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 Night 572: Well AJ-usted

Our last trip to Hollywood Casino Indiana was a confusing mess, with a "six game mix" tournament. Wednesday night, it was back to basic Texas Hold 'em. Maybe that's too boring for some people....

BLINDS: 100/200

IN THE POCKET: Ace-Jack of spades

How slow was it Wednesday night? So slow that cards weren't even dealt until 18 minutes were off the clock! Not enough people were at the two tables for play. But the usual latecomers eventually arrived to get things going.

Now we've folded a blind, and have our best cards so far. But we see these nice cards sitting in the leadoff seat. We limp in, and a couple of people at the table of five call.

ON THE FLOP: Jh-10x-Qx

A high-end flop gives us a pair and a big draw. Other players check, so we don't wait. We bet 400. One man calls, while the other folds.

ON THE TURN: 5h

This card seems harmless, but what is our opponent holding? We check for a clue. He checks. So much for that.

ON THE RIVER: 6h

This complicates matters, because now three hearts are showing. We could keep it slow, but decide aggression is the better response. We bet 500, and get a call. If he has a Queen....

"Jack with an Ace?!?" we say hopefully.

"You're good," he answers! He never shows his cards, and we take a nice pot.

Patient waiting for good cards paid off after that, as our stack grew - to 13,825 at the first break, then a near-high of 25,800 heading to the final table! But then big cards turned back for us - as A-K lost to a woman with 6-6, and A-J lost when the same woman with 608 caught an 8 on the river.

With five players left and our stack down to only 3,800, we saw 2-2. One player was all-in for much more, but we decided we couldn't wait for something better. We made it two pushes at the same time - but a man with (we believe) Q-8 hit a bigger pair, and took us both out.

Only the top two made money in a night with 16 entries. Bbut we finished strongly in fifth place (officially; by our reasoning tied for fourth).

MINISTRY MOMENT: At one point, we pretended to cool off a man who was winning hand after hand. "He's on fire," we said.

Surprisingly, that led the dealer to mention the recent devastating fire at the historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Something's been on our mind about that.

"What surprised me about Notre Dame Cathedral was how many people acted like their grandpa had died," we told the table.

"It's like if the Washington Monument caught fire," another player explained. He pointed out that monument is a symbol of the U.S., as the cathedral apparently is to France. (We visited Paris years ago, and don't recall anyone ever mentioning it as an icon for tourists.)

We understood the man's point. But we responded, "It's a very nice building - but ultimately, it's just a building. It's going to be rebuilt. They're worshiping the creation more than the Creator." That comes from the King James Version of this verse:

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen. - Romans 1:25

We've heard ministers apply this version in a number of ways - going after environmentalists and animal rights supporters, among others. But religious people can do the same thing, if they aren't careful. God's hand can be seen in nature or great art - but that does not mean the nature or art should become our god.

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.... Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone - an image made by man's design and skill. - Acts 17:24, 29

The other poker player seemed to understand our point as well. "But try telling that to the Catholics," he replied. Indeed, the Roman Catholic Church seems to put a lot of emphasis on icons - such as the "crown of thorns" in the Notre Dame Cathedral that the ministers there presume came from Jesus Christ.

Our point is simply this: put God first. Not a minister. Not a church building. Not a national or local politician. As Jesus put it....

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. - Mark 13:31

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 218 final tables in 572 games (38.1%) - 46 cashes. We're currently at six finals in nine tournaments this year!

A True "Main Event"

Our entry in last weekend's "seven-game mix" at the Heartland Poker Tour may have left you wondering. Why didn't we enter something we know - something potentially huge, like the "Main Event" of the series?

A satellite tournament win could have put us in their Main Event for only $80. But there was a good chance that our first tournament day would have been on either Friday night or Saturday afternoon. Those are times of the week when we do not play poker. We don't get to it at all. Why?

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work.... - Exodus 20:8-10

We actually received a high-five from a gym employee Friday afternoon when we mentioned the "seventh-day Sabbath." That seventh day is not Sunday. Historically, it's Saturday - based on what God passed down to ancient Israel. And it doesn't really begin at 12:00 midnight Saturday....

God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning - the first day. - Genesis 1:5

In God's timing, the "first day" began with evening. That means it commences with the setting of the sun. God reinforced this later with His instructions on keeping "Yom Kippur," the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:32).

But hold on, you may be saying - this isn't "work." It's a poker tournament!

Well, tell that to the "professional" players who make a living earning money from the tournaments. It's their livelihood. Thus, it's their "work." And most winners will tell you: making the money at a big Main Event can be at least a mental workout. Besides, the money is subject to federal and state income taxes.

We realize poker tournament officials aren't going to make accommodations for Sabbath-keeping players. They'd probably be stunned to see someone professing faith at a tournament in the first place. So we stay away from weekend-long tournaments, and the fame they could bring us. For believers, worshiping on the Sabbath is their "main event" of the week.

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.... - Psalm 95:6-7

Who - or what - are you really worshiping this weekend?

Poker Night 545: Push or Be Pushed

President Trump revealed his latest U.S. Supreme Court nominee tonight. But in the poker room at JACK Casino Cincinnati, that was the last thing on people's minds. Their attention was focused on "Ohio Cup" baseball between Cincinnati and Cleveland, as well as the Monday night poker tournament. That was true with us, too - and you'll read why....

