Advertisement
Advertisements
October 9, 2007 | 9:26 pm
The World Series of Poker, which I’ve written about before—both homeless hero and Hollywood champ—is such a long event that nerves are understandably frayed by the time players reach the final table. But what I saw last night on ESPN was just plain odd.
Jerry Yang, who went on to win the event and receive the world champion bracelet, was all-in against the most seasoned pro remaining, Lee Watkinson. Suddenly, Yang and Watkinson’s girlfriend entered a pray-off.
She: “Come on, Father! In Jesus’ name, no weapon formed against You shall prosper.“
He: “Come on, Lord. You know your purpose for me. Come on, Lord, have a purpose for me today.“
She: “Come on, make him a believer. Make me a believer, Father.“
That’s when color commentator Norman Chad deadpanned: “I’m not sure who the Lord is listening to, but Watkinson needs a seven or he’s done.“
Then Yang returned: “Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, let me win this one.“
He does, and the cameras pan to his exultant mother, who is lifting her hands to the heavens and whispering, “hallelujah.“
A couple hands later, when Yang catches a miracle card to take control of a hand, he tells God, “Let people see Your miracles. I believe in You.“
Forget the complications of such prayer and praise (does God really care how his children fare against each other at the poker table?), these players are actually quoting scripture as if the devil is tempting them in the desert. I’m a big fan of involving God in every aspect of your life. And I would hate to underestimate the power of prayer. But this really rubs me wrong.
Yes, I do think this is different than my request that people pray for the quick recovery of Kevin Everett. And, by the way, I played poker at Hollywood Park after the World Series; I could have used some prayers.
Posted by Brad A. Greenberg in 3 Comments — Leave your comment
Share this post:
del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Google
Reddit
StumbleUpon
Technorati
YahooMyWeb
We welcome your feedback.
Your information will not be shared or sold without your consent. Get all the details.
academia america american jews anti-semitism atheism barack obama books capitalism catholicism christianity crime entertainment europe evangelicals family god holidays holocaust iran iraq islam israel jesus jihad john mccain judaism los angeles media middle east personal politics president 08 president bush president 08 sarah palin satire science sexuality sports the law
Advertisement
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
God's Blog
God for President
Book Bits
Caption Contest
Jewish genius
Strange science
Who is a Jew?
World of Worship
Advertisements
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge last week dismissed the criminal case against four Iranian American Jews. One woman and three men were accused of kidnapping and holding for ransom a man the defendants claimed had cheated them out of $100,000 in a business deal.
Daniel Kliman's body was found Monday in a San Francisco building where he was taking Arabic classes. It had been at the bottom of the elevator shaft since Nov. 25, building manager Brad Bernheim told the San Francisco Chronicle. There were no classes held last week, and the
Until now it is unclear whether Obama and his advisers will address the internecine Palestinian conflict as a key component in their Middle East foreign policy. If they fail to confront this critical issue, we risk engaging in yet another failed round of diplomacy. And as we
Parshat Toldot (Genesis 25:19-28:9) Why does a mourner eat a round food? The circle represents the circle of life, and it is supposed to remind the mourner that life is cyclical: The tragedy of death that has stricken me today will strike my neighbor tomorrow.
The United Nations announced last year that the procedure could reduce the rate of HIV transmission by up to 60 percent. It was in Israel, with its experience performing adult male circumcision on a wide scale, that the international medical community found an unlikely partner
Serving a community of 600,000, The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angles is the largest Jewish weekly outside New York City. Our award-winning paper reaches over 150,000 educated, involved and affluent readers each week. Subscribe here.
© Copyright 2008 The Jewish Journal and JewishJournal.com
All rights reserved. JewishJournal.com is hosted by Nexcess.net
i think that calling god’s name in vain is blasphemy. it’s only a game ... no higher power should be involved in its causes.
All I can say is “WOW”.
Oh if only to have a pile of money like that sometime!