Focus--100 Words

Focus.

We know the importance of focus.

What teenager hasn’t heard their parent remind them to focus on school, or driving.

What employee doesn’t know that focusing on their job is essential for continued employment.

Yet, focus often eludes us.

It eludes us as we drive—leading to major accidents.

It eludes us as we work. We spend time talking. Gossiping. Texting. Even Facebooking.

It eludes us as we pray. We get distracted. We find ourselves thinking about important things and stupid things.

Why the lack of focus? Why can’t we be single-minded?

No magical answers.

Just random, unfocused thoughts.

Small Towns--100 Words

Small towns.

Small towns usually get a terrible rap.

Few services. Slow when they have services. Many miles from “civilization.”

All of those statements may be true.

Until someone comes along and surprises you with kindness.

Today, I needed some papers faxed. It wasn’t convenient to drive the paperwork to my mortgage person.

A fax was the logical choice.

Several calls to area businesses. No one could fax. Not WalMart. Not Walgreens.

Finally, Snider Pharmacy came through. One man shop. Probably struggling to stay in business.

Offered to fax at no charge!

The wonder of small towns. And, nice people.

Straight Lines--100 Words

[While I wish I could claim ownership of the yard in the photo, alas, it's not our yard. Maybe our new home will look this good!]

Straight lines.

I cut grass today.

I enjoy doing that.

I enjoy cutting the grass in straight lines.

It looks organized. It looks clean. It looks as it should.

How I wish all of life could be measured in straight lines.

You know. The shortest distance between two points.

In relationship to my career, every decision would be clear and the direction would be easily recognized.

In relationship to family, we’d know exactly what each other needed and then tackle it head-on.

Yet, life doesn’t come to us in straight lines.

Normally, it comes like dodging flowers.

And, dog poop.

Control--100 Words

Control.

That word can be positive or negative.

When driving a car, you should always remain under control of the vehicle.

On the other hand, in a marriage, it’s not about control, it’s about sharing, and giving.

Too many teenagers feel controlled by their parents.

How many people in their job feel totally controlled by their supervisor or boss?

When we are controlled by others, do we see it as positive or as debilitating?

I know the answer. So do you.

So, why is it that I need to control? What about the pain it causes that I don’t understand?

In Charge--100 Words

In charge.

Who’s in charge?

At your house? With your family? In your job? In your church?

Who’s the boss?

Who gives the orders?

Who does the following?

Is being in charge what it’s all about? Control?

I know people who think they have to be in control.

Of everything.

Seriously. Everything.

From where to eat. To what others do. In big things, little things, and non-existent things.

It’s all about power.

Strange. The One person who had every right to be in charge, wrapped a towel around His waist and washed dirty feet.

Am I above doing the same?

Blindsided--100 Words

Blindsided.

Ever been blindsided? Sure you have.

Hurts.

Stinks.

Unfair.

Painful.

I guess what hurts the most is that you just don’t see the sudden jar coming.

Ask Hall of Fame football quarterback Joe Theismann.

Ask the parent whose 15-year-old daughter just got pregnant.

Ask the 30-year-old father who has just been told he has six months to live.

Ask the 61-year-old employee who has just been “downsized.”

Ask the parent of the child whose name shows up on the roadside AMBER alert signs.

Blindsided.

Lord help us to deal with the blindsides. Give us Your strength. Wisdom. Grace. Mercy.

Deflating--100 Words

Deflating.

What’s worse, a major blowout or a slow deflating?

Both can be devastating.

With a major blowout, there’s a sudden change, a blowout or blowup. Quick response is required.

With a blowout, only a few seconds are involved, then it is done.

With a deflating, it’s slow. Steady. Hardly noticed. Just a hiss. Almost a whisper.

I’ve been hearing a lot of hissing for some time. Each hiss, alone, isn’t a problem.

But, when you add them all together, the hissing becomes a whirlwind.

I’m trying to understand. Where is God’s voice? I’m listening and waiting. Wanting to hear.

Self Absorbed--100 Words

Self absorbed.

Americans are self absorbed.

Does that trouble you?

I hope so!

We are self absorbed.

Do you doubt me?

We give trophies to every player on every team our children are on. It doesn’t matter whether they are good or even win. They get a trophy.

Basketball players demand and receive a gazillion dollars to play a game.

