Hello Folks,
God called me to pastor the Greeneville First Church of God in Greeneville, Tn over 13 years ago. At this time I believe that He has indicated to me that it is time that someone else come to this marvelous congregation and pastor. This past Sunday, Dec. 10, I informed the congregation that my last Sunday to preach would be Feb. 8, 2015.
Some wonder why and I would merely say that I honestly believe that God has allowed me to be here for this time and has now prepared someone else to take the congregation forward into the ministry that He has for them. I have found the congregation to be loving, kind and generous to me. They have allowed me to be part of their family and they have become my wonderful friends. I will miss them greatly!
As for my future I am not sure what will happen. We have a house to sell before we can move anywhere and when we move we want to move closer to our children and grandchildren. God has given Ruth and I fairly good health and I want Ruth to be able to have some wonderful years being closer to our family. She has been a wonderful help meet and fellow laborer with me in ministry and now it is time for me to give her some of the things that will bring greater joy to her. While she is willing to go anywhere I believe God is directing I happen to believe that God is allowing us this time to be with our wonderful grandchildren. What that will mean to ministry to me I have no clue but I wait God's timing and His will for my life. I ask you all to pray with me about all of this.
At this time I will stop placing the blog on line and tell you all who have read it that I hope it has been of benefit to you in your life and in your ministry. May the Lord who made us and saved us continue to bless you mightily in His Kingdom.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Hello Folks,
I am looking forward to the time with my family around Christmas this year. It seems that the older I get the more I value my family members. It is amazing to realize that my children are all in their 40's and that I have a grand daughter that will graduate from High School next June. It makes me wonder how time has passed so quickly. But is that the biblical picture about life? We read that "life is but a vapor". When I look in a mirror I certainly do not see that young man who married that wonderful red headed girl. But I also realize that my life has been blessed beyond measure. I have been given 3 wonderful children and 6 marvelous grand children. I have pastored 2 congregations for a total of 34 years and been part of some amazing things that God has done. So when I sit around the living room with my family this Christmas, if God permits it, I will celebrate life and the joy that has been mine! I will also celebrate the One who made it all possible for me. While some of you may have always been nice and kind I must admit that without Jesus, and my wife, my life would have been filled with sorrow, hatred and death! Thank God He intervened for me and gave me a life worth living! Praise His name!
Have a great one,
HGRudd
I am looking forward to the time with my family around Christmas this year. It seems that the older I get the more I value my family members. It is amazing to realize that my children are all in their 40's and that I have a grand daughter that will graduate from High School next June. It makes me wonder how time has passed so quickly. But is that the biblical picture about life? We read that "life is but a vapor". When I look in a mirror I certainly do not see that young man who married that wonderful red headed girl. But I also realize that my life has been blessed beyond measure. I have been given 3 wonderful children and 6 marvelous grand children. I have pastored 2 congregations for a total of 34 years and been part of some amazing things that God has done. So when I sit around the living room with my family this Christmas, if God permits it, I will celebrate life and the joy that has been mine! I will also celebrate the One who made it all possible for me. While some of you may have always been nice and kind I must admit that without Jesus, and my wife, my life would have been filled with sorrow, hatred and death! Thank God He intervened for me and gave me a life worth living! Praise His name!
Have a great one,
HGRudd
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Hello Folks,
The Christmas season is upon us, at least here in the United States. People are rushing to the stores to purchase gifts, buying items on line and getting ready for their family gatherings. I wonder if we would just consider the first Christmas family gathering that took place in Bethlehem almost 2000 years ago. Maybe what we are shown there is that the idea of family has been expanded by the Creator Himself. You will see that Joseph and Mary welcomed shepherds, and wise men to the birth celebration of Jesus. How many of us have so closed our minds to what family means that we might miss the wonder of others coming to see the Savior! Could we be used by Him at this season for His glory? Could we bring someone into the family of God through our efforts to reveal to them the marvelous Savior?
I pray that this Christmas you and I both will be able to present the Savior to our world with the message that He is the one who came to this earth for our behalf. God coming to save mankind if they would merely listen. As we observe lights, have dinners, and, even, go to church I pray that we never forget to invite our world to become part of the family.
Have a great one,
HGRudd
The Christmas season is upon us, at least here in the United States. People are rushing to the stores to purchase gifts, buying items on line and getting ready for their family gatherings. I wonder if we would just consider the first Christmas family gathering that took place in Bethlehem almost 2000 years ago. Maybe what we are shown there is that the idea of family has been expanded by the Creator Himself. You will see that Joseph and Mary welcomed shepherds, and wise men to the birth celebration of Jesus. How many of us have so closed our minds to what family means that we might miss the wonder of others coming to see the Savior! Could we be used by Him at this season for His glory? Could we bring someone into the family of God through our efforts to reveal to them the marvelous Savior?
I pray that this Christmas you and I both will be able to present the Savior to our world with the message that He is the one who came to this earth for our behalf. God coming to save mankind if they would merely listen. As we observe lights, have dinners, and, even, go to church I pray that we never forget to invite our world to become part of the family.
Have a great one,
HGRudd
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