GORDON JACKSON is a professor of communication studies at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. He has worked at Whitworth as a journalism professor and college administrator since 1983. Originally from South Africa, where he worked as a journalist, he is a frequent speaker for churches and other groups. Dr. Jackson has spoken to scores of church, Sunday school, educational, and civic groups on a wide range of topics. In the past few years, he has also served as a consultant for church groups and Christian educational institutions in Uganda, Lebanon and Egypt.

Life is full of tough decisions. How do you know you're making wise choices that fall within God's will?

Five important factors can help. Rather than base your decisions on a chance remark or an isolated verse of Scripture, look instead to the God-given resources available to help us make choices that match His will. Prayer, Scripture, and the advice of other trusted believers are just the beginning. Learn how to separate God's will from the pack of alternatives and start making sound decisions.