How Do I Learn God's Will for my Life?

It's a natural question for those who believe in God and want to live a life consistent with His teachings. I know I consistently seek God's will for my life. Not just my vocation, but His will in almost every choice of consequence.

No....not what to have for lunch. Or whether I should go to bed at 10 or 11.

But I have sought His will on whether to pursue writing opportunities or whether to pursue certain relationships (or end them); and, of course, whether to take various jobs that presented themselves. To me, it's a natural extension - nay, a fundamental part - of living a faith-centered life.

It's not political (no matter what some talking heads may say), nor is it an afterthought. It's part and parcel of my decision-making process. I came across this blogpost on how to discern God's will while coming to a decision or while enduring challenges in life. It is compelling reading, so I thought I would share it.

Fe Fi Fo Fum!

Jack and the Beanstalk.......as told by a wee lad.

A view from the top of the World Trade Center

While browsing videos of Depeche Mode, I came across this piece shot atop the World Trade Center in 1990 as a promotion for their song "Enjoy the Silence."

It's poignant to see those towers again......



It also brought back memories of an April night in southern California, windows down, "Enjoy the Silence" blasting on the rental car's radio as I returned from Hollywood to Connie's apartment. It was clear the end was near, and there was little left to say.

 So I did what the song suggested: Enjoy the silence.

Celebrating too soon

And now a story from the nether regions of Italian soccer. It seems the goalkeeper from the team Dro was so intent on celebrating a missed penalty kick in the playoff to secure promotion to the next level that he didn't bother to pay attention to the bouncing orb.

Sleepless summer nights

Strange how, on some nights, you simply can't fall asleep.

It's happened to me tonight. I have the next two days off, so I can't say I'm stressing about work. Then again, since this will be Monday, maybe my brain is subconsciously preparing for a work week that won't start just yet for me. I don't know.

So I have made some hot tea....decaf, of course......in the hope that it will help me nod off.

Along the way I have prayed, reflected, pondered friendships....let my mind drift wherever it wanted to go in the hope that I would eventually arrive at eine gute schlafe. A good sleep.

Summer nights can do that to me. They're warm, inviting, alluring in how comfortable they can feel after a long, hot day.

Yes, it's Memorial Day weekend, but today sure had "summer" stamped on it with temperatures in the 90s and a blasting south wind I usually feel in July.

Maybe that's why I can't sleep --- because my body is sensing that shift in the seasons. Already.

Spring, we barely had a chance to get acquainted. Come back soon.

This is why all tornado warnings should be taken seriously

This video captures the formation and growth of the Joplin tornado. As you will be able to see, it goes from a harmless-looking rope to a massive wedge within a minute or two.

The Hoisington tornado in 2001 was like that, too; touchdown to monster in moments.

An update on Joplin

The death toll is at 122...making it the deadliest tornado since 1950. The tornado was rated an EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, the top category on the scale.

When you see this video, it's easy to understand why. That level of destruction reminds me of what I saw in Greensburg and Andover. So often when folks say someplace is "gone" after a tornado went through, it's heat-of-the-moment hyperbole.

But not this time.

The Weather Channel reporter breaks down on camera during this report, and I don't blame him.