Hello Folks,
For about 15-20 years I have preached an Advent Series during this time of year and this year is no different. I find that it is an excellent method to enable people to consider what Christmast is really about and to address some of the biblical truths that we must know. For instance, this is a marvelous time to present Jesus as God in the Flesh. If He is not God then salvation is an impossibility and Christianity is a hoax. There is no middle ground on this issue and it is something that our world, and we Christians, must grasp.
Another part of a thematic approach is that the concern some have with the accusation of Christmas being a pagan holiday can be addressed. For instance, we can easily present the pieces of how we worship Christ at Christmas in this context. Since Jesus is the light of the world we can remind folks that when they see the lights that decorate homes, trees, offices and other such places it is an indication of the truth of Jesus. We Christians can tell our world that others may not utilize the Christmas season correctly but that does not mean that we can not do so. You see Christmas for the Christian is about Jesus. The gifts we give are a reminder of the gift that God gave to us--Jesus His Son who brought salvation.
I pray that you and your family will worship the Savior during this Christmas season. While others around us may misuse it let us bring glory to the King of Kings at this time. Teach your children and grandchildren about what it represents and how we bow to our Savior and worship Him.
May He bless you all,
HGRudd
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Hello Folks,
Next Sunday starts the Advent season for the church! Of course, it is obvious that the commerical world has been in the Christmas mode for some time already and Friday will mark the start for those hardcore shoppers that believe they must get out early and get all the savings. I wonder what would happen if our world had the same mentality about Jesus? Can you not see pepole insisting that the church doors open at midnight so they can avail themselves of what we have to offer? Can you not imagine crowds at the door of the church pushing so hard that they almost break them down? What are the reasons that our world sees shopping for products as more urgent than seeking the Savior?
Let me give you some possibilites:
1. People just do not care.
2. People just do not know.
3. The church is not doing a good job telling people about Jesus.
4. Jesus is not seen as necessary.
5. People prefer darkness over light (sounds like scripture to me.)
Feel free to add some more things to the list. It might help us to make a difference in our world for the Savior.
I pray that this Christmas season will be filled with His joy for your life.
HGRudd
Next Sunday starts the Advent season for the church! Of course, it is obvious that the commerical world has been in the Christmas mode for some time already and Friday will mark the start for those hardcore shoppers that believe they must get out early and get all the savings. I wonder what would happen if our world had the same mentality about Jesus? Can you not see pepole insisting that the church doors open at midnight so they can avail themselves of what we have to offer? Can you not imagine crowds at the door of the church pushing so hard that they almost break them down? What are the reasons that our world sees shopping for products as more urgent than seeking the Savior?
Let me give you some possibilites:
1. People just do not care.
2. People just do not know.
3. The church is not doing a good job telling people about Jesus.
4. Jesus is not seen as necessary.
5. People prefer darkness over light (sounds like scripture to me.)
Feel free to add some more things to the list. It might help us to make a difference in our world for the Savior.
I pray that this Christmas season will be filled with His joy for your life.
HGRudd
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Hello Folks,
The month of November is a very important month in the life of the church. In November we celebrate Thanksgiving and that seems to me to be a time when the family is clearly brought to our attention. So during the month of November I take the first three or four weeks, depending on how many there, and preach on the family. It has been my thought that if I could have learned more about the family I might have been able to be a much better husband and father. So I want to give to those who sit in our pews a biblical perspective on the family. I ask those of you who read this to pray with me that our families will be encouraged and better equipped to fulfill their roles in the family.
Thanksgiving is just about 10 days away and I look forward to it. While I will not go to visit my children during that time, we save our vacation for around Christmas, we will get to be with our church family. Ruth and I are attempting to figure out how to get to four different homes in that day. We have had other invitations but there is no way we can add anything else to that day. I am so thankful that I pastor a church family that does all they can to make us a part of their lives and allows us the privilege of being in their homes at this time of family celebration.
I pray that you will have a great time of celebration in your family this Thanksgiving. May the blessings of God be yours.
