Music--100 Words

Music.

I must say, I’m so out of touch! I’m feeling old right now.

Last night, my wife was watching The Amazing Race. During commercials, she flipped back and forth to the American Music Awards.

Where have these people come from? Heck, who are these people?

Okay, I’ve seen Janet Jackson before. And Reba. And a few of the others.

But, not the majority. I’m out of touch.

I guess that should bother me to some extent, but it doesn’t.

Call me old. Out of touch.

At least my ears won’t be subjected to this “music.”

I can accept that!

Seasons--100 Words

Seasons.

The fall season is quickly passing to winter. Before long, cold and dreary weather will cover the northern part of what we call earth.

The nights will go longer and the days will become too short.

Seasons of life are also passing. With every new day, we move closer to the grave and eternity.

From the time a baby is born, brain cells are dying. Seasons are passing. Even for our youngest.

Work season passes. Raising family season passes. Being healthy passes.

I suppose that means that we should enjoy this season. Whatever season that may be.

Enjoy today.

Eyes--100 Word

Eyes.

I looked into the eyes of death.

The eyes were dark. Cold. Dare I say unforgiving.

Death had not yet come, but had sent its putrid presence into the room.

Make no mistake about it, death was coming.

Soon the eyes would close. To blink no more this side of heaven. To show hope. Or joy. Or health.

Those eyes would soon glimmer no more.

Those eyes caused my eyes to fill with tears. I choked back my emotions. My personal fear of death.

“The wages of sin is death.”

Sin, no matter how appealing, is never our friend.

Mistakes--100 Words

Mistakes.

Who hasn’t made them?

Be honest. Fess up!

We all have.

A doctor amputates the wrong limb.

An engineer misses something on the blueprint.

A lawyer gets a guilty man off.

Easy to lay blame on those folks.

Much more difficult to lay the appropriate blame at my feet. For my mistakes. When I make a error.

Maybe I’m afraid to admit failure. Or am prideful. Or ashamed.

I need to get over that, accept responsibility, move on.

Conrad Hilton said, “Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.”

Disagreement--100 Words

Disagreement.

Why are we afraid of that word?

Does disagreement have to be negative?

Can’t we disagree over issues and agree to disagree? Is that even possible?

Not when it comes to politics.

Whoever sits in the White House can do nothing right—according to the opposing party. Whoever sits in the White House can do nothing wrong—according to the controlling party.

Call me radical. I seldom agree with anyone all the time. I don’t care who’s sitting in office, I may not agree with them. But, I will give them a fair hearing. Then, I’ll decide for myself.

Journaling--100 Words

Journaling.

Do you journal?

I’ve never been much of a journal keeper. I’ve tried. But, after a few days, I lose interest.

Maybe I’m ADD or something.

I’ve always been impressed with people who journal. They get into it. And, from what I can tell, they enjoy it and learn from it.

Some might say my online notes is journaling. Maybe.

I just write down what I’m thinking, only using 100 words.

Maybe the difference is that unlike people who journal, I share these with the rest of you.

I’m just thinking out loud. Learning from God as I go.

Faith-Issues--100 Words

Faith-issues.

Care to tell me how to live out my faith when facing issues?

Last week, I dealt with a major life issue. Some friends reminded me that faith was involved—as if I didn’t know that. I was encouraged to live by faith. To know that I’d come out on the other side better if decisions were made by faith.

Were those reminders necessary? Was I demonstrating a lack of faith? Did I give the impression that life was devastating me?

Folks, until you walk in another’s shoes, you just don’t know everything. Might be best to say nothing.

Celebration--100 Words

Celebration.

Years ago, Kool and the Gang sang these lyrics:

“There’s a party goin’ on right hereA celebration to last throughout the yearsSo bring your good times, and your laughter tooWe gonna celebrate your party with you”

Trust me. The song had a good beat and you could dance to it (unless you were like me and couldn’t dance).

There’s also some sound theology in those words.

Especially as it relates to worship. Yes, you read that right!

Worship = Party!
Worship = celebration!
Worship = good times!
Worship = laughter!

Hope you worship like that today!

Empty--100 Words

Empty.

