ElderCare

The classic words of Doyle Brunson were part of the opening of every Poker After Dark program on NBC: "We don't quit playing because we get old; we get old because we quit playing."

A large number of "older people" (we'd guess age 50 or higher) play in our poker circles. Some of them have played for a long time, so they deserve being treated with caution. To borrow an old phrase, you should "respect your elders" at the table.

But we've been asking in several posts about another group of elders. These apparently are in heaven....

Surrounding the throne were 24 other thrones, and seated on them were 24 elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. - Revelation 4:4

Who are these people? Well, believe it or not, we don't think they are people. Verse 2 indicates they're in heaven. And Someone who came down from heaven once said....

No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven - the Son of Man. - John 3:13

So if they aren't humans who were "taken to heaven," who (or what) are they? The Bible admittedly doesn't offer much guidance about them. But we're led to conclude they're angels - perhaps a special high rank of angels. Look at what they get to do:

And the 24 elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God.... - Revelation 11:16

If this sounds dull and boring to you, consider this. They're at the throne of God - the One who created heaven and earth, and who is preparing a place for those who will believe in Jesus Christ!

In my father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. - John 14:2-3

The Bible indicates Jesus will come back to the area of Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4) - stopping all rebellion and setting up the Kingdom of God on Earth. If that still doesn't interest you, consider this warning....

...That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:10-11

The Bible shows the worship of Jesus Christ will happen. Whether you like it or not. Wouldn't it be better to respect the "elder brother" and begin worshipping Him now?

Poker Day 529: She Persisted

If the "Time's Up" movement needs something to show how gender equity can work, we recommend checking poker tournaments. Women and men pay equal amounts to enter. Women and men have an equal chance to win the same amount of prize money. We faced what they used to call a "Battle of the Sexes" today at Kansas Star Casino....

BLINDS: 200/400

IN THE POCKET: 9-8 of clubs

The first hour of play started slowly, but then we won two nice pots - one of them with A-K. Our chip stack reached a high of 5,400 (starting from 3,500), and reached the first break at 4,925.

Now, after an attempt to hit it big failed with K-J of clubs, we have more clubs. Our stack is down to 3,800, but we hope mid-range suited connectors will give us an opportunity to make something sneaky and big. So we call, and four players are in.

ON THE FLOP: 9-K-8

Clubs, flubs. We make two pair - and with two pair showing, we're going for the pot right now. We bet 1,000. An older woman sitting to the dealer's left calls. Two other men bail out, leaving us heads-up.

ON THE TURN: 4

We can't imagine that card helped her. So we decide to be a hard-driving man. "All in," we say for our last 2,600. The woman ponders for only a moment - then chooses to call, with only 2,200 to offer.

"B", we say dramatically.... "98." We borrow from a local radio station. She turns over K-10 (the second card was so far away, it was hard to see) - top pair, but no more.

Let's analyze this. If the river is a 9 or an 8, she'll make a second pair BUT we'll make a full house. She can win the hand with either a 10 or a 4 to gain two better pair, or a third King. So she has eight outs - a lowly 18-percent chance.

ON THE RIVER: K

Ouch!!! For the second time in three weeks, a longshot river card comes up to bite us! She doubles up with change.... and we're left with a mere 400 chips.

After that loss, we were compelled to push with A-8. The board didn't pair for us, and someone made a pair of 9's to eliminate another man with us. We wound up tied for 22nd, and shaking our head again.

MINISTRY MOMENT: Kansas Star Casino has a nice deli conveniently located next to the poker room. We used points earned on our "Lucky Star" card to buy a free chocolate-chunk brownie. But we had to show not only our card, but a driver's license for identification.

"I'm legally old enough to eat this brownie," we joked to the server.

"I know," she answered, "but it's the dudes in the sky we have to answer to."

We thought about that statement a moment, then had a response. "It's God in the sky that I answer to."

Another woman behind the counter laughed at that comment. We think she got the point. We're not sure if our server heard it - but she obviously was talking about her casino bosses. We used the moment to think bigger....

This is what the Lord says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?" - Isaiah 66:1

The throne of God the Father is in heaven - but He's not alone there:

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:2

The Father and Son are together in heaven. But we hope that deli server doesn't refer to the Godhead as "dudes." They are much more than that....

