what to do, where to go, what to say

Ave Maria:-)

Ronald..kamusta naman... wonderful to hear from you... super antok but afraid if this doesn't get written now , your query will be buried in our e-mails

I know almost all can relate to your Ultimate Question: How do we know if it's for us...in your case..how do you know now that you(?) after having been granted a 2nd life..how would you figure out if God wants you to serve Him..and what specific way?

How I wish you just asked na lang for the names of the Askal Team..our young very good-looking soccer Pinoy team currently on a winning streak. This afternoon they won game against Sri Lanka.Am not so familiar with this Pinoy team nor with soccer but they've become quite popular this year, brought a lot of awareness and interest for this game. First time  I watched and I fell in love wattan exciting game.
When one is as athletic, gifted as these boys, strong..with opportunities to learn and excel in this sport..it's not so hard to determine if football as a career is for you right?.. at least while you're young and while the opportunities are there.
And if one were disabled.. or has a weird fear of flying balls , count out being an Askal member as your calling in life.

But how about other instances...decision-making moments when things/arguments pro and con are not as defined..paano nga naman natin malalaman kung anong dapat natin gawin?

Hahaha.. if you were here.. bitbitin kita sa susunod na BCM seminar.. but you're not so will just share with you bits and pieces which could be helpful.

there is a talk titled Guidance.

At first, I thought ..this is gonna be major boring.. wala nabang iba.?
But all this was  erased after learning contents of the talk.

Guidance (from God) stems from a relationship between man and God.Syempre, the closer we are to the Lord, the better and easier we will recieve His guidance.

As Jesus himself reminded the disciples.."I call you my friends.. not my slaves.."..so this gives us an inkling ahhha! so He wants that type of relationship pala.

It makes sense..cause good friends, especially best friends share secrets..trust each other...love each other.There's real communication.

The talk made us realize that the fruit of our friendship with GOD is that God reveals His Will to us..God communicates lovingly His thoughts...His likes and dislikes..He helps us understand the teachings of Jesus.. God reveals Himself... His very nature... He also helps us get to know ourself better...others too -- the good and the bad in us.WOW.... ALL THAT AND MORE.... NEEDLESS TO SAY...GUIDANCE IS THE REAL THING... DIVINE GIFT WITHOUT WHICH ... laki ng prublema natin pag wala tayong divine guidance.

Ok so you want specifics?

ay ang hirap ha..bilang kelangan isulat talaga..pls bear at capsulized na lang ang sharing.

GOD SENDS US GUIDANCE THRU MANY WAYS.... TAKE YOUR PICK .. OR BE SENSITIVE HOW GOD HAS SPOKEN TO YOU IN THE PAST.... IT MUST HAVE BEEN THRU ANY OF THE FOLLOWING...

Guidance thru General LIFE DIRECTION.....

If one is already a biological father five times..meaning ..five young growing children He needs to rear with his wife, send to school, take care of... He can't ..mustn't take the first flight to far-off Tunisia with the reason that he hears this "calling" to be priest missionary... di naman makaturangang ilaglag ang wife at children who need his love care and protection. By becoming a good father/husband, provider for his family..and leading them all to know and love God...he'd still be glorifying the LORD...

General Life direction is God's practical way of helping us understand what needs to be done at a specific phase in one's life.

If one is a young student.. then he/she must not waste the tuition fees and go gallivanting in town... painting the town red. Pasaway na estudyante..pasaway pang anak. It's clear what he needs to attend to. So do it anak. 
 
General Life Direction calls us to be honest in taking stock of all elements in our life... to be dutiful and not to run away from responsibilities .. to also not be confused of our roles.

 If one is a mere PO1 officer in the police dept. and not the general .. then this officer cannot call the shots and decide on the police strategy in a hostage situation. Follow the chain of command

GUIDANCE IS ON- GOING COMMUNICATION WITH THE LORD.

So He uses many other ways to convey His Will:

1)Sacred Scripture /Church Teachings -- by itself the bible gives clear direction and teaching of how we will go about our life. From how to handle money to forgiveness..to gossiping to governance.. the bible indeed is the Book of Life.

2)Counsel from Christians -- those we know are mature in their faith and walk with the LORD.. sa Tagalog di nila tayo ipapahamak when they advise us because they won't have any ulterior motives, they give advice under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit... BTW...
the Lord doesn't want us to grow so attached to these "guides", no matter how good they are at giving guidance because God wants us to grow confident in discerning His will.

3)circumstances - minsan this is so klaro ... Ex. going out with friends who are B. I. (bad influence) so that before you know it..you've picked up a lot of bad habits... grown vices overnight --- and then later we harvest kamalasan ..misfortune or sins on account of our association with B.i. company ... aba'y the situation itself speaks clearly to us...STAY AWAY FROM B. I. people if you can't handle them. Find new friends. Those who love and have a holy fear of the Lord.

4) Signs -- are similar to manifestations experienced by the prophets or saints.. it can happen dramatically like God sending manna (bread) from heaven while Israelites traveled on the desert or it can happen simply : for instance: a workaholic getting sick -- the only way for this person to get some rest and to have prayer time with the LORD and time with his loved ones...and to assess his life.

We can't use all the above as tho' they were exact blueprints..they only become clear/useful  to us depending on how we've built our relationship with the LORD.
Reminds me of a pop hit..the closer I get to you..the more you make me see... your love has captured me...

If God has given you a second life.. for sure He wants you to live each minute serving Him by loving others. The Good News is you don't have to change radically from the outside ..na ikaw ay titira sa isang leper colony, or magiging hermit sa bundok ng Mt. Everest .. or hihiwalay kana sa pamilya mo... but we do need a radical change from the inside. Letting Jesus reign in our heart.

Just start simply and with "little" things... be kinder to family and friends.. minsan mas bruha tayo sa mga kadugo at ka close natin, ewan ko ba. I-career muna natin growing closer to the LORD especially thru prayer, availing of the sacraments lalu confession and Holy Communion..studying and meditating God's Word..and do this regularly... it will pay off... we will start sensing hearing God's voice more...and will realize ..it happens quite naturally.
Normal talaga iyon, because the Holy Spirit is in us, resides in us by virtue of our sacramental baptism, we just need to call on Him... so tainga at puso lang natin ang kelangan i-tune up If we draw near to Him..He will draw near to us..to get a touch from the Lord is sooo real..alleluia!
May we recieve  God's guidance this week and always................te mye