Don't Bet On It

In 2001, when South Carolinians were debating the hot topic of a state-sponsored lottery, those of us who opposed it wore buttons that read, "Don't Bet On It." Today, it looks like those words were more fitting than we realized. The SC Department of Education is reporting that grades K-12 will get $0 from the lottery in March due to a $5.5 million drop in lottery proceeds for the last quarter. On top of this loss, their revenue for the month of February was cut in half.

This dramatic drop in revenue does not affect the basic needs of the school system. By law, lottery money may not fund things like teacher salaries, books, or buildings. Even still, the districts have become quite dependent upon lottery funding. Greenville County Schools employ 47 people with lottery money. Charleston County Schools usually receive about $287,000 a month/$3.5 million a year from lottery proceeds.

Education Department and SC Lottery spokespeople are saying that the money should be reimbursed in April. But this raises some important concerns about funding education with a lottery... especially as we try to think biblically.

Is Gambling a Sin?
Scripture never says that gambling, in and of itself, is sinful. When done occasionally and in moderation, it is much like other wasteful forms of entertainment. Gambling becomes sinful, however, when it is done out of a love for money (1 Timothy 6:10) or a desire to get rich quick (Proverbs 21:5 & 28:20). You can see why most gambling is sinful, and why all gambling is stupid.

Should the Government Sponsor Gambling?
Absolutely not. If gambling is a potentially dangerous addiction, a government should not deliberately tempt its citizens in such a way. Both studies and common sense show that the SC Education Lottery is a tax on the poorest of our citizens and encourages sinful, destructive addictions. While I understand that is an individual choice to gamble, I cannot understand why a community would desire to benefit from a neighbor's problem. It's like the state opening liquor stores to raise money for schools... "Sure, people are addicted and it's harming families, but it's for education!"

Should We Gamble with Education?
When gas prices soar, lottery proceeds drop. What if this continues for several quarters? How will this affect our schools? Those 47 teacher's aids in Greenville are not insignificant "extras." If their salaries cannot be paid next year, the district, teachers, and students will suffer as a result. We're not gambling with our money; we're gambling with our kids.

Now that is a sin.

Michigan Doesn't Matter

Looking at a map, it's hard to notice Michigan with all the Great Lakes around it. Well, with apologies to all the good folks who live up there, the political reality is that the Great Lake State's primaries really don't make a big difference. Iowa was huge. New Hampshire was huge. South Carolina will be huge. But tomorrow's headlines should read, "Romney won... big deal."

Here's why:

-Historically, a candidate must win 2 out of these 3: Iowa (the first caucus), New Hampshire (first in the nation primary), and South Carolina (first in the South primary). Regardless of how much Michigan tried, they can't change this reality.

-No one, except Romney, was even in Michigan for the results! When the candidates don't stick around to celebrate with you, you don't matter much.

-The Dems boycotted Michigan. They were all at a debate in Nevada. Thus, the media attention was split.

What lies ahead?

I predict this won't help Romney at all. From now until Saturday, all eyes are on South Carolina, and most South Carolinians are looking at either Huckabee or McCain. The South Carolina GOP is split and has been so for awhile. On one side you've got social conservatives who voted for Bush in 2000, Bob Peeler in 2002, and David Beasley in 2004. On the other side you've got fiscal conservatives who voted for McCain in 2000 and Mark Sanford and Lindsey Graham in 2002. Sanford has been less-than-spectacular to say the least, and Graham... don't get me started!

So the Huckabee/McCain showdown here is a mini Civil War of sorts! And just to add fuel to the fire, take a little refresher course on Ol' Man McCain's track record.

Keep your eyes on the Palmetto state because Saturday is sure to be exciting!

Happy South Carolina Day!

____________________

On June 28, 1776 the British navy focused its destructive attention on one of the colonies’ most significant harbor cities…Charleston, South Carolina. All that stood to protect the South’s most cherished city was a half-built fort made of palmetto logs, guarded by only 400 troops.

The 2,000 soldiers that composed the English fleet understandably saw this as the perfect opportunity for attack. The Brits began their mighty bombardment at a range of about 400 yards. Low on powder, the leader of the SC Regiment, Col. William Moultrie, directed his men to fire slowly and accurately in reply. As the cannon balls hammered the fort, the palmetto logs proved an admirable defense, leaving little damage and few casualties.

During the battle, a shell struck the flagpole, and the blue South Carolina banner fell outside the fort. Sergeant William Jasper, risking his life, leaped down to retrieve the flag, which he secured to a makeshift staff planted in the sand.

