What is and what should never be…
I don’t know why I named this post “What is and what should never be.” I guess I have Led Zeppelin on the brain.
This post is simply a personal update and a request (and opportunity) for my readers to introduce themselves (especially my newer readers, but you regulars can join in also).
So, what’s going on in my life? Well, many of my regularly readers know, I’m working on a book right now. (See my post “Scripture… As We Live It Book Project.”) I’m hoping that when I finish the book (early next year), I will be able to do less web development and finish my dissertation.
Also, I’ve recently applied for a job in Raleigh. A friend told me about the job, and I was surprised at how well it fit with my experience (both computer experience and academic experience). I’m still praying that I get called in for an interview.
Almost two months ago, in a post called “A change in diet and exercise for me… and for the church,” I said that the doctor had recently counseled me to change my lifestyle, or I would be headed toward an unhealthy life. In response, Margaret and I both changed what and how we ate and started walking for exercise working up to 5×50 minutes per week. We’re both doing well on the diet and exercise, and we’re happy with the results so far.
Over the last 3-4 weeks, I’ve worked up from walking to running. I’ve been able to run 5k (3.1 miles) several times, and I’m working on my pace now. I’m hoping to run in a 5k race in just over a month. (By the way, Margaret is also starting to run a little. We did not think she’d be able to run because she had ankle surgery a few years ago.)
I’ve had a few opportunities to teach recently. Just a few days ago, Dave Black asked me to teach on the Book of Acts in his New Testament class. (See my post “Lecture Notes: The Church by Example in the Book of Acts.”) I’m also teaching a high school level Latin course for a homeschool coop. And, I’ve had several opportunities to teach the church when we gather together on Sunday mornings. This teaching is primarily discussion-oriented, which is more difficult for me.
On the other hand, I think God is also teaching me to listen and learn more when others teach, especially when the church is meeting. I don’t know if it’s just me, but as a teaching, I love to teach. I must make sure that I’m spending at least as much time learning from others. (I’m glad that I have that opportunity when we meet with the church.)
So, that’s what’s happening in my life.
Now, it’s your turn. What not tell me and my readers something about yourself? Give us a chance to get to know you. Also, share what God is doing in your life or struggles you’ve been having so that we can pray for you.
Hi there, have been following your blog for a while now, so thought I would respond to the invitation to say ‘hello’. I’m from the UK, but now based in Spain, with my wife and 2 year old daughter. We earn our living as english teachers and are involved in a small, home based church. Have particularly enjoyed your posts about the Lord’s supper being a full meal. I like eating! Keep on asking the questions!!
Hey Alan,
I have been enjoying your blog tremendously.
Here is a bit about me. I reside in Crestwood, KY, just outside of Louisville. I am married (today is my 16th anniversary), and we have 2 wonderful children. All but my wife BMX race, so our weekends are usually at a dirt hole somewhere in the US. It is great fun, and a wonderful family environment. As a family we are still wandering the post-institutional wilderness looking for community. We met with a few families for a couple of years after leaving the institution called church, but sadly the body broke apart. Very sad. We will find love in another community soon. If I am ever out your way Alan, I will try to stop by and say hello. Come on over to my blog and say hello sometime.. http://www.abnormalreaction.wordpress.com
Swanny
Andrew,
Thanks for kicking things off and introducing yourself!
Swanny,
I’ve been to your site… I hope others visit also!
-Alan
Alan, keep trudging. I’d do well to learn from your doctor’s advice myself. Still working up to that. As usual, my health could always use prayer. I’ve not been good to my body these short 32 years I’ve been here. Hope to change that…got a kid and a wife and all..I like them…so I want to be here awhile 🙂
Employment is always exciting. We have a new initiative developing in the county I am employed in. It’s called CIT, or Crisis Intervention Team. Basically, its a corroboration of Mental Health Workers, First Responders, and the Court System, to implement alternative measures when dealing with individuals who commit crimes as a result of their illness, and not as a result of purposeful crime committal. Thin-line? Yes. Needed intervention? I am a product of programs like this when it was in it’s infancy. You might know some first responders in your hood?
Swanny, I also visited your site. Welcome back to this side of the fence 🙂 Hope to read your blog as often as I can!
I am a single mother in northern California. I am trying to learn my way around Google+… and am in a local Bible college called Epic.
I discovered organic church and eventually this blog after a class I took there. The books for the class included Simple Church and when I had read it I went searching for more information via the web.
