Random & Reflection #7

My wife and kids are out of town for the weekend.  For some men this is a time to party, hang out with the guys, or cross off some items from the honey-do list.  I choose to do some R&R.

The Random

 2013 Topps Chasing History Holofoil #CH23

It took me a little while to understand the difference between this card and the standard card.  From afar they are very similar, to see the difference you have to hold them closely to your eyes and tilt the card from side to side.  Then you can see the holofoil.

The Reflection

2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one.

It’s amazing how many of the passages that I have been reflecting on have been about how God’s strength is far greater than mine and how I need to stop trusting in my own abilities and trust only in God’s.  I could blame biblegateway.com, because that is where I am getting the verses, but I am sure it is God gently nudging or slapping me in the back of the head to try and get my attention.   I have no chance against the power of Satan on my own.  He knows my weaknesses, better than I do.  If we trust and follow God, He is faithful to us.  This passage says that He will strengthen and guard us.  What it doesn’t say is that the evil one will go away.  If God just sent the evil one away, why would we need Him to strengthen and guard us?  God does not want a once and forget it relationship with us, He wants us to put our lives in His hands, trusting that he will be faithful and lead us to wherever  He has set before us.

Have a great, blessed day.    

Check out my website at http://georgebrettcards.weebly.com/

Random & Reflection #6

How many people can say the can remember what they were doing 13 years ago today.  I can!  I woke up next to my wife and told her “I love you.”  You see, it was the first morning of our marriage.  That first morning our marriage was new, exciting, and full of anticipation.  13 years later, my wife and I have laughed together, cried together, argued together, had 2 beautiful kids together, and lived life together.  After 13 years the words “I love you” does not mean the same as they did that first morning.  Those 3 little words mean way more now, because I choose to love my wife through thick and thin, and every little thing that she does that get under skin, and I am so blessed that she does the same for me.  I would like to say a very happy anniversary to my very beautiful wife.  13 for most people is an unlucky number, but to me it’s a reminder how God has blessed me by bringing us together.  She puts up with me, way more than I have to put up with her.  Now that I am done with all of the sappiness and this very long intro, how about some R&R

The Random

1987 SportFlics Exclusive Collector’s Offer

 

To some this might not be technically a card.  The cards stock is quite a bit thinner than normal cards and this was meant to be mailed off to get a special card.  Reading the back it appears that there were 2 cards that were shipped out as part of this offer.  The 4.5” Superstar card, which I have, and a Cooperstown card, which I cannot find any info on.  I see in 1989 they made a set of Cooperstown card, but…oh well, Sportsflics is still one of my favorite brands of cards.   

The Reflection

Psalms 121:7-8 (HCSB)

The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.

Do you remember in "Finding Nemo" after Marlin said “I promised that I would never let anything happen to Nemo,” Dory says, “Hmm…That’s a funny thing to promise.”  Marlin meant that he would never let anything bad happen, but because of that he never let Nemo do anything.  We as parents do the same thing.  We can’t make this promise to our Children because we have limited control over certain aspect of their life, and really no control with the life circumstances and other people that surround them.  So the question is if we as parent cannot protect our children, and I will also say ourselves, from all harm, can God?

If we read these 2 verses by themselves and do not put any context with it we are too believe God will protect us from everything that can and will harm us.  We can go where ever we please and we will have this little protection bubble that surrounds us.  I don’t know about you, but I see or feel no bubble.  This chapter of Psalms starts with “I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”  These verses are a call for people to seek God and understand that He is their help, Stop relying on anything else to protect you, especially yourself.  Reading this chapter I see 3 great reasons why God is a better protector than I would ever be.  First, he made the world and understands what truly going on…he sees the big picture and we usually only see a small sliver of what’s really going.  Second, God does not need to rest.  I get tired easily.  I love naps.  In fact I hope to take one later today.  God doesn’t need a nap, He is always watching where His children are going and there is no hiding from Him.  Third, He desires that we trust Him with His protection.  We have free will to choose where we go and how we will get there, but if we are truly walking with the Lord, it will really be the Lord leading and us following.  We need to trust where God is leading us will be the best for us.

Will harm come to us if with are following the Lord and being protected by Him?  Not in the same way as if we were running through life without Him.  Our understanding of it will be different.  It won’t be a self-centered, poor-is-me; it’s the end of the world as we know it attitude, but the attitude of Christ, knowing that there is a greater-than-now time coming.  Hebrews  12:2 says “keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne.” Our attitude needs to be that of Christ, understanding that if we are following God and allowing His protection, we won’t be focused on today’s trouble. It will pale in comparison to that one day, when we will be in the presence of God.

It’s a little bit longer that a normal R&R, but thanks for sticking it out.  Have a great, blessed day.  

