Hello Folks,
As a pastor it is very interesting to me to watch people as they begin to react to the challenges that revolve around the question of money. In this building fund campaign we are not only asking people to pledge so much money to help us pay the monthly payment but we are asking them to look through their possessions and see what they could give the to the Lord in an attempt to retire the debt completely within the next 3 years. One man in the congregation is going to sell a cow and give the proceeds. I set aside 2 times when we began to first talk about this and have been fortunate enough to see them both so when March 3 comes around I will be able to make my donation immediately. Over the next few weeks I will have the joy of watching as people in our congregation make their donations, as far as that goes if the Lord's wills it, I will be able to watch it for the next 3 years. What an exciting time that promises to be.
I made a decision this past week to attend the National Assn. Mid-Year Convention after an invitation came my way. Ruth and I will go over to Hilton Head, we have never been there, and spend a couple days. It just so happens that we will be celebrating our 42nd anniversary on one of those days. I look forward to the conferences and preaching services and to get to fellowship with my brothers and sisters.
As I sit here at my desk I am thankful for the grace that God gives to me everyday of my life. It seems to me that I have been blessed beyond measure and given opportunities that are beyond my wildest expectation. At 61 years of age I can say that if I were to leave this world right now I am of all men most blessed. Thanks be to the God who saved me and called me and has taken care of me for all of these years.
Have a blessed day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Hello Folks,
It sure is cold here in Tennessee this morning. But you should have been with us Sunday in our p.m. worship when God was here and His warmth was amazing! Dr. Horace Shepherd Jr. was our guest speaker and by the time He had finished preaching we found ourselves in the presence of the Holy Ghost. Altars were filled, people were being anointed with oil and God moved powerfully in lives. You should have been with us! When God comes it is truly amazing and powerful.
Let me ask you a question. Should we not always be in the presence of our Amazing God as He works among us? Should not our worship times together be so filled with Him that people look at themselves and desire God more than they did the day before? Worship should never be stale and dull because it is about the most High God! Could it be that we so orchestrate what we do that we try to keep Him restricted to working a particular manner that we are comfortable with? I pray that I will be looking for how He wants to do whatever it is that He desires in our midst. I also pray that I find Him at all points.
I am thankful for the opportunity in my life to serve God in the capacity as a pastor. I am also thankful that He has allowed me to serve two wonderful congregations over the past 32 years, one for 21 years and this one for over 11 years. But I am more thankful that He has allowed to be have times when He has been so close that I have felt the breath of God on my soul. May He breathe on you as well.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
It sure is cold here in Tennessee this morning. But you should have been with us Sunday in our p.m. worship when God was here and His warmth was amazing! Dr. Horace Shepherd Jr. was our guest speaker and by the time He had finished preaching we found ourselves in the presence of the Holy Ghost. Altars were filled, people were being anointed with oil and God moved powerfully in lives. You should have been with us! When God comes it is truly amazing and powerful.
Let me ask you a question. Should we not always be in the presence of our Amazing God as He works among us? Should not our worship times together be so filled with Him that people look at themselves and desire God more than they did the day before? Worship should never be stale and dull because it is about the most High God! Could it be that we so orchestrate what we do that we try to keep Him restricted to working a particular manner that we are comfortable with? I pray that I will be looking for how He wants to do whatever it is that He desires in our midst. I also pray that I find Him at all points.
I am thankful for the opportunity in my life to serve God in the capacity as a pastor. I am also thankful that He has allowed me to serve two wonderful congregations over the past 32 years, one for 21 years and this one for over 11 years. But I am more thankful that He has allowed to be have times when He has been so close that I have felt the breath of God on my soul. May He breathe on you as well.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Hello Folks,
This past Sunday here at the church we began our Building Fund Campaign. This campaign is differenet than any we have engaged in over the years I have been here. While we are asking people to commit to give what they can over the next three years so we can make our normal payment we are also asking folks to consider helping us to pay our entire $1.5 million debt off over those same three years. We realize that this is a great step of faith and that it is a challenge unlike any we have ever attempted here before but we do believe that God is in it. We are asking people to do what our spiritual forefathers did in Exodus 35 and look through their possessions and consider giving things that are sitting in their homes that would be of value and could be sold to retire the debt. I have personally already set aside two items, one of them was sold recently so I have the money waiting to bring on First Fruits Sunday March 3. Some people will have gold, jewels, automobiles, land, stocks, pieces of collections and other such things to donate. If we all would be willing to give what we can the debt could easily be retired in the next three years.