BLINDS: 4,000/8,000/1,000 ante

IN THE POCKET: Ace of spades-10 of clubs

If the blinds are this high and an ante has been added, you can guess it's been a good night for us. We won some modest pots early to build a stack, then scored an all-in breakthrough late in the first term when our A-Q beat pocket 9's. We finished that two-hour session at 27,200 chips.

Other pushers failed after that, allowing us to reach the final table on a three-table night with 22,200. Then with nine players left, we accepted a pushing contest with Q-Q and won it - eliminating two players, and jumping our stack above 55,000! Another big showdown with Q-Q found us against pocket Aces, yet we won that and eliminated another man with a club flush!

Now five players are left. Only three will win money. We have about 34,000 chips - but with blinds so high and antes in every hand on top of that, that's still a precarious amount. A man across from us raises to 22,200. We see our cards, ponder for a moment, then decide these are big cards in a small table.

"I'm all-in," we say. Other players get out of the way, leaving the original bettor.

"You're probably ahead," he says - but he's committed to the pot, so he calls. He shows.... J-9! Yes, we start the race with the lead.

ON THE FLOP: 9-4-K (last two cards not precise)

Uh-oh. Our opponent has a pair of 9's. Now he's in front - but we have six outs.

ON THE TURN: Ac

"Yes!" we say. We've regained the lead with top pair! If we can dodge a Jack or 9 on the river, we'll double up and be a good deal more secure....

ON THE RIVER: 9

Wow! The third lead change in as many cards gives our opponent a victorious two pair, and sends us out the door. It's as dramatic an ending as you'll see in poker, and leaves us in fifth place out of 25 entrants.

(If a few more players had shown up, Jack would have increased the payout to six players - and that would have meant money for us. So this was a double blow.)

MINISTRY MOMENT: Several times when we won big hands, we told the players around us, "I'd be writing PTL if I was online right now!"

No one asked what that meant. But a few people seemed to know, and we explained to others - it's "Praise the Lord." That shorthand was part of a religious television scandal years ago, but PTL is still good to do. And it's good to start early....

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.... - Psalm 8:2

The King James Version translates the start of this verse: "Out of the mouths of babes...." Have you noticed how many people stop the verse right there, to respond to a cute or stunning thing a toddler or pre-schooler says? But those mouths are supposed to praise God! And here's why....

....because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. - Psalm 8:2b

The right word at the right time, even from a child, can shut up a scoffer or an opponent. Adults should be even more ready to give praise....

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. - Psalm 63:4

This verse explains why some people raise their hands in worship services. You can praise God in song (verse 5), as well as with regular speech. And there are many reasons to offer praise, beyond winning a poker hand or two....

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. - Psalm 103:2-4

The ultimate redemption for believers will come when Jesus Christ returns to Earth, as resurrected saints join Him in eternal life. That will be something worth praising - forever!

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 201 final tables in 545 games (36.9%) - 41 cashes. In our new home area, the count is now nine final tables out of 12!

Poker and Stars

Some people think poker is all about luck - catching the right cards at the right time. In fact, some casinos make that idea a marketing tool.

During our years playing poker at a Kansas casino, this was our "membership card." Kansas Star Casino has a "Lucky Star" system, where players can gain points for food discounts or enter giveaways. But really now - how lucky are stars, anyway?

You may have heard about people thanking "their lucky stars" for success at poker or other things. One online dictionary indicates the phrase has been in common English use for at least 100 years. Its origins may be in astrology of the middle ages, or from ancient China or Japan.

But the Bible encourages looking beyond the stars - to the One who made them:

God made two great lights - the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. - Genesis 1:16

There's one "star" in particular which covets our attention. But it's not really a star anymore....

How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! - Isaiah 14:12

The Latin version of the Old Testament translates "morning star" as "Lucifer." As in the devil. Many church groups consider Lucifer a fallen archangel, who tried to take over the throne of God and failed (verses 13-15). Yet Lucifer/Satan still desires our worship today - even tempting Jesus about it:

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." - Matthew 4:8-9

Jesus refused to give in to that temptation, replying that God alone should be worshiped and served (verse 10).

In contrast to all of that, the Bible speaks of a better "star" which deserves attention - and even our praise. And no, it's not a "PokerStar". We'll explain that one in an upcoming post.

We Three Kings?

Our former work colleague turned poker pro "Nicname" usually plays cash games. But he entered a tournament this weekend at a Choctaw casino in Oklahoma. Here's what he recorded on Facebook....

That flush had to hurt. But the timing of this hand was fascinating - as some people celebrated "Three Kings Day" Saturday.

The event is supposed to commemorate when three kings appeared before the newborn baby Jesus with gifts. The problem is that the Bible doesn't really record it that way....

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the time of King Herod, Magic from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." - Matthew 2:1-2

Magi in the NIV translates as "wise men" in many other translations. Simply because they were wise does not mean they were kings. In fact, the Moffatt paraphrase calls them "magicians".

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.... - Matthew 2:11

Our NIV Study Bible comments in its notes on this verse: "Contrary to tradition, the Magi did not visit Jesus at the manger on the night of his birth as did the shepherds. They came some months later and visited him as a 'child' in his 'house.'"

...Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. - Matthew 2:11b

Many people presume if there were three gifts, there had to be three wise men. But quoting from the notes again: "...the Bible does not indicate the number of the Magi, and they were almost certainly not kings."

Yet putting all the man-made traditions aside, note what the Magi did. They worshiped Jesus - even though He was a child, perhaps less than one year old. King Herod talked about worshiping as well (verse 8), but instead considered Jesus a threat to his throne and ordered a maniacal murder spree (verse 16).

Three kings at a poker table sometimes get dethroned. One "newborn King" can make some people mad. Yet that "king of kings" (Revelation 19:16) still should be worshiped - and the day is coming when everyone will:

...That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. - Philippians 2:10

We strongly suggest you not get angry about this. Wise men worshiped. You can, too.

Noallah for You?

Players in online poker sites have all kinds of unusual names. A few days ago at Poker Stars, we were joined by someone named "Noallah." With a name like that, we eventually had to ask in the chat....

flopblogger: Noallah, can't resist asking.... are you a Chrjstian?
flopblogger: (based on your name)
Dealer: babycakes317, it's your turn. You have 8 seconds to act
Dealer: tenslover210 has a pair of Threes
Dealer: babycakes317 has a pair of Threes - Ace+Queen kicker
Dealer: Hand #179390821428: babycakes317 wins pot (1,701)with a pair of Threes - Ace+Queen kicker
tenslover210: I thought same thing....

We mistyped "Christian" - but do you see why we asked? That name can be divided into "No Allah" - as in someone who opposes Islam.

Noallah said nothing in response. But someone at the table dug deeper - someone with Poker Stars features we don't have:

tenslover210: flopblogger: based on picture maybe just apolitical statement
tenslover210: Christians can like chimps and smoke but scarypic.

A lot of people in the U.S. have turned against Islam since the September 11, 2001 attacks. But we think it's too broad a brush to conclude all Muslims are terrorists. That's like saying all poker players are smokers and drinkers, based on a Poker Stars icon.

Do (or should) Muslims play poker? We'd never considered that question, so we went to a website which answers such issues about Islam:

If this game is played for money, then it is gambling which is haraam [highly prohibited sin]....

If it is not played for money, it is still haraam according to a number of scholars, because it is akin to dice in its dependence on conjecture and guesswork.... 

So devout Muslims and many devout Christians have at least one thing in common: gambling is wrong.

But based on the website's answer, we'd ask: Is not anything in our lives gambling? Consider....

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, do you not even know what will happen tomorrow? What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." - James 2:13-14

Based on these verses, people who announce their long-range plans should be equally guilty of "conjecture." They're making guesses about what the future holds for them. But they may be leaving Someone out of the planning:

Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." - James 2:15

God can change our plans in many ways. It could be through sickness or a nature-related disaster. We don't think these verses mean planning is wrong. But we should take our plans before God in prayer - because He might have something better in mind.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

By the way, the Bible's long-range plan shows Christianity will be proven right....

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 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 2:9-11

So to answer the question in our title: Others can have Allah if they choose - but Jesus someday will claim everyone's chips. And attention. And worship.

Poker Night 518: The Ol' Auction Barn

People who sell items on eBay hope for a bidding war to break out. People trying to buy a bargain probably hope for the exact opposite. We faced something like that tonight in the tournament at Five-Star Billiards....

BLINDS: 100/200

IN THE POCKET: K-Q offsuit

We're in the Small Blind early in the game. No one has raised at a full table of eight. These cards might tempt you to do it, but we decide to sandbag and simply call. Five players are in.

ON THE FLOP: A-J-9

We're one street off "Broadway" (a top straight), but the Ace has us wary. Sitting first in line, we check. So does everyone else.

ON THE TURN: J

The board pairs, but we're still more concerned about that Ace. We check again. So does everyone else.

ON THE RIVER: 3

If no one else is going to take a stab at this pot, we might as well with King high. We bet 500 in a semi-bluff, and two players to our left fold.

"One-thousand," says a man across the table. The fifth man to his left folds.

"I wanted you to do what they did," we say to our opponent as a joke. It appears to us that someone else was sandbagging - and since we lack a second pair, we assume the worst and fold.

"Bought the pot," a man to our left guesses. He certainly outbid us.

"Had a Jack," we hear the winner say quietly. If that's true, his tactic worked perfectly.

We won a few good-sized pots to reach the first break at 11,900 chips. But things didn't go well from there, and we finally had to go all-in with a lowly 4-2 of hearts in the Big Blind. The dealer flipped over two Aces, and the Small Blind had a third Ace to top us. We finished 11th, which was our best showing there in a month.

MINISTRY MOMENT: Our biggest win of the night was a 7c-3c hand that made a flush and cracked pocket Aces. But then other players made expensive pre-flop raises in the next couple of hands, while we had better cards.

"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away," we said to the table as we called. "Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Those words seemed to go over the heads of the entire table. If you know where they originated, you may be a real Bible scholar....

...Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked will I return.... the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. - Job 1:21 (KJV)

These are the words of Job. If you read the entire first chapter of his story, you might be amazed at how he was able to say them.

God allowed Satan to take Job's farm animals, camels, several groups of servants and at least his seven sons (Job 1:14-19; some translations indicate his three daughters died as well). Many people would have responded by blaming God for it all. But Job did not.

