Launching Forward In Life

Posted: January 26, 2011 in Life
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From the beginning of childhood, most everyone begins to dream of what they want to be. We all develop hopes of doing something great. Baseball player, fireman, tv star, singer. Some even dream of being moms and dads. Little girls dream of being a beautiful bride, they fantasize of meeting their prince charming and being swept off their feet. In addition, little boys start off dreaming of being a cowboy, a sports star, or an army man and end up dreaming of mortgages, bills, life insurance, and college tuition for their children!

We all have dreams, but as life goes on, we learn that we will never go forward, unless we start right where we are. Going forward is all about taking the right steps. Where you start from is not near as important as where you are going. You just need to make sure you have the right destination. Too many people let their starting point hinder their ability to going forward. Just remember, your starting point does not have to be your ending point.

 One of the greatest inventions of modern times is the GPS. Being able to type in a destination and have your GPS guide you there is an incredible convenience. However, 20 people can all start from different places but end up at the same destination if they have the right directions. Some will take longer to get there, but they will get there if they will stay on track. Nevertheless, there is a problem with GPS units, they are not perfect. And they do get people lost sometimes. And they don’t always account for weather, storms, traffic, accidents, detours and construction. Life can be that way. Sometimes, even when we think we are headed in the right direction, the storms of life can take us off course.

I have found that the greatest way to launch forward and stay on course is to listen to the One who made us and gave us life. Check out this scripture found in God’s Word.

Ephesians 5:15-17-Therefore be careful how you live, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

God gives us three keys in launching forward in this scripture:

 • Be Careful how you live

• Make the most of your time

• Understand God’s Will

When we are pondering our future, our destiny, our purpose in life, we will take steps in the right direction by heeding these three simple keys. When we are careful how we live, we won’t create obstacles by bad decisions. When we use our time wisely, we will do the things that will take us towards our destiny. And, when we seek to understand God’s will, we can live our lives doing what we were created to do.

 So…go ahead. Launch forward! Nobody’s stopping you!

Living Life to the Fullest

Posted: January 12, 2011 in Life
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I believe most people desire to live full, meaningful lives. However, life often seems to turn into a treadmill of performance, where we do the same things over and over each day, turning even good actions into monotonous acts of repetition. If you ever feel like life is just not what it should be, here are a few tips to living life to the fullest.

 • Be thankful.

Nothing changes our outlook on life like, “counting our blessings”. Be thankful for what you do have. Be thankful for your family, your spouse, your kids, your friends, your neighbors. Be thankful for the gift of life itself. Be thankful for a place to live, for food to eat, for transportation. Do not waste time thinking about what you don’t have; be grateful for what you do have.

 • Be courageous.

Do not live your life in fear. If you have a dream, go for it. Do not allow fear of failure to stop you from trying. Do not allow people to tell you why you cannot fulfill your dream. Be courageous and live life to the fullest in spite of fear and in spite of other’s opinions.

• Be compassionate.

Kindness and love open up the hearts of those around you. If you want your life to be full of compassion, kindness and love then sow it in the life of everyone you can. As the old saying goes, “You reap what you sow”. It is easy to sow cynicism, anger, selfishness, and the like. However, life is difficult to live to the fullest, if that is what you are reaping. Live a life of sowing compassion, and then as you grow older your life will stay full, because you will be reaping the goodness of others, until your days come to an end.

• Be encouraging.

The world we live in is full of negativity and criticism. It is easy to put people down and let them know everything they are doing wrong. Don’t do it! Instead, be encouraging. Encourage everyone you meet. Support people in their life dreams. Tell people what you like about them. Let people know they are important and that they matter, their lives have meaning, and they have a purpose. Encourage, encourage, encourage! The world is full of discouragement, but those who truly live, have learned to be encouragers.

• Live for what matters.

Invest your time and energy in what is eternal. Devote yourself to building relationships. Devote yourself to faith in God.  Devote yourself to love, kindness, mercy, grace, and generosity. Possessions will pass away, but our faith in God and our investment in others can last forever.

Live for what matters!

2010 in review

Posted: January 2, 2011 in Uncategorized
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The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

Healthy blog!

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

Featured image

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 7,500 times in 2010. That’s about 18 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 27 new posts, not bad for the first year! There were 49 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 16mb. That’s about 4 pictures per month.

The busiest day of the year was November 15th with 452 views. The most popular post that day was Give it away….

