Miracles do happen, but not always in a second, a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a month, or even a year. Sometimes, miracles…and the “special” victories that accompany them…take years, decades, or even a lifetime to unveil their hidden marvels. I want to tell you a remarkable story of one such happening…with heavenly visions, mountain climbing trials and challenges, plus heart rendering victories. This specific Spirit induced journey began in September of 1989…in an Eastern Tennessee college town…and ended in October of 2002…at The ESPN Zone in Baltimore, MD. The intent of my presentation is to inform…and to spur your mind, body, and heart…to develop a new and renewed outlook for your game and life. My hope and prayer for each of you is to have many “victories” along the way!
My wife, Marty, and I had been doing the “Dr. Cue” entertainment and education tour thing since September of 1987…under a different moniker of “Hoppe Toad”. Our marriage commitment to each other…just one year before that (September 13, 1986)…was an answer to my prayers…asking the Lord to send the “perfect” helpmate to me in my life’s journey. I had followed many different paths in this search, but finally surrendered to His will for me.
Marty and I talked about forming a business “out there”…and not “inside four walls”. We committed our business to Him – the tour scheduling, the show/clinic presentations, and the financial direction for it. We realized that all we had was His anyway – our possessions, our talents, and even ourselves. We were simply to be stewards over it all and give back to Him first…followed by helping those less fortunate and those in need.
Two visions kept racing through my head, as we entered the third year of traveling to colleges, military bases, prisons, billiard rooms, and corporate venues. The first vision of RACK (Recreational Ambassador to Christ’s Kingdom)…divinely revealed to me in 1984…had sealed its “crusading” principle of maintaining a proper stewardship over our game/sport. A friend of mine from Cleveland, OH also experienced a vision…about the same time. His revelation presented a picture of “spiritual pocket billiards”…given to us as a “gift” of fellowship, once we get to that “beautiful pool palace” in the sky…all the while enjoying His Glory.
THE ANGEL…
Our show at East Tennessee State University in Johnston City, TN was not unlike any other – some shots making…some shots missing, some new ones…some old ones, some audience members applauding and some laughing. We were slowly realizing the meaning of the deep-seated visions received just a few short years before. The “victory” in stewardship – His way, and the “victory” in demonstrating pool in a positive manner…with the talents the Lord had gifted me with…started to etch a feeling of sincere joy and thankfulness within my total being.
After the show I started to put my cues away…focusing intently on the job at hand…directing my visual attention downward. I carefully placed each wooden instrument in its rightful place…within a custom wooden case my father had made for me. I sensed a bodily presence next to me. A voice spoke softly…with conviction and clear in its carefully chosen words: “Someday you will win a major championship” With an inquisitive glance, I briefly looked up at an elderly gentleman, with a friendly demeanor of calmness and sincerity. Then, I went back to my assigned task…closing my cue case. No more than 10 seconds after this gentleman’s encouraging words and my original upward glance, I felt compelled to inquire further into the meaning of his statement. My eyes returned to his former position, but he was gone! I heard no departure movements from this inspiring friend…in a venue area where concrete steps had to be navigated, and doors had to be opened.
I realized that I had seen and heard an “angel”. I believe this beyond any shadow of a doubt…because it states in the Holy Bible we will “entertain angels unawares”. I was totally “unaware” of an angel’s presence at the actual moment it took place. I simply saw a person stating a few choice words. The “speedy” and “miraculous” exit that had occurred convinced me otherwise. I would never forget that face and those words!
What did these words mean? The answer would surely come, but when?
THE MOUNTAIN…
One month later I surrendered the “Hoppe Toad” nickname and our company became “Dr. Cue” Promotions. “Dr. Cue” became a “doctor of billiardology”, and Marty became “Ms. Cue”…quickly tuning her agent skills for the “doctor”. Our travels expanded to new markets, new instructional products were developed, and a “niche” was discovered in the table trotter style of “Dr. Cue”…doing “artistic pool” skill shots…with a “twist” of humor. The primary focus of our work was in the college entertainment market, competing against jugglers, comedians, and magicians in the “novelty and variety” category of performers. The billiard industry attached itself to the “artistic pool” competitive formats designed and directed by “Dr. Cue” and “Ms. Cue”…on the junior, amateur, and professional levels. From October of 1989 to September of 2002, “Dr. Cue” Promotions continued to expand, as the demands of manufacturers, billiard industry league organizations, entertainment contacts, international “artistic pool” events, clinic sessions, private lessons, and a “mountain” of other commitments filled an already busy schedule. A full “plate” of sorts and an evolving “house” out of order became evident. The stewardship of money ran a steady course, but the stewardship of time seemed to slip away. Focus was maintained for a “time” of prayer. Thank you, God…for that!!
