I looked down at King Queen of Clubs after two folds. I raised it up only to get re-raised by the kid outta the small blind. I knew what to do…but I was tilted beyond reason.

An hour earlier the Bible Man told me a Christian View. It had nothing to do with the Bible.

I always know exactly what to do, always. Every situation, any opponent, always…I know what to do. If I fail, then my emotions have taken the lead. My emotions have taken the lead many times in life. I have failed in school, at work, with family, with friends, with women, with money…I have always known the better option though.

Why should I give up now? Why should I leave the game, that so many misunderstand, and not address what holds me back? If I were to leave, then I could join a church group? I could clothe myself in the righteousness of man? Yes, I will learn more about the righteousness of God. Yes, I will learn more about my own unrighteousness. Sure. But, I don’t need the righteousness of man. I’ll never clothe myself in it. I know I need God, desperately. But I don’t need to represent something that man will NOT benefit from. If I shine, I will shine a true Light.

Am I angry with God? Of course. Of course I am angry. Why not? Why is it my role to suffer at the hands of His people, of His own people? Why should I have to articulate, that every advantage men take over other men under the Sun is no different than the advantage a poker player takes. Why should I have to spell out all the benefits of the game? All the growth I’ve experienced from this game couldn’t be written. I am ten times the man, no 100x, the man I would have been had it not been for this game.

I have no church, but I believe. I believe that God created the world. That man separated himself through sin. That Jesus Christ is the only medium for reconciliation. That God will finish what He started in me. That I will finish what I started in this game. I won’t leave you all. Not like this. Not now.

My church is Table 23, and if that means I’m the leader. So be it.

God: The Creator, Saviour, and Leader

Open your Bibles to John Chapter 1

-It is evident that God is the Creator. It is evident that the Word of God is a means through which He has chosen to communicate to us. That Word is God. That Word is Jesus Christ. And for those that believe in the Word. For those that BELIEVE in the Word, He has granted new life. We are ALIVE to God. We are not separated from Him, but part of His family.

-Now, before God became flesh He sent one, John the Baptist, to prepare the way. And he said "I am the voice of the one crying out in the wilderness. Make straight the way of the Lord. [The prophet Isiah had spoken of this.] From Isiah...The Glory of the Lord will be revealed. The elements of the earth will lie down. The people will witness this. The Word will last FOREVER. He is crying, CRYING OUT TO MEN...GOD IS COMING! The Lord is coming. The Creator is coming. The Saviour is coming. The Leader is coming. The Everlasting Word is coming!! HELLO! HELLO!!! Wake up! God is coming.

-And so John sees Him. And he says...This is HIM! This is the One that takes away the sin of the world. He is greater than me. He was before me. I bear witness of Him. I baptize with water, but He baptizes with the Holy Spirit. THIS IS HIM! BEHOLD HIM!!

-And so Jesus calls his disciples. Follow Me. Follow ME. And they KNOW that HE is the SON OF GOD!

-So what does this all mean? Well, mankind needs to understand that we are in need. We are in desperate need. And that need is met in God. In acknowledging God's position. In believing in God's Word. In following God. APPARENTLY OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS DOESN'T CUT IT! Apparently, our lives don't measure up. We need to acknowledge/believe the Creator. Accept the Saviour. Follow the Leader. In doing so, we become part of God's family. The First and the Last. The Everlasting King is offering an intimate relationship.

God: Powerful and Alive

Open your Bibles to John Chapter 2

-It is evident that Jesus (God in the flesh) has power over the elements of this Earth. He created them. They are subject to HIM. There's no need for Jesus to wait on the life cycle of wine making. He designed it that way and could have done it differently. It's His choice. He is in Power.

-It is evident that Jesus is very much ALIVE. He is capable of rage. He demands man understand His authority and when He is present, man will see Him for who He is, ALIVE. He is the focus. Not mankind. Not you! Not me! He is the subject of interest and life. He is Life.

-What does this all mean? Well, God created us. He has power over us. We are subject to Him. He requires us to understand His position. He will force men to see Him for who He is. IT'S ABOUT GOD. IT'S ALL ABOUT GOD!! Powerful and Alive.

At least hes not an egomaniac.

Damn, I thought this was gonna be god's advice on how to play broadways against a resteal from the blinds.

I'd like to see God's lifetime graph before I commit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tGO79BtWUI#t=78

How can we reconcile the charity of Jesus with the "fleece the sucker" attitude of poker?
How can we overcome this contradiction?

