I Don't See a Place for Mardi Gras among the Righteous

I read an article in our local paper today that a church is hosting a Mardi Gras party. It was noted that you had to be 21 to attend. I thought, "what kind of church event requires you to be 21?" I have always been amazed that people celebrate at a wild party and get as much sin in as they can before the start of Lent. Of course, I believe that Christianity is a full time endeavour. We don't observe lent because we believe in self examination daily. Do we really think that giving up some minor indulgence for forty days does us any good or impresses God? I'm not trying to be offensive to those who observe lent seriously. I base my observation on some people I have known personally. It's sad to me that people get caught up in an atmosphere where anything goes and justify it because so many others do the same. I'm not surprised that people who do not have a relationship with God would do so, but I am surprised by those who identify themselves with Jesus Christ. It is troubling to me that a church would sponsor gambling, drinking, and general atmosphere of satisfying the flesh to raise money! My wife and I were in New Orleans some years ago for a church conference. Out of curiosity we went to the French Quarter just to check it out. Thank God it was daytime, and not during Mardi Gras! I would have hated to be there at night. As we walked down the street we came upon a section where unspeakable evil acts were performed. We were naive, we didn't know things went that far. The whole concept of wild partying where people completely abandon their principals and revel in the most sinful behavior should have no association with any church. I hope the churches that put on these events will examine what they are doing through prayer, asking God for direction that will once again make churches shining lights of hope instead of places that put on parties to make money!