Robin Dodson
Robin Dodson:
Vivian and I always did that, but always in fun. One time though, I wasn’t in the mood and I noticed my attitude changed not at all her fault she was just being herself. I took a break and prayed, felt the Lord speak to my heart “You’re not having fun”. I asked for forgiveness went back out and enjoyed my match…. And Won ;).
Tom Rossman:
I remember several times when my opponent tried to get me to “lose my cool”. Before I became a Christian I would take a stand, defend myself, or try to turn the tables on my opponent, in ways that, for the most part, did not help in any way, but rather sent me in the wrong direction for achieving any hoped for victory “on” the table.
The “attacks” (now understood as spiritual in nature) continued after I became a Christian. In fact, there seemed to be more of them trying to double down on derailing the “victory” in my heart! Through it all I realized it was the attack of my opponent by his or her “mental” programming over the years, and there was an opportunity to witness with the “victory” message Jesus gave me on the Cross…hoping to plant seeds of joy in opposing “hearts” in the process.
In quiet prayer during these episodes I realized that “praying for my persecutors” was paramount to calm any sea of confrontation. In addition as Jesus said on the Cross:
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34)
Calm the waters, dear friends with a burning focus on the special victory message of what Jesus did for us all on the Cross! The Holy Spirit will then have latitude to fight our battles and bring peace to challenging situations both “on and off” the table.
Submitted by:
Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman
Tommy Kennedy
Tommy Kennedy:
Well I don’t even know if I have a “Cool”, Lol.
I know it is very easy to lose it when you are playing under the gun for many reasons. Especially when you are playing unsaved people (Which are most people). Many players will try to shark you and move around when you’re shooting and many will start talking to someone when it’s your shot. There are many ways to lose it and get upset. I can remember just recently when I was playing in Tallahassee and it was very late and this was to get into the money. For some reason my opponent would not stop moving around in his chair when I was at the table. I know he was very nervous and very young compared to me. I hate to say this, but I feel he was doing it on purpose. I hate to think that way and the bible says that love thinks not evil against anyone, and love hopes all things. I know we are to love that person in return and to pray for our enemies. I know Jesus reviled not anyone when He was reviled. I know we are to forgive and hope always for the best no matter what. I have to admit I was at the edge. (Needless to say I lost that match)
At that point, all you can do is pray and seek God’s peace and beg God to give you calm in the midst of the storm. I was tempted to lash out at him and scream loudly, but I didn’t. I just committed it to Christ Who can give us a peace that passes understanding. I gave it to the Lord once again and let Him deal with it. I was really hurt inside and felt once again that someone has taken advantage of me. But that is the acid test. This is what it is all about!!! It is taking the hard times with the good times. I am not going to sit here and say it didn’t hurt. And I know it will happen again, many, many more times. But when you commit everything to Him and trust Him to give you peace no matter what happens, then my friend, you have passed the test. And all of this is just that, a big, gigantic test. Passing these tests and coming out of them still believing should give us great comfort and assurance that we belong to Him and that Christ is our Lord and savior. These extreme trials in life as we walk with Christ, and when we come out of them victorious, are a sure indicator that we are truly saved. These trials make us appreciate the good times and drives us closer to Christ for a deeper walk with Him. So in closing, just be grateful for these hard times and thank the Lord for giving you the strength to get you through it. He promises to never give you more than you can handle and He promises to deliver you out of temptation and the fiery trials that come your way.
So rejoice the next time someone tempts you to give up and give in to their sharking and treachery. Nothing that happens to you, happens without God’s approval. Just count it all joy! Tommy
