I would like to follow up on a couple of articles I have read recently in the papers, namely on drugs and gambling. Unless I missed it, nothing was ever mentioned about the spiritual aspect of getting free from the bondage of drugs, alcohol or gambling. Our governments, local, state and federal, have spent millions of dollars on seminars, programs and workshops related to the above with varying degrees of success. However, most of them have no spiritual emphasis as part of the cure. Every one of us is created with mental, physical and spiritual components of our bodies. If we neglect one of them we are like a three-legged stool, we will topple over.
There are horror stories about what happens to those who are addicted to the above. Families are broken up, more robberies to support their habit and many of the victims murdered for their money, suicides take place with Las Vegas being the suicide capital of the world.
My cousin was one of them. For the last 10 years, my wife and I have volunteered at a children's ranch at Boulder City in the wintertime. The city is located near Las Vegas. For come-ons to gamble, the casinos nearby offer meals and rooms at very reasonable prices. Quite often, those of us from the ranch would take advantage of their offers. TV ads of casinos filled with many happy faces were non-existent for the most part. Most looked grim, lonely and trying to fill a void in their life while hoping to hit the big jackpot with odds a couple million to one.
What is the solution to these bondages? Jesus Christ! If He sets you free, you are free indeed. Ask Teen Challenge, Youth for Christ or any of the Christian organizations what their success ratio is and they will tell you in the high 90s percentage-wise. At no cost to the government. We have seen many youngsters come to Bible camp lonely, mixed up, depressed from broken homes. They leave camp happy because they have found a new life in Jesus Christ. I'm not talking about religion but a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Love, joy, peace and other spiritual goodies will follow. The third leg of the stool will then be restored.
Larry Erie
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