Chris Vonada's Blog, page 4

5 Signs You’re a Good Listener

Good listing skills are essential to excellent communication.

My Disciple Group coach told me long ago that people tend to open up around me. I took that as a huge compliment. As a group leader, one of the challenges is to facilitate engagement (on a deep, meaningful level). I attribute a lot of that success to being a good listener. How do you know if you are one? Here are 5 signs that you’re a good listener:

You Express Empathy

To express empathy is to put yourself info the other person’s position. It’s about caring.

Be genuine. There is nothing more detrimental to your communication with other people than them knowing that you’re not sincere to their feelings.We all have feelings. Even guys.

Empathy is not about you; it’s about the person on the other side of the table. If you think you’re good at communicating but don’t express empathy to the other person you’re wrong. Get this part right!

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

Asking Follow-Up Questions

This is so important to engaging in the conversation. Ask follow up questions and stay on topic. Connect their answers to each other. One of my favorite strategies to understand people better is to link their responses to something they said earlier.

When someone says they’re a perfectionist, you might ask, “How does your perfectionism play out in your work?”

Be careful with this though as you don’t want to interrogate the person.

Your Reaction to Criticism and Disagreements

For me, I find there is always something to learn here. Whether I agree with the criticism I will try to take the time to reflect on it. Sometimes they’re right, and other times it seems to be a lack of understanding (that’s up next, see below… lol).

Disagreements? Well, first off winning an argument is absolutely meaningless.

I seek to understand the other person’s point of view. While I may not always agree, I take it on the wing.

How we resolve a disagreement is always more important than the issue at hand. (Click to Tweet)

You Truly Seek to Understand the Person You’re Talking with

Ok, so I’m a words of affirmation person. So words are meaningful to me. They have the power to kindle a fire in my soul, and at times they can also rip a hole right through my heart.

What’s up with all of that? Well, words will tell you a lot about the person you’re communicating with, if you listen carefully.

You see, listening is an art. So while words are important to me, seeking to understand the person that I’m talking with takes your communication to a different level. Understanding the other person, who they are and what’s going on in their life will lead to a more intimate conversation and relationship, be it a friendship, business associate, and yes, even your spouse.

You View Listening as a Learning Process

There is a great deal you can learn from listening, both about people and interpersonal relationships.

Did you know that body language is an excellent way to engage in conversation? It lets the other person know their voice is being heard. Maintain eye contact, and use affirmative gestures such as nodding. In doing so, you encourage others to share their thoughts.

Listening has a powerful potential, it’s the most important facet of good communication.

Recognizing your shortcomings as a listener will help you improve. Hey, we’re all on the learning curve here.

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The 3 Most Important Attitudes the Successful Use to Overcome Failure

“Well, that didn’t work out quite the way I anticipated.” Have you ever uttered these words? Sure, we all have. For whatever reason, it can be difficult to overcome failure, recoup, and move forward.

If we are to succeed at anything we have to try. Remember, the greatest risk is not taking one.

Do successful people fail? You betcha!

Walt Disney was let go from a newspaper job because the editor felt he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”

Steven Spielberg was turned down by the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Multiple times.

Thomas Edison’s teachers told him he was “too stupid to learn anything.” He was then fired from 2 jobs for not being productive. He then went on to hold over 1,000 patents and created some life-changing devices, including the light bulb, phonograph, and a movie camera.

J.K. Rowling was a single mom living off welfare when she began writing the first “Harry Potter” novel. The book was rejected by 12 publishers before she received a nominal advance from the next.

There are many more stories just like these. What set these brilliant, successful people apart? They’re the 3 most important attitudes when we fail:

Perspective.

Hey, we all fail at some point in our lives. Putting failure in the proper perspective is the most critical reaction. It’s significant here to recognize that failure is most often related to something that you did than something that you are. So don’t take failure personally or as a reflection of your self-worth.

Own up to your mistakes and move forward. People who succeed don’t get discouraged by life’s setbacks. They are adept and can focus on the future opportunities, and their dreams become reality while others are sitting on the sidelines.

If you’ve been a reading of I’m Just Thinkin’ for a while you know that I’m a huge fan of perspective. It’s powerful stuff.

Optimism.

An optimistic person will bounce right off failure.

