The Spirit of Detroit

Small town boy met a girl from Detroit--minus the smoking room, Journey almost had it right.  Along the way, i've fallen in love my wife's hometown--it was great to show the boys downtown Detroit yesterday.

And right there in the middle of a city that may represent the "best" example of the hard times of our current economy has suffered, was the sculpture and inscription that may best provide the formula for the better future we all desire.  "The Spirit of Detroit" has been seen by countless numbers in commercials, movies and other media presentations, but i don't think i am the only one who never new about its inspirational meaning, sitting inscribed right in front of the sculpture.   Created by Marshall Fredericks and dedicated in 1958, i wonder how many political activist groups would attempt to block this statement today--and yet, today is when we need its wisdom the most...

"The Spirit of Detroit"

The inscription on the symbol wall is from

II Corinthians 3:17, 'Now the Lord is that Spirit and 

where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.'

The sculpture by Marshall Fredericks was designed

to continue the thought conveyed by the inscription

and reflects in its conception the spirit underlying

all human ideals--the relationship of God to man.

The main figure represents the spirit of man, in his

left hand he hold a symbol of God, and in his right

hand, a family group: father, mother, and child.

The artist expresses the concept that God through

the spirit of man is manifested in the family, the

noblest human relationship.

And what a fitting monument and inscription from my wife's hometown--for it is with my wife that the Lord blesses us with such a wonderful family and inspires us to His noblest purposes.