God: Father

Open your Bibles to John Chapter 3

-People know. People know that Jesus is Lord. Nicodemus, a Ruler of Jews/Teacher of Israel, says to Jesus "we know"...we know that you are a teacher from God. All mankind knows that Jesus is Lord. Believers increasingly know that Jesus is Lord and above all. John the Baptist says Jesus...Jesus is the main focus. Not me. Jesus.

-Jesus tells men to believe in Him. Believe. Believe in me and I will grant you new life. Believe in me and become part of my family. Believe in me and I will be your Father. Belief. Have faith.

-So why do men know and not believe? Well, they want to be consumed by darkness. ALL of their works are Evil. They don't want anything to be exposed by the light.

-So, what does this all mean? Well, we got an option. It's not whether or not we know...we all know Jesus Christ is God the Creator, Saviour, Leader, well Alive, and Powerful. It's whether or not you want God to be your Father.

Hi Citi,

I have no issue with what your doing itt, but are also you willing to answer questions/concerns?

If have no issue with what he is doing, why do you have some concerns that you want him to address?

and why are you asking him his permission to ask questions?

Do this exercise (for yourself not me):

Replace "charity" with the appropriate adjective when poker is replaced by boxing, football, lingerie, alcohol, cigars, corporate finance...I think you should get the point.

I do agree, though, that the right attitude should be had in any occupation. I imagine there is a cutthroat, dirty, nasty, coldblooded florist out there somewhere.

I know many poker players are pretty "cold" people, and the language poker players have or that has developed over the years sounds "bloody"...it's proly shocking to outsiders.

I personally see suckers and good players alike...a community of gamblers. Be aware that better players have earned their lessons through much hardship in many cases. We know what we're gonna put a newbie through. We've been there. I lived in a ditch for months...AND I GOT NO PROBLEM PUTTING ANYONE IN THAT SPOT. I'm stronger. I'm better off. I experienced much growth.

Yea.

They dont.


Also views like this post more or less show your God is false. At lest to those who dont know.

Neeel, I dont really know what to tell you other then I was just asking the guy a question.





What are your general thoughts on Judaism and Islam, weather it be irt what you feel the Bible says about them, or how you personally feel about Judasim and Islam

All of their works are evil since they know but dont believe Jesus is God.

Jesus has never told me anything like that.
What does "believe in jesus" even mean"? believe that he exists?



That must be it. Every single atheist knows that its all true, but just wants to be consumed by darkness ( and it follows that they want to be consumed by hellfire, since they know that thats true as well)

God: Light to All

Open your Bibles to John Chapter 4

-It is evident that Jesus desires men (and women) to believe. And it doesn't matter what type of person it is. He talks about who He is, what He's doing, He performs miracles...He wants men to believe. He wants men to have Life.

-Jesus talks to the Samaritan woman about eternal life...Samaritans, Galileans.

-He thrives off His ministry. His disciples urge Him to eat. Eat, Eat,...Eat. "No, I'm doing the will of my Father for sustenance."

-So, what does this all mean? Well, Jesus (God), God, Jesus...God wants you to BELIEVE! BELIEVE IN GOD!! Yea you got problems, yea you got sin, yea you're not well...BELIEVE IN ME!! BELIEVE IN JESUS. I'm not like a cup of water. I Last Forever! Believe.

Missed the bus (intentionally). Follow a false prophet (intentionally).

ezgame

I believe! I believe!!

Just to follow up on my first response...Poker is definitely full of bad attitudes, big egos, etc. Poker is definitely associated with the sins of players which happen to be the "really bad ones" if you will. Good poker play is definitely above the head of most people (even though the rules of the game are easily understood)...

I started this church, Table 23, for the unrighteous. For the sinners. For the grinders. For the smart. For those who want to worship in spirit and truth.

And I pray that God keeps me from the righteous of this Earth. {Dear God sit me beside the sinner, the broken, the real,...Because you know I'll be tempted to break the legs of the "righteous".}

I think I see your point. Any occupation could be substituted for "poker" and the result is the same. I guess my problem is one of appearances or in connotation of the idea of being a Christian. There is also the knowledge of a newbie or a sucker that they know the same attitude as an experienced player -- that is, they (the newbie) knows what they are doing. In other words: the newbie/sucker is not a "victim". I think I see your point!

so...do you have any shred of evidence that the major claims of the bible are actually true?

Christianity doesn't understand who Jesus was. Even those who were around him while he was alive couldn't understand his message because it was not what they wanted to hear. I believe this is one of the main reasons why he spoke in parables.

The Jesus in the bible is largely a projection of what people were hoping for/expecting from a 'Messiah'. To think that a special God man will show up and "save them" - that is convenient. That way you don't have to do the work, you just have to believe and accept. Jesus didn't preach Jesus; he preached transformation.

...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOO6xPwwsn4

you too uke