Greater Than All

Greetings,

This post will be slightly off topic from the typical sneaker analogy. Luckily I did a disclaimer in "First Pair" that let me veer slightly from the subject. This is one that I want you guys to share if it hits you because I know people need to hear this. If you don't want to share it, no worries! I promise I'm not offended. What I do want you to do is pass this message on to others. Like I said, people need to hear this. 

I actually want to tell you a story to start this off. There was a man a while ago that was living in what we would call perfection, paradise. He had anything he wanted, and everyone respected and honored him. One day, he left that paradise to live with normal people like myself. But he wasn't just a normal guy. He started doing things that no one else had seen or done before. People were amazed. And not only did he do amazing things, he hung out with the people who no one dared hang out with (think gang members, drug users, alcoholics, etc.). They started following him from city to city. He had a few guys around him that stayed with him 24/7. No one special, just people who wanted to join him on this journey. Instead of staying around one place, he moved, constantly meeting new people. And his audience grew. He was calling people by their name before they met him, giving people the best life advice they could get, even healing people and raising them from the dead! This got some of the leaders in the cities he was at jealous. I mean, how dare this guy from a different place come in and steal their thunder. So they wanted to get rid of him. After 33 years living with normal people, the leaders finally had a chance to get rid of him once and for all. They had him arrested. But the trial was different than what we're used to. Instead of having a judge and jury, the people decided what they wanted to do with him. And the same people that followed him in awe were the same people that screamed out to kill this innocent man. So he was beaten, tortured, mocked, and made to carry his own instrument of death through a crowd of people spitting on him, making him feel like the lowest of the low. That day he was killed, two others were being executed with him, both guilty criminals. After hours of agonizing pain, he finally lost all energy and died. Those close to him mourned, and every one returned to daily life. He was buried and that was the end. But something weird happened. On the third day, a few women went to make sure everything was okay at the grave, but they found it empty. Immediately they thought someone came and stole the body, as this was a prominent person in society at this point. But that was not the case. He was no longer dead! How could this be? I know what you're thinking: Nathan, how can a regular man be risen from the dead? Pretty crazy, right? Well, this guy I'm telling you about is a real person. And it is based on a true story. 

Jesus Christ is not just a fictional person, nor is He just merely a historical figure. That's what makes Jesus who He is. For those of you that don't know about Jesus, here is a brief rundown (I could talk about Him for years on end and not run out of things to say, but that doesn't translate to a blog very well). Jesus Christ was born of a virgin named Mary. She was set to be married to a carpenter named Joseph. From the minute he entered into this world, it was a miracle. He performed miracle after miracle - water into wine, raising Lazarus from the dead, healing the sick and the lepers, and multiplying a small amount of bread and fish to feed five thousand people to name a few. But, the religious leaders of the time didn't like Him. You see, He was going against every single thing these people taught. No longer were the things they were teaching relevant. So they plotted to get rid of Him. And they knew just the way to do it: get one of His own 12 disciples to betray Him. Jesus knew this was coming, but knew this had to be done (Luke 22:42). After He had been arrested by the Romans, He was beaten and mocked. Once Pilate let Him be seen in front of the mob to decide the next move, they immediately yelled to crucify Him. The same people who followed Him for so long now wanted Him out of their lives. Jesus was lead with His cross through the streets with a crown of thorns on His head, and crucified alongside two criminals. Jesus utters the words, "It is finished" and becomes a lifeless body. Immediately all hope was lost. This man that so many people still had faith in no longer was with them. Their life was turned upside down. He was buried, had a large stone rolled in front of the grave, and guards were assigned so that no one would steal the body of Jesus. On the third day that He was dead, Mary and Mary went to prepare the body, but the stone had been rolled away. His body was gone. This is the amazing thing about Jesus Christ. While He is fully man, He is also fully God. On the third day, He was resurrected, and shortly after appearing to many believers, He ascended back into Heaven. 

