Brother,The Lord sees your pain. Even when we do that which is right, it may still hurt/sting for a spell. May the Balm of Gilead heal your soul.As my brethren like to say, 'It is well with you'
_________________Tolu
If you have never heard of Titanic Thompson, read this: http://www.npr.org/2010/11/27/131628998/gambling-legend-wasn-t-always-a-winnerTitanic Thompson was a gambler and he deserted his wife and son (Tommy Thomas) when Tommy was 4 years old. A newspaper dubbed Alvin Thomas, Titanic Thompson and the name stuck. Tommy Thomas grew up to be an expert gambler, too. He was deserted by his Dad, and Tommy deserted his daughter. Such is the life of a gambler. I was given a book about Tommy Thomas' testimony by Walter Gaddy, a friend who has passed on to be with the Lord a few years ago. Walter was a friend of Tommy's and was a pool shark for many, many years. Walter got saved in New Orleans at a church where Milt Green was preaching and then ended joining the "Be Fruitful and Multiply" ministry of Milt and Joyce Green and drove Milt Green around the country to many speaking engagements through the years. Walter prayed for his old friend Tommy for almost 20 years. Here is a short testimony of Tommy Thomas. https://vimeo.com/61941605The book that you want to read and the one that Walter gave me can be found here. Free to Amazon Prime subscribers, otherwise 2.99. It is the full story of Tommy, how he got saved, baptized in the Holy Spirit and called to be an Evangelist in prisons all over Texas. http://www.amazon.com/God-And-Gambler-Tommy-Thomas-ebook/dp/B00ANYQAFW?tag=duckduckgo-d-20MrBillPro, keep praying for your gambler friend. God has a calling on his life. A calling to know Him and be with Him for eternity.
I'm speechless! Tommy's testimony brought me to tears, this is why our testimonies are such a powerful witnessing tool. I have a powerful testimony also, after loosing a wife of 40 years, a 19 year old son to suicide, and a triple bypass on Feb.7th this year. I know when God totally heals me from the bypass, my testimonial journey will begin, I can't wait. Praise Jesus!
_________________Bill
Thanks to everyone! 800 views---32 Replies, seems like not many folks want to address gambling.God BlessMr. Bill
I have never been to a casino and do not plan to go. We have one nearby operated by the Band of Choctaw Indians. They do a brisk business. In our area are bus companies that will take loads of people to the casino on a regular basis. Gambling is a popular sport in east MS, maybe next to football? Just guessing.What did it do to the community? It is still mired in poverty; it still attracts people on the lower rung of the economic ladder - and gambling assures they will stay there. People have lost businesses, homes because of gambling debts.If you want to discuss financial investments the only ones who benefit are the owners of the casino - all done at the expense of losers. Sure, there are some winners but it comes at the expense of losers. Doesn't sound like God's way of blessing people at the sweat of their brow - working to create, being productive, does it?My opinion.BTW, we are in the Bible Belt where a lot of people know what the Bible says but have choosen to ignore it. Sandra
_________________Sandra Miller
Sandra, my Dad used to say, they did not build those places on winners.
Bill, your dad is correct. Our area has seen a rise in embezzling by public servants due to gambling debts. The tactics the casinos use to rope people in is brilliant but the results are tragic. Someone who has been there says the atmosphere feels evil...doesn't sound holy, does it?Sandra