God bless you Alan as you move forward.
I have nothing earth shattering to share about what God is doing right now. I feel like I hear Him saying something about merging my personal blog with my out reach one. Not that I was trying to hide anything they just have two different focuses and so were created independently.
My thought had been to wait until I was ready to publish a book or something but Father knows best. hahahahaha
Hi Alan,
Thanks for providing a connection format as I have enjoyed hearing more about you and your readers. I have also enjoyed following you on Twitter and have read some of your blogs. I like hearing about your enthusiasm for organic churches and your connection to home schooling.
I am a home schooling mom, wife, & entrepreneur of a counseling business (http://www.hiscreationsministries.org). My newest endeavor is organic living. I actually just started a new blog to chronicle my journey w/just one entry so far at http://organicspirituallife.blogspot.com. If you have a chance to check it out, let me know what you think…Thanks!
James,
Thanks for the encouragement! I was able to run 5 miles at a pace of just under 11 minutes per mile this morning. That’s my best pace for a longer run.
Beth,
Thanks for introducing yourself! I’ll check out your sites too.
-Alan
My husband (from Mexico) and I (from PA) live and minister to a small new church we planted (Dec. ’08) in Torreon, Mexico along with our 3 young daughters (born in TX) whom I homeschool. We are in a time of learning with the Lord, being refocused (diet/exercise, parenting, learning how to minister/lead/follow, balancing home/school/ministry/extended family, etc.)
BTW, we are in our second year of Latin (w/ 4th and 6th graders), and since Feb. 2010 we began to use the Well Trained Mind suggestions in pursuit of a classical education.
I too, started a blog this year: treepickingsblog.blogspot.com as a way to replace pesky newsletters while actually sharing more of my heart and life with people who are interested in us. The blog is still in the early stage of finding definition–and readership!
ToscaSac,
Your comment got caught in the spam filter. But, I rescued it. Thanks for introducing yourself!
Rose,
Nice to “meet” you too!
-Alan
Hey Alan!! I’m catching up on your blogs I’ve missed the past months again….. sure do enjoy reading them (and in response to a question you asked somewhere – YES I enjoy you posting the old entries on facebook! Love that.).
Great job on the running. I also have a goal to run a 5k ..before I turn 30. I ran one after Evelyn (baby #2) was born… but actually I just walked/jogged… so my goal is to FOR REAL RUN one before I turn 30 in June 2013. We’ll see.
I keep thinking about what God is asking of me now…. but it seems I just don’t know. right now He seems to be asking me to wait. to be the best wife & mom I can to a now kindergartener (sniff sniff) a 18 month old and baby due in November.
I would love to be in your Acts class you are teaching. We are doing acts in BSF this year and I am LOVING it. I really enjoy the BSF “system”…. BSF itself is such a major intricate detailed system…. and it works. do systems like that work in dynamic true relationships or the Church? no – but BSF isn’t those things – it really is just an education system… and so it works! I love this study so much and the Spirit has certainly been using this scripture to stir my affections for Christ even more…. and for His Church. and then I find myself blaaa because I guess I’m at a place now where we are gonna have to “go back to church” just to find others to fellowship with. We just haven’t found anybody willing to take the leap with us and come meet at our house even though i meet new friends all the time… and many *seem* interested…..I guess honestly we just don’t seem sure enough of ourselves or able to formulate a good enuff marketing plan for what we do or why…. so… i guess the step is to just fellowship where we can… which is in buildings on Sunday mornings… ironically the place I am finding the most people who are ready to step OUT is IN traditional places (BSF, traditional churches)… so maybe we will go IN – and take it for what it’s worth. Knowing what it is and isn’t… keepin our expectations there and just seeing what God does… so that we can go out…. but I don’t know… and I don’t know of any fellowship around here I’d like to try out that we haven’t….
and the other thing is… it’s just discouraging because I feel that as we have tried to look for a more genuine true expression of acts 2:42 and on…. instead we feel a lot further away then before we went seeking…
so that’s my whining. alone yet not alone. waiting and waiting… just as the disciples waited for the Holy Spirit… as they waited they were in “constant prayer” and they were working on bonding/relationships it seems….. so I guess I will keep on doing that the best as I can…whatever that means…
🙂 thanks for the updates. surely there’s an alan knox around here in the wilmington area right!? 🙂