The Main Point by Michael Main

Saturday, March 20, 2004

IF YOU REALLY LOVED ME YOU'D....

"Kill them all and let God sort them out" - attributed to Arnaud-Armaury, the Abbot of Citeaux, and "spiritual advisor" to the Albigensian Crusade

I read with interest today this story about the Reverend Max Lucado whose church is in our city.
In brief, the article states that some members of the Church of Christ are upset with Lucado and or his theology.
In recent months Lucado has allowed musicians during certain services to play instruments.
His stance on baptism also apparently differs from traditional Church of Christ teachings.

I'm certainly no theologian and I'm sure there are stout biblical arguments for many of these divisions. However I have to wonder if God is nearly as concerned by them as Christians seem to be. I know I'm not.

I've never felt compelled to speak in tongues, but I've been in churches where folks did it. I'm fairly reserved during worship, but I've attended churches where a lot of the congregants raised their hands, swayed and nearly swooned in showing their affection for God. I've never attended a church where people handled snakes, but if that's how you communicate with God, I'm certainly not going to get in your way...assuming the snakes are kept at a distance.

I know there are people who attend my church who do not believe exactly as I do on all sorts of issues. We don't spend our time debating those though.

I know we all agree on one thing: We love God.

Despite our differences, we've opted to journey together in hopes of growing closer to Him.

As I read the bible I see a constant quest of God forever trying to establish a true and loving relationship with man

Yet as I read articles such as the one about Pastor Lucado, I see the familiar story of Christians working feverishly at separating themselves from each other.

Am I alone in wondering if the net result is that we're only distancing ourselves from God?

Friday, March 19, 2004

RANDOM UPDATES

I suppose we found an honest transmission repairman...however honesty still doesn't come cheap. In any case, I'm one step closer to having Amy's van ready to sell. There are still several factors to consider including whether to make an insurance claim for her fender which was dented years ago and we never bothered to fix, not wanting to pay the deductible.

If I make the claim, I must also decide whether to actually get the fender repaired or pocket the insurance settlement and sell the van "as is".

I'll have to run the numbers and then we'll see.
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I was offered another opportunity at the office today. It would dramatically expand my role in another city where I do some on air work. There are some kinks to figure out, but unlike many of the other things I've suddenly found on my list of duties, this one could result in a small increase in pay.

I suspect my boss in this city may be a little reluctant, but I think I can make it work.

I also have a few reservations, but I'm fairly certain God is screaming at me right now not to turn my nose up at any chance to legally earn a few extra shekels.

We'll see.
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Amy's health, for those of you keeping track at home, has not made great strides. We had another visit with her surgeon. We're still running into walls communicating with other doctors supposedly involved in her care. Amy is still having pain when she eats and she's still having pain from her last surgery. The specter of another solution to her situation has now moved a little closer to the forefront. That step is one we're hoping to avoid.

But, we'll see.

Thursday, March 18, 2004

SEW AND TELL

I spent a good portion of the morning spreading grass seed around our new church classroom building. It's buffalo grass, which means eventually it will require little maintenance, but to get it going it has to be raked into the soil.

I was joined in the seeding project by Roy and Charles. They're two of the more elderly members of our church, both being about 30 years my senior. I enjoy their company and their work ethic. However, I must admit these two fine men don't share my sense of urgency.

Roy and Charles have lived active and interesting lives. They are retired now, but they stay busy. No one would accuse either of them of being lazy, but they're also in no hurry.

On days such as this, conversation is a key component.

Every so often I would stop long enough to wipe away the sweat and simply watch them. They would spread some dirt around, and then their thoughts brought them pause. They'd lean on their rakes, and share their stories.

The conversation knew no boundaries. I heard them discussing skinning feral hogs. I listened as they mused about whether the Koreans were catching up to the Japanese in the production of quality automobiles. I stood fascinated as they compared heart bypass scars.

Occasionally I offered my opinions, but mostly I listened.