Now you're probably asking what that has to do with anything. Jesus Christ did not die and come back to life simply to show His power. JESUS CHRIST DIED SO WE MAY HAVE ETERNITY IN HEAVEN. Jesus died for you. Jesus died so your sins will be forgiven. Jesus died for you because HE LOVES YOU. He wants to spend eternity with you. He wants you to feel true freedom, true joy, true love, true forgiveness. If you would like to know more about Jesus, would like to have a discussion, or would like to accept Him as your Savior, please let me know. I am available 24/7 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and through email. 

I have one more thing to share if that's alright. I know that this is a longer post, but please stick with me for just a few more minutes. If you don't know by now, famous actor and comedian Robin Williams was found dead this week. It shocked many people because he made so many people cry from laughter. One of the most shocking things about the story was that he committed suicide. The same person that brought people happiness and laughter was depressed and hopeless. I want you to know a few things:

1. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. 

2. A temporary problem never calls for a permanent solution. No matter what is going on, things will get better. There is no need to do something forever when the issue is temporary. 

3. God is greater than anything you are going through. 

I know a lot of you just read that sentence and rolled your eyes or skipped right over it. Hear me out. I've been pretty open about this: I have struggled with a low self-esteem in my past. No matter what, I never felt like I was good enough. So I do know what you're going through and I can relate. What I also know is that I would not be here if it wasn't for my God. He flipped my life around. God is always there for you. When you don't feel loved, He loves you more than you can imagine. You don't feel beautiful? You are created in the IMAGE OF GOD. You don't feel good enough? Jesus sure thought you were worth dying for. No matter what you've done, what you're doing, or what you will do, Jesus is and always will be by your side. 

If you know someone who is struggling with depression, anxiety, or is suicidal please speak up. Tell them that you love them, that you're blessed by them, that they are special, do anything you can. Whatever you do, do not turn a blind eye to them. They need you in that time more than ever. If you are depressed or suicidal, please contact me, contact someone you know and trust, or call this number - 1 (800) 273-8255. Whichever option you take from the last three, know that what Jesus did for you on the cross is enough to rescue you out of this pit. 

Thank you for reading this. I hope that Jesus is glorified and the Kingdom is furthered. Know that you are loved, and that a temporary problem never needs a permanent solution. Thank you, Jesus, for setting me free. 

Mahal,

Nathan

Twitter: @Nathan_A_Jones
Instagram: Nathan_A_Jones
sneakersandasavior@gmail.com

Limited Release

Greetings,

Have you ever had to do something and had a limited window of time to do it? I know you have. Whether it's a school paper that you procrastinated on and had to do by midnight (guilty) or had to get to a meeting but finish a presentation before you leave, our lives are constantly pressed for time. Well, the sneaker industry works the same. I'm writing this post on a Saturday night and thinking about how I could have gotten up at 5:45 this morning to pick up a pair of Jordan 6's. One thing that most people won't know about the sneaker culture is that there are two kinds of releases: general and limited. General release shoes are the typical team shoes or shoes you can find at your local Footlocker or Champs (Hyperdunks, Frees, Crazy Lights, Roshes, etc). Those shoes don't typically sell out, and if they do, they are restocked fairly quickly (there are exceptions, full other story). Then there are the limited releases. This is what a lot of people don't know about. Every brand has shoes that come out in a limited quantity, and most of the brands do this on a weekly basis. These shoes sell out typically very quick. Why? Well it could be because of a collaboration (Ronnie Fieg x Asics), a brand new shoe to create hype over the upcoming general release colorways (Kobe 9 elite low "Beethoven"), or a retro Jordan people have been waiting to be released (black cement 4's). People camp out at shoe stores to get them (look up the Supreme x Foamposite release earlier this year), and there have even been shootings because people cut in line or get shoes that someone else couldn't get (again, a whole different story, may make an appearance later). Most normal people (I fall under this category) will wake up for an 8:00 am EST launch of shoes on a website and attempt to purchase a pair of shoes that sell out within an hour tops from the comfort of their own home. Those Jordan's I thought about getting this morning sold out in a half hour according to @NikeStore. So sneakerheads work with a short time window on a weekly basis. And don't even get me started on restocks. 