Then he fell to the ground in worship.... In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. - Job 1:20, 22

We don't think Job was tipped off to what Satan did. He simply realized God is the ultimate provider of everything in our lives. Job was reminded of that by God later....

Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me. - Job 41:11

If you've had big losses in poker lately, think about these words. Can you see a God who's bigger than your chip stack? Bigger than all your physical possessions? Can you worship Him, whether you have a lot or a little? If you faithfully can, God promises the ultimate prize in eternal life after this one.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 188 final tables in 518 games (36.3%) - 38 cashes.

Can We Tempt You? II

We focused recently on a column about temptation in the poker room. We noted temptation can take place anywhere - and even Jesus Christ faced it while on Earth.

Yet Jesus successfully resisted three rounds of temptation from the devil. (You can draw your own comparisons to a flop, turn and river.) Note the words Jesus used to push the tempter away:

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" - Matthew 4:4

The Son of God may have been walking in the flesh, but He knew the Scriptures very well. He quoted from Deuteronomy, to put the "word of God" above physical food (Deuteronomy 8:3). In the same way, there are times when we need to put the Bible ahead of a non-stop poker life.

Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" - Matthew 4:7

There actually are verses in the Bible where God allows you to test Him (see Malachi 3:10-11 for an example). But Jesus was responding to a challenge to jump off the top of the temple. As poker players need to discern the right time to take a big risk with a hand, Jesus realized this was not the proper moment for a "leap of faith."

Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" - Matthew 4:10

The Son of God refused to worship the devil. Are you doing that - even in hidden ways that might surprise you?

In all of this, Jesus defeated the tempter by referring to Scripture; the other two quotes also come from Deuteronomy (6:13, 16). That can help us when we face temptation in life - even in a big poker hand.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.... - James 4:7-8

From time to time we've offered Bible verses to keep in mind as you play poker. Search for them on this blog, then make them part of you. We don't guarantee final tables or big wins. But by resisting the tempting moments, your outcome may be better than you expected.

Aaron Sells-Out

At our last live poker tournament, the name "Aaron" came up - and we noted that's a famous name from the Bible. We meet him first in Exodus 4, as the older brother of Moses and a spokesman for both of them.

Aaron accompanied Moses in several showdowns with Egypt's Pharaoh. They ended with Israel coming out of Egyptian slavery - and the support was more than vocal:

As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amaliekites were winning. When Moses's hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up - one on one side, one on the other.... - Exodus 17:11-12

How many "poker wives" support their spouses quietly and loyally - whether in big tournaments or small? They may not literally hold the cards up so the players can see them, but they can give moral support and encouragement in many ways. It's easy to overlook them, but we shouldn't.

God set up a line of priests through Aaron (Exodus 28:1/Leviticus 8:21-30) - but then he made a big mistake:

Aaron answered them, "Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.".... He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it into a tool. Then they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt." When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf.... - Exodus 32:3-5

It's one thing to win a gold bracelet, at an event such as the World Series of Poker. It's another thing to idolize it - making it a god and presuming it's like the God of heaven. Even though God was displaying His power in amazing ways to Israel, Aaron defaulted to something Egypt had done. And then....

"They said to me, Make us gods who will go before us'.... Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!" - Exodus 32:23-24

Really.... really?! Aaron lied by denying he'd "fashioned" the gold, and claiming it looked like a false god by sheer coincidence. It's easy for us to say it now, but Aaron should have stood his moral ground and pointed the people to the God who was talking with Moses on Mount Sinai.

If poker consumes a lot of your time, either in person or online, you might have turned the game into your god - and you have a false god. You might need to do what Moses did for Israel....

So Moses went back to the Lord and said, "Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin...." - Exodus 32:31-32

Seek God's forgiveness, and make Him the true God of your life. After all, He was around long before poker - and He offers the gift of eternal life, to last far beyond it.

Put Your Hands Together

We've been so busy with other tasks that we hadn't played any poker in a month. But we had time to enter a National League of Poker tournament Thursday night. It turned out very well - 23rd place out of 1,190 entries! (Of course, only the top five earned money.)

Late in the evening, the chat went this way when two players split a big pot:

Dealer:  sloso splits Main Pot ($3,273) with Full house, aces full of deuces
Dealer:  hornytoad splits Main Pot ($3,273) with Full house, aces full of deuces
Me:  (church clap)
hornytoad:  Is that a socil disease you catch in church?
Me:  No.
Me:  :-O
Mr_BarnYard:  really
Me:  Polite applause for something
Mr_BarnYard:  church clap all day
Me:  I'll be in church this weeekend, though.
hornytoad:  OK dont need a shot for that*** lol

People who attend certain churches should know what we mean by "church clap." It's applause that agrees with a speaker's point or some member's success - but not as wild as the celebration for winning a ballgame.

With some poker players as well as some churches, even polite applause is discouraged. We personally think that's a shame, and here's why....

Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise! For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. - Psalm 47:1-2  (NLT)

In this psalm, noise-making is encouraged - as long as the focus of the noise is on God.

You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! - Isaiah 55:12 (NLT)

We mention this verse whenever someone suggests noise-making in a church service is a bad idea. If trees can "clap their hands" - and they don't have hands - why can't I?

