Acquiring Wisdom

People of the world say, “knowledge is power” and set about gathering knowledge about people and situations that concern them. Knowledge is an assemblage of facts and datum. Those facts and datum are of little use, except for small talk at parties, if you lack the wisdom to interpret and use those facts. Wisdom is the proper interpretation and application of knowledge. Wisdom allows you to interpret information properly, however pressing information into the mold of our own opinions and ideology distorts it and renders it less useful.

Proverbs 2: 1-7 says:
¹ My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
²So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
³Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
⁴If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
⁵Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.
⁶For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
⁷He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; Continue reading “Acquiring Wisdom”

Confessions of a Clinical Depression Survivor

Another article on Clinical Depression from long ago, posted for the benefit of those who need it now.

We see many stories from survivors of cancer, heart failure, addiction and more. Here is my survivor story. But first some factual background.

What Is Clinical Depression?

Clinical Depression is a progressively deepening melancholy accompanied by an increasing tendency to withdraw from social activity and eventually even personal relationships. In advanced stages the victim is so disinterested in everything that they neglect personal hygiene and meals and begin to shut out everyone and everything as they focus entirely on their own self-loathing. Suicidal tendencies are common in this stage.

Contrary to popular opinion, clinical depression is not a purely psychological disorder. Like schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, clinical depression has an organic basis. Depression has been tied to low levels of a neurotransmitter called serotonin. This agent bridges the gaps between ganglia in the brain and allows the proper “firing” of nerve impulses that make thought possible. Serotonin is a short -lived compound because the body breaks it down; if this breakdown process exceeds the body’s production of serotonin, a shortage results.

It is not clearly understood whether depression causes low serotonin levels or whether low serotonin levels cause depression, but the two are definitely linked. Continue reading “Confessions of a Clinical Depression Survivor”

Fighting Clinical Depression

I wrote this article on depression long ago and it was published in HealthMad e-Zine. They have since rotated it out (can’t keep everything forever, can we?) so I am free to repost it here. This is not an issue I am currently dealing with, but I have been in discussion with some who are. This is for them.

My journey through depression began long ago, way back when I was ensnared in servitude through employment. I suppose I had always been prone to bouts of melancholy; they were troublesome but, with one or two exceptions, never amounted to much. But there came a point where my life had for some time been wracked by a slow series of personal and spiritual failures culminating in the collapse of my “house of cards”.

A co-worker, my supervisor actually, who had made this journey herself recognized the signs in me early on and encouraged me – repeatedly – to seek help while I could. She was my light on the path and I will be eternally grateful to Anna for her vigilance and gentle persistence.

My climb back to the high ground was a long one. But once a spiritual reawakening flamed up and drove back the mists, I have been diligent to keep that fire fueled.

On occasion, when I become distracted and the flame burns low, the tendrils of depression and desperation close back in surreptitiously. But I see them now – I did not recognize the danger initially – and I am reminded to gather dry wood and stoke the fire to dispel the demonic fog. Continue reading “Fighting Clinical Depression”

This Was My Locky Day

Today I took Mom to a doctor’s appointment in the Big City. This building has 2 handicapped parking spaces just outside the main door to the parking lot – which is nice. But they are not sized like handicapped spots: they’re just regular parking places with the blue and white wheelchair emblem painted on. The one next to the curb was occupied, the other one was available. I nosed in but stopped where I could get Mom’s door open and her wheelchair in place to get her out, then I’d pull in, shut it off, and lock it up.

As she was lifting herself from car to wheelchair the window slid down (power windows) and she mentioned it in case I’m blind or something (hey, it happens). I raised the window and closed the door.

I rolled her up onto the patio outside the entryway and went to pull the car the rest of the way into the parking slot — but I found the doors locked. And the keys are inside. And the engine is running. And I’m sort of blocking the driveway. Oh Bother!

Continue reading “This Was My Locky Day”

The Writing Process

There is a process that occurs in all forms of writing. Like many things in life, taking each step in it’s turn speeds the work and improves the outcome. Understanding that process can help you do better work, faster, and enjoy the process more.