After more than ten hours of firing, the British fleet withdrew and several weeks later sailed for New York. Their flagship received more than twenty shots and was almost wrecked, while every other ship, save one, was seriously crippled. For three years following their defeat at Charleston the British troops were ordered to leave the South unmolested.

June 28... a day to celebrate heroes, a day to celebrate freedom, a day to celebrate South Carolina.

"I salute the flag of South Carolina and pledge to the Palmetto State love, loyalty and faith."

Top Ten Things I Missed About the Palmetto State

10. Bi-Lo - The name fits.

9. Hash - Beef or pork cooked in black kettles all night long. Add a little butter, onions, vinegar, & mustard-based BBQ, serve over rice or white bread, and you're ready for a July 4th celebration! Check your local Lion's Club or Baptist Men's group for details.

8. Bojangles - The seasoned fries are better than ever!

7. Southern Accents - Down here, we just talk different. We don't own a garden hose; we own a hose pipe. We don't press buttons, we mash 'em. We understand that the English language does have a plural form of you... y'all. We might could stop talking like this, but then we'd be just like them boring Yankees!

6. Friendly Folks - "How you?" "Fine, you?" I had that conversation with almost everyone at the grocery store on Monday.

5. Dukes Mayonnaise - Stir a little in your mashed potatoes and taste the difference.

4. Black People - Indiana has a black population of like 10 people. Our black neighbors help make Southern culture what it is. I missed y'all!

3. Mustard-based BBQ - Nothing could be finer (especially Maurice's). Throw in a couple of hush puppies on the side and you've got some good eatin'.

2. Kinfolk - My family has been in SC since the 1700's. I belong here.

1. State Pride - We all love South Carolina. If you don't believe it, just ask us or notice the tons of SC paraphernalia on our cars! And with a list like this, how could we not be proud of our home state?

I leave you with a Confederate campfire song (to the tune of "At the Cross").

Take me home to the place where I first saw the light,

to the sweet sunny South take me home,

where the mockingbird sang me to rest every night.

Oh! Why was I tempted to roam?

Home Sweet Home

I'm glad to announce that we are back in the grand and glorious state of South Carolina. We moved from Indiana this past weekend and are now unpacked, settled, and looking for a congregation to serve (if anyone knows a good Bible-believing Baptist church in need of a pastor, let me know!).

We will certainly miss the beauty of the Ohio River Valley, the good, hard working folks of Kentuckiana, the wonderful congregation of believers who worshiped at Brooksburg, and the absence of pollen! But there is truly no place like South Carolina. Check the blog again soon to learn the Top Ten things I missed about the Palmetto State.

It's good to be home.

South Carolina's Christmas Gift to You

It's the first day of December, which in my mind marks the opening day of the Christmas season. If you haven't decorated yet, what are you waiting for? Get to it.
And might I recommend the beautiful Poinsettia.

The Poinsettia is a sub-tropical plant known for its striking red displays at Christmastime. You probably don't care about any of this. Honestly, neither do I. But the important thing about Poinsettias is that you have the great state of South Carolina to thank for them. That's right. South Carolinian Joel R. Poinsett was the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and while living south of the border, he was captivated by a beautiful red flower, which he sent home for Christmas. The rest is history.
So as you set those lovely Poinsettias on display this year, remember that it came from the finest state in the Union. It's our gift to you.

PS -- Today is my parents' 41st Anniversary! Congratulations Dad and Mom, and thanks for the example of faithfulness and love.

While I Breathe, I Hope

The Latin phrase Dum Spiro Spero means "While I Breathe I Hope." It's taken from the seal of the great state of South Carolina. On the right side of the seal, there is a picture of a woman walking over a shore covered in swords and daggers. The woman represents hope and the overcoming of danger. The sunrise in the background symbolizes a new day for South Carolina.

This reminds me of Ephesians 6, where Paul tells the Christian to put on the whole armor of God. In verse 16, we're told of Satan's flaming darts that are hurled against us. But we will overcome by the Spirit who works within us. In fact, the Latin word spiro, which means "breathe," looks an awful lot like our English word "Spirit." As believer's we now walk on a shore covered with swords and daggers, but one day we will walk on a shore that knows no sin or sorrow. In the words of Samuel Stenett,

"No chilling wind nor poisonous breath can reach that healthful shore; Sickness and sorrow, pain and death are felt and feared no more."

While we breathe we hope!