The grass seeding project took a little longer than I anticipated. In truth, I probably could have finished it in about the same amount of time had I done it alone.

But I was thankful for every moment of today.

Few seedlings are blessed with the opportunity to see the season ahead.

Wednesday, March 17, 2004

CRASS MARKETING

I see another company has opted to try to get advertising by offending people rather than by selling quality products.

Urban Outfitters is selling a dress up Jesus paper doll where you can adorn Jesus on the cross in a tutu or beanie.

The quote from the company that it doesn't sell the item to provoke or offend but to reflect diversity is perhaps more repugnant than the doll itself.

A check of the company's website shows they also sell this t-shirt.

I'm sure they'll get the press they want and then they'll stop selling the stuff out of a sudden sense of moral obligation.

FROM THE MOUTHS OF 19 YEAR OLDS

Lisa and I were driving back from the transmission shop today after dropping off the van and I said, "I don't know, maybe I'm becoming an old fart, but it sure seems like drivers are increasingly less courteous these days."

She replied, "I think it's both".

Yeah...I've had an influence on her.

Tuesday, March 16, 2004

REPUTATIONS BEYOND REPAIR

Honesty pays, but it doesn't seem to pay enough to suit some people.. --F. M. Hubbard

I'm in search of an honest man....or rather an honest auto mechanic.

Part of the Main family financial reorganization plan is likely to involve selling Amy's van.

Our goal is simply to rid ourselves of the car payment, not to actually make money. The flaw in the scheme is that the van has a rather obvious mechanical problem: whenever you drive it up hill it shudders like a crack addict who is 18 hours into the realization that his cash, credit and connections have all disappeared. It also makes a grinding noise reminiscent of a bad burrito interlude.

For many months Amy and I have opted to address this problem in a manner that makes complete sense to us....we've turned up the volume on the radio.

Unfortunately, that tactic probably will be a bit transparent to prospective car buyers so I took the van to the shop.

Amy and I have used the same mechanic for a number of years. He likes us very much. He should, I suspect we've financed two or three of his children's college educations. Truthfully, it's been a one sided, less than fulfilling relationship with him getting our money, and us getting quasi-competent but always costly auto repairs. I've never questioned his honesty, but I will admit it has crossed my mind as he's totaled our bills that he seems far more adept at math than mechanics.

This time, I decided to take the van to a different auto repair outfit, one used by our friend, and Pastor. Amy actually wanted me to bring our Pastor with me, or at least cleverly drop his name into the initial conversation.

"This van belongs to my wife, who by the way has been quite ill recently, and it has a rather noticeable mechanical problem. I've discussed it with my very close friend and Pastor, and we've prayed about it together and I felt led by the Lord to bring this heartfelt burden to you. I think you may actually know my Pastor by the way..."

Perhaps I'm overly optimistic, but I decided against that approach. I like to think honesty is a trait that, once instilled, is applied universally, not exclusively to known members of the clergy and their devotees.

In this case, that appears to be true. After some trial and error - why is it whenever you go to a doctor or a car mechanic the ailment/disorder you're dealing with suddenly stops? - the mechanic was able to give me a rough idea of the likely problem. The bad news is that it's not something he can repair and will require a trip to what I believe is universally considered the dark underbelly of car repair - the ultimate satanic sanctuary for evil mechanics: the transmission shop.

I've had a number of cars in my life. Several have had transmission problems. Without exception, I've never been to a transmission shop where the conversation didn't end with the same words, "That'll cost you 18 hundred dollars".

My new mechanic offered the name of someone he said he trusts, so I'm hopeful this newly found chain of honesty might continue.

I did my part. I called the transmission guy and admitted that my goal was to make the needed repairs so I could sell the vehicle in good conscience. I also told him outright that I didn't want to hear the words, "That'll be 18 hundred bucks."

Whether it works or not remains to be seen. For now though, I'm going to remain optimistic.

The transmission guy seemed nice on the phone....but then again I suppose Satan probably does too.

