Problem Gambling in Your Community

Do you know anyone who has a problem with gambling?

One time I spoke with a man who shared his story with me.  He’d had a major financial setback a few years before.  Then he started going to the casino to play poker, which he saw as an opportunity to get his financial loss back.  The problem was that he lost more than he ever made at poker.  He kept going back to the casino, and he continued to lose money.  He continued to believe that poker was the way to get his money back, but he continued to lose money.

During this time, he lied to his wife about how he was spending his time.  He also lied about what was happening to their money.  He was too ashamed to tell her the truth.  He took out a second mortgage and went through their retirement savings.  As his losses mounted, so did his slide into depression.  He was beginning to wonder if he’d ever get his money back.  Then he thought of a way to escape his problems; he would commit suicide.  He came up with a plan. 

That was when he realized that he needed to get help.  He confessed his gambling problem and lies to his wife, and they found help for his gambling.  He had his name put on a list of people who were voluntarily banned from casinos  He started attending a 12-step group.  He was making progress in his recovery, but acknowledged that he still felt tempted to go to the casino at times.  Their marriage was improving.  Life was looking up.

There are 118 casinos in Oklahoma, which is the third most in the U.S.  Would you recognize the signs if someone you love has a gambling problem?  Did you know that gambling affects a person’s brain like drugs?  The good news is that help is available.  Here is a list of signs and symptoms of problem gambling http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/compulsive-gambling/symptoms-causes/dxc-20258394 

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, google “Oklahoma problem gambling,” and you will find more resources.  If you live in another state or country, simply type in your state or country with problem gambling.

Lost and Found

Luke 15 has 3 of Jesus’ parables.  First, Jesus told of a sheep that was lost.  The shepherd goes and finds the lost sheep.  Then he calls his friends together and said,  “Let’s celebrate because my sheep was lost and now is found.”

Then Jesus told of a woman who lost a silver coin.  She searches high and low, and finally finds the lost coin.  Then she called her friends and said, “Let’s have a party because my coin was lost and now is found!”

Then Jesus told of a man who had 2 sons.  One son asked for his inheritance early, and went and wasted it in a foreign country.  When he came to his senses, he remembered his father and decided to return to his father.  When he got home, his father called his friends and said, “Let’s have a party because my son was lost and now is found!”

The older son was working in the back forty.  He came home and heard music and dancing.  He called a servant who said, “Oh your father is so glad because your brother was lost but now is found.”

The older brother became angry and refused to go into the party.  So his father came out and pleaded with him.  But he said, “All these years I’ve been slaving for you, and did you ever throw a party for me and my friends?  I’ll tell you the party we got; it’s called work!”  The father said, “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.  But we had to celebrate and be glad, because your brother was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

The Loving Father represents God’s love and forgiveness.  When we go to God humbly and admitting our sin, God, in his mercy and grace, treats us like the father who welcomed back the rebellious son.  Let us go and do likewise.

The older brother represents self-righteous individuals.   His attitude shows that his obedience to his father had been years of grim duty, not loving service.  If you’re struggling with grim duty, let your heart be found by the gracious Father.

Of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, only the son deliberately got lost, callously turning his back on his father.  But God’s love can defeat the deliberate rebellion of the heart.  Why not turn to the Loving Father today?  He is waiting and watching for you.  Go into his gracious presence today.