Hello Folks,
God called me to pastor the Greeneville First Church of God in Greeneville, Tn over 13 years ago. At this time I believe that He has indicated to me that it is time that someone else come to this marvelous congregation and pastor. This past Sunday, Dec. 10, I informed the congregation that my last Sunday to preach would be Feb. 8, 2015.
Some wonder why and I would merely say that I honestly believe that God has allowed me to be here for this time and has now prepared someone else to take the congregation forward into the ministry that He has for them. I have found the congregation to be loving, kind and generous to me. They have allowed me to be part of their family and they have become my wonderful friends. I will miss them greatly!
As for my future I am not sure what will happen. We have a house to sell before we can move anywhere and when we move we want to move closer to our children and grandchildren. God has given Ruth and I fairly good health and I want Ruth to be able to have some wonderful years being closer to our family. She has been a wonderful help meet and fellow laborer with me in ministry and now it is time for me to give her some of the things that will bring greater joy to her. While she is willing to go anywhere I believe God is directing I happen to believe that God is allowing us this time to be with our wonderful grandchildren. What that will mean to ministry to me I have no clue but I wait God's timing and His will for my life. I ask you all to pray with me about all of this.
At this time I will stop placing the blog on line and tell you all who have read it that I hope it has been of benefit to you in your life and in your ministry. May the Lord who made us and saved us continue to bless you mightily in His Kingdom.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Hello Folks,
I am looking forward to the time with my family around Christmas this year. It seems that the older I get the more I value my family members. It is amazing to realize that my children are all in their 40's and that I have a grand daughter that will graduate from High School next June. It makes me wonder how time has passed so quickly. But is that the biblical picture about life? We read that "life is but a vapor". When I look in a mirror I certainly do not see that young man who married that wonderful red headed girl. But I also realize that my life has been blessed beyond measure. I have been given 3 wonderful children and 6 marvelous grand children. I have pastored 2 congregations for a total of 34 years and been part of some amazing things that God has done. So when I sit around the living room with my family this Christmas, if God permits it, I will celebrate life and the joy that has been mine! I will also celebrate the One who made it all possible for me. While some of you may have always been nice and kind I must admit that without Jesus, and my wife, my life would have been filled with sorrow, hatred and death! Thank God He intervened for me and gave me a life worth living! Praise His name!
Have a great one,
HGRudd
I am looking forward to the time with my family around Christmas this year. It seems that the older I get the more I value my family members. It is amazing to realize that my children are all in their 40's and that I have a grand daughter that will graduate from High School next June. It makes me wonder how time has passed so quickly. But is that the biblical picture about life? We read that "life is but a vapor". When I look in a mirror I certainly do not see that young man who married that wonderful red headed girl. But I also realize that my life has been blessed beyond measure. I have been given 3 wonderful children and 6 marvelous grand children. I have pastored 2 congregations for a total of 34 years and been part of some amazing things that God has done. So when I sit around the living room with my family this Christmas, if God permits it, I will celebrate life and the joy that has been mine! I will also celebrate the One who made it all possible for me. While some of you may have always been nice and kind I must admit that without Jesus, and my wife, my life would have been filled with sorrow, hatred and death! Thank God He intervened for me and gave me a life worth living! Praise His name!
Have a great one,
HGRudd
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Hello Folks,
The Christmas season is upon us, at least here in the United States. People are rushing to the stores to purchase gifts, buying items on line and getting ready for their family gatherings. I wonder if we would just consider the first Christmas family gathering that took place in Bethlehem almost 2000 years ago. Maybe what we are shown there is that the idea of family has been expanded by the Creator Himself. You will see that Joseph and Mary welcomed shepherds, and wise men to the birth celebration of Jesus. How many of us have so closed our minds to what family means that we might miss the wonder of others coming to see the Savior! Could we be used by Him at this season for His glory? Could we bring someone into the family of God through our efforts to reveal to them the marvelous Savior?
I pray that this Christmas you and I both will be able to present the Savior to our world with the message that He is the one who came to this earth for our behalf. God coming to save mankind if they would merely listen. As we observe lights, have dinners, and, even, go to church I pray that we never forget to invite our world to become part of the family.
