Please pray for my mother
We just heard from my Dad that there is something wrong with my Mother. He is working in Alabama, and she is at their home in the Atlanta area. When he called her this morning, he said that she was incoherent. He called the police, and when the police responded, they called the ambulance. My dad is currently on the way to Atlanta, but he hopes to talk to the EMT’s from the ambulance soon. We don’t know anything more than this.
We would appreciate your prayers.
Back from Vacation
We’re back from vacation! We had an incredible time – very peaceful and very relaxing. We strolled around a small mountain town, walked some trails to see a few waterfalls, rode horses, and visited with some of Margaret’s relatives. All in all, this was exactly the kind of vacation that our family needed.
I’ll probably publish a new blog post in the next couple of days – although I’m not in any rush right now – still relaxing. I’ve been thinking about contentment, so I’ll probably write something about that. Also, the waterfalls were very inspirational, so I’ll probably write something about waterfalls related to man=made vs. Spirit-induced life and community.
In the next few days, I’ll probably also publish a few things on our family blog. I’ll put a notice here when I do so.
Vacation
Starting this afternoon (Saturday), our family is taking a vacation to the western North Carolina mountains. A good friend is going to dog- and house-sit for us while we are gone. I’m not sure if I will have internet access in the mountains, but even if I do, I do not plan to write or publish any blog posts during the next week. I’ll see you all in seven or eight days!
U23D
Yesterday afternoon, my son, Jeremy, and I watched the U23D movie at the IMAX theatre in Raleigh. I was completely blown away! This is the best concert movie that I’ve ever watched. The band played songs that stretched across their career. Bono and the Edge were excellent, as expected, but I was also impressed with Adam Clayton (bass) and Larry Mullen, Jr. And, now, Jeremy is a U2 fan. Has anyone else seen this movie?
Relay for Life
During our lifetime, several family members and friends have been diagnosed with cancer. Alan’s grandfather and Margaret’s grandmother died from cancer. The son of our good friends was recently diagnosed and treated for cancer. Last year, Margaret’s father was diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer. Cancer has greatly affected our life.
Our family is taking part in the Relay for Life to raise money for the American Cancer Society. When we signed up to take part in the Relay for Life in our area (North Raleigh/Wake Forest Relay on May 16-17), we were each given a “Participation Page” which allows people to donate online. If you would like to help us raise money to help fight cancer, please click one of the pages below and look for the “Donate” button.
Jeremy’s Relay for Life Page
Miranda’s Relay for Life Page
Margaret’s Relay for Life Page
Alan’s Relay for Life Page
Thank you for helping us raise money for the American Cancer Society!
House Church Workshop
Tonight and tomorrow I’m attending the North Carolina House Church Workshop in Smithfield, NC. The workshop is being led by Steve Atkerson and Tim Melvin of New Testament Restoration Fellowship. According to the web site, the sessions should cover several topics that I am interested in. I’m also hoping to spend some time with several old friends, and hopefully to make some new friends. Also, my son, Jeremy, is joining me at this conference, so that should make it even better.
I also learned recently that the conference location has Wi-Fi, so I may be able to publish some blog posts about the conference tonight and tomorrow.
House Church Workshop
Session 1 – Apostolic Traditions
Session 2 – Participatory Church Meetings
Session 3 – Elder-Led Congregational Consensus
Session 4 – The Lord’s Supper
Summary Remarks
New Semester
The Spring semester started last week. This semester, I’m teaching one section of NT Greek II in the college (Southeastern College at Wake Forest), and I’m taking two PhD seminars: the Gospel of John and OT Theology.
I love teaching. Most of my Greek students were in my Greek I class last semester. I look forward to getting to know them better and helping them learn this important language. I use Dave Black’s book Learn to Read New Testament Greek in class. This semester there will be more and more Scripture translation. This usually motivated the students to work even harder.
