More Than a Dog

They're famous, funny and arguably tacky works of art - paintings showing dogs around a table, playing poker.

You may have laughed at them. Some people have spent serious money to purchase originals of them. But did you ever stop to think seriously about them? In other words, why don't dogs play poker? Why is it that only humans do?

We heard a speaker today remind us that there's one main difference between humans and dogs - and it's not how dogs use their "hands" as front feet. The difference is in their brains. Or, better put, what has been added to them....

For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him?.... - I Corinthians 2:11

Some kind of "spirit" in human beings allows us to think, in ways dogs and other animals cannot. For instance, it allows you to figure out whether or not to play two poker cards. And God wants you to use that spirit in other ways....

The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being. - Proverbs 20:27

Believe it or not, God is probing your mind. He wants to know if you're thinking on His wavelength, or some other one....

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. - Ephesians 2:1-2

We think that other "ruler" is Satan, or the devil. We all need to tune that ruler out, and stay close to God. Perhaps this blog can help you with that - so you act more like God than a dog, when you're at a poker table.

Poker Night 476: Stand Your Ground

There are times in many lives when you have to take a stand. That's true in poker tournaments as well - but the key is knowing when to take it, and how. Here's a case from Monday night's tournament at Yvie's....

BLINDS: 400/800

IN THE POCKET: King-10 of diamonds

We won a small early pot, but folded most of what we've been dealt. We come to this hand with about 8,100 chips. While this hand is iffy for us, we decide to play it - and are thankful when no one raises. About half the table of seven is in.

ON THE FLOP: 10s-2c-4s (suits may not be exact)

Top pair with a higher kicker is good news for us. But a man across the table wearing a bowler hat hints at bad news: he raises ahead of us to 2,000. With that phrase "taking a stand" clearly in mind, we call - but we wonder if he's hiding something like pocket Jacks.

ON THE TURN: 9d

We're heads-up now - and as long as the cards are numbers and not letters, we're satisfied. Our opponent checks. So do we.

ON THE RIVER: 9s

The board pairs, so we have two pair. When Mr. Bowler Hat checks again, we sense a chance to gain the advantage. We bet 1,500, and our opponent ponders it for a moment.

"Probably hit a flush," he mumbles as he folds.

To be honest, we didn't notice three spades on the board until that moment. If he had hit a flush, we would have been embarrassed. Instead, he backed down and our chip count jumps above 13,000.

"Good bet," another player says. Thank you - risky as it was.

We played safely, and reached the first break at 9,600; coloring up chips brought us back to our starting 10,000. But then we missed a great opportunity right after the break, when Mr. Bowler raised to 10,500 pre-flop. We saw 5-5, decided against betting it all - and were amazed to see a third 5 arrive on the turn, while other players fought over things like A-10.

We finally pushed with Q-Q in the Small Blind, after a woman to our left pushed as well. The man in the Big Blind simply had to check. He did, showed 2-2 - and amazingly, he caught 2 on the river to go with 3-3 on the board for an absurd full house. He knocked out two, and we left tied for 16th place.

MINISTRY MOMENT: We don't recall the exact details, but a man at our table complemented a woman for being "blessed."

"I think we're all blessed in some ways," we commented.

No one challenged that at the table - but does that comment challenge you? Have you received any blessings lately? They can come in many ways, you know - and we believe this:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. - Ephesians 1:3

You might think of a "blessing" as a physical thing - anything from a new car to a spouse to rain for your garden. But the apostle Paul puts the emphasis here on spiritual blessings. For instance...

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. - Romans 2:7

God wants people who will seek His rewards. They might not include a big poker payday. But they'll last a whole lot longer. In fact, they can last forever. So please leave a comment and let us know -
how has God blessed you lately?

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 177 final tables in 476 games (37.2%) - 33 cashes.

Howl-No-We Won't Go

"Are we having poker here next Wednesday night?" we asked the Tournament Director last Wednesday at Soho Bar and Grill.  We had noticed a sign on the door the Director had not, promoting a cover-charge Halloween party at the club.

