Hypebeasts, We Know About You

Greetings,

When Air Jordan's were first introduced, they weren't a novelty like they are now. For years, people could walk into their local Footlocker and find any shoe they wanted in their size - some even on the clearance rack. A few decades go by and Nike realizes that sneakerheads want those retro Jordan's again. So they make a limited quantity and re-release them. This is when the look of collecting changed. People no longer could get any shoe in any size they wanted. So what did the collectors do? They started buying shoes in whatever size they could get their hands on. You wear a size 13 but could only get a 10? Buy it. Wear an 11.5 but could fit in a 10.5 if you had to? Cop those quick. I think it's kind of silly, but if that's how people want to collect, go for it. 

Another thing that changed collecting shoes: internet hype. I'm going to be completely honest - there are some ugly shoes that are released. If you need an example look up any Jeremy Scott x adidas collaboration, or even the Jordan XV. But the crazy thing is that these shoes still sell out within a few hours of releasing. Why? Hype over them. People don't like them because they look good. People like them because they're limited. They like them because other people say they like them. They no longer buy because it's a shoe they're in to, they buy because only a few thousand pairs are available. These people are called Hypebeasts (I didn't name them, don't worry).

I don't fall under the modern sneakerhead category. I buy shoes in my size. I buy the shoes I like. But the weird thing is that I am in the minority in the sneaker community. 

The modern sneakerhead is something that is applicable in the real world. Unfortunately, people are highly influenced by others' opinions. People willingly share their opinion, and typically it's when it wasn't asked for. Strangers and friends alike will openly tell you that they don't like you doing this or that, that they think something is ugly, or that they think it's a waste of money. I run into this on a daily basis. If you are not exactly like someone else, many times people will tell you that they don't like something you have an interest in because they don't get it. 

You're probably wondering now what this has to do with anything. Well here it is. Every person is made differently. No two people are the same. Each person has different passions than the next. For me, I love basketball, music, shoes, clothing, the list goes on and on. But if I asked you what your passions and interests are, they would look differently. So why are we so rude to people who like different things? I think because it's easy to make fun of someone who is different. Here's what I want to challenge you with. Do you. Let others do them. Let each person be who they were created to be. God created each and every one of us to have different interests so that we can reach people in different circles of life. So why tear someone down and discourage what they like? Maybe they will lead someone to Jesus who will start the next revival.

I appreciate you reading this. Always honored that you would take some time to read something written by myself. If you would like to know about the God I love, please contact me. I'm always willing to talk. Be easy on others.

Mahal, 

Nathan

Twitter: @Nathan_A_Jones
Instagram: Nathan_A_Jones

Deadstock Faith

Greetings,

There are two kinds of sneaker collectors. The first kind buys their sneakers and wears them. They want to show off their kicks, whether 20 seconds or 20 years old. There's some enjoyment in showing them off. The other kind of collector buys their sneakers, but actually never lets them touch the ground. The shoes are put in a room, typically in the original box and the only time they are shown off is when someone comes to their sneaker closet to see them. To me, the latter doesn't make too much sense. If I'm going to spend money on something, it doesn't make sense to keep it hidden. And while I respect people who do that, because hey, that's what they like, I will never do that. 

The term for shoes that are never worn is deadstock. For example, if you want to find a pair of Bel-Air 5s (pair of Jordans, look them up), you would want to look for a pair that's deadstock. Otherwise, you're looking at a pair that has been worn already. Personally, unless something changes or I get multiple pairs of the same shoe, I will never keep my shoes deadstock. 

When I was thinking about the idea of keeping things deadstock, I thought about keeping other things deadstock. Anyone keep clothes with the tags on? Nope. What about a good book? Didn't think so. Video games? That's what I thought. What about faith? Oh, now that hits home a little bit huh? The more I thought about this, the more convicted I got. I realized that I keep my faith in my closet in a box a lot more than I want to admit. What does that look like? To me, that looks like not letting Jesus show through 24/7. Only when people ask to see it (bring up a topic) or see your closet (church, Bible study) do people see your collection (faith). 

Now here's my challenge: undeadstock your faith. Let people see it. Matthew talks about this. In chaper 5, verses 13-16, Jesus says, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Buying a pair of shoes and keeping them in the box is silly. Buying a new pair of pants and keeping them in a closet with the tags on is silly. Lighting a candle and covering it with a bowl is silly. Believing Jesus Christ is Savior and not telling others how they can be saved is silly. 

As always, if you need someone to talk to, please hit me up. I will say this over and over again, if this post helps just one person, has one person ask a question, or encourages one person, then my job is done. Thank you for taking a minute out of your day to read this. I'm honored that you would take some time to read something written by myself. 

Mahal,

Nathan

Twitter: @Nathan_A_Jones

Instagram: Nathan_A_Jones

First Pair

Welcome,

First off, I'm honored that you would take a few minutes out of your day to read a (hopefully) short post by a regular person. Since this is my first entry of this window to my life, I feel like this is a great time to get to share a small amount about myself as well as get some insight into why I named this "Sneakers and a Savior." 

My name is Nathan and I am a normal college student. I play basketball. I work. I go to school. I enjoy my family and friends. I have many passions. I love getting to know people. I can be very sarcastic (you'll probably notice that in my posts). I love music, hip hop in particular. I have a love of shoes. But, you can wipe all of that away and just know this about me: Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. If you only know that about me, that means I'm letting Him live through me. My goal in my life is to not have to say anything for people to know that He is my Savior. Obviously I realize I just did the opposite of my last sentence by telling you that I am a Christian, but it is hard for a person to see that through a page on the internet. My posts in here will be driven by my love of Jesus and my want and need to follow His will for my life. 

Now that you have a little information about myself, I want to get on to why I named this page "Sneakers and a Savior." One thing that I have a passion for is a nice pair of sneakers. Whether a pair of Nike Huaraches, Jordan 11's, or Asics Gel-Lyte III's, I have an appreciation for shoes. When I was younger, I could look at an Eastbay magazine and tell my friends the name, price, and weight of a shoe. Now, my passion has matured into being more of a collector. I love the technology behind a shoe. I love the designs. I love seeing the inspirations behind why a player chose a specific colorway. I love seeing into a small window of a player or designer's life as I look at the motivation, design, colors, and details of a shoe. And while many people don't understand sneakerheads, nor care about why I like shoes, I wanted this to be something that I enjoy and like. Many entries will have a shoe theme or some sort of tie in with kicks. 

The name of this post is "First Pair." Sneakerheads can point back to one shoe that got them hooked on shoes, something that started the passion. For me, it was a pair of Jordans - Concord 11's to be exact. I remember seeing one of the accounts I follow on Twitter (another thing I use frequently) tweet a picture of them and I immediately was addicted. Ever since then, I have loved learning about shoes. My goal for this post is to be a seed for you towards an even better passion, a better way to spend your time - Jesus. I hope that you can point back to something in your life, like sneaker collectors can, that got you introduced to the One that saves. 

Well, if you've stuck it out through all this, I figure you're getting close to hitting that "x" up top so I'll wrap it up. I do want to extend this invitation: if you have any questions, need someone to talk to, need prayer, or anything else, feel free to hit me up. DM me on Twitter, send me a message on Instagram, comment on this page. I honestly mean that. I want to be beneficial in your life and if there is any way I can help, I want to. I appreciate you taking time to read this. 

Mahal,

Nathan

Twitter: @Nathan_A_Jones

Instagram: Nathan_A_Jones