Wilderness Wonderings...

How many times have I talked to students, parishioners and even strangers about “the will of God” and how to know it?  I certainly don’t recall, but I do know what I say to people who seek to know God’s will. First of all, I point out that if God really is anything like a “heavenly Father,” God is not going to hide His will for us from us.  What parent would call his or her child close and say, “I have great plans for you, a really amazing design for your life…and I hope you figure it out!”  That would worse than absurd—it’d be cruel!  So, first of all, rest assured that God’s will is not somehow “hidden” for us to hopefully stumble upon.  In fact, it’s right out in the open, clear for all to see!  Just read the Book…and there it is:  rejoice always, pray without ceasing, do unto others as you’d have them do unto you, etc.  But, of course, what people really want to find is that “specific” task, that unique place they are to fill.  That, whi...

Well, it happened again.  We had just met with some folks who are on the inside of the goings-on in the socio-political world around us, folks with all the stats of deaths, murders, abductions and the like.  And, well…it affected me.  I or “it” allowed that old “friend” of mine to creep in once again—that friend named “fear.”  For a few nights, I did not sleep really well.  My mind was too busy spinning and whirling around the possible scenarios of life.  I began plotting and planning how to escape this city and this life.  I began to see the city as dark, grey, cold.  I imagined myself the primary target of every narco…the expendable foreigner who could be easily taken advantage of by any sold-out cop. Indeed, the stats are somewhat unsettling at first glance.  In Monterrey reside some 80,000 US citizens.  Statistics indicate that two (2) Americans a week suffer some sort of crime—murder, abduction, robbery, extortion, etc.  Yi...

I’ve had one of those afternoons wherein I find myself in need of a good “write,” in need of centering—of returning again to the source of being.  Every time—it seems—that I come close to grasping at the reality of who I am, I find myself far-flung, miles away from who I think I am or who I long to be. Yet, still I ask, who am I?  In a sense, I am a sum of my experiences—that is, I am either a product (to a certain extent) of my experiences or I have been shaped by my experiences.  Every journey, every mundane day or night, every adventure, every dry lecture or sermon, every expression of love…or rejection—these have all had a hand in making me who I am.  Every book I’ve read—fiction or non, every character I’ve met…or whose life I’ve lived in each novel—these personalities have had their imprint on my life.  Every friend, family member, student, co-worker, even the man who sweeps the grocery store parking lot near our apartment—all of these have molded me tow...

I don’t fear growing old.  In fact, I don’t even mind growing old.  It seems to be the way of things:  we’re born, we grow, we die.  However, what I do fear and hope to avoid is growing old…badly.  That is, I want to keep my health.  I try to exercise (I’ll write on that later!)…and I try to eat well.  I strive to eat foods that are high in fiber, high in antioxidants, low in bad fats.  So, here’s my latest list of good eating.  May we all make these foods our primary foods…and may we live long and live well. The Foods: Veggies: bell peppers, carrots, spinach/kale, broccoli, asparagus, bok choy (Chinese cabbage), leeks and cauliflower; onions, ginger and garlic - in everything! Potatoes (french fries don't count!) and sweet potatoes.... Fresh Fruit: tomatoes, bananas, berries (blue, black and rasp!), apples, grapes (red!), avocados, cantaloupe, papaya, red grapefruit, oranges, lemons/limes (how easy is a glass of lemonade??) Dried F...

I’m on the other-side of “middle age”…at least literally.  This past year, I enjoyed my 45th birthday…and, according to pop thought, that puts me in the category of “middle age.”  However, if you do the math, and if you note that average life span of an American male is 76 years (see: CIA Factbook), then I hit middle age when I was 38-years-old…some SEVEN years ago! But!  Not to worry!  I’m 45 and I’m loving it!  In fact, I am finally beginning to feel like I’m growing up.  Oh, I’ve 21 years of marriage behind me…one “child” in college and two more on the way to college.  I’ve been working for some 28 years.  Still, it hasn’t been until the last two or three years that I have really begun to feel that I am becoming who I want to be, who I should be, who I’m “wired” to be. Yes, the physical strength is beginning to ebb a bit.  I awaken stiff sometimes in the mornings.  I see more wrinkles here and there…and the hair is both leaving an...