Hello Folks,
it has been a busy two weeks since I last wrote. My son, James, came to visit with his two girls and my daughter, Debby, her husband and two children came at the same time. James I were turkey hunting all that we could and in the off time we were sitting laughing and enjoying each other. God blessed me greatly to be able to be with 2 of my 3 children and 4 of the 6 grandchildren. I am so thankful for what God has given to me through the years but my family is one of the highest gifts that He has made possible to me.
Just this week I had to make a trip to middle Tennessee to meet with the Pastor Ministry Team of the church of God in Tennessee. Those meetings are mixed with joyful things and difficult things. It is a joy to be able to help men and women in the process they are in seeking ordination but it is a difficulty when you have to deal with the problems. On top of that four and one half hours of driving each way is never a pleasure to me but it is a necessity.
In our conversation I was reminded that we are to rejoice in all things. That is a real challenge at times but when you consider that God is with you then it becomes much easier. The living God who conquered death, hell and sin is the One who is with me. What more could I ask, what greater helper could I receive, what more amazing presence is there? God is great and i am thankful for Him. May that same One bless you as well.
Have a Great Day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Hello Folks,
Well this past week was sure filled with a lot of activity. Our congregation presented our Easter Drama once again. We have been doing it every other year for the past 6 years and before that it was presented almost every year for a number of years. This year it was decided to present it Thursday night through Sunday night and God really blessed in it. There were people saved and other rededicated their lives. One lady and her daughter met me at the door one night after the presentation and said that they had rededicated their lives to Christ. One young man with five children made a first time commitment to Christ. There were over 2900 people who attended along with the approximately 200 people who were part of the cast or the support members. We will not know all the good that this has accomplished for the King and His Kingdom until we step into eternity. I want to thank all those who participated in the Drama for giving so much of themselves. Mickey Waddell, Anita Miller and Dale Gruver gave untold hours in their leadership roles. People like Bill Clark and those who ran the sound, Jerry Hartsell, Bobbie Darnell and Scott Foshie who took care of seating and security were phenomenal in their dedication. All of those men who worked in the ceilings to allow Jesus and the angels to "fly" gave so much. The list could go on and on and I would undoubtedly miss some so I just say to all of them "thank you" for lifting the message of Jesus through drama so this community could be reminded of the wonders of the Savior.
The drama we presented lasted for 4 nights but the reality is that the message it represented was given to us from the foundation of the world. I wonder if we would be faithful not just for 4 nights but in every day that our Lord would give us to share that message with others. We are allowed this time for the purpose of lifting up the King of Kings. May we do exactly that.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Well this past week was sure filled with a lot of activity. Our congregation presented our Easter Drama once again. We have been doing it every other year for the past 6 years and before that it was presented almost every year for a number of years. This year it was decided to present it Thursday night through Sunday night and God really blessed in it. There were people saved and other rededicated their lives. One lady and her daughter met me at the door one night after the presentation and said that they had rededicated their lives to Christ. One young man with five children made a first time commitment to Christ. There were over 2900 people who attended along with the approximately 200 people who were part of the cast or the support members. We will not know all the good that this has accomplished for the King and His Kingdom until we step into eternity. I want to thank all those who participated in the Drama for giving so much of themselves. Mickey Waddell, Anita Miller and Dale Gruver gave untold hours in their leadership roles. People like Bill Clark and those who ran the sound, Jerry Hartsell, Bobbie Darnell and Scott Foshie who took care of seating and security were phenomenal in their dedication. All of those men who worked in the ceilings to allow Jesus and the angels to "fly" gave so much. The list could go on and on and I would undoubtedly miss some so I just say to all of them "thank you" for lifting the message of Jesus through drama so this community could be reminded of the wonders of the Savior.
The drama we presented lasted for 4 nights but the reality is that the message it represented was given to us from the foundation of the world. I wonder if we would be faithful not just for 4 nights but in every day that our Lord would give us to share that message with others. We are allowed this time for the purpose of lifting up the King of Kings. May we do exactly that.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Hello Folks,
If you missed my blog last week it was because Ruth and I went to Hilton Head Island, S.C. While we were there we were able to attend the Mid-Year Leadership meeting of the National Association of the Church of God. What an amazing time we had while we were there. God was certainly present and the power of His Spirit was so real that our hearts were moved by Him. James Earl Massey led a conference that I attended concerning leadership and the truth that was given brought joy to my heart. On Wednesday night a friend of mine, Horace Shepherd, Jr. preached and the Holy Ghost spoke powerfully to all of us. I am so thankful that I was able to attend and would encourage you to if possible in the future.
