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A Lasting Difference By Russ Hobbs  How do you make a life changing impact in the lives of the people that you love? Perhaps, you sum it up with two words, love and commitment. Love knows no bounds and commitment means that you will never throw in the towel no matter how messy life may become.
As a child I grew up in Montrose, PA cared for by a loving mother and uncle who dedicated their lives into pouring a sea of love and commitment into my life. I am the person that I am today because of their labors of love and sacrifice. In October 2008 my Uncle Don rested from his earthly labors at 86. By the grace of God, my mother Cretia will be 92 years in April 2009. I am indebted to them for the many years of love and support that they provided to me personally and to my ministry. Their encouragement helped me then and sustains me now with memories and comfort. I have always felt blessed of God when it comes to being loved by family and friends. I enjoyed a good family growing up and continue to benefit from the kind of family that will walk with you through any crisis or experience that comes your way. My wife, Darla who I married on June 20th, 1970 has been and is the best friend and companion that any man could hope to have. I have never met a more selfless and giving person. Her love and commitment has helped me to accomplish more than I could have ever hoped to achieve in a life time physically, emotionally and spiritually. I have never doubted that her love and support was present for any adventure or pursuit of life that I chose to undertake. I have been blessed with three great children; Susan, Jay and Dwight. We have a fine son and daughter-in-law and four marvelous grandchildren with a 5th on the way! They are Allie, Destiny, Oz and Zoe. I have a sister, Lois who loves and has encouraged me through the years. I have a sister Rosemary who is deceased that I never really got to know because of her personal demons. I have a niece Ranee and a great niece, Trish. I have an assortment of friends, some who have called me “friend” for nearly 40 years. One of the best friends I have ever had I met at college, Luke. He is the perfect description of a friend who sticks closer than a brother! The friend that “sticks closer than a brother” is a Biblical description referring to Jesus but Luke has shown me that kind of friendship and he has certainly been a Jesus kind of friend. I have lots of friends who love me and the feeling is very much reciprocal. Darla and I have a big black cat, Mr. Black (go figure, right?) and a great Cocker Spaniel, Rusty. They love us too! I have a church, the Coleman Memorial Chapel where I have been the pastor for the past 12 years and a congregation that loves and stands by me with encouragement even when I annoy them or they disagree with me theologically. What more could a guy ask for? I have food on my table, a roof over my head, a car to drive and more stuff than any one man needs. Why am I telling you all of this? Because, I am blessed of God AND I know it! I am counting my blessings. I haven’t even mentioned the best yet, I have a savior Jesus Christ who loves me even more than all of those I have mentioned. He (Jesus) took and takes the worst of me (my sin) upon Him and forgives me while promising me life-eternal that begins while I’m still drawing breath on planet earth. I am blessed and so are you. My suggestion would be that you start counting your blessings with me while worrying less about the state of the economy, what you’re losing or have already lost. The truth is that one day we are going to lose all that we possess. WE are going to leave behind the ones that we love and the possessions that we have cherished when we face death. The problem with some folks is that they are already dead (emotionally and spiritually) and worse yet they have never lived. For many, every day is just one more headache, one more heartbreak, just another day of cursing and bitterness. My friend, this ought not to be. Life is for living-I say, living, not dreading. The time is now for discovering love, hope, forgiveness and healing. God has a plan in motion for life, liberty and security for those who have been ransomed by His son, Jesus. It is up to us to seize the moments of the life that God has so graciously gifted us with. What will you do with the rest of this day? Will you curse and complain about what you cannot change or will you start praising and blessing God and others whom He brings into your life? As we allow the Lord to alter our outlook on life we may well discover the purpose for our existence which I believe is to bring glory to God and enjoy His presence and fellowship forever. Let us love and embrace life, look for brighter sunrises, find ourselves in awe of colorful sunsets. Let’s enjoy smiles, laughter and music as if we were seeing and listening for the first time. We can seek for our God intended meaning and purpose and be filled with a new joy and contentment. As the seasons of life move from twilight, to night and then midnight let us experience life as nothing short of spectacular because we and God have shared each others company. May we know and experience the passion of love and life as we journey through a dimension known as life on earth. “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns: yet your heavenly father feeds them, are you not of more value then they?” Jesus Christ
Matthew 6:25, 26
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