For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.... ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. - I Chronicles 16:25, 29

After all, this is the God who created you and me. He created the tongue and vocal cords for us to speak. Instead of dismissing all that with a casual word or two, shouldn't we give Him respect and honor?

Tremble before him, all the earth!.... Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!" - I Chronicles 16:30-31

You may work for "dudes," but God is divine. Be careful not to misuse His name, by taking it lightly (Deuteronomy 5:11).

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 191 final tables in 529 games (36.1%) - 39 cashes. Experiment update: down $175.

Mom-Sense

The World Series of Poker normally starts a couple of weeks after Mother's Day in the U.S. But this year, one man played with his mom on his mind.

John Racener won the "Dealer's Choice Championship" early this morning, while wearing a "Unibomber" style black hoodie. After he won, he took off the hoodie and showed a "FOR MOM" t-shirt. Racener's mother died from cancer four years ago, and broke the news of her diagnosis to him only after he played in the Main Event final table in 2010.

We can't fault Racener for this tribute at all. He's doing what a classic guidebook recommends....

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. - Exodus 20:12

Honor for parents should begin in our youth:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. - Ephesians 6:1

Of course, we realize some parents do things which are less than honorable. But when their commands fall within the rules of God's instruction, children should follow them:

My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. - Proverbs 6:20

Racener also seems to realize the "honor" for parents can go far beyond this life. We personally wondered for years how to honor a mother who died when we were a young adult. We've tried to do it through respectful words about her - and in recent years by annual graveside trips, as we've lived closer to her grave.

But we respectfully disagree with Racener's comment that his mother is now his "biggest fan.... from up above." That's a view of the afterlife which the Bible does not teach....

No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven - the Son of Man. - John 3:13

Jesus said these words. As the Son of God, we think He would know about such things.

But we congratulate Racener not only on his success at the table, but the statement he made in victory. May he enjoy the winnings, the WSOP bracelet - and the hope that he and his parents will be together someday in a resurrection.

Poker Night 386: Counsel Meeting

When poker players get together, what are they most likely to talk about?  At our first table at The Red Barn tonight, they talked about the most logical thing -- poker hands.  But should you believe everything they say?  And more importantly, should you do what they do?

BLINDS: 50/100

IN THE POCKET: K-K

We have yet to win a hand, and start this one in the Big Blind with about 6,150 chips.  People around us are analyzing the prior hand, where a woman to our left limped in with pocket Aces and saw them get cracked by a full house on the river.

"You should have raised -- something like 2,500," the man who's dealing tells her.  "No one would have called."

The Small Blind at our immediate right corrects him. "I would have called."

"So you would have one caller," the dealer says.  "But that's a lot better than four callers."

At about this point, we look at our cards.  No one has raised.  These aren't Aces, of course.  But we decide a big raise like the dealer's describing would be.... well, too obvious.  So we try something different.

"Raise - 300 more," we say.  Four players call.

ON THE FLOP: Q-A-5

Ugh.  That Ace was the last thing we wanted to see.  The Small Blind checks.  We make a continuation bet of 500.  The dealer and Small Blind call; everyone else folds.

ON THE TURN: 10

Now we want to see if anyone's ready to bet their Ace.  We check.  So do the other players.

ON THE RIVER: Q

This gives us two pair -- but still not a lot of comfort.  After the Small Blind checks, we bet 700.  The dealer has a big stack of chips and is ready to use it.  He raises 3,000.

"I fold," the Small Blind says.  That leaves us with a big decision -- and a small confession.

"After listening to this discussion, I should have done what you said.  I fold."

We conclude the dealer had an Ace, for a higher pair.  Instead, he stuns us -- and turns over K-6!  He made a big bluff to steal the pot.  Then we show our pair, which would have prevailed.

"You folded pocket Kings?!" the Small Blind asks.

"Too many hands beat me," we explain.  "An Ace beats me.  Another Queen beats me."

The winner then offers another moment of instant analysis.  "Your best guess was to assume I had a Queen, because I didn't bet when the Ace came out."

"Unless you were slow-playing Aces, after all that talk."

The dealer adds a straight also was possible, based on the board.  He doesn't fault us for folding.  We're left to kick ourselves.

