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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)-In 1993 Dave Thomas moved his family from Florida to escape creditors and legalized gambling.
He knew his family had suffered there from his gambling addiction -especially on horse racing.
Having moved to Tennessee where there is no legalized gambling, Thomas nevertheless found illegal gambling was available through card games and playing numbers.
After a few years in Nashville, Thomas was offered a dream job by a man he met while working as a truck driver for a chemical company. The dream job, however, would allow Thomas to drive to Illinois so he could gamble in their casinos. His route also would take him through states where he could buy lottery tickets.
On Aug. 2, 2000 Thomas made a profession of faith while attending a service at Nashville's Two Rivers Baptist Church. That decision changed his life and prompted him to leave the "dream" job.
When Thomas sees former fellow gamblers, they often comment on the fact that he no longer gambles. He lets them know, "The Lord changed me."
Thomas is glad he lives in Tennessee, where it has been more difficult to gamble than in most states. Unfortunately, voters there lost a battle to keep the lottery out-it passed a statewide vote Nov. 5.
Thomas said the lottery played a key role in his addiction to gambling.
He recalled when he moved to Florida he saw signs as they crossed the state line: "Welcome to Florida. Play the Florida Lottery."
Thomas, who had already begun to gamble before moving to Florida, began spending $2-$3 a week on lottery tickets. He justified it because of the low cost of the tickets. and the idea he could help his family. He dreamed of buying his parents a better house.
Soon, however, the few dollars he spent weekly on lottery tickets grew to $50 by playing the daily "Cash 3, Cash 4, or Pick 5" tickets.
Then Thomas was introduced to dog racing. He began asking for advances on his salary and borrowing money from friends and family.
In the 10 years Thomas and his family lived in Florida, they moved 11 times, often in the middle of the night, to avoid landlords. Many times utilities were cut off and they didn't know the source of their next meal. All this happened despite the fact that Thomas worked in well-paying jobs the entire time and never missed a day of work.
After moving to Tennessee, Thomas' life changed dramatically on that August night at Two Rivers when he heard evangelist Ken Freeman of Texas speak about freedom robbers.
Although he was "scared to death," Thomas committed his life to God and soon realized he would get his adrenaline rush from his relationship with Jesus.
That decision to accept Christ not only changed his goals. It also changed his way of thinking. As a result Thomas developed a ministry of helping former gambling friends, gamblers and other people God leads him to.
He goes to Kentucky convenience stores and gives people buying lottery tickets a tract he developed. He has been interviewed on the radio several times and has spoken in churches throughout Tennessee. Thomas admits life without gambling is not easy. "I'm still fighting it, still staying with it."
What motivates him, Thomas said, are the victims of gambling, especially the children. "How many church people will start playing the lottery who do not think there's anything wrong with it?" he said. "Everything comes at a price."
In spite of Tennessee's vote for the lottery, Thomas said he's on a winning team. "I won't lose becuse God doesn't ever lose."