Ruth and I attended the meeting with an ulterior motive. We were also able to celebrate our 42nd anniversary while were there. We were married on March 6, 1971 in Dayton, Ohio. Our pastor, Vernon B. (Bert) Collins officated and Ruth has put up with me for all of these years. I am certainly blessed to have been able to live all this time with such a wonderful woman and I give thanks to God for her.
This past Sunday was a day of God working among us. During our a.m. worship we considered "What's Next" and then in the p.m. worship we looked at "The Healing Savior". If you were not here Sunday p.m. God moved powerfully and it seemed as if people just did not want ot leave here. At about 7:30 p.m. I told people to leave if they wanted but those who desired could stay and worship and pray as they felt directed. At 8:00 p.m. I basically told people they could leave and it was probably closer to 8:30 p.m. before we got out of here. I realize that length of worship is not necessarily an indication that God was present but there was a sense that we had been in His presence. I am thankful that I got to be here for that time.
Have a Great Day,
HGRudd
If you missed my blog last week it was because Ruth and I went to Hilton Head Island, S.C. While we were there we were able to attend the Mid-Year Leadership meeting of the National Association of the Church of God. What an amazing time we had while we were there. God was certainly present and the power of His Spirit was so real that our hearts were moved by Him. James Earl Massey led a conference that I attended concerning leadership and the truth that was given brought joy to my heart. On Wednesday night a friend of mine, Horace Shepherd, Jr. preached and the Holy Ghost spoke powerfully to all of us. I am so thankful that I was able to attend and would encourage you to if possible in the future.
Ruth and I attended the meeting with an ulterior motive. We were also able to celebrate our 42nd anniversary while were there. We were married on March 6, 1971 in Dayton, Ohio. Our pastor, Vernon B. (Bert) Collins officated and Ruth has put up with me for all of these years. I am certainly blessed to have been able to live all this time with such a wonderful woman and I give thanks to God for her.
This past Sunday was a day of God working among us. During our a.m. worship we considered "What's Next" and then in the p.m. worship we looked at "The Healing Savior". If you were not here Sunday p.m. God moved powerfully and it seemed as if people just did not want ot leave here. At about 7:30 p.m. I told people to leave if they wanted but those who desired could stay and worship and pray as they felt directed. At 8:00 p.m. I basically told people they could leave and it was probably closer to 8:30 p.m. before we got out of here. I realize that length of worship is not necessarily an indication that God was present but there was a sense that we had been in His presence. I am thankful that I got to be here for that time.
Have a Great Day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Hello Folks,
This past Sunday our congregation made pledges to help make the payments for our loan over the next 3 years. Thus far over 100 families have made commitments totally over $368,000. This will help us immensely in our effort to retire debt. Also next Sunday we will have a First Fruit Offering and the giving of "stuff" that will be sold for the immediate application to the debt. These sacrifices of our congregation will enable us to reduce our total debt amount both now and over the next three years as individuals become aware of things that can be sold for the purpose of continuing to reduce debt. It is our prayer that over the next three years that we will be able to become debt free. Pray that we would listen to our Savior as we move forward in this endeavor.
I often wonder what it is that God has in store for me and the congregation that I pastor. I struggle with knowing what it is that God desires for us to do. It is easy to determine the general ideas such as winning the lost, making disciples, and preaching the sermons. But how is that all fleshed out in the practicality of reaching people or finding out the step-by-step pathway to take. In my life I like to know what to do next and sometimes that has not been as easily understood as I would like. But in the midst of it all I know that the only true God will be with me in my journey. May He be praised.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
This past Sunday our congregation made pledges to help make the payments for our loan over the next 3 years. Thus far over 100 families have made commitments totally over $368,000. This will help us immensely in our effort to retire debt. Also next Sunday we will have a First Fruit Offering and the giving of "stuff" that will be sold for the immediate application to the debt. These sacrifices of our congregation will enable us to reduce our total debt amount both now and over the next three years as individuals become aware of things that can be sold for the purpose of continuing to reduce debt. It is our prayer that over the next three years that we will be able to become debt free. Pray that we would listen to our Savior as we move forward in this endeavor.