HGRudd
The month of November is a very important month in the life of the church. In November we celebrate Thanksgiving and that seems to me to be a time when the family is clearly brought to our attention. So during the month of November I take the first three or four weeks, depending on how many there, and preach on the family. It has been my thought that if I could have learned more about the family I might have been able to be a much better husband and father. So I want to give to those who sit in our pews a biblical perspective on the family. I ask those of you who read this to pray with me that our families will be encouraged and better equipped to fulfill their roles in the family.
Thanksgiving is just about 10 days away and I look forward to it. While I will not go to visit my children during that time, we save our vacation for around Christmas, we will get to be with our church family. Ruth and I are attempting to figure out how to get to four different homes in that day. We have had other invitations but there is no way we can add anything else to that day. I am so thankful that I pastor a church family that does all they can to make us a part of their lives and allows us the privilege of being in their homes at this time of family celebration.
I pray that you will have a great time of celebration in your family this Thanksgiving. May the blessings of God be yours.
HGRudd
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Hello Folks,
I just got back last night from a meeting with the Pastor's Fellowship Steering Committee in Kentucky. It was good to be there because of all the friends that I get to see. While I was there I saw the two previous pastors of this congregation, Leroy Oesch and Charles Heater. What a pleasure it is to get to see them and spend some time with them. Brother Oesch is one of the smartest men I know. His educaiton and heart for the church and souls is something I always am astounded by especially considering that he is probably around 80 years of age. Charles Heater has been the interim pastor of the congregation in Christianburg, Va. God has blessed that congregation while he has been there this past year and they have seen growth during that time frame.
When we met one of the things that we did that was of the utmost importance was considering what God would have us to do where Pastor's Fellowship on May 7-8, 2012 is concerned. The Theme will be "What The Spirit Says To The Church" . I ask you to pray for that time and that God will use it to help the Church of God Reformation Movement to hear the voice of God. There can be no doubt that the Church needs to hear the Spirit of God speak to us and give us direction at a time like this.
One of the questions that our Movement is facing is whether we will be a people who believe that God's truth is ever changing or whether God's truth is absolute! Some appear to be saying that God's truth is what each generation understands it to be and that He is pleased with our determinations. I wonder what this Movement will be confronted with in the next generation? Could we be a people who will "grow" into an understanding that is so different that it is not Christian? Think about it and let me know if you would like to comment.
May He Bless You,
HGRudd
I just got back last night from a meeting with the Pastor's Fellowship Steering Committee in Kentucky. It was good to be there because of all the friends that I get to see. While I was there I saw the two previous pastors of this congregation, Leroy Oesch and Charles Heater. What a pleasure it is to get to see them and spend some time with them. Brother Oesch is one of the smartest men I know. His educaiton and heart for the church and souls is something I always am astounded by especially considering that he is probably around 80 years of age. Charles Heater has been the interim pastor of the congregation in Christianburg, Va. God has blessed that congregation while he has been there this past year and they have seen growth during that time frame.
When we met one of the things that we did that was of the utmost importance was considering what God would have us to do where Pastor's Fellowship on May 7-8, 2012 is concerned. The Theme will be "What The Spirit Says To The Church" . I ask you to pray for that time and that God will use it to help the Church of God Reformation Movement to hear the voice of God. There can be no doubt that the Church needs to hear the Spirit of God speak to us and give us direction at a time like this.
One of the questions that our Movement is facing is whether we will be a people who believe that God's truth is ever changing or whether God's truth is absolute! Some appear to be saying that God's truth is what each generation understands it to be and that He is pleased with our determinations. I wonder what this Movement will be confronted with in the next generation? Could we be a people who will "grow" into an understanding that is so different that it is not Christian? Think about it and let me know if you would like to comment.
May He Bless You,
HGRudd
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Hello Folks,
I pray that this finds you all doing well. Ruth got back in town yesterday after visiting the kids and grandchildren for a week. It was good to get her back home but I really am thankful that she can spend time with them. It is hard for her to be away from them and she wants to see them but it is also hard for her to leave me alone. I think she is really afraid that I will start throwing things away and she would not like that. Seriously, I find it more difficult all the time being away from her. God has given me a wonderful wife to partner with in ministry and I am so thankful for her.