The optimist is resilient. They can rise from ashes. An optimist will see failure as a way of gaining wisdom and invaluable feedback.

The glass is half full to the optimist, whereas the pessimist sees the glass as half empty. Our optimistic view is to tend to believe the best possible outcome from a situation. This is in line with God’s plan. Remember Romans 8:28:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

We adapt and find the value of a positive spirit when we fail. Carpe Diem to all of the optimistic!

Persistence.

Persistence is what you do with optimism in light of failure. It’s optimism in action. (Click to Tweet)

Persistent people can shake off failure and soldier on, while others are calling it a day and going home. They clearly see their goals and are focused on achieving them.

This makes the optimistic one great at rising to the top. If something in life is that important to me, I have to be persistent. Persistence and determination are omnipotent! Don’t ever give up on your dreams.

So… where does God fit into all of this?

“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;

even at night my heart instructs me.

I have set the Lord always before me.

Because he is at my right hand,

I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16: 7-8

That’s right; God is by your side. Stay encouraged and remember the 3 most important attitudes the successful use to overcome failure. They will serve you well.

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Why You Should Be The Ball

Be The Ball.

The eccentric slacker and scratch golfer Ty Webb’s profound advice to young Danny Noonan in the slapstick comedy Caddyshack. It’s the tone-setting first scene.

“There’s a force in the universe that makes things happen. All you have to do is get in touch with Him. Stop thinking. Let things happen. And be the ball.” Ty, played by Chevy Chase.

Then Ty takes a wedge and, wearing a blindfold, dribbles the ball onto the green leaving a short birdie putt.

I guess the writers may not have intended the parallel I found in life with being the ball.

Consider this:

The golfers. Well, these are a typical country club lot in the movie.

Let’s start with Judge Smails. The conceited and selfish co-founder of the club is played by Ted Knight. He was a bit stodgy. Plain and dull. Blah.

Then there’s the flamboyant, obnoxious misfit Al (played by Rodney Dangerfield). A real troublemaker. He and Smails are at odds the entire movie. He has a way of getting under Smails’ skin. His character is further embellished as a reprehensible power boater when he sinks Smails boat by dropping his anchor through her midship. Well, credit Smails here as at least he has had a sailboat lol.

Bishop Pickerling is retired Navy. He’s not a great golfer and while playing the round of his life (and Carl caddying – another story about that Carl…) gets struck by lightning. Afterward, the Bishop seems to give up on God. And golf.

Dr. Beeper? You guessed it, a Doctor with the beeper constantly going off on the course.

Al calls him Dr. Frankenputz. Slightly blander than Smails.

It’s an exclusive establishment. Hey, I’m not knocking them. I used to play golf and tennis on the country club circuit. And I enjoyed it.

The characters bring to mind that we all have issues. What about you?

That’s where the club comes in. It’s the instrument through which we connect.

Jesus is the club. It’s how we connect or hopeless selves with our bright future. We couldn’t have a relationship with God without Jesus. That’s why He came.

Did God invent the golf club? Scotland takes the credit here. It all started in the 1,400’s. But I’m certain the good Lord had a hand in it.

Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27

Are you gripping the club? Are you in touch with Him?

The ball. Think of the ball as the future you. Moving forward by the force created when the club head connects. The ball isn’t moving without the club. Or the golfer, for that matter.

Remember, the Bishop gave up on God and the game of golf. Do we need to play golf to connect with God? Certainly not. It’s just my abstract metaphor for the day since I think a lot. Yes, I guess I need to follow Ty’s wisdom and stop thinking so much…

Being the ball requires that we move from our former selves to a bright, new future as a believer through the presence of Jesus in our lives. It’s pretty simple and at the same time, life changing. Think of the golfer as your former self and the ball as the new you.

This also helps us deal with the past. Dwelling on the past is a trick of the evil one to drag you down. Remember, there are only two ways to change history.

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

And my quote:

The secret to change is not resisting what we’re called to leave behind, it is the burning desire to build upon what is new. (Click To Tweet)

Like Ty says we want to be the ball. Will you?

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You Never Know When A “Keeper” Will Happen

Babies first steps

A “Keeper” – those moments in life that we cherish. Seeing your daughter take her first steps. An extra special holiday. It may even be an event from your childhood, like the first time you rode your bicycle without training wheels.

