tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69390345119277523382024-03-05T19:34:22.926-05:00toe the line...again to see how far i can run and still see where You are....Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-10257176059795880282009-04-25T15:40:00.004-04:002009-04-25T15:53:39.749-04:00The Word<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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...."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">What do you think?</span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-50877572773766573002009-04-06T14:44:00.005-04:002009-04-06T15:08:24.210-04:00White-Out<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0NAmdJBFR07qYhsBGVhlF80TGlsfCUyp9X5Hqyh2zf9MVK0cjU05KlTvKdlpIcIszm9p7OKLmXpwv2fsDz4E82d0nzNJZAMfW5qfyHi-Q-5tYl78jyDh_qV-LQPz7EHBXWhZ-GvwIewg/s1600-h/Photo+41.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0NAmdJBFR07qYhsBGVhlF80TGlsfCUyp9X5Hqyh2zf9MVK0cjU05KlTvKdlpIcIszm9p7OKLmXpwv2fsDz4E82d0nzNJZAMfW5qfyHi-Q-5tYl78jyDh_qV-LQPz7EHBXWhZ-GvwIewg/s200/Photo+41.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321655988696033938" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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 </span><a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20090401/NEWS01/90401134/0/NEWS01"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">close 50 schools</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> because of that. It's cold and wet and dreary and unpleasant here in Detroit.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So I say bring on the snow. Bring on the Tar Heels. Welcome to Detroit.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And Go Green.</span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-35922744245894248902009-04-05T12:25:00.015-04:002009-04-06T15:08:24.211-04:00Fight, fight, rah team fight!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHXwq9PZwtyTiB7I-DFme6kXPF9e5OjeGKReCSaWOSemXu28giCtbx9OZg3kb-8mGLHwm_p6BDp-yhjjYmviskXYYsh3P7Gcj080YhmGiXYaMs77Te2wKZQKbD77ZxsxLCpj5jXlwgG7p/s1600-h/DSCN0445.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHXwq9PZwtyTiB7I-DFme6kXPF9e5OjeGKReCSaWOSemXu28giCtbx9OZg3kb-8mGLHwm_p6BDp-yhjjYmviskXYYsh3P7Gcj080YhmGiXYaMs77Te2wKZQKbD77ZxsxLCpj5jXlwgG7p/s320/DSCN0445.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321289993814223986" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Never thought I'd ever have a blog post title include the word 'rah' but after yesterday, why not.<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My day, by the numbers:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">5:35 AM - time my alarm went off</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">85 - number of apple pies myself and several high schoolers and leaders made for our camp fundraiser!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">106 - approximate number of times I thought to myself: "I really don't like Digger Phelps."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">2:30 PM - time of departure for Downtown Detroit!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">6 - number of times someone said "do you smell that?" or "what is that smell?"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">146 - estimated number of times I said "go green" or "go white."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">245 - estimated number of high fives given/received.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">7 - estimated number of botched high fives with Dilyn Duffey.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">2 - large deep dish pizzas ordered at Pizza Papalis after the game.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">1 - MSU flags being run through the street.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">3 - times the fight song was sang while we ate dinner.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">8 - number of UConn fans I actually saw.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">67 - total text messages sent and received that were about the game in some fashion.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">2 - number of sophomore boys from Grosse Pointe that I saw in Greektown at 10 PM. They're crazy!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">2:35 AM - arrival back home and immediate bedtime.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">10.5 - total hours spent in Detroit. It was a great day to be a Detroiter and a Spartan.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Oh, and just for fun - enjoy this :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-size:10px;"><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uctl6Q7pACE&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uctl6Q7pACE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object></span></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-5456774598721738802009-02-24T22:06:00.002-05:002009-02-24T22:25:18.267-05:00Encouraging Words<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOWdC3xevx3yQx_rK_yLP27n58sCoIFgt6gHjN9kVGxjAeQ5wzcX_8002yYyQhUKTY9wHH5PY8Cfq0RjCwsqN_JApxrfI6qYvlWIGF3QNMWuNCmN-cJpQGY165otZeu5B7tG6N6n5004H/s1600-h/oscars2009.