Can you imagine what would take place if we were debt free? The potential of additional ministry is absolutely amazing. We would be able to address the needs of our community in a greater fashion, we could have more resources for outreach in our city, state, nation and in other nations. It would also release all of those who are giving of their resources in our building fund campaign and they would have more resources for their homes and families. Ministry that I have not even thought of might take place simply because we have been freed from the constraints of the building payment.
I ask you to pray for us as we go through this campaign and may we simply hear from God on this and obey Him.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
This past Sunday here at the church we began our Building Fund Campaign. This campaign is differenet than any we have engaged in over the years I have been here. While we are asking people to commit to give what they can over the next three years so we can make our normal payment we are also asking folks to consider helping us to pay our entire $1.5 million debt off over those same three years. We realize that this is a great step of faith and that it is a challenge unlike any we have ever attempted here before but we do believe that God is in it. We are asking people to do what our spiritual forefathers did in Exodus 35 and look through their possessions and consider giving things that are sitting in their homes that would be of value and could be sold to retire the debt. I have personally already set aside two items, one of them was sold recently so I have the money waiting to bring on First Fruits Sunday March 3. Some people will have gold, jewels, automobiles, land, stocks, pieces of collections and other such things to donate. If we all would be willing to give what we can the debt could easily be retired in the next three years.
Can you imagine what would take place if we were debt free? The potential of additional ministry is absolutely amazing. We would be able to address the needs of our community in a greater fashion, we could have more resources for outreach in our city, state, nation and in other nations. It would also release all of those who are giving of their resources in our building fund campaign and they would have more resources for their homes and families. Ministry that I have not even thought of might take place simply because we have been freed from the constraints of the building payment.
I ask you to pray for us as we go through this campaign and may we simply hear from God on this and obey Him.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Hello Folks,
Well I am finally back to my normal schedule. Ruth and I had a great time with the children and grandchildren over the holidays but we are glad to be back in our own bed and back here in Tennessee. I was given the opportunity and honor to preach at New Covenant Church of God in Mapleton, Il while we were visiting and got to see many people who I have known through the years. It was a really good time.
This past Sunday I preached a New Year's sermon that outlined what we are going to attempt to do in ministry here at Greeneville First Church of God in 2013. I gave dates and a general overview of how we will invest our energy and resources. If you would like to hear the details you can go on line at our website and listen to the sermon. One thing that I know for sure and it is we can plan and execute all the good things that we desire but unless God is in it and His Spirit leads and empowers we are merely going through the motions. I ask you to pray for me that I will never just go through the motions.
One of the things that I fear is that I would get to a place where I merely wait for retirement. I must admit that I get tired much easier now than I did when I was 45 or even 55. There are moments when I long for the opportunity to sleep in and take it easy. I also must admit that I find that I want to figure out what I need to do to get things moving like I want them to move. What a struggle it is for me to just listen to God and allow Him to give me clarity on His will. Since God is really the One in charge and I am merely a servant I must continually remind myself that a servant is simply in place to serve his/her Master.
Well, we are in a New Year and I am commited to what someone said, "Work like it all depended on you and pray like it all depended on Him." Have a great week.
HGRudd
Well I am finally back to my normal schedule. Ruth and I had a great time with the children and grandchildren over the holidays but we are glad to be back in our own bed and back here in Tennessee. I was given the opportunity and honor to preach at New Covenant Church of God in Mapleton, Il while we were visiting and got to see many people who I have known through the years. It was a really good time.
This past Sunday I preached a New Year's sermon that outlined what we are going to attempt to do in ministry here at Greeneville First Church of God in 2013. I gave dates and a general overview of how we will invest our energy and resources. If you would like to hear the details you can go on line at our website and listen to the sermon. One thing that I know for sure and it is we can plan and execute all the good things that we desire but unless God is in it and His Spirit leads and empowers we are merely going through the motions. I ask you to pray for me that I will never just go through the motions.
One of the things that I fear is that I would get to a place where I merely wait for retirement. I must admit that I get tired much easier now than I did when I was 45 or even 55. There are moments when I long for the opportunity to sleep in and take it easy. I also must admit that I find that I want to figure out what I need to do to get things moving like I want them to move. What a struggle it is for me to just listen to God and allow Him to give me clarity on His will. Since God is really the One in charge and I am merely a servant I must continually remind myself that a servant is simply in place to serve his/her Master.
Well, we are in a New Year and I am commited to what someone said, "Work like it all depended on you and pray like it all depended on Him." Have a great week.
HGRudd
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