We can’t plan these events. They just happen when we are experiencing life.

Hopefully your wedding day and graduation are keepers too. Sure, they are planned events that rock. Beyond these moments you never know when a keeper will occur.

The key to experiencing the “keepers” in this world is to live life to the fullest. (Click To Tweet)

 

And to always be thankful.

What separates us most from these experiences?

Well, I try to keep busy. However, I know there is a point where I am too overloaded. It’s an evil lure. A keeper might happen when we’re hustling. However, often times were emotionally unavailable then. We’re disconnected from our friends and family. During these times the potential for memories pass us by.

“Cherish the fabulous, the fantastic, the beautiful, the graceful, the moments of abandon, laughter, quirkiness. Cherish the tiny incredible details, the gigantic & varied display, and the infinite depths – of life.” Jay Woodman

Now there’s perspective. From this mindset, we have much to be thankful for.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

and into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:4-5

Remain available with an eye open for the keepers in life and make yourself accessible to them. You may be surprised at how many you find!

Photo courtesy of Dermot O’Halloran on flick.com

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Bridging The Gap With Trust

Bridging the gap. It’s an idiom used to connect two things, making the difference between them smaller.

Sometimes in life there is a gap. It may be the difference between something we learn and applying it. Or, it may have something to do with the future or uncertainty.

There are many examples.

For instance, when we walk across the street we bridge the gap with trust by believing the drivers are going to act in a certain way. Hopefully, in a manner so they will not run us over! On the road, we trust that drivers will stay in their lanes. We believe the airline pilot will be sober and alert.

To trust is to believe that someone is going to act in a particular manner.

“To maintain the relational integrity necessary to operate as a team, we must choose to trust and to be trustworthy as a team.” Andy Stanley

Andy describes how we use this concept to connect work teams with trust. Relational integrity… I like that!

The same is true in our interpersonal relationships outside of work. When we choose to trust, we bridge the gap of uncertainty for future actions. We believe the person who is trusted in going to do what is expected. When that doesn’t happen, we lose the relational integrity. The gap widens.

Conversely, when people do behave in a trustworthy manner, the gap closes in. It becomes smaller, and we move forward a step.

“Trust involves the juxtaposition of people’s loftiest hopes and aspirations with their deepest worries and fears.” Jeffry A. Simpson

There are trust and the gap again. This time, the gap is fear and worry.

Why do people have trouble trusting? For some, the benefits of closeness and intimacy are overshadowed by the possibility of pain and betrayal. Past experiences are often in play here.

Remember, bridges are built on piers or pillars. These foundational structures help the bridge handle the structural load. For us, in life, the pillars that hold up the bridge are often the positive, small baby steps we take in moving forward.

With God, we know we can trust Him to keep His promises. How does the Lord help us bridge the gap?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

God’s got your back. Establish safe boundaries. Taking the next step in life is easier with this assurance. I think that helps people of faith bridge the gap. With trust.

Image courtesy of John Spooner on flickr

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Are We Alone In The Plot With An Eternal Result?: Part 2

This is Part 2 in a 2 part series. To read Part 1 please click here

Is there intelligent life elsewhere? What does the Bible say about that? Did God create life on other planets?

Well, here goes my take on it:

An interesting concept of creation is that God created earth on the first day. Does that infer the earth is the center of all creation? He also created light on the first but didn’t work up the sun until the 4th day. While we currently revolve around the sun, that apparently wasn’t the case on days 1, 2 or 3. And where did the light come from before the sun?

Why did God create such a massive universe? Maybe to show us how omnipotent He is and to glorify Him. When I think about all that, He created it certainly focuses my attention to how awesome and great He is.

Do I believe there is intelligent life other than man and the animals? Yes. Why? Well, first off I believe in God. Ok, I know, no brainer. Other than the trinity? Yes. The Bible describes the angels, Seraphim, and Cherubim, right? I think they must all be intelligent.

The Angels are mentioned throughout the Bible. We all know what they are about. Wikipedia describes the angels as “often depicted as benevolent celestial beings who act as intermediaries between God or Heaven and Earth, or as guardian spirits or a guiding influence. Other roles of angels include protecting and guiding human beings and carrying out God’s tasks.

