The Word

Don't you love those moments when your heart and mind stumble upon a remarkable piece of truth or begin to understand a previously confusing thought or idea? I just had one of those moments.

One of the many things I learned from listening to Dale Bruner teach is the idea of Jesus being The Word. John 1 says: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Here we learn that Jesus is God's Word. For most us (excluding those who believe they can "read" people), we have no idea what someone is actually thinking until they start talking. The person of Jesus Christ is God talking to us, and because of His resurrection, He is still talking. As soon as the Word became flesh, we could know what God thinks through His Word.

Later, in verse 4, John writes: "In him was life, and that life was the light of men." Putting 1 + 1 together, I end up with Jesus = Word = light.

John's decision to use of "In the beginning" to begin his gospel naturally points readers back to Genesis 1, which begins in the same manner: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Then, in verse 3, God begins speaking Creation. What follows the first "God said" phrase? "Let there be light...."

I'm not sure how, but this transforms my understanding of "In him was life, and that life was the light of men." I know it does.

Okay back to my paper. I'd share more thoughts, but I need to get serious about this paper. Also, I'm not sure that I have any more thoughts, at least any that make enough sense to include in this blog.

What do you think?

White-Out

It's 2:48 PM and I'm wearing two tickets to tonight's game around my neck. You know, the kind of ticket that is 3 times bigger than normal tickets. The kind that come in a plastic holder strung on a lanyard that hangs around your neck. The kind that people in their 50's have framed with their other big-game tickets in their basement next to the pool table. Yeah, that kind.

MSU is asking for everyone to participate in a "white-out" of Ford Field. Appropriate because of the snow, and it's just an MSU tradition for big games. Awesome.

I'm kind of happy it snowed. Obviously it sucks driving, shoveling, and looking for your hat and gloves that you (confidently) put away three weeks ago. But I like the setting it creates for tonight's game. THIS is what the state of Michigan is like right now. THIS is what it's like in the city of Detroit. Yes, the Detroit Public School system is over $300 million in deficit, and yes, they may have to close 50 schools because of that. It's cold and wet and dreary and unpleasant here in Detroit.

If I knew how to convey my excitement for tonight here, I would. I'm excited for the game. I'm excited to be back down there again to cheer for MSU with over 50,000 others. To give our boys a standing ovation whether they win or don't win tonight. To walk the streets before and after the game, proud of what the city did to get ready for this and for Michigan State University and what they did to get there.

So I say bring on the snow. Bring on the Tar Heels. Welcome to Detroit.

And Go Green.

Fight, fight, rah team fight!

Never thought I'd ever have a blog post title include the word 'rah' but after yesterday, why not.

My day, by the numbers:

5:35 AM - time my alarm went off

85 - number of apple pies myself and several high schoolers and leaders made for our camp fundraiser!

106 - approximate number of times I thought to myself: "I really don't like Digger Phelps."

2:30 PM - time of departure for Downtown Detroit!

7 - approximate number of miles we walked through downtown checking out Riverwalk, soaking in the sights of Detroit pre-game, and celebrating in the streets after the win!

6 - number of times someone said "do you smell that?" or "what is that smell?"

146 - estimated number of times I said "go green" or "go white."

1 - number of former Spartan standout wide receivers turned pro bowler turned Super Bowl hero turned future jailbird I saw in a hotel lobby and walked right past.

245 - estimated number of high fives given/received.

7 - estimated number of botched high fives with Dilyn Duffey.

2 - large deep dish pizzas ordered at Pizza Papalis after the game.

1 - MSU flags being run through the street.

3 - times the fight song was sang while we ate dinner.

8 - number of UConn fans I actually saw.

67 - total text messages sent and received that were about the game in some fashion.

2 - number of sophomore boys from Grosse Pointe that I saw in Greektown at 10 PM. They're crazy!

1 - number of phone calls I received from friends heading back to East Lansing saying they might have car trouble. Another adventure to add onto the night!

2:35 AM - arrival back home and immediate bedtime.

10.5 - total hours spent in Detroit. It was a great day to be a Detroiter and a Spartan.

People have spent a lot of time talking about what the Spartans' run means to the state of Michigan, and more specifically, to the city of Detroit. I don't think any comments about how uplifting this has been for the city or the temporary relief from so many troubles are a stretch. It was awesome to be down in the city last night, watching thousands of people who would never be there on any other night walk around with friends and be united in purpose. The only worry discussed last night by thousands of people wearing green and white was about how to stop North Carolina on Monday. All the pain and heartache that city has endured was nowhere to be found.

I think the same can be said for me. I've been living and dying with every jumper, every loose ball, and every final buzzer. MSU's run to Detroit has been nothing short of incredible, and I've been hanging on for every moment. It's like I've been living in this little oasis, away from the pain and hurt in my heart, since March Madness started, and I'm almost afraid for Monday to come and go because that means on Tuesday, it's over; back to "normal" life for me again.

I think the most joyful thing about watching the Spartans play is that it seems like they're fighting for more than just an NCAA Championship. They haven't played like this the entire year until now. It's like they're fighting for the state of Michigan, for the city of Detroit...it even feels like they're fighting for me.

Oh, and just for fun - enjoy this :)