For the past two months many of you have been participating in CL4Cl, Christian Learning for Christian Living. Even as I write this there is a group meeting in the conference room dealing with Worship. Some are meeting on Sunday a.m., others on Sunday p.m., Tuesday a.m., Wednesday p.m. and Thursday p.m. with studying different sections. We will start offering signup for a repetition of the classes in the month of December. If you can participate in this please sign up so you will be able to learn more of the truth of God for your life. Here is a way for people to grow in Christ and to learn how to better serve Him.
I just prepared a sermon that reminded me of the fact that we are strangers here on this earth. I realize that most of us think about that but I wonder if we grasp the reality of what that means to us as we live on this earth. If we get so attached to this earth, the things, and the people of it I wonder if we lose sight of the reality that none of this will last. You and I are to be live as if this is just temporary and that our real home is yet to come. I for one pray that I will keep the right priorities so that I can give up anything here in this world as I wait for my home going.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
I pray that this finds you all doing well. Ruth got back in town yesterday after visiting the kids and grandchildren for a week. It was good to get her back home but I really am thankful that she can spend time with them. It is hard for her to be away from them and she wants to see them but it is also hard for her to leave me alone. I think she is really afraid that I will start throwing things away and she would not like that. Seriously, I find it more difficult all the time being away from her. God has given me a wonderful wife to partner with in ministry and I am so thankful for her.
For the past two months many of you have been participating in CL4Cl, Christian Learning for Christian Living. Even as I write this there is a group meeting in the conference room dealing with Worship. Some are meeting on Sunday a.m., others on Sunday p.m., Tuesday a.m., Wednesday p.m. and Thursday p.m. with studying different sections. We will start offering signup for a repetition of the classes in the month of December. If you can participate in this please sign up so you will be able to learn more of the truth of God for your life. Here is a way for people to grow in Christ and to learn how to better serve Him.
I just prepared a sermon that reminded me of the fact that we are strangers here on this earth. I realize that most of us think about that but I wonder if we grasp the reality of what that means to us as we live on this earth. If we get so attached to this earth, the things, and the people of it I wonder if we lose sight of the reality that none of this will last. You and I are to be live as if this is just temporary and that our real home is yet to come. I for one pray that I will keep the right priorities so that I can give up anything here in this world as I wait for my home going.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Hello Folks,
It appears to me that winter is getting closer all the time. The temperatures are getting cooler, the leaves are changing and Thanksgiving is only a month away. The signs of the times reveal that it will not be long before we have to get our winter coats out and turn the furnace on to keep warm. I, for one, do not look forward to cold weather. Yet I know that it comes every year and I will have to bear it again.
Every one of us have things we do not like but they still come into our lives. We do not like taxes, getting up early, cutting the grass, or whatever it is that you find distasteful yet we do them. Life is filled with some difficult and undesirable things but in the midst of them all there are also some wonderful things that come to pass. This past Sunday we enjoy baptizing 7 people, 2 adults and 5 children, who had made a commitment of faith to Jesus and wanted to be obedient to Him. All around us are difficulties yet God still gives us some of the most wonderful and joyful moments of our lives. It is good to see people say yes to the will and truth of God.
We also had visitors that would not have been here if they had not been invited to be part of the baptism service. In a world that is filled with all kinds of difficult moments we were allowed to see someone who had not been in church in years come and participate in worship. Maybe, just maybe, they will have their hearts changed because of that moment. Please pray for each one that was here.
May the Lord bless you and remember that in the times when things are not always what you want God gives us some wonderthing moments.
HGRudd
It appears to me that winter is getting closer all the time. The temperatures are getting cooler, the leaves are changing and Thanksgiving is only a month away. The signs of the times reveal that it will not be long before we have to get our winter coats out and turn the furnace on to keep warm. I, for one, do not look forward to cold weather. Yet I know that it comes every year and I will have to bear it again.