There’s a fast food restaurant on every corner—we can’t be hungry for 5 minutes.

And, a church as well.

Wonder what starving children who have no basketballs or food or church think about America?

Do we even care anymore?

An Open Letter to Jesse--100 Words

From one reverend to another.

Jesse, Jesse, Jesse.

Let me understand what you are saying.

LeBron James is a slave?

Dan Gilbert is a slaveholder?

The owner of a basketball team is treating an athlete like a runaway slave?

Are you kidding?

Jesse, I would agree if you had said that Mr. Gilbert’s open letter to LeBron was in bad taste or over the top. It was. He was.

But, a slaveholder?

Jesse, your only point was to put yourself back in the spotlight.

I doubt you care about LeBron.

Please. Stop calling yourself Reverend.

You haven’t served a church.

Praise--425 Words

Praise.

Ken Thomas wrote a hymn at a time when the established church believed only Scripture should be sung as hymns—-with a special emphasis given to the Psalms. Some church leaders considered it sinful and blasphemous to write new lyrics for church music. It was almost like they were adding words to the Scriptures.

In that atmosphere, Ken wrote this and several other hymns for the boys at Winchester College, with strict instructions that they use them only in their rooms, for private devotions.

Today, we know the last stanza far better than the others. It may be the most frequently used piece of music in worship. Read the hymn from the beginning. Don’t skip ahead. And, as you come to the end, sing out in praise.

At Ken’s request, his hymn was sung at his funeral, fittingly held at sunrise.

“Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise,
To pay thy morning sacrifice.

“Thy precious time misspent, redeem,
Each present day thy last esteem,
Improve thy talent with due care;
For the great day thyself prepare.

“By influence of the Light divine
Let thy own light to others shine.
Reflect all Heaven’s propitious ways
In ardent love, and cheerful praise.

“In conversation be sincere;
Keep conscience as the noontide clear;
Think how all seeing God thy ways
And all thy secret thoughts surveys.

“Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long unwearied sing
High praise to the eternal King.

“All praise to Thee, who safe has kept
And hast refreshed me while I slept
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake
I may of endless light partake.

“Heav’n is, dear Lord, where’er Thou art,
O never then from me depart;
For to my soul ’tis hell to be
But for one moment void of Thee.

“Lord, I my vows to Thee renew;
Disperse my sins as morning dew.
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with Thyself my spirit fill.

“Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say,
That all my powers, with all their might,
In Thy sole glory may unite.

“I would not wake nor rise again
And Heaven itself I would disdain,
Wert Thou not there to be enjoyed,
And I in hymns to be employed.

“Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”

Puncture--100 Words

Puncture.

A couple of nights ago, something happened.

I found myself with two puncture marks on the top of my head (see above photo).

Here are the possibilities of how it happened:

1) A vampire from the Twilight saga snuck into our house and turned me into a vampire.

2) A rattlesnake bit me as I slept. (With the recent snake visit at our house, anything’s possible.

3) Evan, my two-year-old, while jumping on the couch, jumped at me, slipped, digging his front two teeth into my head, drawing blood, swelling, and pain.

If you are wondering, Evan is fine.

Meaning--100 Words

Meaning.

We search for meaning.

We try to give meaning to how we live.

We hope meaning will be found in our testimony.

Yet, true meaning often alludes us.

Ernest Hemingway said, “Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.”

Another way to say that is found on a tombstone: –.

Life’s meaning is determined by what happens on either side of the dash.

We are created the same.

We die the same.

It’s how we live that gives meaning to life.

Idiot-Proof--100 Words

Idiot-proof.

Society has tried to idiot-proof just about everything.

Medicine has child-proof tops on it.

We’ve made tamper-resistant doors for our kitchen cabinets.

There are warning signs for just about everything known to mankind today.

We even have cars that can parallel park!

Yet, we can’t stop an idiot from getting behind the steering wheel of a car.

Yesterday, on my way to work, I was just about run over by a pickup truck. The driver, at the last second, swerved to miss my car as I sat at a red light.

I guess we can’t idiot-proof idiots, can we?

Anticipation--100 Words

Anticipation.

Seneca said, “Expecting is the greatest impediment to living. In anticipation of tomorrow, it loses today.”

Countless times in life I have experienced anticipation.

