Happiness--100 Words

Happiness.

No. Life isn’t all about happiness. I get that.

Nowhere are we promised that we’ll always be happy.

Maybe we spend too much time seeking happiness. Begging for it to be our friend.

It’s almost as if we’ll settle for any type of happiness. From any source.

Alexander Pope said, “False happiness is like false money; it passes for a long time as well as the true, and serves some ordinary occasions; but when it is brought to the touch, we find the lightness and alloy, and feel the loss.”

Touch happiness carefully. Handle it gently. Examine its origin.

Fulfillment--100 Words

Fulfillment.

Fulfillment is what JC Penney’s does when you order online.

Fulfillment is when you keep the promise to be at your child’s baseball game or recital.

But, what about fulfillment in life? What does it take to know fulfillment?

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.”

Aren’t those heart symbols most important? They sure beat material things. They beat temporal things.

This Christmas, what will bring you fulfillment?

Disagreement--100 Words

Disagreement.

How well do you handle disagreement? Is disagreement good? Is disagreement not acceptable? Does disagreement frustrate you?

Is it your way or the highway?

General Colin Powell said, “When we are debating an issue, loyalty means giving me your honest opinion, whether you think I'll like it or not.”

Here was a man who could demand total agreement to his point of view, no matter what others thought or said. But, to him, loyalty meant honesty.

I agree.

What better way to demonstrate friendship than honesty.

Don’t like what I say? Fine by me. Feel free to say so.

Fairy Tales--100 Words

Fairy tales.

We grow up hearing all kinds of fairy tales.

Snow White. Cinderella. Sleeping Beauty. Little Red Riding Hood.

Have you read those stories? Not the sanitized Walt Disney version.

Have you ever read Grimm’s fairy tales in their original format?

Frightening stuff.

Yet, we dress our children up as Snow White or Cinderella.

We play various versions of Little Red Riding Hood on the playground.

Never thinking twice about their original meaning. Maybe not even caring.

What we teach our children is important. The fables told. The myths continued from one generation to the next. They all matter.

Inner Peace--100 Words

Inner peace.

What does that mean?

Where do we “find” it?

Right now, many are looking for inner peace by putting up Christmas decorations, going shopping, attending parties, and maybe even going to church. After Christmas, they’ll be looking elsewhere for it.

I’m not critical. I have no room to talk. I’ve searched for inner peace my entire life.

I’ve looked in the right places. And, in the wrong places.

So, I keep looking.

Not sure if true inner peace will be found. Or, can be found.

Maybe not this side of heaven.

What about you? Have you found it?

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.

Understanding--100 Words

Understanding.

Robert McCloskey said, “I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

Huh?

Understanding is not easy. Understanding a teacher lecturing. A preacher preaching. Understanding your wife (or husband) as she/he talk about their day. Understanding your toddler who babbles more than talks—that’s difficult to understand.

Understanding God can be difficult. Or, at least I’ve found that to be true. My hindsight eyes work far better than today or tomorrow’s eyes.
Lord, give me eyes to see. And, to see clearly.

Depression--100 Words

Rollo May said, “Depression is the inability to construct a future.”

I don’t know about the accuracy of that quote.

Seems to me that depression is more far reaching than just not being able to construct a future.

Depression is what keeps you sleeping in bed all day or awake all night.

Depression is what drives a person to silence, screaming, cursing, anger, or death.

Depression is what makes a person put on a stiff upper lip, thinking no will even notice that it is just an act.

Depression seems to always be close by, but never a good friend.

Sports--100 Words

Sports.

Few enjoy sports as much as me.

Baseball. Football. Basketball. Racing. I enjoy them all.

Always have.

From the time I was a child, our backyard was a three-season sports field. We played baseball in summer. Football in fall. Basketball in winter. Springtime? Well, you had to study at some point!

Sports today are different from then. In those days, it seemed the games were purer. People played the game for the love of the game, not money.

Today, that’s not true. Signing bonuses. Strikes. Hold outs.

I’d like to return to the love of sports of my youth.

Done--100 Words

Done.

When I lived in Virginia, restaurant servers often asked at the end of a meal: “Are you done yet?”

Never quite knew the origin of that phrase. We didn’t ask such questions back in Alabama.

Lately, I’ve found myself asking the question “Are you done yet?”

I’ve asked it in various situations. Settings. Related to various topics.

Up until now, I would have probably said, “No. I’m not.” Maybe that’s keeping a stiff upper lip. Maybe that’s living in denial. Or, maybe it was just stating fact—I wasn’t done.

Not today. “Are you done yet?”

Yes.

Check please.

Time--100 Words

Time.

24 hours. 1,440 minutes. 86,400 seconds.

The same allotment. No more. No less.

Yet, some people accomplish more than others. And, they do it without complaining about not having enough time, energy, or enthusiasm.

What makes the difference?

Andrew Jackson, our 7th president, said, “Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.”

That’s the problem. Many people jump into the day without proper deliberation—we don’t organize our day. Yet, others never stop thinking enough to dive in to the day.

Today, no grumbling. I’m just going to dive right in.

Friendship--100 Words

Friendship.

What does that mean?

Think about it. What makes a person a friend?

Having things in common? Going to the same school? Church? Neighbors?

Being a “friend” on Facebook? Hopefully, you know that everyone who requests to be your friend or who accepts your friendship request isn’t really your friend.

In the same way, not everyone who claims to be your friend in life isn’t your friend either.

Winnie the Pooh said, “If you live to be 100, I hope to live to be 100 minus 1 day so I never have to live without you.”

That’s a friend.

Fall--100 Words

Fall.

Been thinking a good deal about fall lately. Especially this week as we might see temperatures drop into the 40s.

Think about some of the ways we use the word fall.

There’s the fall season.

There’s falling in love. Falling down the stairs. Falling out of someone’s good graces.

There’s falling down on the job.

If you have read my many posts, you should know that I love words and how we use them.

So many words in the English language have double meanings.

Others are clear as can be.

And example? Simple. “For God so loved the world…”

Anniversaries--100 Words

Anniversaries.

Do you like anniversaries?

I do!

Today is my one-year anniversary. Columbus Day, 2008. A day that will live in my infamy. At 1:30 PM, while holding my 8-month-old son, I had a heart attack.

A real one. One of those the TV commercial describes—“1/3 of people about to have a heart attack feel fine” kind-of-heart-attacks.

Fine to heart attack, in one heartbeat.

The Bible says, “Life is just a vapor.”

I didn’t see my life pass before my eyes. I didn’t have a near death experience.

Today, one year later. I’m fine.

Oops. Probably shouldn’t say that.