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