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOWdC3xevx3yQx_rK_yLP27n58sCoIFgt6gHjN9kVGxjAeQ5wzcX_8002yYyQhUKTY9wHH5PY8Cfq0RjCwsqN_JApxrfI6qYvlWIGF3QNMWuNCmN-cJpQGY165otZeu5B7tG6N6n5004H/s200/oscars2009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306566181381049138" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I got home from Young Life on Sunday night around 9:45 and caught the last hour and a half of the Oscars. I usually don't want them, but that night I felt like watching them was a good choice. So I did, and I really enjoyed them. I thought they were really entertaining (although I had to watch the funniest part on </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pflgMxxBPuY"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">YouTube</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">). But my favorite part was watching and listening to former Oscar award winners speak to each nominee for the Supporting Actor/actress and Lead Actor/actress awards. Since I work for Young Life and therefore am a not professional film or television actor, I don't really know what it's like to be one; however, I imagine that those personal words shared by their peers (and perhaps in many cases, heroes and role models) will be cherished as much as actually winning the award. Okay probably not, but I could tell by each nominee's face that hearing those words meant A LOT. Bravo to whoever thought of that idea. They figured out how to send everyone home a winner that night.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Take a minute and tell someone why you love them today. And if you can, take 10 minutes. I guarantee it'll be among the highlights, if not THE highlight, of that person's day.</span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-1342885930933241622009-02-21T14:25:00.006-05:002009-02-21T15:11:27.974-05:00A Lesson from Bob Ross<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMk1AE2376Hu_IuSskv6ddhso9b7qEj_0PjvVgIdvU8yU9qlCNe_8yhq-BmLcrCIrLHshIJhlHkMRPdORcyFWk7CoKM6bE0qrL-rhRzJcc7oPBLLK2pniwpv1eDOoqy99MOBfqnYWfpEQ/s1600-h/220px-Bob_at_Easel.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 155px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMk1AE2376Hu_IuSskv6ddhso9b7qEj_0PjvVgIdvU8yU9qlCNe_8yhq-BmLcrCIrLHshIJhlHkMRPdORcyFWk7CoKM6bE0qrL-rhRzJcc7oPBLLK2pniwpv1eDOoqy99MOBfqnYWfpEQ/s200/220px-Bob_at_Easel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305338848250372162" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">If you've ever watched "The Joy of Painting" hosted by the late Bob Ross, you'll know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, check him out </span><a href="http://www.bobross.com/index.cfm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">. My sophomore year, my friends and I would always try to watch his show at 3 in the afternoon before class. He'd spend 20 minutes creating a beautiful landscape, and then suddenly, and seemingly inexplicably, make some huge mark with his paintbrush in the middle of the canvas. My friend Tom and I would always yell at the screen as if he could hear us, wondering what in the world he was doing to his painting. But after a few more minutes, this ugly and unexplained stroke of his brush would turn into a tree, path in the woods, or cabin that made the painting that much better.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Some friends and I were talking about this idea yesterday. We're aware that God is in control of our lives, and we're even okay with that after years of knowing that we have no idea what we want or need. We see the picture of our lives that God has been creating and then suddenly...that ugly, pointless, out of left field mark is placed somewhere in our lives. Then we wonder what in the world God is doing. And now we're angry and upset, and once again question our trust for our Creator.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">However...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">The truth is that God knows what He's doing and we don't. The truth is that He is in control and we are not, and that is actually the best thing that could ever happen. And the reality is that I need to be reminded of this. These marks that God makes in our lives shouldn't make us angry and cause us to doubt, but rather remind us that we are loved and in communion with the God of the universe. How cool? If we wait long enough, the events and circumstances of our lives that seem random and hurtful will begin to make sense as we view our lives from a bigger perspective. Obviously this requires a lot of patience and trust, two things that I feel like aren't in my bag right now. But I know that God is good. And I know that He loves me. And I know that those two truths are really all I need to know.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Thanks be to God that He is not done with me yet. </span><div><br /></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-25264652825951038412009-02-05T09:13:00.002-05:002009-02-05T09:16:33.017-05:00Spring is just around the...window sill?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">For the last week or so, I've woken up to a group of birds that sit outside my windows and chirp. I don't really know what they're chirping about...maybe the fact that it's actually been sunny most days lately, or maybe that Lebron put up 52, 11, and 10 last night at Madison Square Garden. All these chirps make me think that it's spring...that somehow, overnight, winter left and it's now June, which is when "spring" usually hits in Michigan. But alas, it's currently -2 outside (wind chill). But at least it's sunny!</span>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-18259701638805680532009-01-24T12:37:00.003-05:002009-01-24T12:49:11.697-05:0010 random thoughts:<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">...while waiting at my gate to fly home:<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Einstein's bagels are really good.<br /></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I think my two carry-ons weigh more than my 48 pound checked bag.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">It's a small miracle that my checked bag made weight.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I like the Denver Airport</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I like the Denver Airport a lot more when my friends are here.