April 7, 2009: Coin Collecting:
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 3:13 &14
Guys you may not know this about me….but I love to collect coins. I have collecting proof series of coins since 1976 (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarter, half dollar and dollar) oops let me tell you what a proof series is…proof series are newly minted, they are also Un-circulated (which means a coin has not had any wear, such as the wear a coin might experience when it is used in commerce. Handling a coin, as well as improperly storing a coin, can result in wear on the surface of the coin. This wear, even if very minor, will cause a coin to no longer grade uncirculated)., now the difference in an uncirculated coin and a proof coin is the way it is made that causes a difference in appearance and qualifies it as a "proof". To understand this, let's look at how coins are made. Coins are produced when two dies strike a blank piece of metal with tremendous force. One die is engraved with the front (obverse) design for the coin. The other die has the back (reverse) coin design on it. A proof coin is made with a specially polished and treated die! By treating the die in a special way, the coins it produces have a different appearance. Modern technology allows the high points on the coin design to be acid treated (on the die). Needless to say, proof coins are rare and a little more expensive than regular coins you will find at the store.
Usually when I get coins, I place them in a collectors set and admire them. The coins usually stand by themselves as something to look at and as a reminder. It is big on my ego to have a coin collection and to look at it makes me swell in pride. I want everyone to think about the “coins” you have on your cabinet. The things that make you swell in pride. Something that makes you think that you have arrived. Funny things about coin collecting… they are always coming out with a new coin or some older coin that is the new “must have”, so in essence it never really ends. I am saying that all of all have done things “good coins” that we can hang with pride and show everyone but there is still many more coins to collect. The passage below take about a guy who for all intensive purposes has arrived but he understands that there is sooo much more that needs to be done. My question for you today is have you kinda got complacent with your “coin collecting”. Is it time for you to update your coins? There are so many “uncirculated and proof coins” out there to be had.
Usually when I get coins, I place them in a collectors set and admire them. The coins usually stand by themselves as something to look at and as a reminder. It is big on my ego to have a coin collection and to look at it makes me swell in pride. I want everyone to think about the “coins” you have on your cabinet. The things that make you swell in pride. Something that makes you think that you have arrived. Funny things about coin collecting… they are always coming out with a new coin or some older coin that is the new “must have”, so in essence it never really ends. I am saying that all of all have done things “good coins” that we can hang with pride and show everyone but there is still many more coins to collect. The passage below take about a guy who for all intensive purposes has arrived but he understands that there is sooo much more that needs to be done. My question for you today is have you kinda got complacent with your “coin collecting”. Is it time for you to update your coins? There are so many “uncirculated and proof coins” out there to be had.
Philippians 3:1-14
1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. 2Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, 4although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. 7But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Questions: What are some things that you do very well (good coins)? Are there some things that you need to do or start on that you have been procrastinating (uncirculated/proof coins)? Why do you think that people do not go after “rare coins” (new opportunities) in their life?