  

Check out my website at http://georgebrettcards.weebly.com/

Top Ten George Brett Cards Produced Since Becoming a Dad

On an early Thursday morning in the middle of February in 2005, my 9+ month pregnant wife and I went in for a non-stress test and a ultra-sound to get an idea when we should hope to see the new addition to our family.  We were told that we would be there for around an hour and be sent home.  I took the morning off from work fully intending to go in the afternoon, but plans changed and the nurse told us that we, well at least my wife, weren't going home without our son.  Around 30 hours later my wife and I became parents of a literally bouncing baby boy.  Three years later his sister came along.  Children change outlook on life.  You are now responsible for someone else's life and well being. It has been over 2 months since I last did a top ten, so I thought it would be cool to do a top ten George Brett cards that have been produced since I became a dad in 2005, in honor of Fathers Day.  I will say that this era of cards do not hold as dear of a place in my heart as ones from his playing days, starting 3 decades earlier, but there are a few gems.  My top ten lists, unless otherwise stated, are limited to cards that I currently own.  The lists are strictly base on my opinion.  Cards might be listed because they have some memorable back story, cool design, or something that simply sticks out, too me, about them.  Feel free to comment, I love talking to other collectors.  To check out the front and back of all of these cards and over 1000 other George Brett cards click here at "The Unofficial George Brett Card Catalog" and check out my website. Top Ten George Brett Cards Produced Since Becoming a Dad 10. 2013 Panini Father's Day Museum Collection #MC1 It's hard not to pick a card that came out on Father's Day.  Nice design and I like the colors, but I would have liked the border to be a bit narrower. 9. 2005 Bazooka Fun Facts Relics #GB (Game Used Bat Piece) This was the first memorabilia card I ever bought.  It was fairly cheap and "Fun Fact" it's fun to look at. 8. 2014 Stadium Club Legends Die-Cuts #LDC-6 I like die-cut cards.  They go against the norm of solid 4-sided rectangle.  What's not to like. 7. 2015 Topps Museum Collection - Canvas Collection Reprints #CCR-28  I also really like drawn cards.  To me they bring out youthful feelings, because I use to love to draw when I was a kid.  I drew a pretty mean Alf if I do say so myself. 6. 2008 Topps Triple Threads Sepia #53 (s/n 294/525) I have recently started enjoying buying serial numbered cards.  When you think about how many thousands and thousands of standard cards a series like Topps makes and these particular cards have a very limited run, it give you a special feeling,  Now saying that, I don't think I will have the special honor of having a 1 of 1 card any time soon. 5. 2013 Hometown Heroes Homegrown Heroes #11 George Brett I really don't have a good explanation why this card is so high on the list.  It's a cool design and I just like it. 4. 2012 Topps Archives Cloth Stickers #GB  All of these cards produced in this time frame that I have chosen to highlight are from well after Brett retired.  So many of the brands like to showcase past successes.  One of my top ten George Brett cards is the 1977 Topps Cloth Sticker card.  It's also probably the card I have the most of.  When I saw this card come on the market it had to be mine.  Unfortunately, I was way to eager to get this card and paid way to much for it, thinking that it was going to be a high value card.  Well, it's now highly valued only by me. 3. 2015 Topps Tribute #86 Sometime you after you paid for a card you get this sinking feeling that you paid way too much for it.  See #4 for a great example.  Sometime you buy one and say, man I go a great deal on this one.   I have found patience is usually the key when buying a baseball card.  Usually one will pop up for a price that you can't refuse.  When I saw this card I new I wanted it, but didn't want to pay the price most sellers were asking.  Finally I found one in a budget that I was willing to pay and it was mine. 2. 2005 Donruss Elite Teams Green #8 w/Bo Jackson & Frank White (s/n 257/750) I don't only collect George Brett cards, but I also collect Royals cards from the late 80's early 90's.  I have a almost complete Frank White set from when he was an active player and a very large Bo Jackson collection, mainly focusing on when he played for the Royals and Raiders.  I have a few very rare Jackson cards that do not come up for sale very often and a large Odd-Ball & Broder collection of Jackson cards as well.  I might do a Bo Jackson top ten sometime. Honorable Mentions:  Notice any similarities? From Right to left 2006 Topps Rookie of the Week #12 2012 Topps Archives Reprints #228 2013 Topps Manufactured Commemorative Rookie Patch #RCP9 2014 Topps Manufactured Commemorative Rookie Patch #RCP9 2016 Topps - Berger's Best #BB-24   1. 2010 Topps Cards Your Mom Threw Out Original Back #CMT82 This shouldn't be a surprise, but in 2010 is when I started recollecting George Brett cards.  My first card collected was a 1975 rookie and pretty close to the second card was the other variation to this card, which has a commemorative back.  Well that wasn't good enough for me and I had to have the original back.  It didn't take long before this card was in my small collection at that time.  Six years and over 1000 George Brett cards later and I still have the drive to collect. But for now it is late and this guy is ready for bed.  Good night!

