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Doug's intro

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Douglas Wayne Thomas:
Hello everyone let me start off by saying that Ray's teachings have given me a great amount of education, joy, and peace of mind.

I am a 46 year old white male who lives in Kissimmee Florida. I am currently single and have one 26 year old son who is in the Navy.

I am working on my PhD. in Criminology and should be finished within 2 years from now. I was teaching at the college level until budget cutbacks kicked in and I was laid off. While I was teaching I went scuba diving in Belize and stepped on a sea urchin. Subsequently this injury almost cost me my lower right leg. After I was injured and laid off I got disability for a short time until that ran out also. This is where the story gets interesting.

I had a dream to play 4 numbers from our play 4 lottery game in Florida. The next day I had won $5,000 dollars. The day after that an old friend called me up, out of the blue, and wanted to know if I wanted to play some poker at the Casino in Tampa. Tampa is 68.5 miles away from my house. I happen to know this because for the last year I have become a Professional Poker Player.

The money is very good and since I can not work a regular job anymore it has been my only source of income. In my defense; I do not drink or smoke or have any other vices besides playing cards. Also I hate to gamble, playing Poker for me is more about strategy and Psychology.

I am not seeking approval or condemnation, however I have read my bible several times and know that playing cards is not probably the best way to spend my time. I also know the Roman soldiers were casting lots (similar to dice) for Jesus' robe. And yes; the love of money, or the lust for money, is the root of all evil. I would just like some people's take on my dilemma. Preferably with Biblical quotes that could enlighten me.

I have just started to read these pages and can tell that there is a great deal of wisdom in this online comunity.

carol v:
Welcome Doug -- I am sure you will get lots of opinions. I am a stock trader and frequently a day trader and have had some of the same questions as you. This is all I know how to do. I have migraines and am a single mom of teenagers -- I need flexibility.

Matthew was a tax collector.

I don't trade to get rich. I trade for income. I live a pretty simple life. I spend money on raising kids and bills. I don't worship money.

But I certainly have fears about having no money -- so I have lots of flesh still to burn. I don't want to build myself up as being completely comfortable with what I do. I try to find balance but trading can be a huge undertaking. I've been taking some time to slow down recently but when I'm in full force, it's a 10-hour day. And I need to get back to full force soon now that school has started.

I think it's not necessarily what we do but how we do it that matters. I was a trader before I found God and His truths. I might feel better about things if I had been a nurse but I wasn't. I might feel better if I could work with my hands but I can't.

The only other thing I can do well is advertising and graphics but unfortunately they are centered around the big holidays -- Christmas, Easter, etc. Last time I considered taking an advertising position I knew I could not do it unless I sold/designed for Christmas.

It is important to live the commandments of God in all professions for sure. I belong to a trading chatroom that I mostly just monitor for market info but occasionally I will make comments or participate. I have had a feeling that some have put me on ignore and I'm not even being "heard" because you can click on the profile of anyone in the chat -- my profile has a short paragraph on the salvation of all and the love of God -- hence I'm on ignore for many. Being hated for His namesake is a part of it no matter what we do.

Anyway, you are bound to get many opinions.

I would have a tough time with the poker for a living too but I'm not going to judge your situation. I love Texas Holdem -- not to play myself but I have enjoyed watching on TV. Some more fundamentalist types teach that playing cards are pagan and related to tarot. I don't know. I love playing bridge on computer to relax and use my brain. I grew up playing cards and really enjoy it.

As far as casting lots for Christ's robes -- we are all guilty of that. We have all sold Christ for 30 pieces of silver. We are to live "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." We are all guilty of all. I have denied Christ at the cross like Peter. Sold Him down the river like Judas. Slayed other believers like Paul. Now Christ is working in me directly and I hope and pray I am becoming more like Peter and Paul after their transformations.

Any tool created by God can be used for good or evil -- knives, guns, lots, cards, trading, and even missionary work.

But welcome to the forum...this is liable to be an interesting thread you've started ;)

carol

gmik:
Welcome Doug and I do mean WELCOME.  Both of you thanks for your stories.  How varied and interesting God's people are!!  Bloom where you are planted!!

I hope our forum is mature enough to welcome anyone regardless of whatever and whoever--if you love God//Jesus and love Ray's teachings then welcome aboard!!

We are to judge not lest we be judged.  Besides we are all where God has placed us!!

Beloved:
Welcome Doug If you are playing against the house, statistically speaking you are on the losing side, however I agree it is all about strategy and understanding statistics and tactics. 

I think if you were cheating then it would definitely would be an issue. Some forms gambling (roulette) is worse than others because "luck" is even more in favor for the house and the statistical odds of winning get higher. Counting in 21 can help but they will eventually kick you if they see you doing it. They will kick you if they see you are consistently winning eventually and then tell the other casinos.

Yes Matthew was a tax collector but he left it for something better, God has taken you down this path and He knows why and what for. perhaps it will be useful for use in dealing with crime.

I am glad you have found the forum and will be able to learn and see more. Realling "Resting in God" this is depending on Him ONLY can be very hard to learn for most of us.  Resting with Him during good times is easy, resting during hard times is what trips most of us up.

No one here should judge you, but we are all learning to judge ourselves daily and we are being rewarded and chastised regularly.
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Beloved

Stevernator:
Welcome Doug. There are lots of great papers on the main bibletruths.com site and transcripts in the introduction/more of rays teachings area. There are many helpful people here so enjoy!

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