Revelation, Poker, etc.
I just opened the Bible again today and realized that I have opened it to the same passage 2-3 times at least now. Zechariah chapter 11 (the first part). Today I realized why.
God has set me apart to minister to the oppressed and the abused. The "flock marked for slaughter," "...particularly the oppressed of the flock".
4 This is what the LORD my God says: "Pasture the flock marked for slaughter. 5 Their buyers slaughter them and go unpunished. Those who sell them say, 'Praise the LORD, I am rich!' Their own shepherds do not spare them. 6 For I will no longer have pity on the people of the land," declares the LORD. "I will hand everyone over to his neighbor and his king. They will oppress the land, and I will not rescue them from their hands."
7 So I pastured the flock marked for slaughter, particularly the oppressed of the flock.
Ignore the rest of the chapter if you read this, I know this is out of context a bit, but I am sure this is what God was saying to me. (He is more than able to use an example in His book in different ways!)
I have realized lately that I am called into the world to love the poor and broken hearted and poor in spirit. I am called to get my hands dirty. The filth of this world doesn't scare me. (Indeed, many of the things that trap many people have no hold on me like porn, addictions, etc. But that's for another blog). I have noticed a lot lately this especially in relationship to having a few glasses of wine with an unsaved person. I have had discussions with Christians I highly respect about the consequences of me drinking, even socially. The argument goes that I am a leader with or without a title, and the difference in views is that either our culture doesn't support a Chrisitan in a church environment without it being construed wrong. I have thought and prayed about this at length, and the other day I was sitting having a glass of wine with a friend who has some homosexual issues and it occurred to me- GOD HAS ALLOWED me to drink in order to more easily minister to the poor and broken hearted. This was one of those "This is who God has created me to be" moments. I know that many people will not understand this one issue, but that is fine. I will answer to Jesus and that is good enough for me.
I played the best poker of my life last night. I played in one free tournament and 2 cash games. I place 25 of 79 in the tourney and only busted out on an incredibly long shot (333KX on the board and AK in my hand. What would you do?? She had pocket aces!! AAAAH!!!) Walked away from both cash games with money.
My poker reads are better than ever. This was the first time EVER that I really felt like I was a poker champion. All of the money and time I have invested is finally starting to come to fruition.
Beautiful night. May go to Austin to have a bonfire withi Joanna.
God bless!
Justin.
God has set me apart to minister to the oppressed and the abused. The "flock marked for slaughter," "...particularly the oppressed of the flock".
4 This is what the LORD my God says: "Pasture the flock marked for slaughter. 5 Their buyers slaughter them and go unpunished. Those who sell them say, 'Praise the LORD, I am rich!' Their own shepherds do not spare them. 6 For I will no longer have pity on the people of the land," declares the LORD. "I will hand everyone over to his neighbor and his king. They will oppress the land, and I will not rescue them from their hands."
7 So I pastured the flock marked for slaughter, particularly the oppressed of the flock.
Ignore the rest of the chapter if you read this, I know this is out of context a bit, but I am sure this is what God was saying to me. (He is more than able to use an example in His book in different ways!)
I have realized lately that I am called into the world to love the poor and broken hearted and poor in spirit. I am called to get my hands dirty. The filth of this world doesn't scare me. (Indeed, many of the things that trap many people have no hold on me like porn, addictions, etc. But that's for another blog). I have noticed a lot lately this especially in relationship to having a few glasses of wine with an unsaved person. I have had discussions with Christians I highly respect about the consequences of me drinking, even socially. The argument goes that I am a leader with or without a title, and the difference in views is that either our culture doesn't support a Chrisitan in a church environment without it being construed wrong. I have thought and prayed about this at length, and the other day I was sitting having a glass of wine with a friend who has some homosexual issues and it occurred to me- GOD HAS ALLOWED me to drink in order to more easily minister to the poor and broken hearted. This was one of those "This is who God has created me to be" moments. I know that many people will not understand this one issue, but that is fine. I will answer to Jesus and that is good enough for me.
I played the best poker of my life last night. I played in one free tournament and 2 cash games. I place 25 of 79 in the tourney and only busted out on an incredibly long shot (333KX on the board and AK in my hand. What would you do?? She had pocket aces!! AAAAH!!!) Walked away from both cash games with money.
My poker reads are better than ever. This was the first time EVER that I really felt like I was a poker champion. All of the money and time I have invested is finally starting to come to fruition.
Beautiful night. May go to Austin to have a bonfire withi Joanna.
God bless!
Justin.
posted by Justin at
8:40 PM
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