But we realize there should be a balance here. There's a time to be quiet at a poker table - especially if a player asks for it, so he can think about a big decision. The same is true for worshipping God....

But the Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him. - Habakkuk 2:20 (NLT)

Some poker players and church groups go to one extreme or the other - either overly silent or excessively noisy. We suggest praying for God to provide the wisdom to know when to react in either direction, so you don't cause offense.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.... - James 3:17 (NLT)

Have fun at the table, and even at the church you attend. (Yes, we recommend that.) And don't be afraid to make some noise - as long as you keep things under control.

The Show That Never Ends

Our background involves working in television. So we're not sure how we missed this - but we learned only the other day that there's now a non-stop poker TV network.

Poker Central actually has been around for more than a year. It fulfills our old joke about turning on cable TV and finding a poker game somewhere, because it shows nothing but poker at every hour of the day and night. It has poker tutorials on weekends, but that's the only time the format changes. There's not even a late-night infomercial about how to spend your poker winnings on cheap real estate.

If other TV channels can show non-stop baseball, shopping or cooking, we suppose there's room for a channel like this. But with all due respect, we hope no one is watching Poker Central 24 hours a day. That might be a sad sign of poker addiction. Besides, there might even be better ways to spend your time....

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. - Ecclesiastes 3:1

Unless you've been staring at playing cards too much, you probably know there are other "activities" beyond the poker table. The real question is: which activities are the best use of your time?

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.... Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. - Psalm 90:1, 12

These words were prayed by Moses. He spent many days in contact and communication with God, especially in the last 40 years of his 120-year life. As a result, God gave Moses some of the most detailed wisdom ever received. You can find it scattered through the Biblical books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

Time in the Word of God can be time well-spent - especially if you apply what the Bible says you should do. And beyond that....

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. - Psalm 84:10

A good way to understand being in God's "courts" is to worship in "the house of... God." It certainly beats playing poker in a smoke-filled basement, where the game could be illegal. And we think it also beats watching endless hours of poker on TV - because too much sitting can ruin your health.

A little poker on television? We see no problem, if everything is clean about it. But watch in moderation, much as we suggest you play in moderation. Spending time with the original "King of Kings" can be even better in the long run.

Poker Day 472: A-Plus

The final school report cards are coming out across the U.S. Some students "aced" the test. Others didn't do so well. In poker tournaments, you don't have to wait weeks for the grades to come back. Sometimes your work is rated right away. Take what happened to us Friday at Kansas Star Casino....

BLINDS: 50/100

IN THE POCKET: A-10 offsuit

The start of the day was dreadful for us. Small feelers missed flops. Other players made pre-flop raises which kept us quiet. Our starting stack of 3,500 chips drained to about 2,200. But then a comeback began. A-J of spades brought a nice nut flush. And now we have these high cards in the Big Blind. No one raises at the table of nine, so we lay low and check.

ON THE FLOP: A-A-J

"Triple-A" is a club we love to join. We check again, and are rewarded when a man around the table bets 100. We politely call, and other players fold.

ON THE TURN: A

Turn cards don't get much better than that! Now we have unbeatable quads - but we remember the A-J hand, where we waited until the river to bet our flush, and no one called. Now we don't want to wait. But we also don't want to run our opponent off. So the best is a modest 250. Our opponent ponders - then calls. Good.

ON THE RIVER: 3

A meaningless card, considering what we have. Now we remember hearing something in the pre-game rule announcement about players being required to bet the best possible hand on the river, or risk a 10-minute penalty. But we still don't want our opponent to get scared. So with the poker face firmly on, we bet 250 again - and to our pleasure, he calls again.

"I had to bet," we say - and show our quads. The opponent knows he's been had, and surrenders without showing.

Then other players correct our understanding. We would have been required to bet the river had we been last to act with the nuts. So we could have checked - but that's OK; we gained more chips from it.

Our stack reached well above 4,000 by the first break. Then we split a big sidepot holding A-K. But we fell victim to the same problem we had Monday night - trying to increase our stack with potentially good starter cards, only to fold when big pre-flop raises came.

With the chips dwindling and blinds rising, we went all-in with A-Q when an opponent pushed. Trouble was, he had A-K. A King on the river gave him the win, and sent us away. Out of 63 players, we finished a disappointing 39th.

MINISTRY MOMENT: "I knew what you had there," a man to our left said to someone across the table at the end of a hand.

"So you were psycho?!" the dealer asked.

We heard his wording properly. "I noticed you said psycho, and not psychic," we told the dealer. He chuckled, realizing we got his joke.

"You never hear about psychics playing poker," we pointed out. "They'd win all the time."

That old line can apply to huge lottery jackpots, too. Why don't psychics clean up and make millions in those kinds of games? We think the answer says a lot about what those people do not have...

Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God. - Leviticus 19:31

Psychics, mediums and "wizards" (as the King James Version has this verse) all are from the same area: the world of the occult. The Bible warns such things are not of God - and if you're not careful, you could invite Satan to become a major player in your life.

I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people. - Leviticus 20:6

Some people go all the way to the edge, and live by what horoscopes and psychics tell them. They may not realize they're worshiping - but in the wrong direction.