Random & Reflection #5

Have you ever heard the expression, “It’s been a long week today”?  That is what yesterday has felt like.  With no electricity last night, I thank God that he decided to turn the natural AC down.  Almost 10 hours later the power is back on, one of our air conditioners doesn’t work, and everything in our refrigerator is probably spoiled.  Even with all of that, God is still good.  How about some R&R

 
The Random

1984 Topps Stickers #275 

I swear these are random, but the shear amount of Topps sticker cards means that this type of card might pop up a couple of times.  I wonder sometimes if George just does not pose well for pictures.  Most of his posed cards he looks disinterested about the photo and because of this some of the faces that they produced on his cards are classics, in an awesomely awkward type of way.

The Reflection

Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Tomorrow is Father’s Day and I can’t think of a better verse to call fathers to attention about what they need to do in their homes.  Growing up I can remember a dad telling me that he did the sports and the mom did the church thing.  Not surprisingly, the kids ended up doing the sports thing and mom gave up on the church, because she had no support from dad.  Dads, we have way more influence on our kid, especially our sons, than we like to give ourselves credit for.  This verse calls for dads to do 2 things.  One, do not purposely anger our children in a way that would cause them to sin.   Our children will be mad at us from time to time, because we had to discipline them in a way that honors God, but in discipline we are correcting a sinful behavior, not encouraging it.  We know what makes our children tick, in the same way they know how to get us ticked, too, and we are not to agitate that for the purposes of sinful means.  Second, we are commanded to teach and train them in the ways of the Lord.  You might say, “isn’t that the Church’s job?  Isn’t that what Sunday school is for?”  NO!  It is supplementary at best.  Are you telling me that 1 hour a week is plenty to teach and train you kids?  A high school sports team will train around 15 to 20 hours a week to prepare for a game that last less than an hour.  How much more do we need to teach and train our children to prepare them for a life outside of our homes and the protection of mom and dad?  Dad’s we are called to do this, this is not mom’s responsibility.  This is something that I struggle to practice what I preach. 

Well, looking at the reset clock it is time for me to get ready for work.  Have a great, blessed day.    

Random & Reflection #4

Happy Day Off Day!  Everyone needs a day off every once and a while.  A day off helps you remember why you work so hard the rest of the week.   The older I get, the more I appreciate day off naps.  But until it’s nap time, how about some R&R.

The Random

2014 Topps Allen & Ginter's Mini A& G Back #159

 

This card was added to the collect fairly recently.  The Allen & Ginter’s sets have a cool, vintage concept.  I wonder if anyone, other than collectors, knew that Allen & Ginter used to be a tobacco company.  I'm surprised parents aren't outraged.  Hmm...it has been 126 years since they rolled their last cigarette, so I guess the term “too soon” does not apply here.

The Reflection

Proverbs 23:24

The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him.

One thing to remember with Proverbs is that they are generalities, not promises.  I think that we get hung up on a lot of Proverbs and hold them as dear promises from God and when they don’t happen like they are written we get angry with God.  With that being said, many Christian parents raise their kids to be kids of Christian parents rather than with the vision of them being Godly adults.  That’s one of the things that I pray for my children the most, that they would grow to be Godly adults.  Meaning, that one day my kids are going to leave our house and go out to this big world outside of the protection mom and dad.  My prayer is when this happens, that they will not just remember what they have been taught, but it is a part of their lives and they live what they were taught.   When I see that, I will rejoice not in my child’s abilities, but in what God has done in my their life. 

Have a great, blessed day.    

Click here to visit "The Unofficial George Brett Card Catalog"

Random & Reflection #3

It’s Monday.  Everyone is trying to get ready for the morning and scurrying around.  I think it is time for some R&R.

The Random

1988 Star Brett Platinum #93 George Brett/Major League Stats

 

It’s Pink!  Love this set of 10 GB cards.  The have a parallel set in orange that use the same heading on each card, but a different picture.  I have not been able to find out a lot about the star company, but it appears that they love making player sets.  I have all 3 GB sets and several Bo Jackson sets.

The Reflection

Luke 11:13

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

As parents we want to give is best for our children.  Isn’t it awesome that the best gift that God have given us is His own Son?  A gift I don’t think that I could give.  That is a gift that He has given all of us, and we just have to believe to receive it.  But the gift of the Holy Spirit is also an awesome gift.  It is a helper that directs us and shows us Gods will for our life. Sadly, I fight this great helper a lot.  I want to go my own direction and it says, “I don’t think that’s a good idea”.  It is a lot like my wife, which in the bible a Godly wife has several of the same descriptive words describing the Holy Spirit. Just remember, though, a good Godly wife is similar to the Holy Spirit, not the Holy Spirit.  ;-)

Have a great, blessed day.    

