Why is it we often forget the things that we should remember and yet, we remember the things we are supposed to forget?
Why is it I have no issue remembering the characters or plot lines from the Sopranos, Rocky III, Rocky VI or The Office, or the 7 words you shouldn’t say on TV? How is it that I have the uncanny ability to call to mind the numbers of Larry Bird, Magic Johnson or Terry Bradshaw, can tell you about Redskins games as if I played in them, and could recite each swing and divot as I parred the 7th hole at Ballybunion three years ago…but three seconds out the door I completely forget what my wife told me “not” to forget?
Any one else on this distro able to relate?  Pretty sure I am not alone.  To be honest, I think this is why we love to memorialize things. We love setting up huge reminders so we don’t forget.  Unfortunately, I think far too often we end up focusing on what we set up to remind us, and forget what it is we were supposed to remember.  How funny– that the thing we wanted to remind us of something, causes us to forget what it was we were supposed to remember.  It’s as if in the end, our reminder has the opposite effect on us. It becomes an un-reminder. Ultimately, it becomes a distraction.
When my sister was getting married, my Mom thought it would be a great idea to create these special bridal favors for each guest at the shower. Â My Mom selected a picture of my sister, and meticulously attached one to each little heart-shaped memento, so that everyone would remember who this day was to be about. Â Unfortunately my sister absolutely hated the picture and minutes before the crowd of 60 women came to the event, my sister pulled off all 60 pictures from the keepsake that my Mom had spent so much time creating. Â Good times at family dysfunction-junction, headquarters, Mancuso-ville.
The whole idea was to celebrate my sister and her upcoming wedding and it ended up being all about the picture. Â The picture that was supposed to remind people why they were there to celebrate. Â Now, when I think of the shower, I think of the ugly mess that was created by the silly shower favor. Â Nothing about the shower itself stands out. Â Except this wonderful story that I wish I could forget.
I bring all of this up because the bible is pretty clear that there a number of things we are called to remember. Â But what if somewhere along the way we forgot that which we were told to remember? Â Would it have an impact? Â Is it having an impact?
If we can remember, perhaps we will discuss this on Wednesday…
and don’t forget to invite a friend
but, if you can’t remember, just forget it.
Invest, Invite, Inspire…
Pat Mancuso
patmancuso@mac.com
(703) 401-8302
FUEL
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Our mission is to create a comfortable, relevant and honest environment where men can explore and discuss aspects of life, purpose and faith.
We accomplish our mission by reviewing pertinent issues in men’s lives, examining them through relevant biblical principles, followed by a time of discussion with other men.
Wednesday mornings, September through May…and beyond
6:30 AM to 7:30 AM @ Hidden Creek Country Club, Reston, VA.
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Questions:
1. What are your initial thoughts?
2. Why do you think God seems to put so much importance on unity?
3.Why do “unity” and “remembrance” often seem to go hand in hand throughout the bible.
4. Why do we have such a hard time celebrating our differences?
Corinthians 11:17-26
17But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse.
18For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it.
19For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.
20Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper,
21for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk.
22What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you.
23For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;
24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
25In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.