daily life as life goes on . . .

I am a newly re-minted librarian this past while.  I’m enjoying a return to the librarianship field. 

In 1986 I graduated with a Master of Library Science.  At that time the discussion was about whether the title should include the word “Information”.  Those thinking ahead were prophetic.  In our current world we are about the task of being literate about information.  The library was originally the warehouse of “books”, then also included other media.  In deference to the increasing amount of books, reference librarians helped to point out where in the warehouse a book could be found. The art of reference librarianship was to be able to point out credible and useful sources for a searcher.

As the world moved into a digital age the proliferation of published (public) works became overwhelming.  The masters of information began a tedious task of helping people to know which information to choose.  The titles of misinformation, disinformation and fake news arose. 

But one of the tenets of librarianship was under attack.  The library was to provide access to the world of information.  This has largely been taken over, in a digital age, by information/archival servers such as Google, Facebook, Twitter and a host of others.  As with the music industry a half century ago, the book world had to adjust.

The librarian elite responded with “information literacy”.  The cry discerned in the listening was – “tell me what to read/see/hear”.   As a start, the searcher was to discern their subject/desire of information.  Clarify this and then search out information sources effectively and efficiently.  The information must be evaluated critically before incorporating this information into his or her knowledge base and value system.  A final caveat is that, in the information search, there are economic, legal and social issues that surround the use of information.  Thus the searcher must use information ethically and legally.  [This is a paraphrase of standards on information literacy competency as put forth by the Association of College and Research Libraries]

Which brings us to the statement that information literacy is censorship.  In the broadest sense of the word.  Don’t use information to oppress the poor, don’t use information to find loopholes, don’t use information to undermine a righteous society.  Step with me one step further.  If we know there are lies out there (and many euphemisms to describe them), information literacy requires a truth base to decide what the lies are.  Plainly put, a truth base then censors un-truth.

Information literacy is censorship.  And that’s OK. 

I’ve just finished reading Rod Wilson’s book – Thank you, I’m sorry, Tell me more.

After a few days on contemplation has me thinking. 

These title words can change your world.  At the same time there is a niggling thought in the back of my head. 

My mother taught us to use these words.  Some times it was to deal with my own stupidity – and I needed to back up and revisit the things I had done.  These were instructional moments.  My use of these words were not always motivated by gratitude, remorse or even desire to know the other.

And that’s where I’m struggling.  My mind goes to my mother to instruct me on the use of these words.  But, where does my mind go in terms of the words my father put into my life?  [A thought that is forming in my mind is that mom taught me from a mode of working with others who had various power positions (empathy).  I wonder if my dad taught me how to live with power (humility).]

Not sure I even know what to say on Dad’s phrases at this point, but here are a few phrases (I’ve paraphrased to suit my own approaches). 

1.  Give more than you get

2.  You’re not greater than anyone else

3.  Peace is work

That is a start.  Do you have any phrases your father used that have affected your life?

A fun podcast I did with Marshall and Merrie Eizenga at Kerith Creek retreat centre in Alberta, sponsored by Focus on the Family.  I was particularly struck by Merrie’s statement about taking time for restoration of the soul.  Finding the things that energize us is a pursuit most of us need to adventure into more intentionally.  Her distinction between finding energizers or finding escapes gave me a new perspective (16:40 in the podcast).  “An escape fills time, an energizer fills you.”

Oh, and there is much more in the podcast for those who are seeking refreshing for their souls.  And yes, this is found on the Canadian Small Church Ministry Centre Website.

https://cscmc.ca/podcast/episode-41-marshall-and-merriee-eizenga-you-need-a-break-today-for-your-spiritual-health/

A planting does not mean a final harvest – but seeding always precedes harvest.

I have noted in my own life that “decades” are a regular rhythm.

A rhythm for change, a new harvest.

Every ten years or so I step out into something different.  As a child the first decade saw me grow up in a community we call family.  In the second decade I continued to develop a knowledge of and the use of language.  As I headed into my twenties I got married and entered an initial ministry position.  In my thirties I moved into administration in a seminary following a call to archives and research.  In my forties my music ability took hold and I became a pastor of worship and music.  In my fifties I headed back into a rural church that held much history for me – a solo thing with mentoring taking a strong role.  In my sixties, after my first wife’s death, I remarried, retired and touched base with my multitude of interests and abilities.

Now I’m headed, in a year or so, into my 70’s.   Already seed thoughts are arising.  In some discussions I am exploring the thought of a wider presence than just with my neighbours and friends.  I’m not sure what that means, and it scares me, but God seems to be putting seeds in my garden.

In a little different take on an old adage – you only reap when you sow.  But as my farmer friends will tell me – know what is being sown so that you can rightly prepare for harvest.