The limited amount of time a shoe is available for got me thinking. A specific pair of shoes could be available for less than an hour. Okay, could be a big deal. But our lives are only available for an average of American is 79.8 years (according to Wikipedia, has to be true). Now that's a big deal. If I know that one of my friends hasn't gotten the pair that we both were going after and I see his size pop up on the website, I shoot him a text as quickly as possible so he has a chance to get them. But how often do I do something like that in a spiritual sense? How often do I let someone know that the life they are living isn't glorifying God, or is? How often do I spread the good news of Jesus as quickly as I spread the news of a restock or a shoe still available? Man, the more I write for the pages on Sneakers & a Savior, the more I learn about myself. 

Life is short. Are we as Christians holding on to what we have hope in? Are we holding on to the way to Heaven? And if you are a nonbeliever reading this, do you want to know about this hope that I have? Would you like to find freedom, have your chains broken, and have a peace like never before? If you fall under those last two questions, please contact me. I'm available 24/7. 

As always, thank you for reading this. I sincerely appreciate you taking a minute to read an article by myself. While I don't always mention the verses, all of my articles are backed by Scripture. Let me know if you would like the verses I use for any of my posts to make sure this blog stays biblically backed and I would be more than happy to give you them and explain my intentions behind it. If any of these strike a chord, feel free to share this blog. I have faith that God can and will do something through all of us if we are willing. Live life as if you have 35 minutes to purchase a pair of shoes. 

Mahal,

Nathan

Twitter: @Nathan_A_Jones
Instagram: Nathan_A_Jones
sneakersandasavior@gmail.com

Restock

Greetings,

There is one word in the sneaker culture that gets people running to their computers, texting their friends, checking their bank accounts, taking extra long breaks at work, mentioning friends on Twitter. That word: RESTOCK. Here's a little insight into the sneaker world. Shoes are released typically on Friday or Saturday mornings at 8:00 am ET (6:00 am for myself). If that shoe sells out (which happens a majority of the time, and quickly), that shoe is no longer available for retail price. The only way to get your hands on a pair is to buy from a reseller, who inflates the price to make a profit. And that's only if you can find your size. But, there could be another chance at copping those kicks. A twitter account could tweet a link with the word "RESTOCK" and the excitement ensues. Getting a pair is still difficult, requires you to be on the ball 24/7 365, and there's no guarantee that the shoe that you are looking for will ever be restocked, but it still provides some hope. 

Being a part of the sneaker culture, it makes me wonder why the word "restock" creates so much anticipation for myself, yet very few other words have the same effect. I'm going to be real with you: that word creates more excitement than a lot of words in the Bible. And that's a battle I have to fight daily. Unfortunately, the words in 2 Peter 5:7, John 16:33, Jeremiah 29:11, and countless other verses don't have that effect on me all the time. Don't get me wrong, at times of my life, those are the words I cling to, but why don't I do that all the time? Maybe you can relate? Words like "sale," "clearance," "exclusive," "limited," etc. get you stoked. 

This hit me. I mention friends when I hear restock. I text others to make sure they know the news. I retweet tweets to talk about my excitement and say which shoes I plan on copping. Why don't I text my friends when I hear that someone accepted Jesus as their Savior? Why don't I tweet about my excitement when I hear someone say that God did amazing things on a mission trip or church camp? Why don't I retweet someone's tweets talking about how God healed someone or someone turned their life around?

I'm being pretty transparent here. It's easy for us as humans to get hype over something that you can gain out of it. Whether that's meeting your max goal in bench press to talking about how great you did on a test to tweeting your support of an up-and-coming artist who just put out a single that hit iTunes top 20. And none of that is always bad. What I'm challenging myself with is to get more excited when I hear things about the Kingdom. Will you join me?

As always, I am honored that you would take a minute to read this. Hoping that through this page the Kingdom is furthered and that God is glorified. As always, I'm open to any feedback and conversation. Tell me what you like, what you dislike, what you're encouraged by. Appreciate you giving me a few minutes out of your day. 

Mahal,

Nathan

Twitter: @Nathan_A_Jones
Instagram: Nathan_A_Jones