Hello Folks,
I was talking with a friend of mine about how quickly this year seems to be moving along. I realize that there are still 24 hours in every day just like when I was a boy but it just feels like time is moving at warp speed. Undoubtedly those of us who are a little older look back and realize that our time is quickly slipping by us and we are coming upon old age. We would have never thought about saying something like that when we were in our 20's but not that the 20's are way behind us it is almost as if everyday is taking another part of our life away. But does not James 4:14 (KJV) say Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. The more we become aware of this truth the more we observe our time as it vanishes.
But the good thing is that we can make use of our time while we are here. Life slips away for everyone, we are not unique to the human race! Yet we can make a decision that we will make use of our time and not merely have it disappear. The way we invest ourselves into the lives of others will enable us to make a difference for generations to come! When we help others to grow up in the Savior we will find that there is a return on the investment! What a joy to know that we do not merely live and then disappear without any impact upon the lives of those who we leave behind! We can make a difference and God wants to use people like us to do exactly that for His glory! Praise the Lord we do not merely live and then die!
Of course there is also the issue of eternity! While we are confined to this existence we also know that it is merely temporary and we will move into the eternal existence of heaven if we are followers of the Savior! We are moving toward more and not less! We are moving toward life and not death! Praise be to God for the eternal home He is preparing for us.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Hello Folks,
Just this past Sunday we celebrated Easter--Resurrection Sunday. Of course, if we understand the biblical message correctly everyday is a day of celebrating the Resurrection! What an amazing message we have to give to our world. I realize that there are many who are opposed to this marvelous truth but that does not change the fact of the resurrection! While many have attempted to make it a myth or fairy tale that is promoted by foolish followers of Jesus we still proclaim quite loudly, "HE IS RISEN". The reason other religions must oppose the resurrection is if it is true they must admit that their founders have far less to offer our world than Jesus! They just do not stack up against Him! Just think of it with me for a moment! This Jesus could not be held in the Tomb, Satan could not enslave Him, and the stone was rolled away for all the world to see! HE IS RISEN! Praise be to Jesus who is the Risen Savior!
I was also blessed to have my Son, James, his wife, Michele, and their girls, Jordyn and Alexis, with us in worship for Easter. Those of you who have your children with you all the time do not know what a blessing that is for Ruth and myself. While we did not the rest of our family with us we were able to enjoy their presence with us. God has been so good to me. I believe that you could say the same thing if you would look at things from a perspective of what has been given to you.
May your day be blessed,
HGRudd
Just this past Sunday we celebrated Easter--Resurrection Sunday. Of course, if we understand the biblical message correctly everyday is a day of celebrating the Resurrection! What an amazing message we have to give to our world. I realize that there are many who are opposed to this marvelous truth but that does not change the fact of the resurrection! While many have attempted to make it a myth or fairy tale that is promoted by foolish followers of Jesus we still proclaim quite loudly, "HE IS RISEN". The reason other religions must oppose the resurrection is if it is true they must admit that their founders have far less to offer our world than Jesus! They just do not stack up against Him! Just think of it with me for a moment! This Jesus could not be held in the Tomb, Satan could not enslave Him, and the stone was rolled away for all the world to see! HE IS RISEN! Praise be to Jesus who is the Risen Savior!
I was also blessed to have my Son, James, his wife, Michele, and their girls, Jordyn and Alexis, with us in worship for Easter. Those of you who have your children with you all the time do not know what a blessing that is for Ruth and myself. While we did not the rest of our family with us we were able to enjoy their presence with us. God has been so good to me. I believe that you could say the same thing if you would look at things from a perspective of what has been given to you.
May your day be blessed,
HGRudd
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Hello Folks,
There are times when I feel as if I see God's people fulfilling the biblical message of reaching and serving others as God intended. While I certainly do not always get everything right it sure seemed to me that I saw people fulfilling the biblical idea of living out the message this past week. On Sunday at 3 p.m. about 80-90 of our folks of all ages met here at church to get their assignments to help others. I watched as they left the parking lot and I must say that my heart was thrilled to see people wanting to serve others. They drove to the homes of a number of seniors in our congregation and community to help them get some spring cleaning, inside and outside, done that they would not be able to do themselves. We then came back about 6 p.m. along with some of those seniors and had a "picnic" and fellowship together.
There are also a couple of men in our congregation who have recently retired and they have been visiting people in the home, hospital and nursing homes. Here are a couple of fellows who have worked their entire life and came to the place where they are supposed to take it easy and they see it as freedom to do ministry. They give care and support to folks who often are forgotten and lonely at this time in their lives and these fellows walk in, talk to them, and pray with them. I am thankful for people who do not think that retirement is about them just resting and going places but it about being given freedom to reach people for the Savior!
God is certainly good to us and I am thankful for His gift to me of being a pastor at this congregation.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
There are times when I feel as if I see God's people fulfilling the biblical message of reaching and serving others as God intended. While I certainly do not always get everything right it sure seemed to me that I saw people fulfilling the biblical idea of living out the message this past week. On Sunday at 3 p.m. about 80-90 of our folks of all ages met here at church to get their assignments to help others. I watched as they left the parking lot and I must say that my heart was thrilled to see people wanting to serve others. They drove to the homes of a number of seniors in our congregation and community to help them get some spring cleaning, inside and outside, done that they would not be able to do themselves. We then came back about 6 p.m. along with some of those seniors and had a "picnic" and fellowship together.