A MUST READ

It's easy to get caught up in the latest political blusterings, it's not as easy to find the truth in them.

Anyone whose seen the stories about how there is this huge outcry over President Bush's recent campaign ads, should take a moment to read this very insightful column from John Leo at U.S. News & World Report.

Monday, March 15, 2004

AH, CALIFORNIA

You've got to love folks in California. They provide such good comedy.

I HOPE YOU GET MY MEANING

We have a somewhat weird tradition in our household. At Christmas, we label gifts in various fashions. Sometimes it's biblical - From: Adam. To: Eve. Sometimes it's nonsensical - From whatshisface. To: whatshername.

When my youngest stepdaughter, Lisa, was little and I was still positioning myself in the awkward role of stepfather without a clue, she once labeled a gift to me: From: Lisa. To: You're Mean.

She didn't intend it to be hurtful and it wasn't. She doesn't even remember it now, although I bring it up occasionally.

Back then Lisa used to say, "You're mean" in a playful manner whenever I denied her anything. If she wanted to go to a movie, or wanted me to buy her something and I refused she would say, "You're mean". She always smiled when she said it. It was cute and endearing.
In truth I denied her as little as possible...there are few weapons in a stepdad's arsenal. Spoiling kids is one I recognized early and found it easy to master.

I saved that gift tag. For years I carried it in my wallet to remind me of the delightful, happy child I was blessed to know, love and hopefully help mold in some small fashion.

I destroyed the gift tag by leaving my wallet in a pants pocket during a laundry cycle - I have a habit of doing this with various items, though we needn't dwell on it here - suffice it to say it was the only thing in my wallet that I was truly saddened to lose.

I still hold onto the memory though.

These days, Lisa is more of a woman, but she'll always be that happy child to me.

Today she turns 19 years old.

Happy Birthday, Lisa.

Love,

You're Mean.

YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE...

Personally I'm in favor of giving more rights to animals... as long as we take those rights away from members of PETA.

I wish I was a fly on the wall when the discussion was taking place on this form of protest.

"So Molly will go to Times Square in a fur coat and drink from a toilet...everyone up for that?"

Sunday, March 14, 2004

OPEN MY EYES

This morning I was feeling disillusioned and I prayed for strength.

Amy led singing in church today, realizing moments before we got started that she didn't have the pain medication she thought we had brought. Our Pastor had taken today off and that meant church wasn't quite as organized, not that our church is ever very organized, but that also put an additional strain on Amy. I watched her cry quietly moments before services started, and then I saw her do what had to be done. She sang to God as she always does with heartfelt gratitude.

After church I watched Amy collapse as we rushed home to the medications she needed and the rest she deserved.

My friend Claud was in church today. Claud has a booming voice and a loving heart. I didn't notice he was there until services were underway and I heard his voice. After church I went over to greet him. I shook his hand and joked that I always liked to introduce myself to visitors. It's been a while since Claud has been able to attend. He told me, "Michael, you know how you and Amy have struggled physically this past year...I have struggled the same way mentally." I held onto his hand and tried to assure him I understood, and that having him in church on Sunday was inspirational to me. Claud has wrestled demons alone for far too long.

Our friend Tim preached today. Tim was a pastor of his own church until recently when his marriage fell apart due to those ill defined reasons that cause marriages to sometimes fail. He has struggled, and he has survived. Leaders of the church Tim had been pastoring told him one thing and then did another. It left him hurt and angry. Our church has done its best to offer a place to heal. I didn't think Tim would ever preach again and I'm still fairly certain he will never return to the ministry as a career. Today though, Tim was strong enough to recognize the gifts God has given him and to share them. It couldn't have been easy.

I prayed for strength today.

God showed me courage.

Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word.
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law - Psalm 119:17-18

STRENGTH

It was in September when Amy's ongoing pain became so severe she required hospitalization again.

Six months have passed.

Today, in truth, I remain unconvinced we are any better off than we were back then. Oftentimes I feel the situation is actually worse.

I am praying for optimism today...and for strength.

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