Please forgive me for the uneven lines , but I am sending thisfrom my cell phone. Brother, I noticed that you are from Monroe. We live in Lake Charlesin Southwest La. We are no stranger to hurricanes having been hit by Hurricane Rita in Sept. of 2006 , the same year that Katrina hit New Orleans. Lake Charles is only about 40 miles from the Gulf and received extensive damage from Rita. One of the casinos on the lake was put out of business, but several others survived the storm. Gambling is looked upon in a favorable light in our communitybecause of financial gain. There are very few pastors that are speaking out against this sin that has always been associated withcrime, but now has become a very respectable business. May Godhave mercy on us.Mike
_________________Mike
Amen, Brother, I am so thankful that here in the Monroe area, when I was a young person, the vote came before this area of whether or not to have gambling boats, and the churches united against it, and it did not pass! Churches got together and had community meetings on how we could stop that wickedness from coming in. I remember the speakers going into great detail about the fact that gambling directly breaks several commandments (#s 8 and 10) and leads to the breaking of many others. One of the speakers had suffered all of his life because of his Dad who was ensnared with it. Thank God it didnt pass then, and hopefully it wont ever come up again here. We got a little damage from Rita (after Katrina) but not much. Hopefully in the midst of the storm, some soul will be awakened to his need of a relationship with the Creator. I promise I will not be like Jonah. I will rejoice if there is repentance!
_________________Michael Strickland