Christian Poker

I wanted to write something that weighs heavy on me from time to time.
Being a Christian and playing poker. I wanted to explain my thoughts
on the subject. To my knowledge it doesn't really say anything
directly about gambling. But there are several warnings in the
scriptures. Most of the problems Christians have with gambling is
because it involves uncertain money.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people,
eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves
with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10.

Every leisure activity is not a sin, but all sin is not clearly listed
in the Bible. Added to that, God doesn't just want us not to sin, but
he gives us an even higher goal. The Bible encourages us to consider
our activities in this way:

"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial.
"Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by
anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12

This verse appears again in 1 Corinthians 10:23, with the addition of
this idea: "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is
constructive." When an activity is not distinctly described as sin in
the Bible, we can ask ourselves these questions: "Is this activity
beneficial for me or will it become my master?? Will participation in
this activity be constructive or destructive to my Christian life and
witness??

The Bible does not explicitly say, "Thou shalt not play poker." Yet by
gaining a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures we have a trustworthy
guide for determining what pleases and displeases God.

Pleasing God isn't hard. He wants us to love him, and love others.
Playing poker can actually involve both of these. Loving God has
nothing to do with poker, tieing my shoes, eating an orange, or any
activity. So love God with your whole being. Loving others is often
hard at the table when they make a call for a one outer to come on the
river and it hits. I can honestly say many poker players are gonna be
disliked. But can you love people as Christ loved us and still give
them a hard time about their play?? I think the answer is yes, as long
as your not condemning his character. I also think God encourages
loving people through friendships. I have met and played poker with
thousands of people, and when that many people are put in your path
for a game I believe it's for a reason. God has blessed my life with
problems, and those hardships help others learn how I can glorify God
in hard times. I thank God for being able to minister through a game
and I hope I can continue. Remember being an influence to someones
eternal life can be as easy as being the small blind and talking about
your life to the big blind.

Keeping It Skinny,
FlacoJake

Milestone

Tomorrow holds a milestone in life. Tomorrow the first black president will be sworn into office. This is a bit scary and really cool too. I did not vote for Barack Obama, but I can honestly say since I can't change things I'm very excited about the change. Not sure if President Obama will change the economic reccession, or change the mind of all black men about committing a crime, or change Americas mind about Muslims. What I do know is President Obama has already been elected, will be sworn in, and will be the president for 4 years. Even if he changes nothing, I know I still believe in God, I still believe he provides for my needs, he still keeps me safe, and he's still above all men. Presidents are powerful men, and President Obama could result in being a great president who brought America great success. However, there isn't a president powerful enough to change the hearts of man. I am very proud to be an American and I will be saying a prayer of
thankfulness for our new president. You see I may vote one way but I embrace a certain amount of respect for any man in that position. Again God is always in control and it didn't matter if It was President Obama or President McCain my prayer would still be the same. I will pray for safety, guidance, paitence, and compassion for our new President.

Keeping It Skinny,
"Flaco" Jake

Black & White, Yin & Yang, Rich & Poor, Denna & Dallas

I like the idea of opposites. Things not meshing together because they are not meant to. This design created by God is for a reason. I am not one for questioning Gods design or his purpose for why things happen. However, I am one for admiring the creativeness of God's hand. I was a witness of something I was very blessed to see. It was Christmas eve and my family and I were at our home churches candle light service. When it came time to light each one of our candles we all did so and listened to the preachers inspirational words. The words were strong and meaningful, I was struck with emotion when I heard them. Nothing prepared me though for the affect it had on my children. I looked to my left at Dallas my 8 year old son with his lit candle in his little hand and crocodile tears in both eyes. My son was getting emotional after hearing the preacher talk about Christ being the light of our lives. How much Christ loves all of us. How we ourselves as
Christians can and should be a light for weaker people by showing them christ's love through our lives. After seeing this in my young sons eyes brought me to my knees emotionally. I felt joy that he can understand what it feels to get emotional. I felt convicted that I was being moved by a certain kind of service, rather then just being moved by God's presence in my life. I also had the privilege of feeling the great blessing of pride. Yes pride, pride that my son felt Gods presence in his own life. I am blessed everyday by my childrens differences. During my sons emotional time I glanced over at Denna. My beautiful 11 year old little girl was playing with the candle wax. She had no tears in her eyes and was wondering where we were having dinner that night. I'll be honest at first I was dissapointed that her reaction to the service wasn't emotional or moving to her at all. My thought was how could she not feel anything?? It only took me a several hours
to realize that by asking the question why didn't she feel anything I was actually asking God why did you make my kids different?? When I said that to myself I was mad that I could even think such a thing. You see I'm blessed that my children are so different. I want my kids to have their own minds, their own opinions, and have independent emotions. If I said why they are so different I question Gods plan for their lives. I think Gods plan for Dallas will allow his emotions of compassion and sensitivity to be used to help others. Denna's strong personality causes her to be tough skinned and a hard shell to crack, but will help others by showing strength. She will also need that tough skin to deal with issues in her life. I'm very happy with how Christ bring things to light when the time is right and your mind is wide open. Ironicly on Christmas eve God gave me a gift. It was the gift of seeing the beauty of my childrens differences. Publicly I just want
to say thank you God for our two children, I am truly amazed at your artist hand when I look at their faces.

