Brunson Sets Things Straight

We mentioned recently the first-ever "Global Poker Awards." They were presented in Las Vegas this weekend - with one going to a true legend of the game.

Doyle Brunson received an "Award for Lifetime Achievement." But in the process, he clarified reports that he played his final World Series of Poker event in 2018 - something which earned him a different award nomination, for "Moment of the Year." (Are people that happy to see him go?)

Brunson explained in texts to the awards show that he's simply spending more time "at home with my wife of 59 years." He added, "I'll retire when they throw dirt in my face." The audience remembered his classic line in the opening credits of Poker After Dark - "We don't stop playing because we get old; we get old because we stop playing."

Brunson's Twitter profile notes that he's a poker player, of course. It says he's 82 years old, although other websites dispute that. But it also adds, "Christian." In fact, a February tweet from Brunson says this....

I can stand the "jargon" and the f word but chills run up and down my spine when I hear the Lord's name taken in vain.

Does this describe you? That last part is one of the Ten Commandments, you know:

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. - Exodus 20:7 (KJV)

Sit at a poker table long enough, and you're liable to hear someone do exactly that. It could be a statement of disbelief over a river card, or a vent of frustration after a string of big losses. But it's something people should not do.

The New International Version quotes this verse saying you shouldn't "misuse the name" of God. That expands the meaning quite a bit - because there are many ways to misuse God's name, besides swearing.

Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 7:21

These words of Jesus indicate you can declare Him "Lord" all day long - but if you're not doing God's will, it will ultimately be worthless. You'll be kept out of God's Kingdom! Another Bible verse puts it this way:

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. - James 2:26

Some ministers claim it's enough to simply "speak Christ" into your life. That's a good idea, but it's incomplete. A true Christian life is reflected not only in what you say, but the deeds you do.

So congratulations to "Texas Dolly" on his legendary poker career. May it keep going. May his Christian works keep going as well. And may you learn from his example.