When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? - Isaiah  8:19

Some people might move toward astrologers and psychics instead of God because they're afraid of what God might require them to do. But we don't recall any winner of a major poker title thanking their psychic or medium for it. After all, how could they legally give guidance hand-by-hand?  We think it's far better to seek God's help ahead of time - in anything you do.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 176 final tables in 472 games (37.3%) - 33 cashes.

Mister In-Between

Big-time poker may be on cable sports channels.  But it isn't football. Or basketball. Or hockey.

You probably already knew that. But here's why we're pointing that out. Poker players normally can't blame what happens to them on a bad call from the referee. Or poor instructions from the "bench." Or even lousy work by the dealer (although some have tried that). It's ultimately up to you, and the choices you make with the cards you have.

Our last post pointed out how some poker players would rather not talk about God or Jesus Christ. They seem more comfortable talking about people who represent the Godhead.

That happens more often in the Christian world than you might realize. Our last post noted it even happened with ancient Israel asking Moses to be their representative before God. But that's not really how God wants things done.

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. - Matthew 27:50-51

Why is that detail about a curtain mentioned alongside the death of Jesus? Because it symbolized a major change in worship for believers in God. Before that moment, the temple area was divided into sections....

Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. - Exodus 26:32-33

Israel was told God occupied that "Most Holy Place," and humans could go in there only one time a year - or better put, one human, in the form of a high priest (Leviticus 16). But the splitting of that curtain changed everything - as the New Testament era brought new symbolism.

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.... - Hebrews 10:19-22

There's a lot packed into those four verses. The blood Jesus shed when He died for our sins allows us to go before God the Father directly.

When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here... he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood.... - Hebrews 9:11-12

So you can "draw near" to God now, in worship and prayer. Not because of some intermediary high priest. Not because of an angel. Not even because you like some Christian celebrity poker player. As an old hymn says, you can "come to the Father through Jesus the Son."

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. - Romans 5:11 (NLT)

The poker players we met the other night seemed ready to keep God at a distance, with someone intervening for them. But God wants us to have close contact with Him - and actually become His friend. Are you ready for that kind of relationship? And ready to honor the God who invites you to it?

Save the Date?

One topic at the table in our last poker tournament was running. We played on the day of the city's biggest marathon - and we even had to allow extra time to reach the poker room, because of detours set up for the runners.

One player indicated some downtown churches don't support the marathon, because the course goes past their buildings and makes it hard for worshipers to attend. He noted those churches have "Sunday services."

This led us to openly suggest an alternative. "They could try having services on other days of the week."

Some large Christian churches actually do that. They've added meetings on Saturday afternoons and evenings. We've attended some of them, and a few draw a good crowd. But regular readers know we recommend that for another reason....

Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. - Deuteronomy 5:12

Which day is meant here as the "Sabbath"? If you think it's Sunday, think again.

And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. - Genesis 2:3

The "seventh day" on most calendars actually is Saturday. In fact, that day of the week in Spanish is Sabado - with a "Sab-" in front, like Sabbath.

If Sunday-keeping churches had to make a change for whatever reason, Saturday would be a perfect alternative. In fact, it would be God's.... well, not alternative, but His first choice all along. It was Jesus's first choice as well.

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. - Luke 4:16

Jesus kept the Saturday Sabbath. Trouble is, people who go into synagogues on the Sabbath and try to promote Jesus today might be asked to leave in a hurry. So both mainstream Christians and Jews have issues with God here.

We don't play poker on the Sabbath, because we use the time to focus on God and Jesus through Bible study, worship and prayer. We also use the time to rest -- and our life is so busy these days we need all the extra rest we can get.

So think it over. Is it time to change your worship habit, the way some poker players change their approach to hands to avoid becoming too predictable?  If you do, you might get closer to what God envisioned in the first place.

Sodas or Substance?

The day at an Oklahoma lake was very nice - a Bible study and worship service with fellow believers, two rounds of good food, and even a little singing.  But of course, we wanted to make up the costs of the trip.  So without telling anyone there, we stopped at casinos after sunset on the way home.

Some Oklahoma casinos welcome poker players.  Others have nothing to offer.  So in case you're planning a road trip, here's what we found heading north on Interstate 35 from the Perry area:

1. TONKAWA WEST - SODAS.  The cups are free, but the room has nothing but slot machines.  There's a bar in the middle, where we watched hockey on TV for a few minutes.  After the free cup, we moved on.

2. SOUTHWIND CASINO - SODAS.  In Braman, OK, the room had basketball on TV.  But that was about the only difference.  Slot machines were in abundance, but nothing more.  It was one cup and out for us again.

3. KANSAS STAR - SUBSTANCE.  Compared to the first two, this is a full-fledged casino. We knew that, because we'd been there several times before.  But on a busy Saturday night, a quick game of poker wasn't available.  Five players were on a  poker room waiting list, and the Ultimate Texas Hold 'em tables were full.

After pondering it for a few minutes (with a free smaller cup of soda, of course), we found a seat playing $10 blackjack.  It was the perfect time for us - as after an opening-hand push, we hit a couple of doubles and went up $70.  We left after a loss, tipping the dealer and taking $55 profit.

The moral of the story for us is this: some casinos are roadside moneymakers for businesses or tribes.  Let's face it: how many players really hit slot jackpots -- and have some skill required to do it?  But other places give you at least a some chance of succeeding.