Next up, the Seraphim. Considered like an angel, they are only mentioned once in Isaiah. They are described as the “burning ones,” nobles, and the “ones of love.” They hover OVER the throne of God and are considered His personal attendants, continually glorifying and praising God. Their eternal song “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Again, we’re centering in on the earth.

Now, the Cherubim. These are the throne angels as they are seen AROUND God’s throne. Their role is to guard God’s holy domain and presence from any sin and corruption. Thus, they protect the Garden of Eden (Is it still here today?).

Hey what what about “The Four Living Creatures?” Hmmm. Well, the way I understand it this tetramorph  doesn’t come about until the apocalyptic end of this world and the universe as we know it. It’s described in the book of Revelation. It is said to be like a Cherubim with eyes all around, so we can assume this is an intelligent life as well. Or will be, when we get to the times described in Revelation Chapter 4. References to The Four Living Creatures are also found in the books of Ezekiel and Daniel. These seem to be visions of the same thing.

Scripture doesn’t say these intelligent life forms are just hanging around our planet. I’m confident if the Lord told an angel to head out to the Andromeda Galaxy the angel would have no problem making that journey.

What about Carl Sagan? Didn’t he prove there is extraterrestrial life? Well not exactly. Here’s a famous Sagan quote:

“I’m frequently asked, “Do you believe there’s extraterrestrial intelligence?” I give the standard arguments- there are a lot of places out there, the molecules of life are everywhere, I use the word billions, and so on. Then I say it would be astonishing to me if there weren’t extraterrestrial intelligence, but of course there is as yet no compelling evidence for it.

Often, I’m asked next, “What do you really think?”

I say, “I just told you what I really think.”

“Yes, but what’s your gut feeling?”

But I try not to think with my gut. If I’m serious about understanding the world, thinking with anything besides my brain, as tempting as that might be, is likely to get me into trouble. Really, it’s okay to reserve judgment until the evidence is in.”

Indeed, despite the years of research and a life dedicated to trying to find the answers, Sagan ended up saying we don’t know. Or do we? I guess Sagan came to that conclusion as he must have never accepted the presence of the Lord. I know, that’s not how we usually thing about “artificial intelligence” or the ET. If we think of an extraterrestrial being as one from outside the planet Earth, then we can list God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Seraphim, Cherubims, and the angels. Just saying. Perhaps Sagan was just looking in the wrong place?

With all that said it begs the question: Are we alone in the universe? No, we are not. However, I’m not looking for a bunch or space aliens, Martians or little green men to arrive. I don’t expect that will happen.

Is there intelligent life on other planets? The Bible doesn’t say. However, it is inferred that the earth and all of other planets and stars in the solar system will one day be destroyed, and a new earth and heaven will be created.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10.

I believe we are the sole beneficiaries of fellowship with God. While God certainly could have created other life forms, His timetable for the existence of the earth and our universe is directly tied to His itinerary for humanity. The Bible teaches that we were created in His image. When He did so, He gave us dominion over all things on earth. God created us out of His great love and to fulfill His eternal plan. We play a part in His plan, including defeating satan. Through the freedom of choice, we have an opportunity for eternal life through His “ministry of reconciliation.” How refreshing to know and to be a part of His plot with an eternal result.

Image courtesy of Adrian Senn on flickr.com

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Are We Alone In The Plot With An Eternal Result?: Part 1

I was watching an Andy Andrews podcast recently, and he was talking about how we have to escape thinking through an incomplete thought. Incomplete thoughts are dangerous. Well, not like tornadoes or anything, but still. We want to think things through. Granted sometimes that can take time. Sometimes when I write here at I’m Just Thinkin’ I will end an incomplete thought with an ellipse (…). In fact, I do it quite frequently. Why? Well, it generates thought process that leads to conversation. Conversational exchange broadens the thought. Questions come up that might not have emerged.

Questions. A major turning point for me in my faith journey was when my faith grew more substantial than the issues I had. Questions? Yes, some of them I still have. Here’s one: Is there intelligent life elsewhere? That’s a pretty big concept to wrap my mind around. Are we alone in the plot with an eternal result? Let’s think this through and we’ll be coming back to that shortly.