There are also a couple of men in our congregation who have recently retired and they have been visiting people in the home, hospital and nursing homes. Here are a couple of fellows who have worked their entire life and came to the place where they are supposed to take it easy and they see it as freedom to do ministry. They give care and support to folks who often are forgotten and lonely at this time in their lives and these fellows walk in, talk to them, and pray with them. I am thankful for people who do not think that retirement is about them just resting and going places but it about being given freedom to reach people for the Savior!
God is certainly good to us and I am thankful for His gift to me of being a pastor at this congregation.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Hello Folks,
I have been swamped this week with a variety of things so I have been slow on getting this blog out and to those of you who read this I apologize for not having it where you can read it sooner. Last Friday night our college and youth agers worked together with the Fire to provide a time of worship and prayer for the congregation. I want you to know that this was one of the best times I have had in my person worship in a very long time. It was such a time of refreshing that I just cannot overstate how important it was for me to be there. I want to thank those who made it work so wonderfully! There were a number of them so I will not mention names due to the distinct possibility of missing someone but they were all used of God.
Over the past couple of weeks I believe God has been doing a great work here at Greeneville First Church of God. We have had great worship and really good altar response. I also know that often things happen in the pews and it seems to me that everyone that had a spiritual breakthrough did not go to the altar but met with God in the pew. Keep praying for us to move forward in reaching people for Christ as a congregation and individuals as we go out into our community. I am thankful that God is allowing me to be part of what is happening here at this time.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
I have been swamped this week with a variety of things so I have been slow on getting this blog out and to those of you who read this I apologize for not having it where you can read it sooner. Last Friday night our college and youth agers worked together with the Fire to provide a time of worship and prayer for the congregation. I want you to know that this was one of the best times I have had in my person worship in a very long time. It was such a time of refreshing that I just cannot overstate how important it was for me to be there. I want to thank those who made it work so wonderfully! There were a number of them so I will not mention names due to the distinct possibility of missing someone but they were all used of God.
Over the past couple of weeks I believe God has been doing a great work here at Greeneville First Church of God. We have had great worship and really good altar response. I also know that often things happen in the pews and it seems to me that everyone that had a spiritual breakthrough did not go to the altar but met with God in the pew. Keep praying for us to move forward in reaching people for Christ as a congregation and individuals as we go out into our community. I am thankful that God is allowing me to be part of what is happening here at this time.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Hello Folks,
My youngest son has been in town with his two daughters and we have had a really good time with them. James and I have turkey hunted together and while we did not get any game I had a good time just being with my son. He is out today with a fellow in the congregation and I hope that they are more successful than I was with him. My granddaughters have been a real joy, they are aged 11 and 14 and possibly they giggle more than anyone I have ever seen. These girls are very involved in softball and while they have been here they have gone to a couple of UT softball games. Last Saturday I went with them to some special training they went to in Knoxville and got to watch them as they practiced their respective positions and as they had hitting practice. Those are the things we miss being so far away from them. It is amazing how much they have grown up over these past 12 years that we have been in Tennessee.
On May 5-6 we will be at Pastor's Fellowship in Winchester, Ky. It is a time of year that I look forward to as it provides me with spiritual refreshing and challenges. The joy of hearing 400-600 pastors and others singing the songs of the Church and of praise to our God fills my heart with great joy. Getting to see men and women I have known for years is something that also fills me up with great thanks. I have been greatly blessed by being part of this fellowship over the years. The first I went was in May of 1980 right before I took my first pastorate. I have only missed 2-3 of these events though the years and am so thankful that I have heard the Holy Spirit filled preachers that have influenced my life and ministry as they have. If you can come I would encourage you to go! It is certainly worth it!
Have a great day,
HGRudd
My youngest son has been in town with his two daughters and we have had a really good time with them. James and I have turkey hunted together and while we did not get any game I had a good time just being with my son. He is out today with a fellow in the congregation and I hope that they are more successful than I was with him. My granddaughters have been a real joy, they are aged 11 and 14 and possibly they giggle more than anyone I have ever seen. These girls are very involved in softball and while they have been here they have gone to a couple of UT softball games. Last Saturday I went with them to some special training they went to in Knoxville and got to watch them as they practiced their respective positions and as they had hitting practice. Those are the things we miss being so far away from them. It is amazing how much they have grown up over these past 12 years that we have been in Tennessee.
On May 5-6 we will be at Pastor's Fellowship in Winchester, Ky. It is a time of year that I look forward to as it provides me with spiritual refreshing and challenges. The joy of hearing 400-600 pastors and others singing the songs of the Church and of praise to our God fills my heart with great joy. Getting to see men and women I have known for years is something that also fills me up with great thanks. I have been greatly blessed by being part of this fellowship over the years. The first I went was in May of 1980 right before I took my first pastorate. I have only missed 2-3 of these events though the years and am so thankful that I have heard the Holy Spirit filled preachers that have influenced my life and ministry as they have. If you can come I would encourage you to go! It is certainly worth it!
Have a great day,
HGRudd
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