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I bet the nice old people that dress like cowboys and say hi to people have a good life.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Time is a funny concept: two weeks have never gone slower and faster at the same time.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">My plane just pulled in. I wonder if the people arriving in Denver are more excited than the people flying back to Detroit.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I think I've seen more sunshine in Colorado in the last two weeks than I will the rest of winter in Detroit.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Just checked the weather...it's cloudy back in Michigan. </span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div></div><div><br /></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-66929419424707260662009-01-14T00:17:00.002-05:002009-01-14T00:24:08.990-05:00What did you do today?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I did a lot today, including climbing a mountain. On the mountain behind camp, past the repelling send-off, up another 150-200 feet, is a bunch of crosses sitting on the very top of the mountain. So me and a few others decided to go check it out. What transpired and resulted from the next 50 minutes of our life, through all the snow, ice, dirt, crawling, spontaneous snow ball fights, and hoping we don't slide down a mountain to our death, was in a word: awesome. I'm pretty sure it's best view possible around here (although I'm hoping Property Staff tells me otherwise) and it was lots of fun making the trek. We had great conversation and challenged our bodies in ways that none of us lazy bums have done lately. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I didn't bring my camera cord, so you'll have to wait 10 or so more days to see them. But it was incredible.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I hope you did something extraordinary today. If you didn't, do it tomorrow</span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-31859146625240044252009-01-12T16:21:00.002-05:002009-01-12T16:27:16.030-05:00Second Impressions<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I walk past the same view of the mountains at least 3 times a day, and every time, the look different. I'm looking at the same view of the same mountains, yet God causes my eyes to see something new and spectacular concerning His creation. (I'll spare you having to look at these *similar* pictures, I think it's one of those "you gotta be here" type things).</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">One of the things I appreciate about being here for New Staff Training is reevaluating and re-thinking several aspects of Jesus and ministry that I have previously considered "mastered" or "no longer worth long periods of thought." God has so much out here for me and the rest of staff - that has been so abundantly obvious over these few days we've been here.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">God has so much out there for us all, all the time, in every place. That's cool.</span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-61219245236821920592009-01-10T15:27:00.004-05:002009-01-10T16:13:21.126-05:00Frontier Ranch<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br />To the few, the proud, the...readers of my blog,</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Not sure how many of you are out there still (if you are, leave a comment and say hi!). I've been doggin' it on the blogging front as of late. Life has been happening a lot lately and blogging about it hasn't really been the priority. Anyways.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Right now I'm sitting in the designated computer lab at Frontier Ranch, imo the most beautiful Young Life camp there is. There isn't a cloud in the sky and the sun really illuminates the snow-peaked mountains in the distance. Kind of like this (going left to right):</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDv4GzvQUJ_TN7V_TCsDsBapLwRbqGNPdZbebbAdOIpamMouhKDJAITlDNW80OhBfB0pGagEELARkG8XCb9xOJTXtsTOzD9Q605H_Yj6rzVUH4xwEA97QkW9D4selGhtZmVasf3Yh16Kj/s200/Photo0373.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289774179218827762" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUT-2EpgwmS_8AsncKfshdzvuYbFBZLTWrFwPgRsPgw95iwzzy_iWLICiMZD3BjKoUX2ngkEW0p6h1T7APQLzGuM4kEi79zF09n-WXkGsVXNqsMLlPngd1XiDiS4I4xBXckVXXaZFtbDC/s200/Photo0372.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289774183728432034" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjca1nMe-kbB1K-AMssot-iBt9AtcAjNEIaiH1PChQGPS-aiplyYuBkTU4FUhfP2_UzoAyF06XmGrbf4CVsk4m-2gAEly1UShxh9XBr_yxWoWpGxoZBbvFOLWYssuEjAOUbvXLcuxMgjVxk/s200/Photo0374.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289774176033797106" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I'm here for New Staff Training. There's over 240 people here for a week training for new staff (thus the name). It's great. I'm going to try and update my blog with random stuff and pictures while I'm here. Thus far, it's been awesome being right in the middle of such beauty, as well as awesome fellowship with 240+ like-minded people. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Here are the top 3 (slightly) embarassing activities that resulted in me short of breath:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">3. Walking up a 20 foot hill</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">2. Playing a game of ping-pong (though it was very competitive)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">1. eating breakfast this morning (I was really hungry)</span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-47417650627702367162008-12-20T11:40:00.005-05:002008-12-20T11:44:18.685-05:00Snowed in<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">In my current living arrangement, I have to park in the street. Not a good thing when it snows 8 inches.