The fall of 2002 brought with it the challenge of our busiest tour schedule to date, coupled with 2 major competitions for “Dr. Cue” in October. Ten days into our tour routing a “trial of trials” began! I broke out with several rashes, ranging in type from smooth red blotches to blistery welts. On September 10, 2002, I was performing at a college in West Virginia…trying to hide the image and scope of my physical ailment. That night I went to the emergency room of a local hospital, and the next morning I went to a dermatologist, who happened to be the friend of a pastor we were staying with in Western Maryland. He immediately knew I had experienced a reaction to a medication being taken for another problem. I was given an option of canceling our Fall tour and going home for a 3 month “it will go away” process, or taking a 39 pill/23 day regimen of medication with “salve” treatments. I chose the latter…with due caution, as this “treatment” could also produce serious complications.
It just so happened that we had a 6-day void in our schedule (September 11 – 16), which is a “miracle” in itself. During this time, I made a fervent and complete surrender to God…as my creator…that my hands, my body, my work, my game, and my life were His. This medical problem was His, and I acknowledged that He was in complete control of the situation. Whatever His will was for me, I accepted it. I renewed my acceptance of Jesus, as my personal Lord and Savior. I made a commitment of “time” with…and obedience to…the Lord. I spent 6 days prioritizing my future work agendas, canceling non essential functions in our business, and deleting projects, which had created the “house” out of order pattern for me. By the end of the sixth day, I had gone through a wonderful healing process of mind, body, and spirit. Marty and I also experienced a renewed freshness in our relationship and garnered more strength and wisdom…to face the ever-changing streams of our work. The Lord had allowed this physical and mental trial…and the various challenges that went with it…to “get my attention”. I had climbed the “mountain”, and, along the way, I enhanced my understanding of priority, obedience, rest, stewardship, and renewal.
THE VICTORY…
What a sweet sounding word – VICTORY!! To some, it is measured in monetary rewards…while for others…it might be thankfulness for good health, a strong family unit, or a stable work environment. There are those that have “victory” daily just getting out of bed…or just waking up. In the world of billiards, a baby crawling across a green felt can have “victory” simply pushing the balls across the surface. A young child can enjoy the “victory” of moving a miniature cue for the first time, and almost everyone seems to experience “victory” watching an object ball rotating mightily with excessive sidespin. The gentle “click” of tip to cue ball…cue ball to object ball…and object ball to pocket create the sights and sounds of “victory” in our game. To many, it might be the “victory” of the “lag” or the “flip” of a coin to see who breaks…or the winning of a game…a set…a match…or even a tournament.
And to still others…“victory” has a spiritual affiliation. The motto of “Dr. Cue” Promotions is Rack Up A Victory…in book, video, and game attachments, but primarily in a seed enhancing affirmation to have “victory” in one’s life…with Jesus. Never was this more evident than the “victory” of “climbing the mountain” presented earlier.
Leaving the Western Maryland “retreat of renewal” gave me a new outlook on life and billiards in general. Marty and I continued with our shows, clinics, and private lessons, but remembered to commit time to Him in prayer and study of His Word. Several weeks later a “desert experience” of fervent prayer and communion in Christian fellowship took place. I met with Steve Lillis, President/Founder of Gospel Trick Shot (GTS) Ministries…to nourish the calm and peace within my total being. The “victory” of this time together, subsequent “victories” in the study of His Word, and a secular “victory”…finishing 2nd in the BCA North America “Artistic Pool” World Qualifier…all became special blessings in my spiritual “road to victory”.
My next competitive focus shifted to the ESPN Zone in Baltimore, MD. I was invited to the 2002 ESPN Trick Shot Magic event held on 10/9 and 10/10. This invitation in itself was a “miracle”, becoming the 1st part in a long list of divinely directed circumstances…that would lead to another “victory”. I felt at total peace entering the arena of electronic machines and noisemaking devices. Many players would think of these items as “real time” distracters to such an important competition, but I was able to maintain a steady and disciplined focus. I had prayed for this focus and the competitive wisdom for proper shot selections…so important in the “horse” format of this event. I knew in my heart that I had already climbed the “mountain”, and that I had already experienced the “victory”…in Him. What I didn’t know is that I was about to realize an “angelic prophesy” given me thirteen years before.
I had made a decision to use my strong suits – jumps, stopwatch timed specialties, novelty shots, wing shots, and an assortment of my favorite setup shots to challenge my fellow competitors. This strategy seemed to work well, plus I was able to make a host of difficult shots presented to me by my opponents. My focus was keen, and I remained very relaxed through each cue challenge. The final score of each match was close. A series of judging incidents in the final match tested me to the limit. I sought solace from the Lord during these final tests to competitive fairness. Through it all, He allowed me to experience the biggest “victory” of my billiard career – 2002 ESPN Trick Shot Magic Champion. Those words from years ago once again entered my mind! “Someday you will win a major championship”
THANK YOU JESUS – FOR THAT SPECIAL “VICTORY” – IN YOU!!
Victory Note: Be a good and faithful steward over all God has entrusted to you!! Written By: Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman December 1, 2002