Slavery in the Bible

I'm reading through the Old Testament and again I'm struck by the grating truth that slavery is condoned by decree of God at least in the Israelite nation.

I know I want more input on this subject, because it seems like it is the only topic I can't really wrap my mind around (except the Gospel and its amazing truths...but you know what I mean). I don't want to dismiss the subject, but I also won't allow the uncertainty to dismantle my faith.

Can the whole issue of slavery in the Bible be boiled down to cultural norms? But since when have the decrees of God catered to cultural norms? As humans, our "cultural norm" is a depraved nature and the message of Christ is one that acknowledges our inherent sinfulness before a holy God and the utter sufficiency of Christ's atoning (covering, paid-in-full) death and resurrection.

I don't buy the school of thought that the God of the "Old Testament" is one of doom and gloom and wrath, and the God of the "New Testament" is one of love and grace and peace. I can't tell you how many ways that argument violates the truths found in Scripture.

Am I mis-understanding how slavery and the slave/master relationship worked in Biblical times? As a frame of reference, I (and probably you too) automatically drum up pictures of the abolished African slave trade in the 17 and 1800's- but was it like that? Are we talking about more of an indentured servant situation? Were slaves mistreated? Were they forced into and held in slavery against their will?

I'm especially aware of the cognitive dissonance the issue of slavery creates in my mind because I love and support all the modern day abolitionist movements. (And for those who don't know...slavery is alive and well in our day....read the book "Not For Sale" by David Batstone).

Help me understand.

Google Voice

I just have to say that Google Voice is one of the coolest things ever.

Parking Lot Antics

(This is such a small thing, but hear me out and tell me if you agree...)

Why is it that people will wait literally minutes as someone is loading up their car to leave the store for a parking spot closest to the building ? They just sit there, blinker on, watching people pack in groceries etc. If it's really cold weather, I guess I understand that. If you or a passenger has a disability which makes walking difficult, I definitely understand that. But on more than one occasion (probably many, but I'll guess conservative) I've seen people wait in perfectly fine weather when (and here's the kicker) there are several spots open just a stone's throw away. I will literally drive into a parking lot, see a waiting car, park, and walk past the car before they turn into a spot. What is being accomplished here? I don't want to sound like I'm complaining because there are bigger fish to fry- I'm just trying to understand this phenomenon. I want to get inside these peoples' heads! Do we have an innate drive to always be the closest, always have the best- even if it's irrational? If you are this person, I want to dissect your reasoning.