It turns out Soho's party will override live poker tonight.  That's too bad, because we wanted a place to escape from the crowds of Halloween-keepers -- from children begging for candy to grown-ups acting like children with scary costumes.

The essence of Halloween involves things such as witchcraft, haunted houses and zombies - things which lean away from God, and toward God's arch-enemy.

The great dragon was hurled down -- that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. - Revelation 12:9

Read the verses around that one, and you'll find Satan lost a "war in heaven" against angels (verse 7).  The devil's dream from ages past (we don't really know how long ago) is to usurp God.  Note these words from God....

You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God... I will make myself like the Most High." - Isaiah 14:13-14

God did not allow that (verse 15) - yet Satan has been looking for a following on Earth ever since.  Maybe you've joined Satan's ranks, without realizing it.

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. - II Corinthians 4:4

Demonic influences are frequently connected to Satan -- and Jesus had several encounters with demon-possessed people.  But in a recent Bible study, we were surprised to learn that's not always the case:

Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from [King] Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.  Saul's attendants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you." - I Samuel 16:14-15

Huh?!  An evil spirit from the Lord?  Yes, the Bible indicates Saul's servants had it right.  You can read another example of God sending evil spirits in Judges 9:22-24 -- in both cases sent in punishment for a leader's sins.

So if you're bogged down in sin or overzealous for things of "the dark side," this might be a day to avoid feeding that habit -- and even break free from it.  The devil has nothing worth celebrating.

Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. - James 4:7

Who's Got the Goods?

We mentioned a moment last week at The Sports Page where we explained to a server we were not good.  As best we remember, she told us we were for some reason.  So she was startled when we denied it.

Why turn down that sort of compliment?  Well, we're simply following a Biblical example....

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him.  "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"  "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered.  "No one is good -- except God alone." - Matthew 19:16-17

Admittedly, there are several ways to look at both the question and the answer.  The man who approached Jesus is known famously in the Bible as "the rich young ruler" (see Luke 18:18).  Some might say he was trying to "butter up" the Lord, to obtain some kind of blessing -- but we would note the man dropped to both knees, signifying an act of worship.

Yet why wouldn't Jesus accept the salutation, "good teacher"?  After all, Christ admitted later....

"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am." - John 13:13

Jesus seemed to hesitate over being called "good," even though he stood as God in the flesh.  And that may have been the very point.  Christ wanted to see if this young man would acknowledge Him as God.  The young man really didn't, either in word or action:

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."  When the young man heard this he went away sad, because he had great wealth. - Matthew 19:21-22

This young man showed he was not ready to obey Jesus fully -- and in fact, his wealth may have become a false god in his life.

Don't get the wrong idea: there's nothing wrong with being good and doing good.  Goodness is listed as one of the "fruit of God's spirit" (Galatians 5:22).  But good deeds should have a focus on giving glory and honor to God, while also showing compassion on other people in need.  To borrow a poker phrase, we "pass the deal" to our Lord.

Be Fruitful and Multiply

A recent post mentioned the false gods some people can create. The game of poker can bring some of them out -- such as money (especially if you're playing a cash game), success or even trees.

We noted from Galatians 6 the importance of developing the spiritual things, as opposed to things which are sinful. What kinds of things are we talking about? The apostle Paul answers that question one chapter back....

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23

Is it really possible to display these traits at a poker table? After thinking it over, we'd say yes. We've seen other players do it. And we've tried to do it.

Consider how some of these traits work together. If you control your human self's temptation to bet at a lot of pots, you'll automatically develop a patience approach to the game. You'll have peace and comfort in knowing some of the impulsive bets you might have made would have been big losers. And when a big hand comes, you'll have the joy of maximizing your chip stack!