Have a great one,
HGRudd
The Christmas season is upon us, at least here in the United States. People are rushing to the stores to purchase gifts, buying items on line and getting ready for their family gatherings. I wonder if we would just consider the first Christmas family gathering that took place in Bethlehem almost 2000 years ago. Maybe what we are shown there is that the idea of family has been expanded by the Creator Himself. You will see that Joseph and Mary welcomed shepherds, and wise men to the birth celebration of Jesus. How many of us have so closed our minds to what family means that we might miss the wonder of others coming to see the Savior! Could we be used by Him at this season for His glory? Could we bring someone into the family of God through our efforts to reveal to them the marvelous Savior?
I pray that this Christmas you and I both will be able to present the Savior to our world with the message that He is the one who came to this earth for our behalf. God coming to save mankind if they would merely listen. As we observe lights, have dinners, and, even, go to church I pray that we never forget to invite our world to become part of the family.
Have a great one,
HGRudd
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Hello Folks,
The weather here has taken a sudden turn and blasted us with cold weather. I think it is supposed to change by the end of the week but for now I am cold and it is effecting my breathing. But is that not how life happens? You are going along and life is moving along pretty good when suddenly something changes and you are adversely effected by it. Then in a few days, weeks, or more you have things change again and you are coasting along in life without a problem.
It just might be that we ought to consider James 4:13-18 where we are told that we "know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life, it is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little , and then vanisheth away." Life comes at us so quickly that sometimes we are shocked at what has happened. We think we are immune from some of those things, or a least we act like it, and we want to point a finger at God and accuse Him of forgetting us.
I must admit that as my life goes through the cycles of living I can be overwhelmed with all that takes place. But one thing I am sure of and it is that God sees me and knows me! I can depend on Him whether it is a balmy 72 degrees or a shivering 17 degrees. I trust Him.
Have a great one,
HGRudd
The weather here has taken a sudden turn and blasted us with cold weather. I think it is supposed to change by the end of the week but for now I am cold and it is effecting my breathing. But is that not how life happens? You are going along and life is moving along pretty good when suddenly something changes and you are adversely effected by it. Then in a few days, weeks, or more you have things change again and you are coasting along in life without a problem.
It just might be that we ought to consider James 4:13-18 where we are told that we "know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life, it is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little , and then vanisheth away." Life comes at us so quickly that sometimes we are shocked at what has happened. We think we are immune from some of those things, or a least we act like it, and we want to point a finger at God and accuse Him of forgetting us.
I must admit that as my life goes through the cycles of living I can be overwhelmed with all that takes place. But one thing I am sure of and it is that God sees me and knows me! I can depend on Him whether it is a balmy 72 degrees or a shivering 17 degrees. I trust Him.
Have a great one,
HGRudd
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Hello Folks,
Last week I had the honor of preaching the sermon at the funeral of my pastor Vernon B. (Bert) Collins. He was 94 years old and had been in ministry over 60 years. When I was about 7 or 8 years of age my mother started attending the congregation he pastored in Dayton, Ohio on McClure St. in the East End. Brother Collins and his wonderful wife, Sally B. (Bea) Collins were giants in my mind. I remember him preaching and there was never a pulpit that he could stay in while he preached. Sister Collins would sing and the glory of God would fill the place. At the age of 21 I was saved, at 23 years of age I was called to preached both under the preaching of Brother Collins. I became the youth pastor and, later, the associate with Brother Collins where he taught me so very much. I remember going on visits and meetings with him riding in his car and him talking to me about ministry. I became the pastor in Pekin, Il in 1980 and for the past 34 years I have realized how indebted I am to him and Sis. Collins. My wife and I learned how to pastor and care for people through their examples. I fully believe that Bro. Collins is celebrating in heaven today and I look forward to seeing him again one day. There were 10 preachers at the funeral who came out through Brother Collins' ministry. God used him for His glory and I found him to be a wonderful spiritual father and friend. I just pray that my life can be as fruitful as His was for our King Jesus.
