I love my brothers.

I apologize for the lack of blogging as of late.  School post-Tijuana has been quite overwhelming, and many areas of my life have suffered as a result - all cumulating in a poor showing on Tuesday with the final review to what has been a thoroughly disappointing project.  I am thankful for the slight rest between the end of that project and the beginning of the next in Detroit on Friday - even if it means just spending an hour with my Christian brothers here on North Campus who are endlessly encouraging to me.

"I thank my God every time I remember you... God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1.3 + 8

Last summer, I had the opportunity to attend Tomball Bible Church in Texas with my friends from Sandy Creek.  One of the messages that stuck most clearly in my mind had to do with the beginning of Philippians - a part that, like the beginnings of most books in the Bible, I look over.  A mistake, obviously, given the content of this particular beginning: Paul's relationship with the Philippians, a strong community of Christ-followers as well as supporters of his ministry, was so strong that he yearned painfully to be with them.  In verse 8, the phrase "affection of Christ Jesus" refers to a deep, intense sort of love - a love that comes up from deep within Paul's soul, a love that hurts in the magnitude of its power.  Paul longs to be with the Philippians - but is "in chains for Christ." (v.13)

There is perhaps some depth of meaning here that I should understand, even as I write this.  1) "I thank my God every time I remember you" - since the events of last year, the community of Christian men on North Campus here at UM has become crucially important in my life.  I would not be who I am today without their strength, wisdom, and love.  2) Even as Paul is unable to be with those whom he loves, he understands "what has happened... has really served to advance the gospel." (v.12)  This is perhaps an attitude I need to take on more often with all the time I spend in the architecture studio, a frankly dangerous environment for the believer - not so much because of its hostility, but because of its passivity: issues of spirituality have utterly no relevance there.  However, I am not Paul - and I am thankful today, in this moment, for those brief moments I do still get to have with my brothers.