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Here we go again...someone is leaving the hobby
Gforce083 |
Mar 3 2012, 08:48 PM
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It's true, I of all people am stepping away from this great hobby. First I will say, this is not easy for me to even say and I still have to follow through with it. My love for this hobby is still as strong as ever, I know this process is going to hurt. I started collecting long ago when an uncle of mine owned a card shop in my local town. I have been involved in this hobby for the majority of my life, so actually going through with this is like losing a part of myself. I have never been in this hobby as a financial investment. It's always been done as another way to enjoy a sport and players I enjoy. So you're probably asking why, why would he be leaving something he still loves and enjoyes so much? That answer can be a bit complicated or very simple, depending on how you look at it. For the past year or so I've have this thought in the back of my mind; "These cards don't matter in the bigger picture of life" and the question, "Do I value these cards more than I do the things much more important?" At one point, I asked my wife "Do you see my card collecting as a bad thing?" and she said "No, I know you enjoy it and I see nothing wrong with it" Hearing that from here suppressed some of my feelings many months ago. Knowing that I enjoy it so much and knowing how much a part of my life it is, I continued. Eventually, those thoughts crept back into my mind, almost to a point of conviction. Then came a clear confirmation this past Friday... I was listening to an interview between David Platt and Katie Davis (I'll explain who they are in a minute), by the end of it, the only thought I had was "I have to sell my collection, period." If you don't know, I am a Christian, I admittedly haven't always been the best example of that throughout my time here but that is where my belief resides. With that in mind, over the past couple years, I, like many non-Christians as well, have grown very skeptical and uncomfortable with the "American Church". Now, all that is for another discussion... However, it was because of those feelings that I really began to seek out truth and tried to understand what the biblical Gospel really is (I'm still learning). In my quest, the more I learned, the more I felt it needed to change on my life. What good is it for me to learn and better understand things and not live a life that reflects that understanding? So what does that have to do with card collecting? I see nothing inherently wrong with being involved in this hobby, not one bit. No part of me feels like card collecting is a "sin", don't think that's what I'm getting at here. With me, heres my issue... I have let this hobby get to such a place in my life where I value it more so than I do much more important things, even God. When something gets to that point in a Christians life, it's an idol, and that can't be. Another part of this is about Jesus' teachings on living a "simple" life and having a heart for giving. As I began to understand that more, I realized that all I'm doing is accumulating stuff, that's all it is, stuff. I finally realized that I struggle between how much I valued this hobby in my life, compared to how much I valued God. That is why I have to get out and why I have such a strong conviction to do so. If you're a fellow believer in Christ, I don't know how this hits you. I am not saying you're wrong or doing anything against God for being involved in this hobby. If it's in a place in your life where you have a healthy control over it and it doesn't out-value God in your life, I see nothing wrong with it. What I will say is that, if you were asked to give this or anything for that matter, up for the sake of your faith, could you? If we have the same reaction as the "rich man" did when Jesus told him to sell all he had and then come follow him and we struggle with making that choice...then we know there's a problem. And that's where I am. I said it at the beginning of the post, walking away from this hobby is going to be painful. However, I know once I walk through this, It's going to be worth it when I come out on the other side. Could I come back to this hobby one day? I can't answer that at this moment. I told you earlier, I'd explain who these two people are... David Platt is the pastor of Brook Hills Church in Birmingham, AL and Katie Davis is a 23-24 year old woman from Nashville, TN who now lives in Uganda running an organization called Amazima. Platt is a man who has set out to turn the "American Church" upside down, or rather, right side up. I admire what God is doing through him and his life. Katie Davis has gone against the cultural norm, her parents desires and followed the instructions she felt God placed on her life. It's a truly amazing story and she is doing great things in the country of Uganda. For this, I am not selling my collection as a means to gain the monetary value from it. The majority of what I bring in is going to be donated directly to Katie's organization, Amazima. If you're interested in what really ignited such a change in my life, here is the full 54min interview between Platt and Davis (I find it worth the time): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZmWW_qL9IoIf you're not inclined to watch that, here is a short (3min) promo on Amazima and what they do: http://youtu.be/jGyYsA62CxYIf you'd like any "teachings" relating to anything I've been talking about, let me know and I'll pass those along. Lastly, my entire Photobucket is for sale. Every last card, so check it out and let me know what you need prices on. PS. I don't own the Matt Ryan 1/1 anymore and all Bears stuff could be going to my dad. http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd251/Gforce083TS/
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Replies
Gforce083 |
Mar 6 2012, 06:07 PM
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QUOTE(Gadsden86 @ Mar 6 2012, 04:50 PM) Its sad to see another person leave the hobby. I myself am a Christian i go to a Mens group every sunday and have learned alot and still learning alot. I do feel on the other hand as long as something such as collecting cards doesn't take over your life and you still spend time w/ Your wife/ husband/ Girlfriend/ boyfriend..... it is ok to have. I also understand where you are coming from with the idol thing. I have though a few times do i have too much involved in my hobby. Then i think no. You need something in your life other than the everyday montomy to help you take your mid off things. I wish you all the best in your decision and hope things turn out for what you want now. Good luck. Thanks for the comments and thoughts. Every Christian, no matter if you accepted it yesterday or 80 years ago, we're all still learning. This is something that goes beyond church or a study group attendance, it's a transformation of lifestyle. This whole thing goes far beyond cards "taking over" my, what's to be considered worldly life. Meaning, my wife and family where never put on the back burner for this hobby. Maybe once, when we first moved to Nashville with no jobs and I made about $30 worth in shipping trades, when we really didn't have the $30. That was the end of that though. Anyways, for me personally, as I said in original post, it came down to the fact that card collecting became an idol in my life. Meaning, I often valued this hobby higher than God. Sounds crazy to type that or even say it, but it's my reality. It's not about how "involved" you are or how much you put into it, it's about where you value this OR ANYTHING ELSE in your life versus the value you place on God and your faith. As a brother, I encourage you, only because you've admitted to the thought of this also being an idol in your life, to really pursue and reflect on those thoughts. That's where it all started for me over a year ago, it was always there in the back of my mind. Yet, I'd continue to find ways to justify what I was doing and make myself fell like it was ok. We have to realize, if we try hard enough, we'll always find a way to justify anything that we want to. Think about the dangers in that. I'm not telling you that this hobby is an idol in your life, I can not attest to that. The fact that you would bring it up though, is what concerns me. Make sure, 100% sure, that you know where your treasures lay and that you understand, the material things of this earth will pass and mean absolutely nothing. As a Christian, if you struggle with the thought of giving your collection up, should you feel the conviction to, check yourself and where you've placed this in your life. Sure, this hobby as with any hobby is a means to break the "monotony" in ones life. However, you've really got to think about your statement there, are you using this hobby as a replacement for what God could and should be doing in your life instead? With all that said, to everyone else, I mean no ill will on this hobby. I think it's great, it's fun, it's not a sin, it's don't think it's wrong to be involved in it. This decision of mine is a personal call and conviction on my life.