John Ortberg recently wrote: “Often in ministry I feel like Jesus (that’s a dangerous comparison!) when He was touched by a woman in a crowd ‘and felt the power go out of Him.’ Ministry can be the most draining activity known to human beings, because it draws on the soul. So I have to know what the signs are when my reserves are running low: I get easily discouraged, I get preoccupied in my relationships, my motivation and energy drop, sin looks more tempting.”

80 of my 100 words allowed.

But, I can’t describe running on empty any better.

Afghanistan--100 Words

Afghanistan.

Familiar with the country?

People my age have heard about Afghanistan for most of their lives. Russia wanted to control it for a long time. And, Pakistan doesn’t really like their neighbor much.

It’s a breeding ground for terrorists.

Not sure what the allure of mountain caves are. But, if terrorists are going to be driven to hide anywhere, a cave is a good spot.

Now, our President faces a decision about Afghanistan. It’s now his war. He’s the Commander in Chief who has soldiers dying.

Mr. President, stop listening to the polls. Do the right thing. And quickly.

Sacrifice--100 Words

Sacrifice.

Today, I’ll make sacrifices.

I will sacrifice time with my wife/son as I work at my job.

I will sacrifice the ability to do what I want to do because I must work.

I will sacrifice my sanity as I drive home this afternoon in rush hour traffic.

Those are my sacrifices.

By comparison, there are families today that will honor the life of their son or daughter who died while serving in the military.

There are military personnel who will sacrifice safety and the comforts of home—all the while protecting me.

I don’t know anything about sacrifice.

Hair--100 Words

Hair.

On this very stormy day, I’ve been thinking about hair.

Our building superintendent and I came in the building together today. In the middle of Ida blowing rain and wind.

He said, with a grin on his face, “This weather does a number on my hair.”

What’s a bald man to say in return? Simple. “Mine too!”

We shared a brief smile and laugh.

People like to make “hair” jokes with bald guys.

What if bald guys made “fat” jokes to them? Or, “height” jokes. Or, “ugly” jokes.

Not PC. I get it. Why are bald guys fair game?

Choices--100 Words

Choices.

Do choices ever come easily? If they do, are they really worth it?

Recently, I found two great quotes to put facing choices into perspective.

First, Denis Waitley said, “There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.”

Then secondly, Robert Fritz said, “If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise.”

I hate compromise. And, had never thought of limiting choices as compromise.

But, I think Waitley was right.

Worth--100 Words

Worth.

How much am I really worth?

Can I be honest and say, I don’t have a clue.

To be even more honest, I don’t even know where to begin making that determination. Or what tools to use to do so.

The world will often say that your worth is determined by where you live, what you drive, what you wear, or how much you earn.

The Bible tells us that we are worth so much that Jesus died on the cross for us.

But, day-to-day, how do you measure a man’s worth?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

8--100 Words

The number eight is an interesting number.

In many countries, the number symbolizes wealth.

Did you know the 2008 Olympics began at 8 minutes and 8 seconds past 8 PM?

In baseball, Cal Ripken wore the number. Yogi Berra and Carl Yastrzemski did also.

Until last season, Kobe Bryant wore it for the Los Angeles Lakers.

In football, Troy Aiken wore it for the Dallas Cowboys.

And, who can forget Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and his number 8 race car.

But, today, the number 8 carries another meaning. 8 years ago today, I started my current job.

Happy anniversary to me.

Waiting--100 Words

American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson made two great observations.

“How much of human life is lost in waiting.”

“The world is all gates, all opportunities, strings of tension waiting to be struck.”

Waiting.

I’ll admit it. I’m not good at waiting.

I’d rather hurry. Or decide. Or move forward. Or be told “no.”

But waiting? Who wants to do that?

But, I find myself waiting this week.

It’s Tuesday. But Friday’s coming.

I’m hoping, on Friday, the wait will be over.

If it isn’t, at least I’m hoping for some news, much anticipated news.

So, until then, prayers.

Join me?

Indecision--100 Words

Being indecisive.

Ever have that trouble?

I rarely do. But, when I do, I hate that feeling. You know the feeling—not knowing what to do next. What direction to go. What decision to make.

I realize, at times, we can all face crossroads and not know the next step. That’s being human.

Yet, at other times, indecisiveness is forced upon us.

Our decisions are second guessed. The actions we’ve taken are actions questioned. With no logical reason to be second guessed or questioned.

It’s those moments that cause indecision.

No one has all the answers. Including me. Or you.