Forging ahead to plot. It’s not super complicated. We have to think cause and effect here. It’s a series of events that make up a story and lead us to “and so.” You got it, babe, the climax of the tale. Many a novel follow the same general plot. The circumstances change, but the plot remains the same. There are even templates for Fiction plots. Many start off with character development; the conflict is introduced; rising action leading up to the climax, and then winding up the story. All the loose ends are tied up. Incomplete thoughts? Well, sometimes we do encounter them in a novel or movie, but we want to know how the story ends.

The power of story – so let’s take this notion and apply it to humanity. You know, the plot with an eternal result. Really? Yep, just wait. One cool aspect that I love about my church is that it is Gospel centered. We keep it simple. We learn how events that occur in the Old Testament will relate or point to the Gospel, and to Jesus. For example, many a Prophet offered the foreshadowing of Jesus’ arrival, ministry, and resurrection.

“The Old Testament is in the New revealed and the New is in the Old concealed.” Augustine

Jesus clearly says in Matthew 5:17 that He came to fulfill the foreshadowing through the Law and the Prophets.

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” Jesus, in Matthew 5:17

Moses is the clearest Old Testament person whom we can look to as one of the greatest types of Jesus. Time and again, Moses’ life story pointed us to Jesus through his faith and leadership. And where was the conflict introduced for humanity? Hmm, pretty early on right? Like in the Garden of Eden? Yes! The cross was the climax? Yes, the cross was the point from the very beginning. It was the fulfillment mentioned in Matthew 5:17. So now we’re just tying up the loose ends.

The power of truth…

So all that leads us back to this question: Is there intelligent life elsewhere? What does the Bible say about that? Did God create life on other planets?

This is part 1 of a 2 part series. Please check back next week for part 2.

Image courtesy of Adrian Senn on flickr.com

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Turning Thoughts Into Action

Holy cow I haven’t written on here for a long time! God took me on a bit of a tangent for a while. That was great working at my church, and I learned a lot about people and ministry. Oh yeah, and a wee bit more about Information Technology. I felt God nudging me along in a different direction near the end of last year. So I did some thinking and took some action steps to figure out what exactly that would look like.

I sure have missed writing every day. While I looked at several other options, He seems to be intent on making this my full-time gig. So I’m pretty stoked about that. Part of my return to writing full time will involve writing here. That’s right; you can expect regular content on my blog again. I am going to be laser focused on two writing projects here:

One of my previous books is pretty short. I have been working on content that will expand that theme, and I will be rebranding the book. Much of the new material will be posted here as I fill in the gaps for the new release.
I will also be working on finishing up a new release that is currently 85% written. This one is a blend of my faith story and finding your calling.

Hoping to have both of these finished up before the end of 2016. In the meantime, I am also working on several other projects; freelance writing for sailing magazines (3 articles submitted and ALL accepted so far!), web content, writing copy and paid blogs for other sites. It’s a lot of variety that I thrive on. Plus, BONUS: it’s all transportable!! What’s that mean? Well, I can write from wherever… so I’m thinkin’ Caribbean!! Heck yeah.

I feel a fresh perspective from the time off and glad to be back!

Image courtesy of Ian Kennedy on Flickr

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Inhale… Exhale… And Thank God For The Stromatolites!

Stromatolites at Shark Bay Australia

Next time you take a breath of fresh air thank a Stromatolite. And God. Why? The cauliflower-looking “rocks” are responsible for the development of our atmosphere and bio-diversity. So are they rocks, or not? Well, yes. And no. Let me explain… these layered rocks are formed by cyanobacteria, also called the blue-green algae. The microscopic cyanobacteria form colonies under favorable conditions. They trap sediment with their sticky surface coatings and the sediment reacts with calcium carbonate in the ocean water to form limestone. So, to answer the question rock or not, the Stromatolites are rocks that form as a by product of the organism’s activity.

These slimy creatures produced oxygen. That’s the stuff that created our atmosphere. Now listen here I don’t care if you believe creation or evolution there is a certain amount of science in God. It’s just a fact. God showed up and what He created in our Planet Earth is amazing. One of a kind.