Random & Reflection #2

Good afternoon all. I have the day off today and enjoying some very hot and humid R&R.  Some might call it rest & relaxation. I am calling it Random & Reflection.  

The Random

1986 Donruss Pop-Ups #12 George Brett – card size is 2.5”x5”

I have always been fascinated with these types of cards that were design with the intension to not stay in the standard flat card format.  Interestingly, when I first got back into collecting I bought a huge lot of George Brett cards and there were 2 or 3 of these cards in there, but they had all had there tops cut off so they would fit in a standard size card holder.  I still have one of the cut off cards, but shortly after I realized that there was something missing got the real thing. 

The Reflection

Psalms 46:10

“Stop your fighting—and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”

I think we all have this feeling of fighting a losing battle.  Whether it is with our children, our work, our spouse, or even our government.  As a people, we enjoy putting the weight of the world on our shoulders and then even more enjoy complaining that our burden, put there by ourselves, is too heavy to bear.  Chapter 46 starts with the phrase; “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.” But when trouble comes, we like to take on the trouble ourselves first.  When we can’t fix the trouble, we like to blame it on anything and everything.  Finally blaming God for the trouble, as well as blaming Him for the additional troubles that we added to the initial trouble.  When all we needed to do was go to God first.  This verse says STOP FIGHTING! Stop trusting in your own power.  It is only going to fail you and make things worse.  God says, “Know that I am God.  Know that I was at the beginning of this, I am in the middle of this, and I will see you through this, but no matter where you are in this struggle, if you seek Me, I will always be found!”

That’s a great reminder that if we seek Him, He will always be found.  God does not hide Himself, but many times He will not reveal Himself to us unless we want to find Him.

Have a great, blessed day.    

Random & Reflection #1

Good morning all. Yesterday's blog I talked about a new format and here it is.  I am calling it Random & Reflection.  It consists of 2 parts: the random, which is a randomly picked George Brett card with my thoughts, and the Reflection, which are my thoughts on the Bible verse of the day from Biblegateway.com. So without further ado. 

The Random

1988 Topps Sticker George Brett #259 w/Mark Langston #63 on the back

These sticker cards are 2 cards in one.  I love cards that have variations and the 1988 sticker cards had several for Brett, because he had both a sticker and a sticker back variation.  Each variation has several different players on the opposite sides.  I don't know much about Mark Lanston, but I bet this has to be one of the most collected of his cards.  

"Way to piggy back off of George's success, Mark.  My hats off to you!"

The Reflection

Colossians 3:12-13 HCSB

 12 Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.

Whenever you see the word “therefore” in scripture, you have to look at what it is “there for”.  This is pointing back to the earlier passages stating that we are new person in Christ and should not want to go back to the way we were because of what Christ has done for us.  In Gods eyes, His followers do not have geographical, geopolitical, or social boundaries.  He sees them as His children and we should see them the same way, but our flesh keeps pulling us back to our bad habits. 

When as followers of Christ will we stop using our flesh as an excuse?  We are told to put off the old self, because we are new.  We are different!  One of non-Christians biggest complaints against Christians are that they are fakes.  They go into church and act all high and mighty, but outside of the church walls they talk, walk, and act just like everyone else as if Christ has made no change in our lives.  

My challenge to myself, and to you if you are reading, is to put on the heartfelt self to others, just as Christ did for me.  Not because they are deserving of it, because I am worthy of what Christ did for me, but because I have Christ in me.

Have a wonderful, blessed day

Short and sweet with new news!

I finally posted a new card and writing a new blog today.  It has been over a month for both.  The reports of my demise have been grossly exaggerated.  I just wanted to do a short update about whats going on with me and some news about this blog.  First, I haven't post any new cards for a month simply because I haven't ordered a any new cards in a month.  Money has been a little tight and everything else comes first.  I hopefully will be able to get some new updates throughout the summer.  Second, since I haven't posted any new cards for over a month, the blog updates suffered as well.  Also, along these lines, I feel that I have been making my previous blogs way too long.  Most previous blogs usually take me about 2 hours to write, proof read, edit for formatting before I publish them and because of that they get rather draining, mainly because all of my blogs are written at night when I am trying to settle down for the night.  So I am going to start a new format of blogging.  I am going to get up in the morning and blog, tentatively a couple times a week and the blog is going to consist of 2 parts.

Part 1.  A random George Brett card, a picture of it's front and back, and my thoughts on the card.

Part 2. The Bible verse of the day from my Bible Gateway app and also my thoughts on the verse.

I am hoping that this will shorten up my blogs quite a bit and make them more manageable and easier to read in one setting, while still writing about the 2 things that I am very passionate about.

I still plan on doing a top ten monthly, which seem to be very popular.  

Please check out my website "The Unofficial George Brett Card Catalog" to keep up to date with all of my updates.  But until the next time, have a wonderful, blessed day.