The word "almost"...It's a sad word in anybody's dictionary. It keeps company with expressions like "if only," and (in the South) "near 'bout.” “Almost” is a word that smacks of missed opportunities and fumbled chances.

Tim KcKee was edged out for first place in the Olympic 400 meter race by two/thousandth of a second. He almost won a gold medal.

Max Lucado, that inspired writer out in Texas, gives us these sad statements which revolve around "almost": "He almost got it together." "We were almost able to work it out." "He almost made it to the big leagues." "I caught a catfish that was bigger than me. Well, almost!" As they say, "almost" doesn't count except in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Our scripture lesson focuses on an "almost" kind of guy. We call him "the rich young ruler." In t…