The anticipation of being accepted to school.

The anticipation of entering the sanctuary to marry.

The anticipation of my child’s birth.

The anticipation of job changes. Health concerns. And yes, selling real estate.

All of those life events have caused anticipation, and to some degree, fear.

I wonder how many days I have lost living in wait or anticipation or fear.

How many days have been squandered. Needlessly.

Jesus said, “Fear not.”

I needed that.

America--100 Words

America.

Land of my birth.

America and I share too much in common.

We both disrespect God regularly.

We both ignore the things of God.

We both would miss the freedom of worship, prayer, Bible study—if they were taken from us.

Yet, we seldom take advantage of freedoms afforded to us by God. The freedom fought for by men and women young and old who died for this nation.

I haven’t yet had to fight for our nation or freedom.

That day may come.

If it does, may I stand tall. And bold.

For the land of my birth.

Aspirations--100 Words

Aspirations.

As children, we dreamt big.

Thoughts of being an astronaut or ballerina danced in our heads.

We wanted to be a third baseman or doctor or president. We saw no limit to what our future could be.

Huge dreams. Big plans.

But, somewhere along the way, those dreams faded.

Maybe they faded into reality.

Going to school, getting married, changing diapers, working for a paycheck.

Those things seem to win out more times than not.

Can’t we learn to balance dreams and reality? Does all of life have to be serious and responsible?

Or, can’t dreams still come true?

Shortcoming--100 Words

Leigh Steinberg said: “Never underestimate the capacity of another human being to have exactly the same shortcomings you have.”

Is that true?

Do you believe it?

It’s difficult to believe that others have the same shortcomings as me.

I see my shortcomings up close and personal. I know them by name. I know when they are coming. I know when they’re leaving. I know them intimately.

But, when I see others, I rarely see their shortcomings. They hide them. They keep the veil over them.

Is that the way people see me?

Is it necessary to live behind a veil?

Spanking--100 Words

Spanking.

The Old Testament says if we spare the rod, we spoil the child.

While no child likes to be spanked, no child needs to go without discipline.

Children know it—they know they need correction.

While they know that and they need it, they still don’t want it.

They want their way. In their time. And in whatever way they want it.

They despise correction.

But, who doesn’t? I’m far from being a child, but I still despise correction.

Even God’s correction. His “spankings” hurt as much as those my parents applied to my backside.

Yes, hurts. But, needed.

Heights--100 Words

Heights.

Heights bother me.

Let me restate that. Heights terrify me.

I don’t like tall buildings. I don’t like tall rides at the amusement park. I don’t like dreaming about being high off the ground.

I especially don’t like to fly. I don’t like taking off. I don’t like landings. I especially don’t like bumps while in flight. Turbulence and crashing seem too closely related.

The only height I really tolerate well is climbing new heights for God’s kingdom.

Those challenge me. They push me to reach. They motivate me.

And, on yes, they scare the daylights out of me.

700--100 Words

If you found yourself on Jeopardy and the question was: “700”, how would you answer.

If you’re smart, you might answer it is the sum of 4 consecutive primes (167+173+179+181).

You might say it’s a Harshad number. (A Harshad number is an integer that’s divisible by the sum of its digits.)

You might answer it’s the tints of color in the rainbow the human eye can distinguish.

If you are spiritual, you might say it’s a number used 5 times in the Bible.

But, if you’re really smart, you’d say it’s the number of blog posts written by Steve Heartsill!

One Short--100 Words

One short.

Ever feel like you come up one short?

I grew up playing baseball. In those days, you couldn’t start playing until you were 5 or 6.

I’ll never forget batting against 10 year old pitchers! It wasn’t fair—for the 6-year-old batter, that is.

I often came up one short. If I were lucky, I’d bat 3 for 4 in the game. Still, I’d be one short of perfect.

I’ve often come up one short. At work. At home. As a father. As a friend.

Never a good feeling.

Not something to strive for.

In baseball.

Or life.

Ain't--100 Words

Ain’t ain’t a word.

You know that, right?

But, in some ways, it’s the only word to use.

Nothing else will fit the sentence like ain’t.

Bill Cosby once said, “A word to the wise ain’t necessary, it’s the stupid ones who need the advice.”

See what I mean?

