Following are five of the 52 "words of the week" from calendar 2006. Learn and use them well!
Acidulous (Pron.: a-SID-you-luss)
Acidulous means "having a sour, harsh, or caustic disposition or expression." Lord forbid that I should start the New Year in an acidulous way! May my disposition be sweetened by the Spirit of Christ'and yours, too, if this is needed.
Agrypnia (Pron.: a-GRIP-nee-uh)
Agrypnia, a medical term, means sleeplessness. (Originally it also meant waking, watching.) One key to avoiding agrypnia: keeping a clear conscience!
Analeptic
This quaint word (a-na-LEP-tic) means invigorating, restoring, stimulating. Dictionary.com defines it as something "capable of arousing or accelerating physiological or psychological activity or response by a chemical agent." Surely to all of us who are followers of Jesus Christ, our daily time of private devotion should serve such a purpose. May our Bible study, meditation, worship, and prayer serve its God-intended analeptic purpose today!
Ataraxia (Pron.: a-tuh-RAK-see-uh)
Ataraxia is a state of calm and freedom from anxiety. When I think of Jesus Christ asleep in the stern of the boat amidst the storm (Mark 4:38), I am amazed at how untroubled the Son of God was, despite his acquaintance with human pain -- not to mention shouldering the responsibilities concomitant with a sinless life.
Atrabilious (Pron.: a-truh-BILL-ee-uss)
This unusual word means gloomy, morose, or sad. Eeyore the donkey (of Winnie the Pooh fame) comes to mind. When I am quiet, dejected, and into myself (it happens from time to time!), I am an atrabilious person. And yet the apostle urges us, "Rejoice always" (Philippians 4:4).