Yours in Christ,
HGRudd
Last week I had the honor of preaching the sermon at the funeral of my pastor Vernon B. (Bert) Collins. He was 94 years old and had been in ministry over 60 years. When I was about 7 or 8 years of age my mother started attending the congregation he pastored in Dayton, Ohio on McClure St. in the East End. Brother Collins and his wonderful wife, Sally B. (Bea) Collins were giants in my mind. I remember him preaching and there was never a pulpit that he could stay in while he preached. Sister Collins would sing and the glory of God would fill the place. At the age of 21 I was saved, at 23 years of age I was called to preached both under the preaching of Brother Collins. I became the youth pastor and, later, the associate with Brother Collins where he taught me so very much. I remember going on visits and meetings with him riding in his car and him talking to me about ministry. I became the pastor in Pekin, Il in 1980 and for the past 34 years I have realized how indebted I am to him and Sis. Collins. My wife and I learned how to pastor and care for people through their examples. I fully believe that Bro. Collins is celebrating in heaven today and I look forward to seeing him again one day. There were 10 preachers at the funeral who came out through Brother Collins' ministry. God used him for His glory and I found him to be a wonderful spiritual father and friend. I just pray that my life can be as fruitful as His was for our King Jesus.
Yours in Christ,
HGRudd
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Hello Folks,
For the past 3 weeks I have been working with The Church of God Bible Institute teaching a online course on the Second Coming. It has been very fulfilling for me as the students blog and write their papers on the subject matter for that week. The comments made and the way they have grasped the material has been excellent. But the most exciting part has been how they have given insight into little gems of material that I had not thought about. They have actually been teaching me and providing me tidbits that I think will be of value to me in my ministry.
God seems to allow me to see more truth as I move forward in my life for Him. I must admit that there are some dry seasons in my life and that I find it very difficult to push ahead in ministry. When things are not going like I want them to go I sometimes forget what I preached about this past Sunday. God is in the drought as well as in the rain! This comes from 1 Kings 18 and the account on Mt. Carmel with Elijah. The drought is never fun but is used by God to achieve His will! I pray that I be the man that God can use in the drought or in the rain!
Have a great day,
HGRudd
For the past 3 weeks I have been working with The Church of God Bible Institute teaching a online course on the Second Coming. It has been very fulfilling for me as the students blog and write their papers on the subject matter for that week. The comments made and the way they have grasped the material has been excellent. But the most exciting part has been how they have given insight into little gems of material that I had not thought about. They have actually been teaching me and providing me tidbits that I think will be of value to me in my ministry.
God seems to allow me to see more truth as I move forward in my life for Him. I must admit that there are some dry seasons in my life and that I find it very difficult to push ahead in ministry. When things are not going like I want them to go I sometimes forget what I preached about this past Sunday. God is in the drought as well as in the rain! This comes from 1 Kings 18 and the account on Mt. Carmel with Elijah. The drought is never fun but is used by God to achieve His will! I pray that I be the man that God can use in the drought or in the rain!
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Monday, October 20, 2014
Hello Folks,
John Maxwell had a conference where one of the individual lessons was titled, "It's the Grind that Gets Them". I think that most of us understand that concept whether we be pastors, housewives, lawyers or bakers. Most people have to do the same things over and over again in life. For me it is the fact that Solomon was right when he said there is nothing new. The problems that arise for a pastor are the same problems over and over even though they come from people with different names and faces. It is also the fact that every week no matter how well you did this past Sunday you have another Sunday to preach 2 more sermons. That happens week after week after week and the older I get the more difficult it is for me. I am sure that none of you ever deal with that issue but if you do the one redeeming factor lies in the good things that take place. The people who come to Christ, the baptism's, the testimonies, the moving of the spirit of God in your worship as well as other more personal successes in your life. All I know to say is that we must keep in mind that God is our God and what we do we should be doing for Him! That helps me and I hope it helps you.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
John Maxwell had a conference where one of the individual lessons was titled, "It's the Grind that Gets Them". I think that most of us understand that concept whether we be pastors, housewives, lawyers or bakers. Most people have to do the same things over and over again in life. For me it is the fact that Solomon was right when he said there is nothing new. The problems that arise for a pastor are the same problems over and over even though they come from people with different names and faces. It is also the fact that every week no matter how well you did this past Sunday you have another Sunday to preach 2 more sermons. That happens week after week after week and the older I get the more difficult it is for me. I am sure that none of you ever deal with that issue but if you do the one redeeming factor lies in the good things that take place. The people who come to Christ, the baptism's, the testimonies, the moving of the spirit of God in your worship as well as other more personal successes in your life. All I know to say is that we must keep in mind that God is our God and what we do we should be doing for Him! That helps me and I hope it helps you.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
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