Team Work

He lasted for awhile - but not long enough to make the money. "Jeopardy James" Holzhauer finished 451st in a World Series of Poker tournament this week. There were more than 1,800 entries, so that's not bad. But he needed to place 281st or better to get paid.

Holzhauer also apparently fell short in a second WSOP event, one that's unlike any we've seen before. He partnered with Mike Sexton in a "Tag-Team No-Limit Hold 'em" tournament. The rules state teams of two to four players can tag in or out when they're out of a hand. The tournament is still underway as we post this, but the tag-team event made a little money for one-time baseball star Jose Canseco.

What do you think of this format? It's different from some "poker leagues", where teams compete all day as individuals and then add up their scores like a bowling team. One player represents the team, and we suppose could swap notes on the opposition with teammates while they're out. There's something to be said for that....

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:12

In most cases, poker is an individual event. Unless someone sponsors your buy-in at an event like the WSOP, you're on your own from start to finish. If your life is like that, it doesn't have to be - and we don't think it should be.

God sets the lonely in families.... - Psalm 68:6

How does God do that? For almost 2,000 years, He's invited people to be part of His family, or His "body"....

And God placed all things under his [Jesus's] feet and appointed him to be the head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. - Ephesians 1:22-23

A well-functioning church has many members working together to do God's work on Earth....

But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.... so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. - I Corinthians 12:18, 25

Read this entire chapter, and you'll see this is not really "tag-team" action. Various members of the team have different roles, as the human body does - all functioning at the same time.

The concept of a church can be scary to some people. But we encourage you to find one that's true to the Word of God, and offer to join in their mission. If you need help with finding one, leave a comment; we'll be happy to help you get on the team.