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbiNjxxN7JI3JUmYqIoGPDIVJL6rWj-5NJoSOb5uR0nJFytmlLWblqQ4vw7bGcknnOB0wtM1Z0e6GyA1xLJ_sTe0iXrf1d9rKqvPfJ7fIJpmM5lT8fY7yYUxddX8AUPGOd4SLeV4x3DYR/s200/Photo0357.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281913707079077106" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLN5sxOSFHDQ_UOOlQa9zLVlh0AhUWwvf-acroc-Sl24Bg00Ph6x-SeoQ_fEm2UjfFXnqbSFy_CP4Cj9GwKjjAhuwcqmJkW-ffp_DYEkEL_vuLduzNUAfYAzmHZf3-6vEQXHRKWkcUm7gg/s200/Photo0354.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281913713901108098" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXC7wvRIc1CHe32I_adZeFAvAyrZZEBUZeCvTR0Z6S8u8QIhnRGLlpOej58gLsdReGVQZW3d9GUTWcsKO5uhUk_myWeAfdPYRlNomCOMrC-ZsnE_BKczHVzSwaCDOJ01CWSbsUotLI2JD/s200/Photo0353.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281913711722889762" /></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8abEHZm_nwFjJ4SjPpm7INDnL_HFgFHYIvdMFnur-Z96gnlg2JULoscw_0LfRIvb_1zvZtxepv2z3Ls47Zfs3tQJ7WvHFUkgXhpcw2KoygiZX4v38BJrqp4vgSa-2KwzRJ7gC6VMZPbs/s200/Photo0356.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281913707503517666" /><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-68627454182674889812008-10-21T16:22:00.002-04:002008-10-21T16:27:26.941-04:00Old Man Oakland<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">During my 4+ years as a Young Life leader, I've met a few people that have thought I was younger or older than I was at the time. My freshman year in college, some high school kids thought I was the father of small child I was walking around with (who happened to be Luke Granger). I've also been mistaken as either a junior or senior in high school several times. And then just this past year, a sophomore in high school. And now, just this past Sunday, this conversation happened with a Red Barons coach of one of our younger teams as we watched the 8th grade team play:</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Coach: So do you have a boy out there playing right now?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Me: Umm no...I just graduated from Michigan State.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Old enough to be the father of a 13 year old? I've never been more honored.</span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-95976896667801992008-10-14T20:15:00.000-04:002008-10-14T20:16:29.985-04:00Wow<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The new </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.apple.com/macbook/the-new-macbook/">MacBook</a><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"></span></span>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-70573988504797333782008-10-14T18:54:00.003-04:002008-10-14T19:12:19.561-04:00What Teachers Make<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">First things first: Shan and I tried </span><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sweet-and-Spicy-Pumpkin-Seeds/Detail.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">this pumpkin seed</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"> recipe this weekend and they turned out GREAT. Highly recommended. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">During pre-game at our football game Sunday, I was asking one of our players about his weekend. In typical 8th grade fashion, most of his answers were pretty vague, so I kept asking more questions to really figure out what was going on. He then said, "Dude, you're just like Tom Brokaw."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">What caught me off guard was not his attempt at mocking me, but that he even knows who Tom Brokaw is. So I asked how he knows about him. His reply:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">"You ever watch South Park?"<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Me: "That's how you know about him?"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">TV loving 8th grade boy: "Yeah, South Park's taught me most of the stuff I know."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Uh oh.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">It was surprising to hear this, but I suppose I shouldn't be all that shocked. TV offers a lot of information, which is awesome as long as its true. Which I also suppose is not always the case. So for all my friends that are teachers or will be teachers, you've got your hands full. Thank you fighting the every day battle to teach kids. You make a difference every day. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre; "><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tpog1_NFd2Q&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tpog1_NFd2Q&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-85408878903791956252008-09-29T20:40:00.002-04:002008-09-29T20:53:19.024-04:00The Good Ole Days<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I filled up my gas tank yesterday and paid $3.47/gallon. I don't think I've paid that "low" of a price in a LONG time. So naturally, I was excited, which is also the first time I've been excited about the result of my latest trip to the gas station since, well, I'm not sure. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The second thought that immediately came to mind is that I yearn for those "good ole days" when $20 was all it took for a full tank of gas, and maybe a pop to go with it. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I've spent a lot of time over the past few months wishing for a second-coming of those "good ole days." Things that were true in my good ole days (note: these span a LARGE number of days)</span><br /><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li>my girlfriend and I lived in the same zip code</li><li>Gas was cheap</li><li>I didn't have to buy my own groceries</li><li>I didn't have to buy my own anything</li><li>the Atlanta Braves were winning pennants every year</li></ul><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">There are several others, but for sake of your time and mine, I'll end there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So what if my Good Ole Days span approximately 11 years of my life. They all represent something, serious or not, that I don't like as much about my present life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">However, I've been learning something lately. And by something, I mean: </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Past = past. Present is what's important. Be present in where you are, all the time. Future is worth hoping and praying for. Where we are going defines us more than where we've been.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Now, the thoughts that God presents to me in my head are presented much more eloquently than I've just typed to you, but I think you get the point.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I just realized that elaborating on these thoughts to the point that you'd </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms;">actually understand</span> them would take more time than I'm willing to give to my blog, and probably more time than you're willing to read (which I know is a lot :) So for brevity's sake, here's my point:<br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Rejoice in what God has done in your life and where He's taken you and led you to/through. Be fully present in the situation and life and with the people you're currently surrounded by. Let the direction you are heading in be more defining of your character than everything that's behind you.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">(sorry if you think any of that has nothing to do with previous words in the post)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">And my sincere apologies for giving you the most random, poorly thought/laid out post of my brief blogging life. Thanks for tuning in :)</span>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-10681472627547834292008-09-27T11:29:00.002-04:002008-09-27T11:34:08.653-04:00As soon as I start feeling old...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I was at pizza lunch for Grosse Pointe North last Tuesday and was hanging out with some guys. I asked what grade they are in and found out they are freshman. One guy responded back to me by asking, "are you a sophomore?"</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">As in, a sophomore in high school.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Do I really look that young?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">When is the day that being asked if you are younger than you really are becomes a compliment?</span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-82514845456248797702008-09-22T13:33:00.005-04:002008-09-22T14:04:22.601-04:00New alarm<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br />For the longest time I've relied on my cell phone to wake me up each morning. I haven't used a traditional alarm clock since high school. But these days, I'm waking up to something new each morning. I've waken up at the same time each morning, give or take about 10 minutes or so, for the past week or so to a much more "natural" noise, if you will. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">What is it you might ask?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-JyVGrKrmlTYqzUYA-kQtrACKzOdlfmV1oWzwLoxHxr4Yf_Ie76o5AX-ohgHUmP-HwHSQT9MKI2BtsWqjzpgiOip7qBexYH6oRgRQi7mm22b7W8Zy19tkpVReekDtVRwx_dLsCBLlmU9/s200/grey-squirrel-eating.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248906121280626866" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; "></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; ">"If you guessed "a squirrel jumping onto the a/c unit" then you're absolutely correct.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">(p.s. if you do a Google image search for "squirrel" some pretty funny pictures show up)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Right around 8 every morning, a squirrel leaps onto the a/c unit that sticks out of the window. The particular squirrels that live around my house don't really practice quiet landings, so their arrival wakes me up every morning. It kind of sounds like someone pounding on my bedroom walls.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I might have to put up a "No Parking" sign today. Or line the a/c unit with tacks. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I'm only sort of kidding :)</span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-27435066465607740442008-09-15T20:23:00.005-04:002008-09-15T20:47:38.881-04:00Beautiful weekend for football<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">This weekend I was part of two fantastic football games. Saturday afternoon Shan and I, along with some of our friends, spent the first half of our afternoon sitting in good ole Spartan Stadium. It had been way too long since I was there for a game, and this past weekend was probably my best opportunity this season. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I don't think I've ever seen it rain so hard for so long, and but I can't imagine having as much fun in a rainstorm as I did. We gathered all the rain gear we could find, picked up some free tickets from a friend, and found our seats perfectly located in row 3 of the upper deck. And it was great. The pageantry of college football is unlike anything else, and </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8WtPwkzpAM"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">"Thunderstruck"</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"> will always bring about an adrenaline rush.