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Posts in this topic
Gforce083 Here we go again...someone is leaving the hobby Mar 3 2012, 08:48 PM sasports First, I am sorry to hear that you are leaving th... Mar 3 2012, 09:01 PM Gforce083
Thanks. I'll try to look out for any 616... Mar 3 2012, 09:39 PM RGBII [b]While you and I have had our scraps, know this ... Mar 3 2012, 09:10 PM Gforce083
Thanks Richard. We all got some heathen in us...... Mar 3 2012, 09:44 PM mjda I must say that I'm absolutely, positively, 10... Mar 3 2012, 09:25 PM Gforce083
Me too! Thank you for your comments though. ... Mar 3 2012, 09:45 PM aceecards Well Gary, the lord works in mysterious ways!
... Mar 3 2012, 09:37 PM Gforce083
Thanks Steve. Mar 3 2012, 09:45 PM captkirk42 Sad to see you leave the hobby, but I can understa... Mar 3 2012, 09:38 PM Gforce083
Truth, our treasure is in the Kingdom not the ea... Mar 3 2012, 09:46 PM redwing40 I might be new here Gary, but understand your acti... Mar 3 2012, 09:48 PM snkpoct137 Gary, I know how you feel in many ways. I too have... Mar 3 2012, 10:40 PM Gforce083
Thank you for the affirmation. I can't say t... Mar 3 2012, 11:20 PM snkpoct137
Its not that i didnt have a life, its just that ... Mar 3 2012, 11:24 PM urbanmonk Sounds like you have put a lot of thought into it ... Mar 4 2012, 12:27 AM bajmurray Sorry to see you leave.
However, each of us is bl... Mar 4 2012, 01:12 AM northicehero99 Gary, sorry to hear this and glad for you. I thin... Mar 4 2012, 08:19 AM Gforce083
Oh yeah, trust me, this has very little to do w... Mar 4 2012, 09:18 AM ffman
Good luck in your other ventures Gary. I highli... Mar 4 2012, 11:50 AM Gforce083
Definitely. I wish it could be just a break for ... Mar 4 2012, 12:49 PM Gforce083 I'll be completely honest, I just had someone ... Mar 4 2012, 11:38 PM osufan2383 good luck man. If I had my job still I would see w... Mar 5 2012, 12:54 AM chopinalex Proud of you Gary..i'm leaning toward dumping ... Mar 5 2012, 11:15 PM Cool_Hand_Flash I'm sorry to see you leave Gary. But I'm h... Mar 5 2012, 11:29 PM Gforce083
Mr. Ultimate could not be denied! Mar 5 2012, 11:38 PM Gforce083 I've updated my photo bucket and put everythin... Mar 5 2012, 11:51 PM Gforce083 During this journey, I want to be the best steward... Mar 6 2012, 11:47 AM pwolantern I am sorry to see you leave, but I do wish you the... Mar 6 2012, 01:36 PM Gforce083
Thanks man!
To all, I almost forgot. But I... Mar 6 2012, 02:33 PM nlr4434 G sorry to see you leave but I admire you for bein... Mar 6 2012, 06:57 PM chopinalex I love you Gary! Mar 6 2012, 09:14 PM Gforce083
:wub: :hug: :serenade: :winkiss: :inlove: ... Mar 9 2012, 10:56 AM Gforce083 Meant to post this the other day....
Taking my fi... Mar 9 2012, 05:54 PM Gforce083 I'm what, on my 24th day into this journey so ... Mar 26 2012, 10:43 AM Gforce083 The past few mail outs haven't been much easie... Apr 5 2012, 10:21 AM msw_sportscards Gary,
Good luck with your journey. God's ... Apr 9 2012, 11:41 PM Gforce083 One of the toughest lots to send out the door...
h... Apr 10 2012, 10:10 PM Gforce083 Another BIG and difficult move today! My two C... Apr 13 2012, 11:17 AM batman1641 Sorry to hear you are leaving. But I understand w... Apr 15 2012, 03:04 PM redwing40 Sometimes I think about what you are saying, as my... Apr 15 2012, 04:46 PM Gforce083
So my awesomeness is deeply suppressed because ... Apr 15 2012, 05:13 PM Gforce083 Been a while since I've done an update.
I... May 18 2012, 02:46 PM
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