Hello Folks,
This week I have been reminded how our plans do not always work out. Ruth and I have four grandchildren visiting with us and we had planned on going to Dollywood as a treat for them yesterday. As we drover the approximately 75 miles it began to rain and it was still raining, off and on, when we got there. We decided to go to a mall for a little diversion and to wait to see what would happen. Then we went to get some lunch at McDonald's and as we were there one of the my granddaughters became ill. We made a decision that we would come back home and, hopefully, Ruth will be able to take them on Friday. I cannot go on that day due to other commitments.
I wonder how many people are planning, consciously or unconsciously, to wait for a particular time or event before they turn to Christ. The question becomes what will happen to change that decision and will they ever reach the place that they will become a follower of Jesus. What a shame it would be to make all those plans and find yourself in an eternity without God saying, "But I was planning on turning to Jesus." That is why we are told that today is the day of salvation.
Next week I will be making a trip to Anderson, In for our annual General Assembly meeting and will also attend the Global Gathering. Pastor's Fellowship has introduced a Resolution on Christian Marriage and we will see if it will reach the floor or not. I never look forward to meetings but I do look forward to what God will do there. Over the next couple of weeks I will not be sending this blog out as I will be gone from my computer.
May the Lord bless you all,
HGRudd
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Hello Folks,
Yesterday was a full day for Ruth and I as we traveled to Florence, Ky where we met our oldest son, Bob, and our daughter, Debby, to pick up four of our grandchildren who will be staying with us about 2 weeks. Bailey is 15, Breanne is 14, Camryn is 13 and Landon is 6. It was a long day with us driving over 600 miles total but it wsa well worth it. To be able to have some of our grandchildren with us is a great joy for us. We have a few plans and they include a trip to Dollywood one day.
I became a Christian in March 1973 and there has been a lot of things that have changed in the church world in that 40 years. One of the most marked changes has been the way Sunday night Worship is being abandoned by the vast majority of Christian people. While I realize that there are numerous things that are in competition for that time and that Sunday night worship is not necessarily a biblical mandate it still confuses me some as to why this has taken place. As a pastor I work hard to prepare the same level of sermons that I preach on Sunday morning. Our worship pastor puts a great deal of effort in making sure that the singing and other aspects of worship are not at a lower level thank Sunday a.m. Yet it appears that people just do not want to come regardless of what you do.
One of things that I think I see taking place is that the older generation is dying off and they make up at least 60% of Sunday p.m. attendance. The younger generations appear to have no desire to be there. They are busy with ball, hiking, and family time. While are some very clear exceptions to this the trend appears to be clear to me. As I said it is confusing and I wonder if there is something that would be far more productive for the church? I mean if people were being saved at the ballgames and other events that many give themselves to that would cause me to say lets do more of them. But then again if we were seeing people saved in the p.m. services maybe there would be a greater desire for people to come.
I am just conflicted with all of this and was wondering what some of you think about this. Do you see the same trends? What are your thoughts concerning this issue? Let me know if you will I am really curious to find out some answer.
Have a great day,
H. G. Rudd
Yesterday was a full day for Ruth and I as we traveled to Florence, Ky where we met our oldest son, Bob, and our daughter, Debby, to pick up four of our grandchildren who will be staying with us about 2 weeks. Bailey is 15, Breanne is 14, Camryn is 13 and Landon is 6. It was a long day with us driving over 600 miles total but it wsa well worth it. To be able to have some of our grandchildren with us is a great joy for us. We have a few plans and they include a trip to Dollywood one day.
I became a Christian in March 1973 and there has been a lot of things that have changed in the church world in that 40 years. One of the most marked changes has been the way Sunday night Worship is being abandoned by the vast majority of Christian people. While I realize that there are numerous things that are in competition for that time and that Sunday night worship is not necessarily a biblical mandate it still confuses me some as to why this has taken place. As a pastor I work hard to prepare the same level of sermons that I preach on Sunday morning. Our worship pastor puts a great deal of effort in making sure that the singing and other aspects of worship are not at a lower level thank Sunday a.m. Yet it appears that people just do not want to come regardless of what you do.
One of things that I think I see taking place is that the older generation is dying off and they make up at least 60% of Sunday p.m. attendance. The younger generations appear to have no desire to be there. They are busy with ball, hiking, and family time. While are some very clear exceptions to this the trend appears to be clear to me. As I said it is confusing and I wonder if there is something that would be far more productive for the church? I mean if people were being saved at the ballgames and other events that many give themselves to that would cause me to say lets do more of them. But then again if we were seeing people saved in the p.m. services maybe there would be a greater desire for people to come.
I am just conflicted with all of this and was wondering what some of you think about this. Do you see the same trends? What are your thoughts concerning this issue? Let me know if you will I am really curious to find out some answer.
Have a great day,
H. G. Rudd
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Hello Folks,
This summer has a lot of activities in it. We will have an all church visitation of seniors where we are asking all of those who can to come and help us give care to our seniors on June 10-11, 13 at 6:30 p.m., four of my grandchildren are due to come and visit June 9-June 22, Anderson Camp meeting, the Global Gathering, is June 20 through June 25, on July 7 we will have a celebration worship service at Locust Springs to celebrate their 20th year of ministry and our nations 4th of July celebration, our VBS on July 22-26, East Tennessee Camp meeting from July 28 through August 4, then I will be preaching the Missouri State Camp meeting August 5-11. That is a pretty busy summer especially when you take into account all the other "normal" things that will take place here. I ask you to pray for the congregation and the pastoral staff as we will are involved in all the ministry that comes to us in that time.
I am sure that many of you have a multitude of things planned for this summer. Vacations, family gatherings, church activities and numerous other events that will arise. In the midst of all of that I pray that we all will keep in mind that we are servants of the most High God and that His Son Jesus Christ died for us so we could live for Him and share His message with others. May we always keep balance where our livs are concerned. God wants us to care for our families but He does not want us to forget that we are participants in the ministry that He has called us to fulfill. It is easy to get so wrapped in all that we have to do that we forget the Person who has made it all possible for us.
May this summer be filled with the joy and wonders of God for you and yours! Prais His name.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
This summer has a lot of activities in it. We will have an all church visitation of seniors where we are asking all of those who can to come and help us give care to our seniors on June 10-11, 13 at 6:30 p.m., four of my grandchildren are due to come and visit June 9-June 22, Anderson Camp meeting, the Global Gathering, is June 20 through June 25, on July 7 we will have a celebration worship service at Locust Springs to celebrate their 20th year of ministry and our nations 4th of July celebration, our VBS on July 22-26, East Tennessee Camp meeting from July 28 through August 4, then I will be preaching the Missouri State Camp meeting August 5-11. That is a pretty busy summer especially when you take into account all the other "normal" things that will take place here. I ask you to pray for the congregation and the pastoral staff as we will are involved in all the ministry that comes to us in that time.
I am sure that many of you have a multitude of things planned for this summer. Vacations, family gatherings, church activities and numerous other events that will arise. In the midst of all of that I pray that we all will keep in mind that we are servants of the most High God and that His Son Jesus Christ died for us so we could live for Him and share His message with others. May we always keep balance where our livs are concerned. God wants us to care for our families but He does not want us to forget that we are participants in the ministry that He has called us to fulfill. It is easy to get so wrapped in all that we have to do that we forget the Person who has made it all possible for us.
May this summer be filled with the joy and wonders of God for you and yours! Prais His name.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
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