It can be that way when it comes to religion, too.  If you're considering a place to worship, ask carefully if the leaders really are doing what the Bible says:

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction. - II Timothy 4:1-2

The apostle Paul gave this guidance to a young minister.  But it's good advice for evaluating a place to worship God.  Is "the Word" being taught?  As in....

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.... - John 1:1, 14

If Jesus is being taught and sin is being corrected and rebuked, you may be on the right track.  But here's another verse that gave us pause in recent days:

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. - Revelation 2:2

Some ministers can seem like "substance", but their actions are more like flat soda.  They don't live up to a Biblical standard.

Now the Bereans.... received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. - Acts 17:11

It takes daily reading of the Bible to know if a minister is true, or if he's bluffing you like a poker player who missed a big draw.  May you check it carefully - and look for substance in worship, instead of a bubbly drink.

High Hand Wins

In a recent post we mentioned a reference to "Elijah's chair" at a poker tournament -- an empty seat traditionally left at a Jewish Passover "seder" dinner.

It's easy to joke that during the original Passover season, the Israelites were playing poker.  How can you tell?

And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. - Exodus 14:8  (KJV)

See what we did there?  They had a "high hand." (Insert drum roll here.)  And the group with that high hand wound up winning big:

That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. - Exodus 14:30

God brought the Israelites out, through a series of miracles.  And today, God wants to help you come out of the "Egypts" of your life.

By faith he [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. - Hebrews 11:27

Israel was under slavery in Egypt for hundreds of years.  And Egypt can represent the sins which enslave our lives.  But to come out with a "high hand," it takes faith that God can help you do it.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. - Hebrews 11:6

OK, we'll admit it - "high hand" in Exodus means something different than making a royal flush in poker.  "High" can mean "raised," as in worship to God.

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. - I Timothy 2:8

If something in your life has you enslaved - whether alcohol, greed, or even a gambling addiction - lift your hands in prayer to God and ask Him for help and deliverance. Do so humbly, having faith He can come to your aid.  He's done it for many - passing over repented sins, and helping them march out to a victorious new life.

Across the Line

A conference call we joined the other night brought up the importance of being "all in."

"I've played enough poker to know," we commented, "that once you go all in, you can't take back that decision."

Especially not at a formal tournament, such as inside a casino.  The last time we played, we were reminded in the opening instructions that once any bet crosses a line around the table, it's there to stay until the hand is over.

So an all-in bet is a big commitment.  And since our conference call was Bible-centered, we were discussing being "all in" in loyalty to God and Jesus Christ.  Let's look at a few Biblical examples:

Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. "I will give it all to you," he said, "if you will kneel down and worship me." - Matthew 4:8-9  (NLT)

Now hold on here - this is the devil going all-in?!  Yes.  Satan pushed against Jesus, during a moment of temptation - and Satan had the holdings to do that....

Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe.... - II Corinthians 4:4  (NLT)

Satan is called this world's "god" - not the One who created the heavens and earth.  So the devil was able to push.  But Jesus was wise enough to turn it down:

"Get out of here, Satan," Jesus told him. "For the Scriptures say, 'You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'" - Matthew 4:10 (NLT)

Jesus put the worship of His Father first.  And if we're going to be all in, so should we.

Jesus replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." - Matthew 22:37-38 (NLT)

God expects an "all-in moment" for each of us -- loving Him completely, not simply "betting the minimum."

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded. - James 4:8 (KJV)

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There's straddling at the blackjack table, but not in poker - and not with God, either.

God is the best "draw" to be on, because He promises to draw close to you if you'll draw near to Him in a commitment of your heart, soul and mind - in fact, your entire life.  So since your life is "on the clock," what about it?  Will you go all in - for keeps?

Poker Day 425: Grade A-Plus

"King-anything" was one man's announced strategy today at Winners Cardroom.  Any King pre-flop would get him in a hand,  On the other hand, we played a little bit tighter.-- which sometimes worked, and sometimes didn't....

BLINDS: 100/200

IN THE POCKET: A-10 offsuit

We had a slight early loss, and start this hand with the Dealer button and about 10,500 chips.  These are nice high starter cards, but we don't want to rush into anything.  So we call, and about half of the full table is in.

ON THE FLOP: A-K-5

It's top pair and good "button" position.  A man to our immediate right bets 1,100.  We see no harm in calling that.  Everyone else vacates.

ON THE TURN: 10

Two pair make things even better.  Now our opponent bets 1,500.  If he's trying to scare us away, this won't do it.  We call again.

ON THE RIVER: 6

Probably a harmless card.  Yet our opponent fires a third barrel, with a bet of 2,000.  This is a case of what poker players call being "pot-committed."  We can't run now after betting so much, so we call in hope.

"Kings and 5's," our opponent says.  Whew -- no A-K!

Our two pair beat his.  He led at the flop, but we won the race at the turn and jump to more than 20,000 chips.

We stayed comfortable with chips most of the day -- especially helped when Q-J of hearts turned into a winning flush when we went all-in.  We made the final table on a day with about 22 players, then mostly watched as others fell away.

