Hello Folks,
Thanksgiving 2012 is over and we are now emersed in the Christmas season. On Thanksgiving evening I drove by Walmart and was surprised to see the parking lot absolutely full. I have been tolks that Black Friday was like that as well. I realize that the merchants needed that day to help them have profit for the year. According to what I have read yesterday was the largest day for purchasing on line in the entire year.
While many were getting ready for the Christmas season and purchasing the gifts that they will give their friends and loved ones I wonder if any of us gave much thought to the wonders of the season. What an amazing truth has been provided for us by God's Word in the Christmas account. Jesus Christ was born in the flesh and we celebrate that birth as a part of our lives. The Savior came to earth to save His people from their sins and all who so desire are given the opportunity of receiving His salvation.
Yet in the midst of that message, just as was the case on the morning of His earthly birth, people are running around and doing all the things of life. While the vast majority of people in that day failed to grasp the meaning of His birth so many in our day just see it as another holiday that enables us to get with our families and give and receive presents. I pray that God's glorious Church would use this time of year to point people to this wonderful Savior. That we would bother to explain the message of Jesus with those who will allow us discuss it with them. I also pray that those who will not talk about it with us will be impacted by the way we Christians live in and celebrate this season. Surely we will not come to the end of this Christmas season and merely say we had a wonderful time with out families when we could say we were able to help our family and friends to receive the amazing gift of God His Son Jesus Christ.
May He Bless You All,
HGRudd
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Hello Folks,
Well, Christmas Season will offically be here after this coming Thursday--Thanksgiving. It seems to me that this year has been racing by and I am left in the gate trying to figure out how my life is going by so quickly. While Christmas is obviously in the winter time of the year it seems to me to point to a time of life. God sent His only begotten Son so you and I could have life.
I have enjoyed the month of November in the life of our congregation. It is during the month of November that I preach a series of sermons on the family. It also appears that November is one of the best attended months of year in our congregation. This past Sunday we had a child dedication for a baby and two wonderful 5 year old twin boys all from the same family. You will never know how this thrills my heart when I see a couple that is dedicated to raising their children in a manner that is pleasing to God. I pray that the sermons that I have presented were anointed by God and that they will be of real benefit to families. If we can help families then we have a real opportunty to reach generations for God.
I have been a book, Mosaic, by Patrick Nachtigall and it has been very interesting. There are times where I question his conclusions, but it is very clear that he is speaking to Church of God pastors and leaders across the world and relating what he is hearing and seeing. I would encourage all of you to get the book and read it. You might come away like me feeling somewhat helpless or you might see it as indicating promise for the kingdom. It will be very interesting to see what will happen in the years to come.
As a pastor I often feel as if I am out of touch, or at least in the dark, where the future is concerned. It makes me question my decisions as well as the things that I hold as important. I for one think that is healthy as long as it does not move to a place of indecision. May I be found in His service as my life in this world slips away.
Have a great day,
H. G. Rudd
Well, Christmas Season will offically be here after this coming Thursday--Thanksgiving. It seems to me that this year has been racing by and I am left in the gate trying to figure out how my life is going by so quickly. While Christmas is obviously in the winter time of the year it seems to me to point to a time of life. God sent His only begotten Son so you and I could have life.
I have enjoyed the month of November in the life of our congregation. It is during the month of November that I preach a series of sermons on the family. It also appears that November is one of the best attended months of year in our congregation. This past Sunday we had a child dedication for a baby and two wonderful 5 year old twin boys all from the same family. You will never know how this thrills my heart when I see a couple that is dedicated to raising their children in a manner that is pleasing to God. I pray that the sermons that I have presented were anointed by God and that they will be of real benefit to families. If we can help families then we have a real opportunty to reach generations for God.
I have been a book, Mosaic, by Patrick Nachtigall and it has been very interesting. There are times where I question his conclusions, but it is very clear that he is speaking to Church of God pastors and leaders across the world and relating what he is hearing and seeing. I would encourage all of you to get the book and read it. You might come away like me feeling somewhat helpless or you might see it as indicating promise for the kingdom. It will be very interesting to see what will happen in the years to come.
As a pastor I often feel as if I am out of touch, or at least in the dark, where the future is concerned. It makes me question my decisions as well as the things that I hold as important. I for one think that is healthy as long as it does not move to a place of indecision. May I be found in His service as my life in this world slips away.
Have a great day,
H. G. Rudd
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Hello Folks,
This past week was a very important week for our nation. I am really not sure where the election results will take us as a nation but I must admit that some of the possibilities are not what I would have hoped. it seems that much of the legislation and actions by such groups as the EPA are designed to take our freedom away from us. I wonder what our nation will look like in another 20 years and what our children and grandchildren will think of our choices.
Yet that is not the most important thing that we need to consider. You see real freedom only comes through Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can really make you free. Early Christians faced an antagonistic government that actually took the lives of those who they felt were "dangerous" to their nation. If you were a Christian you would probably face persecution whether it was social, financial or political. Yet believers refused to give up their position of following Jesus and only worshiping Him! They knew that it would produce great difficulty and, possibly, death for them.
We also have Christians in other parts of our world that are already facing the refusal of jobs, going to prison and, even, death. We in the United States may have to face persecution if we are to see our nation turn back to God. I certainly do not want to see such things take place and neither am I suggesting that I am a prophet where this is concerned. But I pray that Gods' marvelous Church of God will rise up and show the world around us that there is no one like Jesus and that His blood was shed for them! Let us point people to Him and let us do so at whatever cost is demanded.
Have a Great Day,
HGRudd
This past week was a very important week for our nation. I am really not sure where the election results will take us as a nation but I must admit that some of the possibilities are not what I would have hoped. it seems that much of the legislation and actions by such groups as the EPA are designed to take our freedom away from us. I wonder what our nation will look like in another 20 years and what our children and grandchildren will think of our choices.
Yet that is not the most important thing that we need to consider. You see real freedom only comes through Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can really make you free. Early Christians faced an antagonistic government that actually took the lives of those who they felt were "dangerous" to their nation. If you were a Christian you would probably face persecution whether it was social, financial or political. Yet believers refused to give up their position of following Jesus and only worshiping Him! They knew that it would produce great difficulty and, possibly, death for them.
We also have Christians in other parts of our world that are already facing the refusal of jobs, going to prison and, even, death. We in the United States may have to face persecution if we are to see our nation turn back to God. I certainly do not want to see such things take place and neither am I suggesting that I am a prophet where this is concerned. But I pray that Gods' marvelous Church of God will rise up and show the world around us that there is no one like Jesus and that His blood was shed for them! Let us point people to Him and let us do so at whatever cost is demanded.
Have a Great Day,
HGRudd
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