…and we take the steps to make it right. It’s what a responsible citizen does. What a mature adult does. What a sincere leader does. It’s what the heads at Harding University did when it came to allowing (or not allowing) lottery tickets on campus. In the past week our state has seen the launch of the Arkansas lottery in the form of scratch-off tickets, sold at gas stations and other venues. The first few days Harding allowed the tickets on campus. Not promoting them or selling them. Just allowing. For people who are familiar with Harding’s rules and regulations this was a shocker. And yes, it made the news. More than once. But now campus officials have taken it back: Nevermind. Rewind. They won’t allow it…after all, it is a form of gambling and the student handbook strictly and clearly prohibits gambling. With its Church of Christ affiliation, that’s not a shocker. Enough of the recap–you can find the story if you want more details. This is the Today’sTHV link , just one of the local stations’ take on it. I just want to share my thoughts about the situation. Briefly.

I’m a proud Harding University alumna. I knew the rules when, as a Senior in high school, I submitted my application to attend. I was aware of the guidelines and ready to live by most of them.    Church of Christ-ers (I use that term loosely and casually) are known for believing gambling is wrong. Any form, any reason. Going to Vegas? You might get a raised eyebrow. Want to support the raffle at that special event? Don’t tell the preacher. Horse races? You better only be going for the corned-beef sandwich. Actually, probably best not to go there at all. Because, you see, those are all associated with gambling and it’s wrong in so many people’s eyes. I Thess 5:22 “abstain from all appearance of evil.” I was raised that way. And to get right down to it, I don’t think I even understood gambling until my early twenties. I just knew that phrase in my head, kinda like how a child memorizes the Pledge of Allegiance, but do they really understand the words they’re saying? Their meaning? On one side, the school could take advantage of the scholarships. With this institution’s tuition ranking as one of the highest in the state, that could be a big help for hundreds of students. On the other side, allowing a small piece of paper on campus that gives one a chance to “get lucky” and win something bigger than the investment shows a waiver in the strong foundation Harding has prided itself of over the past decades.

Based on a few scriptures, you can see where the argument. A few to highlight: (look these up b/c I’m not quoting, only listing them.)  Prov. 28:19-22, I Timothy 6:6-11, 2 Thess 3:7,10

As the aforementioned alumna, I have received a little ragging from people who know I attended Harding. In the first week (when they were allowed) I was very surprised and honestly, I was curious how it fell through the cracks. Now that President Burks, along with his faithful staff and devout decisionmakers, has decided to ban the tickets and make a public announcement saying so, I am more proud of my alma mater than I already was. It’s not anything against the lottery, or the scholarships, or Arkansas having scratch-off games available as we pay for gas or buy our soft drink at the quick stop. It’s the fact that the higher-ups at Harding University realized they had taken a mis-step, stepped back, and turned back to the path they had chosen to follow from the beginning.

This week during my visit to 103.7 The Buzz, Justin shared a story about tennis star Michelle Larcher de Brito. Not her cool new racquet or the charity she’s passionate about. No, she’s gaining attention for her habit of grunting during her tennis game. Grunts so loud they can be heard 3 courts away. Now officials are calling “foul.” This article tells about the whole situation.

Maybe she can’t stop it? If it just comes out naturally because of the force behind her swing? So I took up for her on air when it was my turn to talk. I know that tennis (just like any sport on the professional level) has rules and etiquette. Her grunting does sound quite offensive–some would say almost sexual.  And it has been known to be distracting and unnecessary. As a (verrrry part time) tennis player I can justify the occasional grunt. But I an also imagine being on the other side of the net and wanting to hit my opponent with more than just the little ball.

So…what do you think? You think it calls for a rule? A law?

Annnnd if you were the grunter, how would you react to this?