The church group we attend is in a season of self-examination. We'd invite you to do the same thing. Consider the fruit Paul mentioned, and whether they're growing in your life -- including the time you spend in poker.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you -- unless of course, you fail the test? - II Corinthians 13:5

Poker Night 232: A Tens Situation

"You've been playing every hand," someone said to a man across the table from us at Lil Kim's Cove tonight. Trouble was, that man was winning most of them -- building a big chip stack, then betting accordingly. We gave up great cards to him a couple of times. Then came our hope for a big comeback....

BLINDS: 200/400

IN THE POCKET: 10-10

We're dealing -- and dealing with a serious challenge. After winning the first hand of the night with three 10's, we struck out with hands such as A-K and A-10. We have 4,325 chips. The big winner raises to 1,500 ahead of us. But he's bluffed at times, so we can't back down here. We call -- and we end up heads-up with him.

ON THE FLOP: 9-10-J

Can a flop be both pretty and ugly at the same time? This one is. We have three of a kind again -- yet the straight chances are obvious. Mr. Big Stack bets 1,500 again, and we really have little choice.

"I'll go all-in," we say and count out 1,325 chips on top his bet. Our opponent doesn't hesitate to call.

"Do you have the straight right now?" we ask as we show. "Because I've got the three 10'ers singing." Our opponent makes a facial expression of exasperation -- as if we've got him.

ON THE TURN: 4

Our opponent says nothing -- and he still hasn't shown his cards.

ON THE RIVER: Q

"Straight," says our opponent.

"Nooooooo" we say -- joined by several around the table, as the chip leader turns over pocket Kings. The river cards drowns us, as we're first out at our table. We pretend to cry on his shoulder, after shaking his hand.

MINISTRY MOMENT: We live a short drive from Auburn University, which is making national news because a supporter of rival Alabama allegedly poisoned two historic trees on the Auburn campus. That act and an arrest came up in table conversation tonight -- and someone asked why the suspect might have done it.

"He was upset because someone put a Cam Newton jersey on the Bear Bryant statue in Tuscaloosa," we said recalling one online report. "That's a case of 'God is not mocked' in Alabama."

Yes, we said that -- because some Alabama football fans seem to put the late coach Bear Bryant on a god-plane. (And by the same token, some Auburn fans are sounding like a sacrilege was committed by poisoning the Toomer's Corner trees.) But in reality, there's only one true God -- and we were quoting Him:

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. -- Galatians 6:7 (KJV)

"I'm glad I don't do that," you might say. To which we would answer: are you sure you don't? If you flippantly use the name of God or Jesus in profane language, we'd suggest you're doing it. And keep reading in Galatians....

For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. -- Galatians 6:8

You're mocking God if you live only for selfish earthly pleasures, and not the spiritual things of God. We'll consider that more closely in an upcoming post.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 94 final tables in 232 nights (40.5%) - 15 cashes.

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POKER TOTAL: Full tournaments - 119 point wins in 605 games (19.7%), 45 final tables, 4 cashes.

These numbers include the "knockout hold 'em" tournament we won last Saturday night. (We're one-for-one playing that!)

POKER STARS.NET TOTAL: Pretend cash games - $41,822, down $300.

The New Spirituals

The other night at Soho Bar & Grill, a young man said he considered himself "spiritual," but not really "religious." He reflected the majority of people in his age group, according to a new survey. Nearly three-fourths of adults age 18-29 say they're "more spiritual than religious."

Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily -- and in fact, it can be a good thing. Check a Bible concordance, and you'll discover God's Word uses the word "spiritual" much more often.

"Keep your spiritual fervor," Paul recommends in Romans 12:11. How? He answers: "serving the Lord." Verses 9-10 indicate that means practicing a way of love, and honoring others above themselves.

On the night the young man made the comment about being spiritual, we asked if he tried to put others above himself. He gave an "it depends" answer -- and in this society, we can understand that. Some people can take your honor and turn it into an attitude of dominance and control.

That's when you need something else that's spiritual in nature. Paul told a church he asked God "to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Colossians 1:9).

You can ask God for that spiritual wisdom, too. It takes what some might call a religious act -- seeking Him in prayer (Col. 4:2). But there's really no better way to gain help from the greatest spiritual power source of all.