Keeping It Skinny,
FlacoJake

On The Mend... On The Way To The ER.

Let me give you a little play by play. I have had bronchitis for almost 3 weeks. This weekend was the first weekend I actually felt pretty good. I still have a moderate cough, but its tolerable. I was excited to go to church this morning. I saw many friends that I haven't seen in a while. All of them asking how are you doing?? I gave them the same answer I always give I just said been doing fine. Not wanting to burden anyone else with a story of coughing my lungs out and feeling like poopie for weeks. I shook their hand and went on about my day. Heres the ironic part. I told someone this morning I think I'm finally getting better. Well, guess what I'm laying in a bed at Harris hospital with pain in my ribs. I'm waiting for them to perform a EKG and an Xray. This is quite frustrating to say the least. I'm thinking about the sermon I heard this morning about how trials show our true character. So how much longer until my true character is going to show??
Because I'm getting a little tired of waiting on this trial to finish.

Keeping It Skinny,
FlacoJake

Jakedp1980@yahoo.com

Miami Ink, L.A. Ink, Flaco Ink

Most of you know that I have a tattoo. If you didn't know you do now. My tattoo is on my right shoulder. Its of three joining rings with the word THR33. My tattoo has great meaning to me. Its a symbol of a bond between my two bothers and I have with one another. All three of us have the same tattoo in the same place. I really like things that have great meaning, espescially things that are going to be permantly on my skin. I have been wanting to get another tattoo for years. I have even come up with several designs, but have not done anything yet. Both of my brothers have gotten other tattoos. Even my wife has multiple tattoos. I just can't decide what I want to stamp on my body. I have several things that I would like to have tattooed that tell a story. I also have some ideas that I think are just cool. I just can't decide if I should get something fun or meaningful. With me being so "lean" or "fat challenged" I'm limited in where and how many tattoos I
can get. I am pretty sure that I will be getting a large tattoo on my back and perhaps one on my forearm. If I get both of them I will have to be done because I will have no more room. How many of you have tattoos that are very meaningful and how many of you have tattoos that are just fun tattoos?? I'm putting my email addy on all my posts now so feel free to comment here or by email. This post I'm sure is probably the most boring post I have ever written but hey sometimes I'm boring. This was just me thinking in text.

Keeping It Skinny,
FlacoJake

Jakedp1980@yahoo.com

What's Plan B??

So my decision to play smarter poker has worked out GREAT!! I am down about $400 in less then a week. I am successful at one thing second guessing my previous decision.

Keeping It Skinny,
FlacoJake

Positive Evolution

My decision to play smarter poker became a reality last night. I was very happy with how I played last night. I finished the night being stuck $60, but it wasn't from playing like a donk. I credit my loss to one bad read and one huge pot. We were four handed, ATC Dave L was SB, Scott was BB, Dad had straddled for $2, I double straddled for $4. Dave called the $4, Scotty raised to $10, Dad folded, I called the other $6 with J7 of club, and Dave called. I really didnt put Scott on anything other then a small pocket pair or something like QJ. The flop came out with an ace and a 7 plus a blank card, Scott made a continuation bet of $10, I called the $10 thinking I have the best hand. The turn brought a king of diamonds putting three diamonds on the board. I bet $10, Scott raises to $20, still feeling like he was pushing me I went all in. Scott went into the tank wondering if I hit the flush. He repeatedly ask me "did you hit the flush??" he even sent me a
text during the hand reading "did you hit the flush??" After him thinking for a couple of minutes he called with top two pair. Taking down a $160 pot. In retrospect of the hand I don't think I played it poorly. I really didnt put him on that big of a hand, and being in my betting position, and outchipping him by about $20, it wasn't a bad move. If the turn brought a diamond that wasn't a king giving him his 2nd pair, he folds. After that big loss I reloaded for $20 more. Played for a while up then down, I ran into another hand with Scott. Flopping a flush made me feel great. Then a fourth diamond on the turn gave Scott the nut flush and me the second nuts. At 2:00 am we ended the game with a game of 7 card no peek for $7 per man. I sweated out a straight to the six. I was golden with one card left in dads hand. Rubbing his card miyagi style like he does trying to maverick his card into the one he needs. He is dead to a jack, and what happens?? He rivers
the jack!! What a stupid game!! I think I will start taking a 80% rake on the stupid no peek games dad magicly never loses at. All in all I was pleased with the game I played even though I lost money. I think I saved myself quite a bit of money playing smarter rather then harder.

Keeping It Skinny,
FlacoJake