Files

Page One:
I have a file that I put manuals and users guides in. Probably most of us do. They are labeled; dishwasher, refrigerator, furnace, washer, dryer, television, grill, miscellaneous house stuff, and others. The truth is I never look at the manual after it's put in the file. The files are the black hole of information that I couldn't use if I wanted to. If I need the electrical schematic of my oven I could get it - but I don't know how to read it anyway. I just keep it.

What is interesting to me is when I hold on to manuals of something that I don't have anymore. If I have the desire to read about the Sears dishwasher we had two dishwashers ago I could. You never know when useless information will be valuable (never).

The other day I cleaned out my files. What I don't own anymore I don't need to know how to maintain.

Page Two:
I have a file that I put mistakes and sins in. Probably most of us do. They are labeled; husband, father, employee, boss, student, Christian. The truth is I always go back to them to review what I have asked God to forget. The files are the black hole of information that I can't do anything about. If I need to dwell on that time I lost my temper I can pull it out and carefully remember everything about that event in exaggerated form - but I don't know how to undo it. I just keep it.

What is interesting to me is when I hold on to mistakes and sins that I don't have anymore. If I want to dwell on something that I've given to Christ two million times I can. You never know when old information about a forgiven sin will be healthy (never).

The other day Jesus offered to help me clean the files of what He had already erased the print from. He told me that what I don't own anymore I don't need to maintain.

Page Three:
Clean files are a good idea.

Thankful,

Pastor Dave

Three things I know about being lost. ‘Cause I’ve been there.

1.  Awareness of limitation
I don’t know everything or how to get everywhere.  I am limited in my knowledge.

2. Increase of passion
When I am not where I should be my intensity increases and that usually increases the weight of my foot on the gas pedal (which people with lights on the top of their car are not fond of).  Getting where I belong is less of a leisurely drive and more of an emotionally engaged search.

3. Focused vision on the destination
When I am lost I become very focused on the confidence of knowing where I am going.  My eyes are eager to find signs and landmarks that will point me to the right place.  I long for the completion.

Three things to know about being lost in the love of God.
1. Awareness of limitation
I can’t work hard enough or be good enough to cause love to happen.  I am very limited and must be aware of where the Source is unending.

2. Increase of passion
I am most passionate in my desire to respond and be with God when I am most aware of the love that He is and has.  There is a sense of eagerness in my spirit when I know I am surrounded by love.

3. Focused vision on the destination
When I am lost in the love of God my spirit is very focused on the God of love.  I know where I am going.  My decisions and actions are different.  I am on journey and I know it.

I’m thinking this morning about the two ways of being lost, one of them is miserable and the other is healing.  Two different types of being lost, one reveals my humanity and the other teaches me about spirituality.

I intend to get lost today - guess which one I hunger for.

Getting Lost,

Pastor Dave