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">So we sat and stood and yelled and cheered and sang the fight song over and over for 3 and a half hours. Not surprisingly, we left a little soaked, but I don't think all the rain gear in the world had a chance that day. And after 43 carries and 282 yards from Javon Ringer, we left satisfied with a </span><a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282570127&confId=5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">17-0 shutout</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"> of FAU.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Last night was the opening game for the Grosse Pointe South Red Barons. I've been helping out with coaching this 8th grade team for the past month and I've absolutely loved it. We had a bye the first week, so the anticipation of a season opener has been on my mind for a while. We opened away against Macomb, one of the better teams in the league. With about a two dozen loyal and loving parents watching both teams, we kicked off under a relentless blanket of rain. After 3 quarters of sloppy but hard-nosed football, we held onto 13-0 lead. Unfortunately I had to leave early to get to a YL meeting, but I'm excited to hear a full report at practice tomorrow!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Hopefully after reading this you'll get a taste of how great these games were. I really don't think there are any words to describe how much rain fell on my head and how much joy was in my heart. </span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-35738627017228438092008-09-11T11:47:00.003-04:002008-09-11T12:05:20.069-04:009/11<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Today it's been 7 years since the events of September 11. I still remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I first heard.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I was sitting on the left side of the classroom in my normal seat for Schu's math class. Right in front of his desk. The bell to start class had just ring and our teacher was just getting ready to get up and begin class. Suddenly one of our assistant football coaches briskly walked in the room and whispered something in our teacher's ear, then walked out just as quickly. The room was silent at this point because we all thought class was about start. Our teacher walked over the t.v. in the in the corner and turned it on, I think to NBC. He walked quietly back to his desk and we all sat their in silence for the rest of class. Not one person said a word for about 86 minutes. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">The rest of the day was weird. We talked at lunch about whether they would attack us, in Northville. No one really knew what was going on and how serious this actually was. It was hard to really focus on anything that day, and especially the rest of the week.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Where were you? What were you doing when you first heard?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Other events that I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I first heard about it: OJ's bronco chase, OJ's trial verdict, Princess Diana's death, MSU beating ND in overtime in 2005...I'm sure there's more, but I need to get some work done!</span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-85456993644068075932008-09-08T14:03:00.000-04:002008-09-08T14:04:00.284-04:00Putting the Giant in Little GiantsUPDATE: our new guy is actually 205 lbs, not 165 as originally reported. Yikes. Welcome to the team!Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-24855688777065154092008-09-04T15:26:00.005-04:002008-09-04T15:33:39.070-04:00Real life Little Giants<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">So I've been helping out with the 8th grade football team for a couple weeks now and I love it. We have a fairly small team both in numbers and physical size, but I think we've got a handful of good players and several hard workers that should make for a fun season.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">From my very first day, I noticed similarities between this team and the fictional </span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110364/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Little Giants</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">. We've got our own version of Ice Box (although it's a guy) and a QB that reminds me of Junior. And with several first time football players, I feel like I'm living in the movie (although sadly, none of the coaches are anything like Rick Moranis).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Last night we had our first scrimmage. I saw some good things, saw some bad things, but unfortunately didn't get to see a whole lot because it started late and was shortened by rain. But the most exciting story is that we have a new football player. Our very own Spike, if you will. He's 5'11" and 165 lbs, which makes him the bigger than all the other kids (except for one shorter, heavier linemen) and one coach (myself). Should be fun coaching him up!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Our first game is Sunday the 14th and I can't wait! Being able to combine my passion for kids and football is such a blessing.