at the top of the page was part of a larger verse. In context, it gives us important information. So here is the entire section:

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

⁸ And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

⁹ And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

¹⁰ And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

¹² Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” —-Revelation 12:7-12

Ok, it is my belief, that at some point in the future there will be war in heaven and Satan along with his demonic cohorts, will be cast down to Earth, and every thing that we think is bad will get a thousand times worse.

I do not believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. So, I think believers will be here until God pours out His wrath. Which means that all the persecution spoken of in Revelation will be coming upon believers.

Just like the first church was persecuted under the Romans and Religious Leaders, the future or present church will face the same tribulations. It’s not wrath, it’s cleansing.

Just like Jesus purified the Temple at the beginning of His ministry, and again, at the end of His ministry. His earthly temple, the church will be purified at the beginning, and the end.

That’s my view.

I don’t want to get into all of that.

My point is that, our testimony has power.

Regardless of your individual views on prophecy, we can agree that things are going to get worse.

And as they get worse, we might lose our churches, we might not be able to own bibles, we might have to meet in secret basements, like so many believers around the world already do today.

We might get thrown in prison and beat. But, our testimony and our salvation will overcome the devil and his slaves.

Our salvation will take us from this world and his grasp. Our testimony will allow us to take others with us. That’s how the devil is overcome.

Remember that, as the day approaches.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

 Photo by the Author, A sunrise in Southern Illinois.

No King, But Jesus

 No King, But Jesus

A Word on Real and False Leaders

 

 

 When we look at scripture, we see Samuel rebuking Saul. He says “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as idolatry. (1 Sam. 15:23)

      

Now, a lot of preachers love to preach that this means we should bow down and obey false authority. But, this verse is talking about rebellion against God. It’s about being stubborn toward God.

      

How are we saved? We are saved by confessing that Jesus is our Lord. We are saved by surrendering to God, and letting Him guide our lives, and sanctify us. When we don’t it is rebellion, and stubbornness.

    

 Some folks will tell you that this is referring to being obedient to them. They put themselves in the position of God. God is real, and He can lead us. He does it through His Spirit, and by such means that develops the fruits of the Spirit in us. He allows things into our lives that cause us to be patient, loving, joyful, and peaceful. Be brings things that cause us to learn these fruits. Not as men see it, but as God sees it.

      

So, where did Saul come from? He was made King by God, when the people demanded a king (1 Sam. 8:1-22)

    

 Before Saul, the people had no king but God Himself. They listened to His Spirit, and went as the Spirit led. They also followed their own flesh and did not follow God. They refused to keep Him in their heart. They refused to keep Him before their eyes. Just the same as we do. They had the law and followed it or not.

      

The scripture says “They did what was right in their own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)  Now, a lot of preachers condemn this. They see it as rebellion. I disagree, because there is no evidence of God condemning it. He had Samuel the prophet, but there’s no evidence that God told Samuel to preach against it. God was fine with the way things were. Not saying God accepted sin. But, this was the system God set up. A system whereby He was in charge, and the people had a means to have their sins cleansed if they continued to abide in God. It wasn’t the sin, it was that they did not really believe, and did not really confess sins on the sacrifice. Why would God oppose His own system?

     

 So, what happened? The people demanded a King. Why? Because they could not handle the freedom God had given them. They wanted someone to control their neighbor. They wanted someone they could buy and control, in order to get their way. They rejected the Spirit of God. They rejected His freedom and grace, for rules and control.

    

 So, they cried out for a king, and God plainly states, “They are rejecting me”. He does not applaud them. He doesn’t have a problem with them doing what was right in their own eyes, because they are listening to His Spirit as He guides them. Not perfectly, but not wickedly either.

      

So, God gives them Saul. Saul is a curse. Saul is there to take over and impose the law, and all of the things God says will come upon them, if they reject Him. (1 Sam. 8:10-18) So, by accepting a king, they are bringing these curses. This is a foreshadowing of what will happen with the Anti-Christ. We accept that king, instead of the real King.

     

 Real authority loves the people. Real authority does not steal from them. Real authority allows freedom, not control. Real authority is a picture of Christ. Not a perfect picture, because we are humans and we sin. But, there is a difference between real authority from God and false authority.  Understand what I am saying here. The scriptures teach that God gives us the Authorities. It teaches that we should respect them for the position they hold, but Jesus said not to be like them. God put Saul in authority, but Saul became wicked. He was put there as a curse and to teach a lesson. Just because someone is in authority, does not change the nature of their authority. Some is real, and some is false.  Understand this, and realize that we have freedom from God to speak against evil, to resist evil, and to not be like them. However, we still respect the position of authority, and try to be wise and fair. Prophets spoke against evil kings. Jesus spoke against evil authority.

      

So, remember the crucifixion of Jesus. He had been beaten terribly, and was brought to Pilate again, and he presented him to the people. The religious leaders, who were listening to demonic entities, got the people to demand His death. They got the people to choose Barabbas instead of Jesus.  They chose Satan, a murderer, rebel, and thief  instead of Christ. This is the same spirit that led the Israelites, to reject God and demand a false king. God gave them Saul. This is the same anti-christ spirit, which will eventually lead people to reject Christ, and choose the final false king. The Anti-Christ. That spirit will likewise use religious leaders who have accepted a one world religion, so they can keep control, wealth and power, just like they always do.

    

 That spirit has worked in the children of disobedience since before the Flood. It led humans to build the tower of Babel, in order to be united and fight God.

      

That spirit is building a tower today, and uniting humans against God; preparing them to choose a different king.

      

Don’t fall for it, no matter what; even if the whole world is facing a plague, and economic collapse, and starvation, and destruction. Choose God. Follow His Spirit. Confess Jesus as your Lord. Ask Him to save you. Choose freedom, and reject the enemy. The love of money is the root of all evil. Be wise. Be content. Love your neighbor enough to allow them to be free.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

 Photo by the writer. The Bald Knob Cross of Peace in Southern Illinois.

But Without Faith...

 But Without Faith...

A Word on Faith  

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”—Heb. 11:6

God has given each one of us a measure of faith so that we are able to believe in Him and believe His promises. That is why we are without excuse. We have the ability but we refuse, or become distracted or deceived by Satan.

God loves us and comes to each of us, asking to have a relationship with us. Trying to save us and give us a hope and get us out of bondage to the enemy.

When we turn to Him He delights in saving us and working in our lives. He rewards us in many ways for putting our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, and believing the promises that God has given us in His Word.

When we turn to Him, and acknowledge Him in all our ways He will direct our paths.

Just pray about everything. And you will find Him moving before you and showing where to go before you even get there. Your relationship will be such that you will see his pillar of fire and smoke, going before. You will hear His still small voice guiding your life.

He is real. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. When you put your faith and trust in Him you will see His presence.

Are you really trusting Him?

When He says “Whatsoever you ask in my name I will do it?” Do you believe?

When He says “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed…” do you believe?

Or do you create excuses for why it might not be true?

Stop caring about outcomes, and start delighting in seeing Him work.

He is able. He is able to save, He is able to release you. He is able to heal. He is able to solve the problem.

He is able. Say it.

He is willing because He loves you. Say it.

He is going to do it, one way or another. Say it and trust it. Say it over and over

He is there. He hears. He loves and He is moving. He delights in seeing your faith grow.

Your relationship with Him is all that matters.

Abide in Him and Trust.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

 

Photo by the Author. Sunrise over Hot Springs, Arkansas