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were cometoofar.com, facebook.com, web.mac.com, mail.yahoo.com, and joemillerwired.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for vive fidons, ryan and chad arnold, ryan arnold liver, harlan hobson, and ryan and chad arnold liver.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

Give it away… August 2010
2 comments

2

Lost July 2010
1 comment

3

Now Will Our Dreams Come True? August 2010
6 comments

4

See You on the Stage July 2010
4 comments

5

I Just Needed One April 2010
12 comments

Five Keys to Dealing with Holiday Grief

Posted: December 14, 2010 in Seasonal
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The Christmas season is supposed to be a time of joy, happiness, laughter and fun. However because of the loss of a loved one, for many people, the holidays are just plain tough. If you or someone you know is dealing with Holiday Grief, here are some keys to help you through the season.

 ~Faith~

 Never underestimate the power of prayer. Honest conversation with God above. Share your emotions with Him: anger, sadness, frustration, loneliness, pain. You may even want to pray aloud or write down your prayers. As well, do not forget that faith in God gives us hope for an eternal reunion with those who have gone on ahead.

 ~Family~

Stay close to other family members. They know you and will love you through this time of pain. In addition, they may be sharing some of the same grief. Being together, will help process the loss, overcome loneliness and keep one another encouraged.

~Friends~

 Sometimes we just need to be with people who will let us be ourselves. Get together with some true friends that will cry with you, laugh with you, talk with you or just let you sit and say nothing at all.

~Future~

One of the most difficult things to face after the loss of a loved one is the future. Nothing feels the same. However, we must remember that our loved ones would want us to go on. One of the greatest ways to honor someone who has passed away, is to live life to the fullest. Make each day count.

 ~Forward~

Volunteer. Reach out to others. Give of yourself to help someone in need. When we begin looking outward and helping others, our focus moves from our pain to the pain and need of someone else. Volunteering is a powerful force in moving forward.

Awesome!

Posted: December 6, 2010 in Seasonal
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Have you ever been in awe?

Have you seen something, experienced something, felt something so deeply that it caused you to be in awe?
I can remember when I was young and living in the Southwest. One time, we went on a family vacation. I was only about 8 years old. I had fallen asleep in the car. And when we arrived at our destination, my parents picked me up and carried me, because I was still sleeping. When they woke me up, I jumped and almost fell to the ground . We were on the rim of the Grand Canyon, and while there was a fence between us and a massive drop off and hole in the ground… I was simultaneously in awe of the overwhelming beauty I was seeing, but also in awe because of the fear of falling into the great chasm I woke up to.

You know it’s funny how we can all define awe differently,like…
My six year old son Josiah calls me into the living room with great excitement… “Dad, dad, come on you have to see this…” I come running, because he is certain that he is about to show me something that is going to cause me to be in awe. And I get in the living room, and Josiah says, “Watch this dad!” And he gets on the side arm of the couch and jumps. He looks up at me and says, “Wasn’t that awesome dad.” And of course I say, “Son that was awesome.” Am I truly in awe…? No, but my love for my son shows awe, I react in a way that will encourage him, lift him up…. And not crush him. But I am not in awe. What would put me in awe of Josiah, would be if he really cleaned his room, on his own, with no help…. That would put me in awe!

Awe is one of those words that possesses several meanings that can almost seem to be at odds with one another. For instance…

Awe means: amazing, astonishing, breathtaking…. But it also can mean: awful, dreadful, frightening

Events that truly cause us to be in awe, become  reference point in our lives. Reference points become places we can look at and determine how far we have moved forward or how far we have fallen behind. In other words, events or places or people in our lives that cause awe become points by which we measure everything else that happens in our lives.

Our life is full of Reference points:
Your Birthday is a reference point in time. The birth of each of your children becomes a reference point. Joyful events and seasons can cause our hearts to be moved with awe in such a way that a reference point is created in our hearts and minds. A memory that we refer back to as a point of reference of where we are at in our lives.

Awe inspiring events can also be created by great tragedies. Loss of a job, loss of a loved one, even loss of a pet. I had a dog named Sandy that died when I was about eight years old. Stung to death by bees. That memory created awe in my heart because it was a awful and dreadful moment. 911 will always be a historical reference point. We as a country were in awe of the level of hatred and pain that was poured out on that day. It was a dramatic event that is etched into the fabric of our history.

Right now, we are coming into a season in which we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now that is a reference point. As is His death, burial and resurrection. Those were awesome, and awe filled events for those who were there, and now for all who are touched by the reality of who Jesus is, was and always will be.

The question we have to ask though is…does the birth of Christ, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus still cause our hearts to be filled with awe?