Last week, I attended one session of the seminar on the Gospel of John with David Beck. We’re already reading Raymond Brown’s An Introduction to the Gospel of John. This has been an excellent read, though I don’t agree with all of Brown’s conclusions. I’m also looking forward to reading What We Have Heard From the Beginning, edited by Tom Thatcher. Each week, we have exegetical assignments through the Gospel, as well as being responsible for leading the discussion one week. I’ll be leading the discussion on John 17-18. Since John 17 contains one of my favorite passages concerning unity, I think it will be an interesting discussion. I’ll also be writing an exegetical paper on a passage in John. I haven’t decided which passage to study yet.
Next week, I will attend my first session of the seminar in Old Testament Theology with Chip McDaniel. We don’t have a syllabus yet, so I don’t know exactly what will be required in this seminar. I know that we’ll be reading Gerhard Hasel’s Old Testament Theology and Bruce Waltke’s An Old Testament Theology. Also, I think each participant will be writing a paper on the theology of Deuteronomy.
So, this should be a very interesting semester. Don’t be surprised if you read several posts about John and OT Theology.
Snow
So, it started snowing here about an hour ago. We were supposed to get snow a few days ago, but nothing materialized. Anyway, today we are definitely going to get snow – since it is already snowing. It is supposed to snow all night and into the early morning hours. Also, the temperature is supposed to drop into the 20’s. They are saying that the snow should stick around until at least Monday.
We talked to Margaret’s parents earlier this morning. It was snowing in Alabama then. According to the new reports, this was their first snow since 1993 – that’s fourteen years ago! We remember that snow vividly. It snowed on December 22, 1993 – the day that Jeremy was born. We were in the hospital watching it snow out the window. I think it also snowed the spring before, but I don’t remember the exact date. Snow is rare in Alabama.
If we have any accumulation, I’ll put some pictures on here. Also, I hope to post some pictures from our travels to Alabama and Georgia over Christmas and New Years.
Greek ΓΕΕΚ
Speaking of my son Jeremy, for Christmas he gave me a t-shirt with one word on it:
ΓΕΕΚ
(In case you don’t know, the first letter is the Greek letter gamma, which makes the hard “G” sound.) Several friends call me a “Greek Geek” (affectionately?). In reality, I’m a double geek. I have a bachelors and masters degree in Electrical Engineering (also known as “Double E”). As Maël constantly reminds me, “You can’t spell ‘Geek’ without a ‘Double E’.”
Anyway, my friend Lew designed the “Greek Geek” shirt and added it to his store “The Pursuit Online Store“. (By the way, I am very pleased with the quality of this shirt. And, no, Lew did not ask me for an endorsement.) My wife decided to order it for me for Christmas. I have such a wonderful family!
Your Help is Needed
Barb Orlowski needs your help conducting research for her Doctor of Ministry degree. Read her request below, and help her if you can.
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Request for Help for Potential Participants:
Hi Everyone, Sept. 2007
My name is Barb Orlowski. I am on the Doctor of Ministry program at A.C.T.S. Seminaries in Langley, B.C., Canada. In order to conduct the research necessary to complete my dissertation, I could use your help. I am conducting a survey among Christians who have experienced emotional and spiritual distress under authoritarian and controlling church leaders and have recovered from this experience.
Here are the criteria that I am looking for in participants:
1. Christians who have experienced emotional and spiritual distress under authoritarian and controlling church leaders and who have ceased to be associated with those congregations;
2. Christians who subsequently have recognized and processed their spiritual grief and pain and have experienced spiritual recovery;
3. Christians who are willing to share how they have processed their negative experience and have recovered spiritual harmony; those who can share what has happened since this painful episode. Christians who can answer this question: What factors have helped you to restore your confidence in God and His people?
If people feel that they fit the criteria for this study, please contact me. I will give you further details about this study, and then I will send you the questionnaire along with the consent information. The responses given by those participating will be kept confidential. Your responses will be put in anonymous form and may be kept for further use after the completion of this study.
Thank you for your interest and participation in this study. I appreciate the time and effort that it takes to complete a questionnaire.
In Him, Barb
Barb’s contact email: churchexitersq@telus.net
* Comments and questions are welcome.
When you respond to this request by emailing me please let me know which site you saw this information. Thanks.