The Ups and Downs of Life and Faith
A story of depression and faith35 total reviews
Comment from Lois Delaney
Very good writing, Alvin. I think you told your story in such masterful way. I can see how alcohol challenge one to become dependent. Tough going, but the outcome shows that God will not leave us, nor forsake us.
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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Very good writing, Alvin. I think you told your story in such masterful way. I can see how alcohol challenge one to become dependent. Tough going, but the outcome shows that God will not leave us, nor forsake us.
Comment Written 15-Aug-2008
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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Thank you for understanding the message so well. I truly appreciate it.
Comment from tteach
This is well written and thoughtful. It is a brave thing to do, to "expose" yourself on the site. I admire you for being so upright and honest. Perhaps shring your story will enlighten, and help, others.
terry
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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This is well written and thoughtful. It is a brave thing to do, to "expose" yourself on the site. I admire you for being so upright and honest. Perhaps shring your story will enlighten, and help, others.
terry
Comment Written 15-Aug-2008
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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That was my hope. It's strange that I can be so brutally honest in my writing, but in person, I am a very private person who spends a great deal of time alone, as do all writers. Thanks for a great review. I do hope this helps others.
Comment from nitad
This is an excellent contest entry. Good luck!
Well written, you take the reader along as you spiral downward and then give them hope at the end. Certainly worthy of a six.
No spag to report, but then I wasn't expecting to find any.
I think you have captured the true essence of faith, Alvin. For faith isn't about what church you go to and what denomination you are, or if you adhere to certain manmade laws. It is about having faith in God and knowing that if you just believe and listen closely you can hear His still, small voice speaking to you. Even in your darkest hour. It doesn't matter if you claim to have never sinned (and those who do are fooling no one) or if you recognize the extent of your sin but feel unworthy. He is always there.
A deep and powerful message, your struggles and successes should serve as an encouragement to us all.
Well done.
Nita
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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This is an excellent contest entry. Good luck!
Well written, you take the reader along as you spiral downward and then give them hope at the end. Certainly worthy of a six.
No spag to report, but then I wasn't expecting to find any.
I think you have captured the true essence of faith, Alvin. For faith isn't about what church you go to and what denomination you are, or if you adhere to certain manmade laws. It is about having faith in God and knowing that if you just believe and listen closely you can hear His still, small voice speaking to you. Even in your darkest hour. It doesn't matter if you claim to have never sinned (and those who do are fooling no one) or if you recognize the extent of your sin but feel unworthy. He is always there.
A deep and powerful message, your struggles and successes should serve as an encouragement to us all.
Well done.
Nita
Comment Written 15-Aug-2008
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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Thanks for such an understanding review; you "caught" exactly what I wanted to convey. I truly appreciate this detailed review and the six stars.
Comment from Max Edon
This really affected me. Although I don't face any pf the issues you faced, this story still inspired me. I somehow relate to this and feel empathy with you.
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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This really affected me. Although I don't face any pf the issues you faced, this story still inspired me. I somehow relate to this and feel empathy with you.
Comment Written 15-Aug-2008
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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Thank you for a concise and empathic review. I truly appreciate the six stars.
Comment from okiboy
Thank you for the personal story. I cannot imagine the trying times you have gone through. I suppose we've all had our shares of good times and bad times, but perhaps nothing like yours. I can relate to your story though. Good luck and God Bless,
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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Thank you for the personal story. I cannot imagine the trying times you have gone through. I suppose we've all had our shares of good times and bad times, but perhaps nothing like yours. I can relate to your story though. Good luck and God Bless,
Comment Written 15-Aug-2008
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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Thank you for a good, kind, and understanding review.
Comment from lawriemac
This is quite a story.
It takes a lot of courage to describe a life such as yours and I have nothing but admiration for you doing so.
The detailed paragraphs throughout this fine literary work is outstanding and leaves the reader in no doubt as to the events that took place.
A harrowing story which has, thankfully turned itself on its head and given you a new lease of life.
Well written and well presented, this is a fine autobiography.
I sincerely hope your spirit and soul are at peace and you are forever free of those demons known as drugs.
Best wishes for the future and as Mr Spock of Star Trek fame used to say "Live long and prosper".