Every person has to ask, is Jesus just a historical reference point, or is He The Lord and Savior that still brings awe to our hearts, thus creating a reference point in our lives of who we are because of meeting Jesus, Knowing Jesus and surrendering our lives to Jesus.

As we celebrate, let’s not allow the business and demands of the season to rob us of the awe of a God who loves us enough to give His life for us.

Merry Christmas

Vive Fidons

Posted: November 17, 2010 in Life
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Vive Fidons

Powerful words. Two words that can be looked at as a command, a mission or a lifelong vision statement.

Vive Fidons

Words that can haunt or inspire when faced with impossible challenges or mundane daily living. Words that can cause you to live to the fullest: or at least make the attempt.

Vive Fidons are the words tattooed on the arm of one of the Arnold brothers – it means “Live Courageously”. These tatooed words are the reason I am writing these thoughts today.

In everyday life, what does it mean to live courageously? As a parent, a husband, a wife, an employee, a student, a teacher, a priest, a soldier, a citizen…How do we live a courageous life? I have my own ideas and concepts of what it means to live courageously. But my own ideas seem insignificant when I witness someone wrestling with life in a way I can’t comprehend or I see someone who gave their life away…courageously.

The story of Chad and Ryan Arnold continues to haunt me, challenge me, provoke me, break me.

Ryan donated part of his liver so his brother Chad could live. Then, Ryan passed away. And Chad lives on…attempting to “Live Courageously”. I read his blogs often. Why? Because Chad’s honesty about his journey is strangely refreshing, compelling and blunt. Honestly, I grow weary of hearing empty words from people who have developed life concepts and beliefs in faith, but have never truly been challenged. When, I read of the honest journey, thoughts and struggles Chad and his family are wrestling with, I want to live courageously. Why? Because, though his questions are many and the answers are few, Chad continues to have faith in God.

That is faith that is real and compels me to cry out “VIVE FIDONS”! Live Courageously.

If you want to see a picture of real life, real struggle, real faith…check Chad’s blog and read for yourself.

Vive Fidons.

http://cometoofar.com

Coming Soon

Posted: October 25, 2010 in Uncategorized
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“UnWritten” is a fine piece of storytelling. I was captured from the first paragraph and was never disappointed as I ripped through each story, each life, and each new nugget of gold mined from the deepest truths and emotions of the human heart. This collection of characters and their respective “stories” are bound together by the ongoing drama of Raphael, a lovable heavenly messenger. H. E. Hobson is skilled at peeling back the veneer of “life” to expose what are the truest treasures in this earthly journey.  I highly recommend “UnWritten” to all who love a good story, which causes you to take stock in your essential relationships!

Tommy D York
College & Career Pastor
Charlotte NC

“I was deeply moved from the first moment I picked up this book. This story has a way of opening up parts of your heart that may have been dormant or hiding. I believe all those who read this will be encouraged and challenged to live without regrets for the glory of God. As I know the author personally, his life bears the same mark on people, and I’m glad he wrote this.”

Derek Joseph Levendusky – Speaker, Author, Musician

Hobson’s book reminds us all that we are not alone in this world and there is more to life than we can see. Read UnWritten and be challenged to live a life without regrets.

Rick A. Mills
Author, Speaker, and America’s Youth Pastor Coach

UnWritten is brilliant, refreshing and a beautiful reminder that God truly works in mysterious ways.  It is a powerful story with clever and surprising characters that jump off the page. Hobson’s perfect blend of humor, love and redemption makes UnWritten an instant classic.

Alissa K Whyman Child Care Specialist

UnWritten The Book

Posted: October 21, 2010 in The Book
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UnWritten – The Book, will be out in November.  Here is a brief synopsis.

There are many angels, but there is only one Raphael. He dreamed of doing something great. Then he received an assignment that was top secret. To him that meant unimportant. Little did he know how wrong he was.

As an angel, prior to his new assignment, his contact with humans was limited. Nevertheless, he thought he knew them. As his story unfolds, he soon discovers that he did not know them at all. UnWritten tells the story of this novice angel and the discoveries he makes about humans, existence, and the Commander. UnWritten reads like a series of short stories seamlessly sewn together in order to convey some of life’s most important lessons.

Every story and encounter takes the reader on a journey to his or her own heart. The exploration of the painful places of life will bring hope to those who have suffered loss, encouragement to those seeking meaning, and faith to those who are drowning in an ocean of doubt and fear.

UnWritten leaves the reader wanting to live a life of purpose. It will inspire many to forgive and let go of painful obstacles of the past in order to reach for the shining promise of tomorrow. In the end, it provides a challenge for us all to live each day without regret and to leave no part of our lives UnWritten.