I often wonder what it is that God has in store for me and the congregation that I pastor. I struggle with knowing what it is that God desires for us to do. It is easy to determine the general ideas such as winning the lost, making disciples, and preaching the sermons. But how is that all fleshed out in the practicality of reaching people or finding out the step-by-step pathway to take. In my life I like to know what to do next and sometimes that has not been as easily understood as I would like. But in the midst of it all I know that the only true God will be with me in my journey. May He be praised.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Hello Folks,
This past Sunday p.m. our congregation celebrated a Concert of Prayer. It was a very special time of congregation praying for each other, the ministry of the congregation, leadership, and a variety of other needs including a time for anointing and praying for healing. We spent about 11/2 hours in prayer and it seemed to me that it was very meaningful for a lot of people. Also this past Friday we had a time of fasting and then at 3 p.m. we had 2 hours of prayer. This coming Saturday we will have a day of prayer where people will coming and going in the life of the church for a 24 hour time period pouring their hearts out to God. I do not know how everyone else thinks about this but it seems to me that we are attempting to understand the mind of God and to accomplish His will. If you cannot actually come would you pick out a time where you can pray for this congregation to fulfill the will of God. God hears His people and His promise is to answer our prayers.
This coming Sunday is our pledge Sunday for the Debt Retirement Campaign then on March 3 we will ask people to begin a 3 year journey to retire our entire debt of almost $1.5 million. This is a really aggressive goal but is not God able to accomplish this if His people merely open their hearts to His will? If we merely look at all the things we have we could have take place the same thing that took place in the building of the Tabernacle where they had to tell the people to stop bringing "stuff" because they had more than enough. I am waiting to see how God will do this among us.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
This past Sunday p.m. our congregation celebrated a Concert of Prayer. It was a very special time of congregation praying for each other, the ministry of the congregation, leadership, and a variety of other needs including a time for anointing and praying for healing. We spent about 11/2 hours in prayer and it seemed to me that it was very meaningful for a lot of people. Also this past Friday we had a time of fasting and then at 3 p.m. we had 2 hours of prayer. This coming Saturday we will have a day of prayer where people will coming and going in the life of the church for a 24 hour time period pouring their hearts out to God. I do not know how everyone else thinks about this but it seems to me that we are attempting to understand the mind of God and to accomplish His will. If you cannot actually come would you pick out a time where you can pray for this congregation to fulfill the will of God. God hears His people and His promise is to answer our prayers.
This coming Sunday is our pledge Sunday for the Debt Retirement Campaign then on March 3 we will ask people to begin a 3 year journey to retire our entire debt of almost $1.5 million. This is a really aggressive goal but is not God able to accomplish this if His people merely open their hearts to His will? If we merely look at all the things we have we could have take place the same thing that took place in the building of the Tabernacle where they had to tell the people to stop bringing "stuff" because they had more than enough. I am waiting to see how God will do this among us.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Hello Folks,
I have just been reading a book titled "The Church in an Age of Crisis, James Emery White and if you can I would encourage you to get it and read it. It has what I consider to be some very timely analysis of our time. One of the things that I just read was about Generation Y or the Millennial Generation. The prediction by on eauthor in 2000 was that Generation Y would be more positive in outlook with a 'can-do' spirit." Moving forward to our current time we find Generation Y to be more captured by individualism than any other generation. He continued to say that they are a generation of entitlement. They believe that they are entitled to everything that they want that will make their generation perfect.
It was interesting to hear his evaluation of Generation Y but one of the things that we ought to recognize is that the sinful nature is one that looks to self more than anything else. While parents and society can help shape a generation to become so self-absorbed that they only think of what makes them feel good or to believe that they deserve the best of everything there is an absolutely internal issue of what is called the "Adamic nature" invovled in making them like that. Can we not see that Jesus is the still the only Savior who can change a heart and mind to become self-sacrificing rather than self-serving?
I wonder what will happen in the life of the church over the next 30 years? While the Pope may resign Jesus is still the Head of the Church and He will never give up His seat! He is in charge of His Church and we look forward to His coming to destroy the world and receive us unto Himself. While we want all of the world to turn to Him we realize that the sinful nature will move all who refuse Christ to an eternity without Him. What a shame especially since it is not His will that any should perish.
