Subject: Is it a sin to play the lottery? |
Bible Note: Dear Jim, I'm not sure in what way I make your point, but I'll take it as a compliment. :-) 1) I was talking about gambling-lottery in general, not Janie in particular. I hope she was not offended by my comments. 2) I, too, heard the Gospel from some regular guys and gals. But I did get saved at a church (4th of July) picnic! :-) Friend, I find your comments more amusing than any form of 'innocuous' gambling or 'minor' sin. 3) Jim, one of the things I asked the Lord when I first came to serve Him in Japan was, "Please, never let me be a bore, or bored!" Though you seem to take my writing as such, I assure you that the Lord has been faithful! I am where the sinners are, and by the grace of God attempt to portray His excellence without condemning the lost. By the way, my environment is over 99-percent non-Christian. And you are correct in that (my opinion) Christian bigotry is the biggest hindrance to the Gospel. 4) Cognitive dissonance - close, but no bubble-gum cigar :-) What you are saying is that if I don't use the real (alcoholic) thing, then I'm a hypocrite to observe any other literal interpretation of the Bible. Is that right? (Ours is not a 'no-alcohol church,' but few, if any drink, and none, to my knowledge drink to excess) My reason for using grape juice is not legalistic, and if I offend the Lord for my inaccuracy, I pray for forgiveness. I, personally, don't believe that Jesus is concerned about which 'fruit of the vine' we use. 5) Something like 'Ripley's Believe It Or Not!' 6) ? I'm not sure which 'last parpagraph' you mean. I guess you mean my injection of irony, or poor attempt at humor. Please understand that my English not so good. It has been my 'second language' for over half my years, and this forum is my opportunity to try to be clear and precise. I do, however, try to keep my smile at all times, even when I disagree with another saint. True, these ARE serious issues, but serious does not mean angry, rude, pedantic or dull-witted. In Christ Jesus, charis |