</span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-13178788520619610792008-08-20T21:35:00.003-04:002008-08-20T22:08:18.369-04:00Creatures of habit I guessI was at a coffee shop tonight waiting for my friend to show up when I received a phone call. It was this girl calling about an ad I put up on allMSU for a textbook I've been trying to get rid of. Unfortunately for her, I had already committed to selling to it someone else. I ended the conversation by saying "well thanks for calling, have a great night." Her reply was "okay thanks, talk to you later."<div><br /></div><div>How often do we say things and have no idea what we're talking about? Obviously, there's very little chance she's going to talk to me later because she doesn't know me and really has no reason to ever call me again. Every now and then I'll accidentally say "you too" when someone says something to me. A couple weeks ago I was at Subway and the guy who makes me a sandwich at Subway and says "thanks, enjoy your sandwich." </div><div><br /></div><div>"Thanks, you too!"</div><div><br /></div><div>I bet he didn't like me very much when I said that.</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-80575340243419083822008-08-16T16:47:00.003-04:002008-08-16T17:14:56.520-04:00Great way to spend an afternoon<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Just got back from the Grosse Pointe South football scrimmage. Beautiful day for football. Met some kids. Ate a couple free hamburgers. It was great.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Some parents were handing out t-shirts there. I think they are shirts that parents have bought because each shirt had a last name on the back. The front of the shirt says "Who's Your Devil?" Wonderful slogan if you ask me. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I'm not sure who my devil is, but I'm excited to find one to be!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Also, there are some 5 year olds that dress better than I do.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-49215177139108640822008-08-14T19:42:00.005-04:002008-08-16T14:03:52.073-04:00New friends<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I finally met the rest of the family when they returned home from vacation Thursday night and it was great. I ended up hanging out with two of their girls (age 4 and 6) for about an hour. Here are some highlights:</span><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; ">Fished a tomato out of their fish pond for the 4 year. She then rinsed it off in the hose and ate it.</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; ">Pushed the 4 year old on the swing for about 10 hours. It was only 15 minutes but it felt like that. She's a tough negotiator when it comes to "number of pushes left until the new guy can leave."</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; ">I was challenged to go all the way across all the monkey bars (about 8 feet). Somehow I made it without completely splintering both my hands.</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; ">Watched them both dribble the basketball and do their best moves. They both used the word 'cool' to describe it about 57 times each in the span of 2 minutes.</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; ">Listened to the 4 year old stress out about her packed schedule the next day. She wasn't sure how to fit in "playing on the swing" while she was already planning on sleeping in, coloring in bed, jumping on the trampoline, more coloring, AND riding her bike. I could only offer my sympathy.</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; ">And finally, as I began to walk away from the house to go running, I had this final exchange with the 4 year old: </span><br /></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Her: Are you leaving your car?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Me: Yes...I won't need it to go running!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Her: If you leave it in the street, it'll get stolen.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Me: Well, that's where your dad told me to park it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Her: Well, you should listen to him I guess, but if you, it'll get stolen.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Me: I think it'll be okay, it hasn't gotten stolen yet.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">So as I started to jog away, she yelled this:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">"I'll pray for ya. God bless ya!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Should be a fun time living here :)</span></div><div><br /></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939034511927752338.post-18372012301649312502008-08-14T13:43:00.003-04:002008-08-14T13:48:22.565-04:00'Tis the season<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><div><br /></div>Every year, during this very week, the air is filled with the sounds of whistles, pads hitting, yelling coaches, and the click-clack of cleats on pavement. Yep, it's the official start of week of high school football practice. It's also the official start week of all the other fall sports, but there's something different about football. Maybe I'm just biased though.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I live about a pitching wedge away from Grosse Pointe South HS, and just a little further away is their football field. Today is the first day of full pads and it couldn't be any nicer of a day. So all morning I've had memories of the glory days back in high school replaying in my head. It's been quite a long stroll down memory lane. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I still miss playing football. The heat. The camaraderie. The lights. Maybe I'll watch Friday Night Lights this weekend.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">In other related news...I might be an 8th grade football coach!</span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359067610320370429noreply@blogger.com1