May we all turn to Him,
HGRudd
I have just been reading a book titled "The Church in an Age of Crisis, James Emery White and if you can I would encourage you to get it and read it. It has what I consider to be some very timely analysis of our time. One of the things that I just read was about Generation Y or the Millennial Generation. The prediction by on eauthor in 2000 was that Generation Y would be more positive in outlook with a 'can-do' spirit." Moving forward to our current time we find Generation Y to be more captured by individualism than any other generation. He continued to say that they are a generation of entitlement. They believe that they are entitled to everything that they want that will make their generation perfect.
It was interesting to hear his evaluation of Generation Y but one of the things that we ought to recognize is that the sinful nature is one that looks to self more than anything else. While parents and society can help shape a generation to become so self-absorbed that they only think of what makes them feel good or to believe that they deserve the best of everything there is an absolutely internal issue of what is called the "Adamic nature" invovled in making them like that. Can we not see that Jesus is the still the only Savior who can change a heart and mind to become self-sacrificing rather than self-serving?
I wonder what will happen in the life of the church over the next 30 years? While the Pope may resign Jesus is still the Head of the Church and He will never give up His seat! He is in charge of His Church and we look forward to His coming to destroy the world and receive us unto Himself. While we want all of the world to turn to Him we realize that the sinful nature will move all who refuse Christ to an eternity without Him. What a shame especially since it is not His will that any should perish.
May we all turn to Him,
HGRudd
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Hello Folks,
Over the past couple of days I have been reminded of the fact that death comes to everyone. This morning I participated in the gravesite service of a wonderful saint from this congregation. Elizabeth Luttrell lived a long life of 89 years and she was faithful in this congregation for well over 65 years. In the 11 years that I have pastored here she has been nothing but a wonderful example of Christian love and patience. I have never heard her day a remark that could be thought to be disparaging of another person. What a legacy she left for her 4 sons and their families as well as the local congregation and the local community. It is a joy to be part of a funeral where you have no doubt about someone's faith in Christ and their life as they live their faith. It is also a reminder that no matter how many years we have here in this world that through Christ life continues and we live with Him forever! Praise His wonderful name.
I have been reading some about the cultural changes that are taking place and some of the struggles that are taking place in the "christian" community. All through the ages there have been those who have held divergent viewpoints that have a possibililty of moving people away from the One true Savior! Today we have those who are espousing an "emergent" church viewpoint. In essence that viewpoint is nothing more than what has been proclaimed by many others in the past. The idea that everyone's understanding is acceptable to God becomes nothing more than the universalism of the past. To preach and teach that there is no truth other than what each individual determines for themself is a falsehood that will send people to a very real hell. It may take 20 or 30 years but the "emergent" church viewpoints will fall upon the trashbin of falsehoods that have come from the past. May we all walk with the only one who is THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Over the past couple of days I have been reminded of the fact that death comes to everyone. This morning I participated in the gravesite service of a wonderful saint from this congregation. Elizabeth Luttrell lived a long life of 89 years and she was faithful in this congregation for well over 65 years. In the 11 years that I have pastored here she has been nothing but a wonderful example of Christian love and patience. I have never heard her day a remark that could be thought to be disparaging of another person. What a legacy she left for her 4 sons and their families as well as the local congregation and the local community. It is a joy to be part of a funeral where you have no doubt about someone's faith in Christ and their life as they live their faith. It is also a reminder that no matter how many years we have here in this world that through Christ life continues and we live with Him forever! Praise His wonderful name.
I have been reading some about the cultural changes that are taking place and some of the struggles that are taking place in the "christian" community. All through the ages there have been those who have held divergent viewpoints that have a possibililty of moving people away from the One true Savior! Today we have those who are espousing an "emergent" church viewpoint. In essence that viewpoint is nothing more than what has been proclaimed by many others in the past. The idea that everyone's understanding is acceptable to God becomes nothing more than the universalism of the past. To preach and teach that there is no truth other than what each individual determines for themself is a falsehood that will send people to a very real hell. It may take 20 or 30 years but the "emergent" church viewpoints will fall upon the trashbin of falsehoods that have come from the past. May we all walk with the only one who is THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
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