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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Pros and Cons (08/14/14)
“Big Money, Big Money,” chanted Vanna White from the Wheel of Fortune slot machine. Becky’s heart nearly skipped a beat as her eyes whirled from side to side gazing up at the wheel.

“Stop!” cried Becky, “500, 200, 700…oh, not 2.50! I always get the lowest amount, are these machines rigged?”

“Ah…too bad,” winced Tom, her faithful husband and slot companion. “Let’s try that machine over there.” Several hours slipped by to no avail in the finance department.

“Hey …the new Willy Wonka machine,” Becky pointed anxiously, “how about using our last ten? Hurry, before someone takes it!"

The gambling duo hustled over to the chocolate factory fantasy to win their million.

Becky and Tom loved spending time playing the slot machines. After retiring from their jobs, the first place they thought of for fun in their golden years was moving to Nevada…the mecca of many past vacations. After moving into a nice senior apartment, they planned to tour the neighborhood and the many casinos dotting the riverbanks. The couple not only enjoyed the entertainment available in their new location, but also attended church regularly. One day riding home from a service, Becky remembered the sermon vividly.

“The sermon really got to me today when Pastor said ‘some people will never open a Bible, but the only Bible they will ever see is YOU.’…what if they saw us at the casino?”

“Ah, I don’t think we are doing anything wrong,” Tom said turning the wheel, “It’s just like playing a challenging game of golf or bowling…it’s a fun thing to do.”

“Remember the verse Pastor used today? ‘Fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable’ (Philippians 4:8 NIV). I would feel awful if someone saw us there…but I love playing those fascinating machines. Although it is relaxing and competitive, the environment does promote smoking and drinking…they should have a Christian gaming casino….uh…forget it….that sounds bad too. “

Turning down their street, Tom added, “I think you are going a little overboard here, don’t you remember last month how “God” let us win over $700 that paid our bills and birthday gifts for the kids?”

“Yeah, it was nice having the extra money, but was that really from God? Maybe it was from Satan trying to pull us down to his level of thinking. I feel like I am stretched in two different directions and don’t know what to do. Have I been putting my trust in a machine instead of God to supply our needs?”

“Well, I guess we could be a better example, maybe we can go for a hike next week instead,” Tom resolved.

“…and I can bring along a picnic lunch and invite our new neighbors.”

“Orrrrr,” Tom declared, “We could use our extra money for a trip to see our grandchildren in Pennsylvania, or go on a second honeymoon!”

Becky smiled with a mischievous glance.

They arrived home feeling hopeful and ready to make a change. Although the lure of gambling was still on their minds, God had nudged their conscience enough to change their perspective about winning in the game of life.
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This article has been read 897 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
08/21/14
Good job with showing the "temptations" and the ongoing spiritual battles that people face. Gambling is certainly one of them.

Well written!

God bless~
Terry Atchison
08/21/14
I lived in a little place called Monaco. Many fortunes, and families were destroyed there through gambling at the casinos. Satan makes it all so tempting. Good story.
Brenda Rice
08/23/14
You did a good job of showing the conflict your MC felt. I enjoyed reading your story and I think you did a good job of writing it.
LaVonne Wood
08/23/14
Very good story on the temptations of gambling. You can count on people watching what we do as Christians all the time.

Maybe you could add more Scripture to help bring your point across? Just a suggestion.

Blessings, LaVonne
Danielle King 
08/23/14
A good take on this weeks topic and a worthy message to boot. I think a few more scripture references would make it even better. But still a great job!
Joe Moreland
08/23/14
A great story about a real life struggle many people face. We all have something in our lives that we justify as just some harmless fun, but know in our hearts that it's really one of the footholds Satan has in our lives. It's not so much about discovering these footholds as it is about confessing them. Letting go is always much harder than it seems, and I like that you didn't just have your MCs have an "A-ha" moment and instantly change - you left us wondering if the change would happen or not.

Very realistic and authentic writing thru and thru. Very good job.
Noel Mitaxa 
08/23/14
Ahhh, gambling: the fine art of getting nothing for something.

I like how you have dressed up some clear teaching with strong characters and believable dialogue that reflects how we analyse what we hear from the pulpit. And you've kept it from being too judgemental. Well done.
Graham Insley
08/23/14
You did an excellent job of walking your MCs through the process of pros and cons.

My only discomfort came when I felt a 'time jerk' between paragraphs 5 and 6. We go from a 'now playing the Wonka machine' to 'one day riding home'.

I felt it would read better as a 'now happening'. Maybe if para 6 had been set as 'A few hours later, as they traveled home, Becky remembered last weeks sermon.'

I loved the way the 'thought' process didn't come to a final conclusion. It leaves the reader wondering, but still satisfied.

Well done.

JK Stenger
08/24/14
I enjoyed this article. The statement about setting up a Christian gambling centre made me laugh. It's typical when we want to justify ourselves. I am hard pressed to offer some suggestions. Maybe it would be that I felt the end was a bit abrupt. I realize though that we all are very limited because of our word limit. Nevertheless I feel your writing is excellent. Well done
Diane M. Bowman
08/24/14
Good story, good message.

Bit of red: If you don't already, you might want to read your story out loud after you finish so you can 'hear' it. Noticed you had two sentences in a row that started with After. You could reword the second one to say - 'They moved into a nice senior apartment and made plans to tour...' Just a suggestion...

I like the way you dropped us right into the middle of their habit, then gave background and left us wondering if they would go on a trip or go gambling.
Bea Edwards 
08/24/14
I thought it was wonderful how you used a few remembered sermon scriptures. You interjected them as perfectly timed helps in time of your characters needs and desires to not be hindrances to other Christians.
Nicely done.
Robert Douglas Brown
08/25/14
I heard a sermon years ago about the evils of gambling. The pastor had a member in his flock that liked to gamble here and there, but nothing serious. One day the member won one of those progressive slot games, and walked out with $500,000.00.

The member felt God's conviction, and went to his pastor and told him that he was going to give all of his winnings to the church. The member mentioned to his pastor that the money he won was Satan's money. The pastor smiled and said now it's God's money.
That sermon has stayed with me for many years.

God Bless!
C D Swanson 
08/28/14
Congratulations!

God bless~