"Remember to Forget"
by Tom Goodman
March 7, 2007

They call it "erasable paper."

Xerox has found a way to create temporary documents that will self-erase in 24 hours or less.  This is a good idea, considering that forty percent of printed pages are used for one day and then thrown away.

The Xerox team designed paper covered with special chemicals.  Once the paper goes through the printer, the chemicals are exposed to ultraviolet light generating text and images that gradually fade.  The printing on the page disappears completely in 16 to 24 hours, but can be quickly erased by running it through the printer again.  The design team was able to write and re-write about 50 times on each sheet of paper using a modified multifunction printer.

This is the kind of paper we should use for keeping a record of what people have done to us.

Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, was reminded one day of a vicious deed that someone had done to her years before.  But she acted as if she had never heard of the incident.

"Don't you remember it?"  her friend asked.

"No," came Barton's reply.  "I distinctly remember forgetting it."

It's impossible to keep insults and offenses from affecting us, but we have to repent of letting them affect us so long.  We need to record them on that Xerox "erasable paper" so that they fade quickly.  Jesus had a lot to say about forgiving others and releasing grudges.  Last Sunday we concluded our series on the Beatitudes by looking at what Jesus had to say about peacemaking.  If you missed it or want to hear it again, listen to the sermon podcast (iTunes; website).

While you're "remembering to forget" offenses, "remember to remember" some important events coming up:

• Learn how to impact international students this Wednesday, March 7, 6:30 in the auditorium.
• I'm teaching a "Grow Strong" class for kids who are asking questions about baptism Wednesday, March 21, 6:30pm.
• I start a small-group study of "The Anchor Course" Wednesday, March 28.  Be watching for more information!

This Sunday, I'll be in Acuna helping the youth build a house.  David Smith, director of the Austin Baptist Association will be preaching at 9:30am and 10:45am.  Bring someone with you!

—Tom
 

Important Information

"Spring Forward" This Sunday!  Yes, Congress has changed the date that Daylight Savings Time begins.  Instead of the first Sunday in April, it is now the second Sunday in March.  So, set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed this Saturday!

Pray for the Youth Mission Trip to Acuna, Mexico.  Learn more in Jim's article.

"Grow Strong" Workshop.  Parents, if your child has made a recent decision to follow Christ, or your child is asking some spiritual questions, bring your child to this workshop!  Learn more in BJ's article.

Hillcrest 80th Anniversary!  Learn more here.

LifeBox.  The deadline to participate in this service to our troops is March 16!  Learn more here.

Kids Summer Camp!  Sign up before a waiting list forms!  Learn more here.

Links to Your World

For artist Scott Wade of San Marcos, a dusty car window is his canvas.  See the article here and his website here.

Take a look at the tenth photo at the Statesman website (here) and you'll see Paul Laster, a member of our church and a participant in the Texian Legacy Association.  Paul is third from the right.

In "Spirituality and Sex?" learn what 4 Christian sex therapists wish you knew.

Here is a good commentary on the Oprah-fueled popularity of the name-it-and-claim-it book, "The Secret."

Have you heard about the firecracker designed to pop for 2 hours?  It's over 8 miles long.

Find out about an Austin conference to inspire high school and college students to live on-mission.

In "I Was a Food Addict" the author asks, "Could I find support someplace other than my kitchen?"

Jeffrey Overstreet explains how to evaluate a film from a Christian worldview in "Have We Lost Our Minds?"

"An increasing number of teens and young adults who were raised in nonreligious or nominally religious families are getting swept up in religious fervor.  This is creating a complicated and sometimes painful family dynamic."  Read the article here.

You'll find other news and opinions at my online journal, "Get Anchored," including my latest in a series of posts about how to live "missionally," a satirical response to the "Jesus Tomb" hooey, an introduction to the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center, and a recording of U2's prayer "Yahweh."  Leave a comment!  To keep up with the journal, sign up for e-mail updates or assign the feed to your news reader or Google Personalized Home Page.

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