Try substituting the word “isn’t” in there. Just doesn’t carry the same impact.

Wonder if Jesus ever used the word ain’t?

Maybe He said, “There ain’t no other way to heaven…”

Or, “Ain’t I the way, the truth, and the life?”

No matter how you say it, ain’t it the truth!

Hot--100 Words

Man. Has it been hot in Alabama lately.

While I don’t buy into the manmade global warming stuff, I do know summer has arrived in Alabama.

With it comes hot and humid days.

Notice. I didn’t say daytime.

It’s hot ALL day and night in Alabama in the summer.

That’s why I like cold weather.

In cold weather, you can put on layers of clothes. Just pile them on until you’re warm.

But, in summer, you can’t strip as naked as desired. At least not in public.

So. It’ll get cold again. Between January 10–12, 2011, it’ll be cold.

Veins--100 Words

What runs through your veins?

I’ve heard some people have ice water in theirs.

The way some people drink coffee, tea, and soft drinks, they might have those running through them.

I take a blood thinner every day. I can safely say I have that running through my veins—and I want it to keep running!

Never really thought much about veins and arteries until after October 13, 2008—Heart Attack day at our house.

Veins became much more important that afternoon at 1:30 and shortly thereafter as a tube was sent looking through mine.

Protect what you can’t see!

Father's Day--100 Words

Father’s Day.

Most important day of the year.

Just ask any father!

It is a time to reflect upon our own fathers.

And, the job they did. Or, the job they did on us.

It is also a time to reflect on our own years of being a father.

To learn lessons discovered the hard way.

There’s no textbook that comes with our children. No owner’s manual.

Basically, shortly after birth, the doctor bundles up the screaming little child and says, “This belongs to you now.”

Honestly, that was one of the most frightening days of my life!

Still is.

Writing--100 Words

“Why do you write?”

I’m asked that question a lot. Maybe because I do a lot of writing.

That would seem logical, don’t you think?

So, why write?

After all, who reads things anymore?

In an age where everything is instantaneous, who has time to read someone’s rants, raves, reviews, or thoughts?

Well, here’s the kicker. I don’t write for you.

I write for me.

I write my thoughts. I don’t always think about your thoughts as I write.

These are things that cause my mind to race.

If they make you think along the way, that’s okay by me.

Fighting Fair--100 Words

As an elementary-age child, I was a runt.

I was the shortest kid on the playground.

The last chosen when teams were decided.

I was skinny.

I was a runt.

Because of my size, I became an easy target to get picked on.

The bigger kids would push and shove and make fun of me.

I took it, fearing what they’d do if I didn’t.

Finally, when I could take no more, I’d fight back. What I lacked in size, I made up in determination.

Some people would do well to remember that I still have fight left in me.

Arrogance--100 Words

Samuel Butler said: “The truest characters of ignorance are vanity, and pride and arrogance.”

Sadly, I think Mr. Butler was right.

We live in a vain world. It is certainly prideful.

Arrogance does seem to rule the day.

To some degree, maybe we are all arrogant at times. And prideful. And vain. An ignorant.

Not good characteristics to strive for. But, who really has to strive for them?

They seem to come so naturally.

God forgive such shameful behavior of those who claim to belong to You.

Open our eyes to see that our only value is found in You!

Real Estate--100 Words

Real Estate.

Ever given much thought to it?

Just about the time I think I have real estate figured out, everything changes. And I do mean everything.

Our house was on the market 4 days. Then, we had a signed contract. Everything’s good.

USDA runs out of funds. Stalls the process of my purchaser. Everything’s bad.

USDA gets new funds. Back on track. Waiting two more weeks for word. Still waiting.

Now, we could lose the home we hope to purchase because of the delays.

I realize it could get worse. I do.

But, I’m tired of thinking about it.

Pick--100 Words

Pick.

On the schoolyard playground, I was often picked last when teams were chosen.

Didn’t matter the game. Kickball. Football. Baseball. Basketball.

Always last or next to last.

You see, I was small for my age. Short. Very thin.

But, my size didn’t reflect how fast I was.

But, speed mattered little on the playground.

It was always the tall kids chosen early.

They went first. They never knew the “thrill” of watching everyone else picked first.

I rarely think about being picked last.

As an adult looking back, I’m just thankful I was chosen at all.

I was included.