Every one of us have things we do not like but they still come into our lives. We do not like taxes, getting up early, cutting the grass, or whatever it is that you find distasteful yet we do them. Life is filled with some difficult and undesirable things but in the midst of them all there are also some wonderful things that come to pass. This past Sunday we enjoy baptizing 7 people, 2 adults and 5 children, who had made a commitment of faith to Jesus and wanted to be obedient to Him. All around us are difficulties yet God still gives us some of the most wonderful and joyful moments of our lives. It is good to see people say yes to the will and truth of God.
We also had visitors that would not have been here if they had not been invited to be part of the baptism service. In a world that is filled with all kinds of difficult moments we were allowed to see someone who had not been in church in years come and participate in worship. Maybe, just maybe, they will have their hearts changed because of that moment. Please pray for each one that was here.
May the Lord bless you and remember that in the times when things are not always what you want God gives us some wonderthing moments.
HGRudd
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Hello Folks,
This Saturday Ruth's mother, Daphene McCorkle, went home to be with the Lord. She had been in a semi-care facility for about 13 months and has been suffering from demensia for about 5 years. Ruth was called about 2:30 a.m. and told that her mother had been taken to the hospital complaining of pain and by 11:45 p.m. she had left this world. Her kidneys had failed and of course that was a life ending event for her. Her age was 87. Ruth and I are thankful that she was able to be with us that long yet we are also thankful that her physical suffering was short lived. I want to thank all of you for your prayers and kind words. The congregation here at Greeneville First Church of God has been exceedingly kind to us and we could not ask for any better care than they have given us. The funeral will be Wednesday 10-19-11 in West Union, Ohio where Daphene grew up and where Ruth's father is buried. Once again thanks to all of you for your kindness and prayers at this time.
Death is a reminder to all of us that life in this world is not something that is eternal. We all will die unless Jesus comes again before our physical death. Yet physical death is also something that allows us to go to be with the Lord and for that we should all be thankful. Because Jesus died for us and rose from the grave you and I can live forever through Jesus. Heaven is a place where we can enjoy all that God has prepared for us and where we can be in His presence forever. I praise Him for that!
As we look at this world that we live in and see people who are running from place to place do we not realize that many of them, maybe most of them, will not go to be with God after they die? Truly the harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few! We must pray that the Lord will send forth laborers into the harvest and maybe that you and I could be those laborers.
Blessings to all of you.
HGRudd
This Saturday Ruth's mother, Daphene McCorkle, went home to be with the Lord. She had been in a semi-care facility for about 13 months and has been suffering from demensia for about 5 years. Ruth was called about 2:30 a.m. and told that her mother had been taken to the hospital complaining of pain and by 11:45 p.m. she had left this world. Her kidneys had failed and of course that was a life ending event for her. Her age was 87. Ruth and I are thankful that she was able to be with us that long yet we are also thankful that her physical suffering was short lived. I want to thank all of you for your prayers and kind words. The congregation here at Greeneville First Church of God has been exceedingly kind to us and we could not ask for any better care than they have given us. The funeral will be Wednesday 10-19-11 in West Union, Ohio where Daphene grew up and where Ruth's father is buried. Once again thanks to all of you for your kindness and prayers at this time.
Death is a reminder to all of us that life in this world is not something that is eternal. We all will die unless Jesus comes again before our physical death. Yet physical death is also something that allows us to go to be with the Lord and for that we should all be thankful. Because Jesus died for us and rose from the grave you and I can live forever through Jesus. Heaven is a place where we can enjoy all that God has prepared for us and where we can be in His presence forever. I praise Him for that!
As we look at this world that we live in and see people who are running from place to place do we not realize that many of them, maybe most of them, will not go to be with God after they die? Truly the harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few! We must pray that the Lord will send forth laborers into the harvest and maybe that you and I could be those laborers.
Blessings to all of you.
HGRudd
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