That was our best shot at a pot all night, until we went all-in early in the second hour.  We had 8-8 in the Big Blind, and a third 8 came on the flop.  Trouble is, that 8 was a heart -- and the river brought a fourth heart.  A man across from us had the King of hearts for a flush.  Our final table run ends at three, as we were eliminated in 15th place.

MINISTRY MOMENT: Another topic at the table tonight was the music on The Red Barn's jukebox.  One song which sparked discussion was Pearl Jam's performance of Last Kiss.

"That was a hit 50 years ago," someone said.

"And who recorded it first?" we asked in a sudden round of trivia.  "J. Frank Wilson and the Playboys."

"It was J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers," a man across from us recalled.  A check of Wikipedia confirms he's correct; we forgot the Playboys was Gary Lewis's 1960s group.

But our main point about Last Kiss involved the song's refrain.  "It says 'She's gone to heaven,' and the Bible doesn't say you go to heaven when you die."

One man across the table wished people did go to heaven.  Yet Jesus said....

No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven -- the Son of Man. - John 3:13

We realize that goes against what a lot of Christian ministers say.  But they're the words of Jesus, who should know what He was talking about.
 
Yet as we noted in a recent post, a resurrection day for the dead is coming.

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we will all be changed -- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, the dead shall be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. - I Corinthians 15:51-53

The Bible says this life is not all there is.  Are you making plans for another one -- one where you can live forever with Christ?

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 134 final tables in 386 nights (34.7%) -- 20 cashes.

A Pair of Elijahs

Let's return to the poker table conversation we had about Elijah.  An elderly woman told us Jesus cannot return until Elijah "comes back from heaven."

This admittedly is a complicated Bible puzzle to address.  For starters, it apparently was a common idea 2,000 years ago as well, when Jesus walked the earth....

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" - Matthew 17:9-10

Elijah was one of the greatest Old Testament preachers and prophets.  His "departure" was as unique as hitting a royal flush on the flop....

As they were walking and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.... And Elisha saw him no more. - II Kings 2:11-12

Many believers, then and now, take these verses to mean Elijah currently lives in heaven with God.  But is there a verse of Scripture they're overlooking?

No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven -- the Son of Man. - John 3:13

This verse is so contrary to mainstream Christian teaching that many ministers jump over it, never quoting it.  But the Lord who came from Heaven to Earth declared no one has ever gone to Heaven!  This would have to include Elijah.  So if he disappeared in II Kings 2, he may have landed elsewhere on Earth and eventually died there; the Bible admittedly doesn't provide that detail.

Wherever Elijah went, notice how Jesus answered the disciples' question about him:

Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.  But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished...."  Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. - Matthew 17:11-13

An angel explained to the father of John the Baptist his son would go "in the spirit and power of Elijah...." (Luke 1:17) The angel never said John WAS a second coming of Elijah; that would be a form of reincarnation, which is a concept the Bible does not support.

(Some Christian groups think the "Elijah" in verse 11 refers to still another person - not the Old Testament prophet, but someone at the end of our age.  But that's very speculative, and also lacking in complete Biblical support.)

So to sum up all this: an ancient Elijah went to heaven.  Some teachers (past and present) say he has to come back before the Messiah comes.  But Jesus said a "type" of Elijah came, in the form of John the Baptist -- born six months before Jesus was born to Mary.

Jesus already has fulfilled what the teachers of the law predicted.  It's the second coming of the Messiah (Christ) which should have our attention.  Are you watching for that - and ready to see it?

The Ultimate Comeback

At the cash game we visited in north Florida last week, we asked a man next to us if he believed in Jesus.  The man told us he did.  But the discussion stemming from the Lord's physical appearance didn't stop there.

"I'll just have to wait till I get to heaven to find out," one man declared.

"I'm personally hoping for Jesus to come back, so I can meet Him in the air," we responded.

Many people (even many Christians) think they're going to heaven when they die. But there's a problem with that reasoning - and it's Biblical:

"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.... God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.... For David did not ascend to heaven...." - Acts 2:29, 32, 34

Jesus was resurrected, and Acts 1:9 shows He ascended to heaven.  But David, who's called a man after God's own heart in Acts 13:22, has NOT ascended to heaven.  His body apparently awaits a moment many believers hope to see:

We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. - I Thessalonians 4:14

We admittedly did a double-take when we reviewed this verse.  How can God in heaven "bring" someone who's asleep in the ground and buried?

