posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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Put Your Money Where Mouths Are
Friday, November 07, 2003
Thursday, November 06, 2003
HALFISH
I see a lot of ICTHUS symbols on cars. They're everywhere. Little metallic ones, or sometimes decals. Passing declarations of Christianity.
I don't have one.
I always knew the fish symbol represented a Christian, but it wasn't really until I started teaching Sunday school to children that I even understood the history behind it. In all honesty that's why I became a Sunday school teacher. I grew up unchurched, I figured if I taught kids, I could learn too.
I adore the origins of this simple symbol and my imagination runs wild about how it was used long ago. Upon meeting someone on the road, early Christians - often fearing persecution and perhaps not even speaking the same language - would draw out half of the ICTHUS symbol in the dirt. If the person they encountered completed the drawing they knew they were with a brother or sister in Christ.
This had to be a wondrous occurrence....an instant sense of relief. Complete strangers immediately put at ease. A blazing flash of trust. Bonded to each other by God right where they stood. No questions asked.
When I learned about the origins of ICTHUS I knew I couldn't put a metallic fish on my car.
What I really want is this:
A half ICTHUS.
I don't want to be a drive-by Christian.
I crave the engagement of those times of old. Two strangers suddenly fused in faith, casting their theologies aside and knowing that despite many differences, what is truly important is that we are on the same path. A path etched upon common ground.
Unshakeable...solid...Holy ground.
Really does anything more need to be said?
Psalm 25:4
Show me your ways, O Lord , teach me your paths
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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AUCTIONING HOMESTAR
I noticed Joey is auctioning off his Homestar Runner costume on Ebay.
I guess he is learning something in college.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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Wednesday, November 05, 2003
WRESTLING
I'm writing under a deadline. Amy wants to get to the church early tonight and make a few stops before hand so she gave me that look when I sat down to write. The look most husbands are familiar with I suppose. It conveys disbelief, dismay, and a certain amount of doubt that I'll be able to do what I set out to accomplish, and still meet the commitments which lay before us in a timely manner.
It's been that type of day. I didn't sleep well, and so of course I was confronted with a crush of events at work, post election stories, a major drug bust, a convenience store robber shot by a police officer. In between there were confused coworkers, stories that needed rewriting, and some unnecessary friction created by folks who should have better things to do. These are things I wrestle with regularly though. In the end I usually find no matter the outcome, I am no worse for wear. Such was the case today. I survived it.
As I sit down to write, Amy is wrestling with Klondike - the big black dog as he has come to be known by children of our friends. Actually she is trying to wrestle away a scrap of cloth Klondike has snagged and is coveting in a manner designed to create jealousy among our smaller dogs. His plan worked. There is havoc aplenty.
The scrap of cloth is actually a piece of some of my old boxer shorts we cut up for dust cloths. There is really no way to adequately describe the din of dogs barking punctuated by the voice of the woman you love saying, "Let go of Dad's underwear!". These pictures can only hint at the cacophony of craziness.
It's been that type of day.
Moments ago, Amy lost the wrestling match. Klondike overpowered her. He snatched the piece of cloth with all his might and swallowed it whole.
Today I wrestled the problems at work and came away victorious, but sometimes you simply have to admit it when you're overmatched. In those cases, like the instance of the eaten undies, I take comfort in remembering that this too shall pass.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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Tuesday, November 04, 2003
THE T IN TIME
The clues are becoming less subtle. I ache a bit more in the mornings when I get up. I have to take my glasses off to read stuff close up. Those were the signs I was expecting, but now new evidence of aging or perhaps maturity has crept into my life without fanfare..
I've become a tea drinker.
I've never been a hot tea drinker...ever.
In South Texas everyone drinks iced tea, if you don't you get deported, but hot tea? I've always thought the only guys who drink hot tea are English. Really the only man who ever looks cool drinking hot tea is that Star Trek Captain and I suspect that's only because he has a gizmo that produces tea out of anti-matter or whatever, "Tea. Hot. Earl Grey."
A few weeks ago, while wrestling with nasty green invaders in my lungs and throat suddenly hot tea seemed like a good idea. I don't know why, but it did. So I made a cup...and fell in love. Now I'm slurping it down like I've won a reward challenge on "Survivor."
I've made many a bad cup of coffee, but tea seems like it was made for me. Drop in the bag, add hot water. Leave it alone and then take out the bag. It's virtually impossible for even me to screw up! Why did it take me so long to discover this?
What else have I been missing?
I was in World Market the other day and realized there are a multitude of teas to try. It was then I saw my future.
This decrepit fat man behind a walker blissfully wandering the aisles of teas, periodically spouting to no one in particular gleeful phrases like, "Orange Pekoe!".
That's if I can read the labels without my glasses of course.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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Monday, November 03, 2003
IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY
My wife and kids get a real kick out of Homestarrunner. The Internet cartoon is increasingly popular. I'll be the first to admit that it's one of those things that seemingly every member of my family relishes, and I merely tolerate. Kind of like Monty Python or euchre.
No one is more of a Homestarrunner fan than my stepson, Joey. Hence, his Halloween costume.
A junior in college and he's dressing up as a cartoon character for Halloween. Thank God for the constants in life.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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TIME LINE
I crossed a time line today. I suppose it's one of those points that most every person crosses eventually in their life.
My new boss was introduced today. He is 29.
Most of my adult life my immediate superiors have always at least been my age, and usually quite a bit older. I've had bosses who were 29 before...but that was when I was 17 or 20. I've never had a boss who still a suckling when I was graduating high school.
I only met him for a second early this morning as he was brought through the newsroom by one of my other, more properly aged, bosses. The immediate buzz in the office was, "Is he old enough to drive? Does he shave yet?"
Later, I had the opportunity to spend more time with him and see how he handled himself. He stood before the entire staff and took our questions. He's sharp, very focused, obviously driven and blunt.
I was impressed, and that's good -- first impressions do count.
However, I'll have to see how he stands up to the test of time.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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Sunday, November 02, 2003
A TIME AND PLACE
Cowboys, chaos, children and Cincinnati chili. The components of Sunday afternoon. It was nice.
My littlest dog is competing for my attention now, jumping in my lap with a rag in her teeth. She growls to convey her insistence that I grab hold of the rag's other end and play tug of war.
Amy is calling from downstairs. Our guests have left and now we have a few moments to ourselves before the realities of Monday begin to poke over the horizon.
There is a time to write...this is not one of them.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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