Conceptualizing

This is “getting an idea”. It may come from something else you read, a video clip or movie, or just out of the blue. Most of this step is done in your head. For some it may just go “poof” here I am, ready to go. If this is you, just know that I despise you. For most of us good ideas are elusive.

Because they are elusive you need to be prepared. The muse tends to rise at the most inopportune times. When a great idea comes along do not say to yourself, “That’s a great idea – I’m sure I’ll remember it.” Trust me, you won’t.

Keep pad and paper by your bed for those nocturnal envisions that wrench you from sleep. Keep a pocket-size pad and compact pen or pencil with you always. Or – use a small digital voice recorder to take verbal notes – especially handy if you are driving!

Don’t worry about details yet, just get down the bones. Continue reading “The Writing Process”

Stewards of the Mysteries

Previously we looked at The Mysteries of God. This time, let’s take a deeper look at how believers fit into the handling of these mysteries.

1 Corinthians 4:1 says, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” (NKJV). Before we go further let’s look at the word steward. In modern-day terms this word evokes images of people who serve meals and attend to passengers aboard airplanes, trains and ocean liners. In Biblical terms, a steward was a slave that is given responsibility for managing the master’s household or business. Joseph was steward over the household of Potiphar: a powerful man: a Captain of Pharaoh’s Guard, “And his master saw that the Lord was with him (Joseph) and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. … Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.” (Genesis 39:3-4).

Stewards of the Mysteries Continue reading “Stewards of the Mysteries”

A Simple Formula for Book Review

I love to read. And after I read a book I often post a book review of it at the major book buying sites and at GoodReads.com. If I like the book, I like to say so. If I didn’t like the book, I need to be able to say why I didn’t like it. In order to facilitate my reasoning in either case, I’ve developed a simple formula for reviewing a book on the 5-star scale. This is primarily for fiction, but non-fiction can be done the same way, you just have to substitute presentation and knowledge for dialogue and characterization.

Here is my formula for scoring a book review on a five star method: Continue reading “A Simple Formula for Book Review”

The Mysteries of God

The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Corinth and explains that when he first came to them he spoke to them not in mysteries but in simple terms, speaking only about Jesus, Him crucified, and the salvation that comes from that act. Paul says he spoke “not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NKJV).

This was not because Paul was incapable of eloquent speech. Before his conversion he was a Pharisee who had been educated at the knees of Gamaliel, a most respected teacher of Judaism (Acts 5:34). Paul was known for his persuasive speeches. But he chose to approach the Corinthians with simple speech. He goes on, “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature … the wisdom of God is a mystery … ordained before the ages for our glory … as it is written:

‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:7-9 NKJV). Continue reading “The Mysteries of God”

Call of the Coffeemaker

Five high-pitched beeps, each just short of a second long, sounding in regular succession. This is preceded by a gurgling sound that I don’t always hear. That depends on where I am. The beeps, however, are just piercing enough that I will hear them.

Five electronic beeps that sing a melody-less song of hope. Signaling that the rich Colombian elixir is ready. That elixir which chases away the 4 am cobwebs and stirs the blood.

Five electronic beeps, “I am ready for you, master. Come, partake of me. Fill your cup and drink me in.”

A five note siren song, drawing me to the kitchen, a mug, steamy warmth nestled in my hands as I trod the dark hallway to the den, my desk, my work.

Oh, the song of the morning. Long before sunrise. Invigoration that prepares me for creation, for study, for contemplation.

I hum a song of gladness, of gratefulness, to The Maker, for the maker of coffee.

Let the day begin.

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Passive Voice and Active Voice in Your Writing

A variety of writing styles are available to you as a writer/author. At one end of the scale is the literary style that tends to ramble along, painting pictures with words chosen more for their emotional impact than their grammatical efficiency. At the other end is the hard-hitting journalistic style designed to convey information quickly and precisely. In between are a sliding-scale mix of these two. Plain Language writing is a style gaining popularity with the modern world.

In Plain Language writing you seek to keep to the active voice, keep your sentences short, and keep your words simple and direct. Basically you are to write like a Dick and Jane reading primmer. Continue reading “Passive Voice and Active Voice in Your Writing”