The answer may be hidden in the Greek word for "bring."  That word is translated "led" elsewhere in the New Testament (such as John 18:28 and Acts 8:32).  We've concluded Jesus will lead dead believers out of their "final resting places."

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will be with the Lord forever. - I Thessalonians 4:17

Several people at our cash game expressed opinions that the way world events are going, Jesus needs to come back quickly -- and even should.  We mentioned in our last post no one knows the exact return time.  But are you ready, whenever it happens?

Poker Night 316: Jacks or Better?

One poker book recommends new Texas Hold 'em players only play 15 hands: pocket pairs, A-K and A-Q.  But veteran players will tell you not all pocket pairs are created equal.  In fact, there are some they'd rather avoid.  We faced a moment along those lines Monday night at The Red Barn....

BLINDS: 50/100

IN THE POCKET: J-J

We've been waiting patiently for this sort of hand to come along.  Early efforts with lesser cards have reduced our starting stack of 7,000 chips down to the 5,500 range.  A player ahead of us doubles the bet to 200, and we're willing to sneak behind that lead by calling.  Most of the table of six gets in.

ON THE FLOP: 6-6-8

We have an "overpair," and doubt anyone jumped into a raised pot with a 6.  The man who doubled ahead of us offers a meager-looking minimal bet of 100, which emboldens us.  "Raise to 400," we say.

"Re-raise," a man two seats to our left then says.  "Five thousand."

Huh?!?!?  This seems at first to us like a "go away" bet to run us off.  At this table, people have been sticking around pots with unlikely hands.  But then two other players call the 5,000 bet, before our turn comes around again.  This leaves us with a moment of decision, as calling the re-raise wouldn't leave us with many chips.

"I tend to get in trouble when I play this," we say after a moment, "so I'll fold."  But the hand continues with three remaining players....

ON THE TURN: 9

That seems to change nothing; everyone checks.

ON THE RIVER: K

This card could have topped our overpair.  But the three players check again.

"I've got a boat," the re-raiser announces.  He shows 6-8!  No wonder he bet big -- he made a full house on the flop.  No one else comes close, and our decision to fold a high pocket pair turns out to be wise.

We won a pot minutes later, to restore our stack a bit.  But with 4,000 chips left after the one-hour break, we needed a big comeback -- and thankfully, it came several times.  First A-K turned into a double-up flush .  We went all-in minutes later with King-Jack of diamonds, and made two pair to top a man's Q-Q.  After that came a push with A-Q, which prevailed when an Ace hit the board!

We took 10,000 chips (barely enough for a rising small blind) to the final table.  Forced to push in the Big Blind, we saw A-K -- and a pair of Aces kept us alive for about one more lap around the table, while other players pushed and fell short.  With six players left, we pushed again with Q-J of diamonds.  A player called with a trailing 10-9 -- but he caught a 10 while we didn't pair.  We drove home pleased with a sixth-place finish, and our third final table in the last five nights.

MINISTRY MOMENT: "I wake up thankful every morning," a player to our right told us during the one-hour break.

"How has God's Spirit been working in your life lately?" we asked him.

The man's answer was stunning.  "God gave me plenty of misery last year."

"What happened, if I might ask?"

"I lost my wife."

This left us speechless for a moment -- but thankfully, the man also was carrying on a conversation about poker with someone else.  Finally we were ready to respond.

"I didn't know your wife died, so I'm sorry about that.  But it's good to see you're still thankful, through it all."

How can someone be thankful through such a loss?  We're reminded of a king who lost his baby boy -- taken by God because of the king's sin:

Then David got up from the ground.  After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped.  Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. - II Samuel 12:20

King David did this after a week of fasting, while his son had a deadly illness (verses 15-17).  The king's servants feared he might "do something desperate" (verse 18) - but instead, David worshiped God.

