June 26, 2008 
Nearly every week I say it at the end of the worship service,  "Make a difference in someone’s life this week."  Sometimes I fear that this exhortation looses its meaning after saying it so many times. Should I come up with another exhortation? Maybe I should pronounce a "pastoral blessing" at the end of the service? 

I talked with one of my sisters this week. Several years ago she asked me to speak for a group of her church friends at a dinner party at her home in Florida.  There were about forty people in attendance.  My sister is a chef, so the food was great.  After everyone had eaten, they all gathered around this beautiful home and I began to teach about "what we got when we got Jesus." I spent about an hour revealing the incredible array of benefits we own in Christ.

Now my sister is Catholic, as were most of her friends that night. I am not Catholic, so you can imagine my teaching was a little different than their norm, as was my delivery. Although I really enjoyed the entire event, I wasn’t sure of their response to my lesson.  I walked away a little concerned that I had not communicated in a helpful manner that evening.  That was six years ago.

Out of the blue, my sister brought up this event to me this week.  She explained that she is regularly approached by nearly all of these people who would like for me to come and teach again.

Go figure?  It seems that I made a difference in their lives.  And I’ve thought that evening was kind of a wash all these years.

You never know how you will affect other people do you?  A simple, kind word and someone is moved to go on with their life. An invitation to an event that ends up changing someone’s perspective on life.  A small piece of advice taken to heart changes a marriage or a parent.

People’s lives are changed every week because of helpful encounters with others. You really can make a difference in someone’s life every week.

This summer I’m presenting a series of very practical Biblical messages.  This week I will teach "The Seven Deadly Statements of a Crummy Mate."  We will study parenting, friendship, anger, guilt, faith, and numerous other subjects over the course of the summer.  These studies could really make a difference in someone’s life. Why not invite some friends, family members, or work associates to join you for church this summer? Why not leave church each week determined to make a difference in someone’s life?

Well, I don’t think I’ll change my final exhortation each week for now. I’m not sure there is anything better you could do with your weekly church attendance than to take that Spirit and make a difference in someone’s life the following week. See you on Sunday!

Sharing the Journey,
Pastor Don