Way back in the olden days (Precambrian), bacteria such as the Cyanobacteria that form Stromatolites were the only game in town. These critters are photosynthetic – they take energy from light and convert it into chemical energy (sugars)  synthesized with carbon dioxide and water. Interestingly, oxygen is released as a “waste product!” So the Cyanobacteria are the agent responsible for converting our atmosphere from a reducing one to an oxidizing breath of fresh air. And the stuff we dig on breathing is a waste product. Get out… but it’s a true story.

“Stromatolites are bizarre fossils whose biological origins were debated until only a few decades ago. Today, scientists generally agree that stromatolites are layered colonial structures predominately formed by cyanobacteria. Stromatolites are the oldest fossils on earth, dating back to more than three billion years ago. They were the dominant life form on earth for over 2 billion years and are thought to be primarily responsible for the oxygenation of the atmosphere,” says the National Park Service. On their page discussing the occurrence of Stromatolites in the Navajo Sandstone, the NPS

The creation of our atmosphere is something that just fascinates me. So the next time you get an itch to take a breath of fresh are remember the Stromatolites, the Cyanobacteria, and especially God. Thank God for the Stromatolites.

And breathe on…

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

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Oh For The Acts Of God And An Orogeny Or Two

Acts of God. It’s written into many contracts. I contemplated it recently…

The burning bush was an act of God.

As was the flood.

The parting of the Red Sea? Yep. Would have loved to see that one!

“It’s funny Lieutenant Dan said that because right then, God showed up!” F.G.

Did Forrest experience an act of God? Yep yep, ON THE BOAT!!!

Winner winner chicken dinner! or should I order shrimp po-boy on the menu? This act of God turned out to be a blessing to Forrest and his Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. By the grace of God, Forrest was blessed with the only shrimp boat that survived the hurricane.

Then I got to thinking; maybe referring to the commonplace, physical events here on earth are simply acts of God! Think about it this way: God made our planet and all of the processes that we see actively in the world today. Plate tectonics, vulcanism, erosion, landslides and earthquakes, just to name a few. And, as those events occur, how more appropriate than to describe them as acts of God.

Every time it rains it’s an act of God? Pretty much. Maybe He’s not intentionally orchestrating every cloud but He made the atmospheric system work, along with the other processes that form the lay of the land and the currents through the depths of the oceans. This is all so fascinating to me, as a scientist, to think of how perfectly He created our planet.

Calling these events “Acts Of God” is catchy. It simplifies, making the big picture of catastrophic events black and white.  And while we’re at it let’s have an orogeny or two. Orogeny? Yes, you know, the forces and events that lead to large, structural deformation of the Earth’s lithosphere as tectonic plates collide and move about. Greatest in Mastodon scale are the orogenies.

Lest we forget the thunderstorms, floods and tornadoes. Ah yes, these common culprits that put insurance companies at risk. They know that rising water only began with Noah.

Speaking of tornadoes I’ve never shared my cyclone experience here at I’m Just Thinkin’. I took a sabbatical while attending the University of Florida. Yep, headed off for 18 months to live on the Apalachicola Bay. A friend had purchased a house on the bay, and we gutted the place, fixing her up to a new glory. It was there that I acquired a few handyman skills, serving as chief apprentice for the roofer, plumber, electrician and drywall experts. One day while hanging out we noticed a waterspout off in the distance through the bay window overlooking the water. This started to get a bit creepy when the funnel cloud didn’t go left or right and kept getting bigger. It didn’t take us too long to realize being in front of the bay window was not going to be a good idea, so my friend and I each grabbed a dog and huddled down in the hallway.

Indeed the tornado roared through the property, tearing the room off the adjacent guest house. Meanwhile, in the main house, all the windows were shattered. It was just like I’ve heard others speak of these deadly storms, the sound and energy of the freight train coming through the house. The atmospheric pressure changed and it got really cold. We looked at each other and confirmed all was ok. It seemed to last forever, but I’m sure our experience was less than 30 seconds. That same twister went further inland and killed 3 people in a mobile home park. It made national news with coverage on CNN. Pretty crazy. It was then and there that I realized tremendous appreciation for the weather, and for these acts of God.

Is a tornado more dramatic than an orogeny?

Packaging my tornado story with various other ramblings…

What to do when God shows up?

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