With four players remaining, we were dealt 9-9.  This worked for us last Monday at Hollywood Casino - and with blinds of 20,000/40,000 and only 60,000 left, we had little choice but to go all-in.  A man to our left called with K-9.  He gained a helpful Q-J on the flop -- and then a 10 on the river to make a winning straight.  A good run for us ended with a fourth-place finish, and only first paying in the Sunday freeroll.

MINISTRY MOMENT: An oldies radio station played in the background during our tournament - and at one point, we noticed the George Harrison tune My Sweet Lord playing.

"That's such a mixed-up song," we said to the man next to us.  "It starts out singing about God, but then turns into Hare Krishna.  God isn't supposed to be combined with Hare Krishna.  He's supposed to be combined with Jesus Christ."

The man nodded, hopefully understanding what we said.  But he would ask: have you ever stopped to listen carefully to songs like that?

Not every song which sounds "godly" really is.  It's something we think Jesus recognized:

To what can I compare this generation?  They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn." - Matthew 11:16-17

Does this mean God and Jesus are against dancing?  We don't think so, since other Bible verses show there's "a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:4).  We suspect Jesus realized the people claiming to do things in His name really were not doing that.

They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.  You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men. - Mark 7:7-8

Have you "let go" of God's commands, thinking that's what modern-day Christians are supposed to do? The Bible actually shows there are still commands to be followed and rules to be kept.

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.  The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. - I John 2:3-4

If you haven't opened a Bible in a while, we suggest going through the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and noting what Jesus actually says and teaches.  Don't believe what preachers say, or even what popular songs say.  They could equally be wrong.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 151 final tables in 425 games (35.5%) - 25 cashes.  We've now entered eight live tournaments this year, with six final table finishes and three "top fives."

Poker Day 423: Fake or Double Take

"If you're learning, this is a good place to do it," one of the managers at Winners Cardroom told a couple of players leaving the table this afternoon.

"Or if you're a cheapskate, like me," we said to him half-jokingly.

We were at Winners because "freeroll fever" has struck local poker rooms -- with several games being played with no chair rental every week.  It means we can play as we once did in Georgia: paying only the cost of food, drinks and tips.  And on Sunday, there's money to be won -- as Winners pays $150 to the tournament champ.

But with other players paying $10 extra for a "double stack" of chips, we'd have to play carefully to gain an edge.  So we tried to strike early....

BLINDS: 100/200

IN THE POCKET: K-9 offsuit

It's the second hand of the day, and we have close to our starting amount at 11,400 chips (2,000 extra for arriving on time).  We have the dealer button.  No one at the full table is raising, so we dare to enter small.  Most of the table is in.

ON THE FLOP: 5-6-7

This 5-6-7 doesn't strike anyone as heaven.  Everyone checks -- and while we have a straight draw, we choose to do the same.

ON THE TURN: 3

That's a miss for us.  But the table checks again -- and since we're last to act, we can try what they call on TV a "stab at the pot."  We bet 700.

"Oh no, you might have a 4," a manager at the table declares as he folds.  Uh-huh.

A young man next to him says nothing - except to raise.  He goes up to 2,200.  The players between us get out of the way, leaving us with a tough decision.  Did he raise because he smelled (correctly) a bluff on our part?  Or is he trying to out-bluff us?  We think it's the latter.  And in a way, we have 10 outs (3 Kings, 3 9's, 4 8's) - so we dare to call.

ON THE RIVER: 8

Thank you very much!  We made the top straight.  Now we hope betting history repeats itself.  Our opponent checks.  We offer 700 again -- but this time, he simply calls.

"I didn't have the 4," we say as we slowly turn over the cards, "but I have a 9."

We never see what our opponent has - but we hit the river well, to take a pot of more than 5,000 chips.

We won a few other hands as well, including a timely deal of Q-Q which brought a third Queen on the flop.  But the cards went dry as blinds went up.  With 12 players left, we went all-in on the flop with A-K and a flop of K-3-J.  A man called us with J-9.  But of course.... a 9 came on the river.  His two pair prevailed, and we were eliminated in 12th place.

MINISTRY MOMENT: We took a small reflector light for our "card protector."  We told a man sitting to our left during the one-hour break we brought it as a reminder to reflect the light of Jesus Christ.

"What do you think of Jesus?" we asked.  "Is he your Savior?"

We might as well have asked the man to turn over his cards before the flop.  He said nothing, simply staring with his best poker face.

"I hope everyone believes in Jesus as their Savior," we said.  He still said nothing.

Maybe he didn't expect our question.  Or maybe he was reacting to Jesus as other people did long ago....

Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?"  But they remained silent. - Mark 3:4

"They" were people in the synagogue -- probably Pharisees, who didn't respect what Jesus was doing (verses 1-2).  Jesus refused to back down:

He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand."  He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. - Mark 3:5

The "Lord of the Sabbath" did a healing act in a synagogue on God's Sabbath day.  Then the crowd started talking....

Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. - Mark 3:6

There's a time when we should be silent when it comes to Jesus.  That time is in worshiping Him and God the Father....

But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him. - Habakkuk 2:20

But if you're silent when it comes to the simple (well, seemingly simple) question of believing in Jesus, that can be another matter.  God can track our thoughts -- so what is your silence about Him really saying?

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 150 final tables in 423 games (35.5%), 25 cashes.  This was our first final table miss of the year, in six tries.