What's That On Your Shoulder?

Some readers have wondered whatever happened to the admittedly drunken, downfallen woman we played in heads-up poker last December. She's apparently doing better now, because we understand she has a job. And she's certainly not shy at tournaments.

At one recent game, she was betting big -- and even turned over an Ace pre-flop when someone accused her of playing junk cards. The woman even made a comment that others at the table were playing and talking "like they have P.M.S."

What we have here is what a Christian author once called "Sporting a 'Tude." Some poker players bring an attitude with them which almost matches the size of their chip stacks -- perhaps arrogant, perhaps know-it-all, but (from what we've seen) not often meek and humble. Which of those attitudes is best?

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but msde something nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. -- Philippians 2:5-7

The KJV says "Let this mind be in you...." And let's be honest -- your attitude is largely (some would say completely) created in your mind. Being arrogant or brash is a choice. So is the humble walk like a servant.

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. -- I Peter 4:1

Go back one verse to 3:22, and Peter may be referring here to an approach of submission. Jesus certainly showed it, by enduring a painful death to open the way to salvation for us -- including you.

Whether you play poker or not, there are times when we all could use what country singer Hank Williams Jr. calls an "Attitude Adjustment." Not through a bottle, but by following the Bible.