He answered, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept.  I thought, 'Who knows?  The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.'  But now that he is dead, why should I fast?  Can I bring him back again?  I will go to him, but he will not return to me." - II Samuel 12:22-23

Was the king referring to a reunion in heaven?  We don't think so, based on Peter's statement in Acts 2:34 -- along with some of David's other words:

Is not my house right with God?  Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part?  Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire? - II Samuel 23:5

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. - Psalm 23:6 (KJV)

God's throne indeed is in heaven now -- but in the future, that location will change.

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.... And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.  They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God." - Revelation 21:2-3

We're led to conclude King David and his young son will reunite in a resurrection, eventually dwelling in what verse 1 calls "a new earth."  The poker player who lost his wife can have that opportunity as well.  May he remain thankful to God, and show that thankfulness in a godly daily walk.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 112 final tables in 316 nights (35.4%) - 17 cashes.

Your Open Account

In a recent post, we mentioned the advice of Jesus to "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...." (Matthew 6:20)

Store money with an online poker site for future tournaments, and you could get a big painful surprise. Events of recent months involving the U.S. Justice Department have proven that. But building an account in heaven with God is another matter.

Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, were no thief comes near and no moth destroys. - Luke 12:33

Sounds great. But how do we do that? One answer is in the first part of this verse, which we didn't quote. Jesus expands on it elsewhere....

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." - Matthew 19:21

What is the Lord saying here? Give away every penny you win at a poker tournament, then bum strangers for buy-in fees next week? We don't think it's quite that extreme an approach....

Commend them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. - I Timothy 6:18-19

Paul's speaking here of eternal life. God wants to share that with us - so we should be willing to follow His example, and share our blessings with others as the opportunity develops. The idea is to be generous, not stingy. We've seen players do that even at poker tournaments.

Ecclesiastes 3:6 says there's a "time to keep, and a time to cast away...." Winning in poker can be a taking time. Casting away riches to those in need should be the rest of your life. Do you have the right balance?

Knocking On the Door

We did a little better this weekend in the Saturday night "Heads-Up" tournament at The Red Barn -- in the winners' bracket for awhile, before ending the evening 2-2.

But we were struck by one moment when the Tournament Director turned to us for a comment. The jukebox at the club was playing the Bob Dylan rock classic, "Knocking on Heaven's Door."

"I don't just want to knock on heaven's door when I die," the director said. (He's the man trying to walk a Christian path, and having mixed results so far.)

There are several ways to look at that line. The song's context shows it's said by someone about to die. That's a traditional view of entering heaven -- but you may be surprised to discover it's not the Biblical view.

No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven - the Son of Man. -- John 3:13

Jesus said these words -- and since He came from heaven to walk the Earth (Philippians 2:5-8), He should know this topic pretty well.

We answered the Tournament Director by changing the subject a bit. "When you pray, you're knocking on Heaven's door." In fact, it's like a phone line to the throne of God. But we need to pray in the name of Jesus.

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. -- John 14:13-14

Talk about a great offer! But why pray in Jesus's name? Because He also said....

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. -- John 10:9 (KJV)

Here's hoping you're "knocking on the door" of final tables and poker wins soon. But more importantly, we hope you'll approach the heavenly "door" -- to find help with the spiritual things which matter most.

Betting on a Loser

The online game was anything but G-rated. One person wrote a double expletive, including one mentioning God's name. So we responded....

Me: I'd rather praise God, to be honest.
Lever: lol
lowrider1: amen to that
Lever: i like satan....
Me: That's too bad. An eventual loser.

We noted in an earlier post that Satan lost long ago. He's called "Lucifer" in Isaiah 14:12 (KJV) - and the context shows God kicked that "morning star" out of heaven for trying to have a higher throne than the God who created it.

Revelation 12:7-9 indicates (though it's open to interpretation) Satan tried again to claim a place in heaven. But God's angels fought Satan's demonic army off, and threw them down to the earth. And then....

Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short. - Rev. 12:12

This is why many believers, such as the man who sat next to us at The Red Barn, consider Satan responsible for the disasters in this world. But thankfully, Jesus is coming back to bring "a new heaven and new earth, the home of righteousness" (II Peter 3:13).

Given Satan's record "heads-up" against God and the angels, why would any thinking person bet on the devil in a match against Jesus? Or for that matter, against anything godly?