You Matter. God Says!

Posted: September 30, 2010 in Life
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Have you ever had someone ask you a question that you just were not ready for? Maybe they asked you to do something that caught you off guard. I remember a time this happened to me. My wife, Melissa, and I had been married for a little over two years.  We were at a celebration for something, a party for someone…all those details are vague, but her request…that, I remember.

In the middle of the party, in the middle of a conversation, someone asked Melissa about one of our family members.  And my wife says, “Oh, they’re doing fine.  In fact, I have a recent picture.”  Then without missing a beat, she looks at me and asks, “Honey, will you go into my purse and get that picture?” Seems like a simple request, should be no problem. However, you should know that at this point in our relationship, I had been asked to go get her purse before; I had even been asked to carry the purse.  However, I, as a man, did not have the proper training to open the purse and find anything! In my mind, I thought you needed a degree, or special training or at least some kind of manual.

 Why was this a dilemma for me? Well, let me be honest.  As a man, I don’t know what all is in the purse, and I don’t want to know!  In addition, for my wife to ask me to retrieve something out of it caused me stress.  I immediately began to wonder… “So, how do you find something in the purse…is there a filing method? Is it organized by most used items first? Is it alphabetical? Because, one thing I do know, there is a lot of stuff in the purse; and somehow, by, what I can only assume is God Given magic female powers, out of that purse, my wife can retrieve whatever is needed, when it is needed. And, if there is something that I can’t find or I am in need of, I have learned to ask my wife, when she’s holding her purse, cause I figure “hey…you never know. ”  

I first observed the mystery and the power of the purse when our first child came along. With the child came the “diaper bag.” Now the diaper bag I had no problem with.  I often carried the diaper bag; sometimes I filled the diaper bag, and took things out of the diaper bag. And… I even changed my share of diapers!

One day, we went out shopping and Melissa asked me to bring the diaper bag and make sure it had diapers.  I said “OK” and away we went. As we were shopping, a moment came in which it was evident that our little two year old needed a diaper change. We knew this because other people in the Mall began to make faces and move away from us as we walked toward them.

Melissa found a place for us to change our little one, and I did my duty to open up the diaper bag and get the diaper. However, when I opened the bag, it was empty.  And I was the one who was supposed to make sure it was stocked with diapers.

I sheepishly told Melissa of the dilemma, and let her know I was sorry. My amazing wife looked at me and said, “Oh, no problem, I think I have a spare.”

I watched with amazement as she effortlessly reached into her purse and pulled out a diaper. The emergency was thwarted and I was off the hook.

As well, I once again was in awe of the power of the “Purse”!

Ladies, this is why men do not want to get stuff out of your purse.  Besides being afraid of what’s in there, we are also afraid we will mess something up!

Here’s the point: As complex as the workings of a woman’s purse is to a man, it is nothing in comparison to the complexity of the world we live in.  And just like I honestly feel some anxiety when asked to get something out of my wife’s purse, I think we all, as humans can feel overwhelmed, even stressed at times when we experience the complexity of life and wonder…where do I fit in? We can begin to ask, “Do I even matter? Does my life even count? What is my purpose? Well, I believe there are answers to these questions, and the best place to begin is in listening and reading a thought given to us by God, our Creator.

In Jeremiah 1:5, God says: 

Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you.

Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you.

Now that is a powerful truth we all need to embrace.  God made us with a holy plan. Think about that, we are not just an accident of nature; we are a well thought out creation of Almighty God.

 No matter where you are today in your life. No matter what you think of yourself, what other people think or say about you; whether you are up, down, battling depression, struggling in a relationship, facing a mountain of impossibilities… no matter how complex your life appears…whatever is going on in you…

You Matter, simply because God created you. Your life counts; God has plans for you.

This truth can be alive in you today, simply by surrendering all you are and hope to be to the one who made you.

You Matter; God says so!

You Matter

Posted: September 15, 2010 in Invitation
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I meet so many people that are looking for purpose, a reason to live.  I meet so many people who are longing for something more than existence.

That is why I am so excited about what our church – New Hope Worship Center, Batavia, NY – is doing. Over three Sundays, we will be presenting the You Matter Connection. 

Three Messages about why you matter!

You Matter because:

God Created You

God Loves You

Christ Died for You

Simple Messages that will change your life.

Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_BBOyhvd7A

And the Church website: www.newhopebatavia.org

If you’re in the area…stop by!  We’d love to see you!

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