Today, I happened to be at Starbucks on campus at the end of the Kansas/Davidson game. As the game was ending, I walked across the room to Chili's Too to watch the end of the game, as Kansas emerged victorious, making it the first time since the field expanded to 64 teams that all 4 No.1 seeds advanced to the Final Four. Off to the side, I hear a funny comment:
Some girl in America is living my dream; picking all four of the Final Four teams.
Sadly, he's right, as most people who follow basketball never pick all 4 No. 1 teams to the Final Four, because of the history. Even more sadly, if his dream is to pick all four Final Four teams, he really needs bigger dreams.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Resurrection
This week is Holy Week, with tomorrow being Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. This week I bought a book that I'd had my eye on for awhile. I bought Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright. The inside cover flap says something to the effect of:
For years, Christians have asked the question, "If do died tonight, do you know where you would go?" Turns out they have been giving the wrong answer. It is not heaven.
His argument appears to be based on the idea that we have hope of resurrection when we die. It is not a matter of dieing and immediately going to heaven, but rather waiting in hope of the resurrection of the dead. He has hinted that he will be arguing against the idea that heaven is a disembodied state, but rather a new creation, or fulfillment of creation, a joining together or heaven and earth. When taken in this context, it makes a lot more sense why Paul commends us to take care of our bodies and this earth. However, our mindset typically is the opposite. We see little need to take care of our bodies for a spiritual purpose or to take care of the earth for such a purpose. Rather we see no need to oil the squeaky wheel of the cart that is about to go over the cliff.
I am only a couple chapters into the book, but it is forcing me to evaluate my thoughts on death and life after death. I had done some initial wrestling with the issue a few years ago, but had not come to any well-reasoned conclusions. I was leaning towards some of these conclusions, but now it's time to figure things out a little more.
I think our church is onto something with the celebration of Easter. Throughout Lent, the sanctuary has been decorated using gray primarily. On Good Friday, the decorations are turned to black and left that way till the service starts on Sunday morning. One of the first things in the service that happens is we sing "Christ the Lord is Risen Today", and as we sing, people come down the aisles carrying lilies, white cloth, and other "life-signifying" things and the sanctuary is transformed from death to life as we proclaim the resurrection of our Lord. It is a very moving time.
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On other things, I'm getting to be a "bachelor" for the weekend. Jess is up in Michigan visiting her family. She had Good Friday and the day after Easter off, so she flew back to Michigan Thursday evening. She flies back on Monday evening. My parents are coming next Thursday, so I'm using the weekend to get ahead in some classes and work on some papers... and cheering on Purdue this afternoon. I'm also getting a "guys night" tonight, which will be fun too. However, I'm already anxiously awaiting the return of my wife on Monday.
For years, Christians have asked the question, "If do died tonight, do you know where you would go?" Turns out they have been giving the wrong answer. It is not heaven.
His argument appears to be based on the idea that we have hope of resurrection when we die. It is not a matter of dieing and immediately going to heaven, but rather waiting in hope of the resurrection of the dead. He has hinted that he will be arguing against the idea that heaven is a disembodied state, but rather a new creation, or fulfillment of creation, a joining together or heaven and earth. When taken in this context, it makes a lot more sense why Paul commends us to take care of our bodies and this earth. However, our mindset typically is the opposite. We see little need to take care of our bodies for a spiritual purpose or to take care of the earth for such a purpose. Rather we see no need to oil the squeaky wheel of the cart that is about to go over the cliff.
I am only a couple chapters into the book, but it is forcing me to evaluate my thoughts on death and life after death. I had done some initial wrestling with the issue a few years ago, but had not come to any well-reasoned conclusions. I was leaning towards some of these conclusions, but now it's time to figure things out a little more.
I think our church is onto something with the celebration of Easter. Throughout Lent, the sanctuary has been decorated using gray primarily. On Good Friday, the decorations are turned to black and left that way till the service starts on Sunday morning. One of the first things in the service that happens is we sing "Christ the Lord is Risen Today", and as we sing, people come down the aisles carrying lilies, white cloth, and other "life-signifying" things and the sanctuary is transformed from death to life as we proclaim the resurrection of our Lord. It is a very moving time.
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On other things, I'm getting to be a "bachelor" for the weekend. Jess is up in Michigan visiting her family. She had Good Friday and the day after Easter off, so she flew back to Michigan Thursday evening. She flies back on Monday evening. My parents are coming next Thursday, so I'm using the weekend to get ahead in some classes and work on some papers... and cheering on Purdue this afternoon. I'm also getting a "guys night" tonight, which will be fun too. However, I'm already anxiously awaiting the return of my wife on Monday.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
A Dilemma
This coming weekend is one of my favorite weekends of the year, every year. The NCAA Tournament begins play on Thursday morning and continues through Sunday evening. It is an extravaganza of basketball, with great upsets along the way.
This afternoon, I watched the selection show, waiting for my two teams to be named to the bracket. I kept waiting, and waiting, and waiting... and the last game they announce involves both of my teams. Purdue and Baylor in the first round. Now, although Baylor will be giving me a degree in a couple years, my allegiance still lies with Purdue. It's just too bad that both of my teams can't make it past the first round.
To further complicate things, the game is on Thursday. I have class till 2 PM (3 EST) on Thursday, and then I'm taking Jess to the airport in Dallas at 4 and won't return till 8. So not only are both of my teams playing each other in the first round, but there's a 50% chance that I won't be able to watch the game.
Four positive notes though: 1) There is only one game that I have to watch in the first round. 2) One of my two teams will be playing on Saturday. 3) Since Purdue is playing Baylor, if the game happens while I'm driving Jess to the airport, at least it'll be on the radio. 4) After the first round, there is no possibility of divided allegiance... especially since cheering against IU is a part of being a Purdue fan.
This afternoon, I watched the selection show, waiting for my two teams to be named to the bracket. I kept waiting, and waiting, and waiting... and the last game they announce involves both of my teams. Purdue and Baylor in the first round. Now, although Baylor will be giving me a degree in a couple years, my allegiance still lies with Purdue. It's just too bad that both of my teams can't make it past the first round.
To further complicate things, the game is on Thursday. I have class till 2 PM (3 EST) on Thursday, and then I'm taking Jess to the airport in Dallas at 4 and won't return till 8. So not only are both of my teams playing each other in the first round, but there's a 50% chance that I won't be able to watch the game.
Four positive notes though: 1) There is only one game that I have to watch in the first round. 2) One of my two teams will be playing on Saturday. 3) Since Purdue is playing Baylor, if the game happens while I'm driving Jess to the airport, at least it'll be on the radio. 4) After the first round, there is no possibility of divided allegiance... especially since cheering against IU is a part of being a Purdue fan.
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