Best wishes
Lawrie
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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This is quite a story.
It takes a lot of courage to describe a life such as yours and I have nothing but admiration for you doing so.
The detailed paragraphs throughout this fine literary work is outstanding and leaves the reader in no doubt as to the events that took place.
A harrowing story which has, thankfully turned itself on its head and given you a new lease of life.
Well written and well presented, this is a fine autobiography.
I sincerely hope your spirit and soul are at peace and you are forever free of those demons known as drugs.
Best wishes for the future and as Mr Spock of Star Trek fame used to say "Live long and prosper".
Best wishes
Lawrie
Comment Written 15-Aug-2008
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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Thank you for a very kind review. I truly appreciate it. I haven't gone near drugs in quite a while, and I am at peace--finally.
Comment from P1
gram cocaine habit and exercise and lose so - suggest - cocaine habit, exercise and lose....
love the bit about not believing but scared to recieve communion, been there...
another great part is that of your parents needing each other so your sister raised you
classic symptoms. i am glad you chose to live and write and share your words here with me
good luck with this, it is a well written piece and a strong
contendor in the contest
hugs lynda.
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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gram cocaine habit and exercise and lose so - suggest - cocaine habit, exercise and lose....
love the bit about not believing but scared to recieve communion, been there...
another great part is that of your parents needing each other so your sister raised you
classic symptoms. i am glad you chose to live and write and share your words here with me
good luck with this, it is a well written piece and a strong
contendor in the contest
hugs lynda.
Comment Written 15-Aug-2008
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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Thanks for the great and empathetic review; I took your suggestion, for it was a good one. Thanks again.
Comment from starman
An interesting account of your fight with addiction. Naturally, I was intrigued by the voice you heard. It may well have been in spirit. Sometimes we are receptive when clinically depressed. I know I was diagnosed as manic some years ago before I reversed the trend ;)
Your academic ability is very clear to see. There was a fair amount of exposition and the reading level was quite advanced, but nothing to detract from my own personal enjoyment.
A very good contest entry.
Good luck :)
Steve
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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An interesting account of your fight with addiction. Naturally, I was intrigued by the voice you heard. It may well have been in spirit. Sometimes we are receptive when clinically depressed. I know I was diagnosed as manic some years ago before I reversed the trend ;)
Your academic ability is very clear to see. There was a fair amount of exposition and the reading level was quite advanced, but nothing to detract from my own personal enjoyment.
A very good contest entry.
Good luck :)
Steve
Comment Written 15-Aug-2008
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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Thank you for a very insightful review; I truly appreciate it.
Comment from Janilou
Al, the bare honesty alone with which you tell this story makes it worthy of six-stars. The writing is of course, excellent. One minor thing I made mention of below, just a slip of the keyboard.
Brilliant recounting of the events and how God spoke to you.
Wonderful work. I wish you every good luck in the contest. I think this is a winner!
Notes:
forgo my half a gram cocaine habit
half-a-gram
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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Al, the bare honesty alone with which you tell this story makes it worthy of six-stars. The writing is of course, excellent. One minor thing I made mention of below, just a slip of the keyboard.
Brilliant recounting of the events and how God spoke to you.
Wonderful work. I wish you every good luck in the contest. I think this is a winner!
Notes:
forgo my half a gram cocaine habit
half-a-gram
Comment Written 15-Aug-2008
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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Thank you for the six stars; I truly appreciate them (and especially on a Friday, when most people are out of their allotment!) I'll fix the place you mention. Thanks for a great review, too.
Comment from Jnetgame
Excellent writing. This was certainly brave of you to write and I bet it was not easy to write. Hopefully it was theraputic for you, though. I think this will be difficult to beat in the contest. Good luck.
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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Excellent writing. This was certainly brave of you to write and I bet it was not easy to write. Hopefully it was theraputic for you, though. I think this will be difficult to beat in the contest. Good luck.
Comment Written 15-Aug-2008
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2008
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It was cathartic, but I have told the story many times before--though when I was teaching religion on the college level and lecturing on religious/spiritual experiences, I put it in the third person. This is the first time I have written it down, and one of the few time I tell it in the first person. Thanks for a great review; you are right, it wasn't easy to write.