Hello Folks,
Yesterday the International Convention for the Church of God Reformation Movement started in Oklahoma City. The change of locations has been much discussed and I guess we will see if it has helped improve attendance. It is my prayer that many will be able to attend and that God's will be done in all that takes place. While I will not be in attendance that does not mean that I am not wanting to see the best take place for the church! Much of what happens will be what we would consider the normal. The GA will meet, resolutions will be discussed and voted on, budget issues will be brought to the floor, information will be shared, worship will take be celebrated and I pray that God will speak in all of it. My heart desires to see real godly change take place and that the Holy Spirit will be very present in all that transpires.
While I do not know if this attempted change will be the beginning of the marvelous work of God among us I pray that will be the case. From what I have read in the early days of the Church of God Reformation Movement God's people prayed. They prayed for real change to encompass the congregations that had become accepting of falsehoods that only succeeded in holding people in bondage. They wanted His truth to prevail among all people and they felt that they were called by God to proclaim that truth and to practice that truth! I wonder if we ought not to pray that we would have the same Spirit to place such a fire in our hearts? I am not sure how everyone else feels about this but I for one am unhappy with merely waiting on Jesus to return. I want to "occupy" until He comes again and ends this old world.
I ask you to pray for the International Convention that will go through Thursday of this week. May the glory of God fall on that group and on us!
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Hello Folks,
We had a team of 16 people go to Haiti and when they returned they brought with them a virus that is transmitted through mosquito's. It had some very undesirable symptoms and while it was not life threatening it was not very enjoyable. Of the 16 who went 13 of them came down with it. We had the Health Department checking on them and drawing blood from them as well as giving certain directions to them as well. Yet the ministry went on in Haiti and here! God used them to help the people of Haiti in their physical needs but also where their spiritual needs were concerned. I am thankful that there are people who will take the message of Christ to a world that desperately needs it even if there is risk involved.
This summer, if it be the Lord's will, I will be preaching two camp meetings and one revival. I ask you to pray that I would fulfill the will of God in these endeavors. There will be a lot of people who will sit in the seats and I need to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ clearly at each occasion. Pray that I know what God desires for me to preach and that I will fulfill His will in this. While I have certain ideas of what should be spoken it is my desire to only speak what He wants. So I ask you to please pray for me!
I would think that everyone of us will have challenges and opportunities presented to us through this summer. It is my prayer that you be used by God in each one of them. May the God of all ages stand with you and empower you to be His tool for His glory!
Have a great day,
HGRudd
We had a team of 16 people go to Haiti and when they returned they brought with them a virus that is transmitted through mosquito's. It had some very undesirable symptoms and while it was not life threatening it was not very enjoyable. Of the 16 who went 13 of them came down with it. We had the Health Department checking on them and drawing blood from them as well as giving certain directions to them as well. Yet the ministry went on in Haiti and here! God used them to help the people of Haiti in their physical needs but also where their spiritual needs were concerned. I am thankful that there are people who will take the message of Christ to a world that desperately needs it even if there is risk involved.
This summer, if it be the Lord's will, I will be preaching two camp meetings and one revival. I ask you to pray that I would fulfill the will of God in these endeavors. There will be a lot of people who will sit in the seats and I need to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ clearly at each occasion. Pray that I know what God desires for me to preach and that I will fulfill His will in this. While I have certain ideas of what should be spoken it is my desire to only speak what He wants. So I ask you to please pray for me!
I would think that everyone of us will have challenges and opportunities presented to us through this summer. It is my prayer that you be used by God in each one of them. May the God of all ages stand with you and empower you to be His tool for His glory!
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Hello Folks,
I have been listening to a CD where Jim Cymbala was at the Cove in Ashville, North Carolina leading a conference. In that CD he said that 5 polling agencies have said that using the standards of Jesus being the only Savior and the Bible being our rule of faith that only 7.2? to 9% of the population in the U.S. are Christian. He brought up the thought that the U.S. can no longer claim to be Christian with those kinds of statistics. I would say that with the acceptance of pluralism by our educational and political class unless there is a great revival it will not get any better.
It seems to me that the first century church lived in a world that was slanted even more against them. The Roman government did not accept them with open arms, the religious world (both Jew and Pagan) were in opposition to them, they had no wealth and no military power. Yet they were used by God to turn their world upside down. Can we in the church world of today be used by God to facilitate such a change? The answer is yes! But it means that we in the church must be men and women who have one message and that is Jesus for our world. While we should be concerned about politics and the opposition that we face the one thing that we should consider the most is who is our Savior! Is God leading us in our lives? If He is then we need not fear who is against us neither should we be overly concerned with who is for us as long as He is with us!
Do we see our time here as being lived in a world of great restraints or do we see it as a time of great opportunity? I ask you to pray for me that I might be the man God would use in this world for Him! I will pray that you will be the man or woman that He would also use in this world.
Have a great day.
HGRudd
I have been listening to a CD where Jim Cymbala was at the Cove in Ashville, North Carolina leading a conference. In that CD he said that 5 polling agencies have said that using the standards of Jesus being the only Savior and the Bible being our rule of faith that only 7.2? to 9% of the population in the U.S. are Christian. He brought up the thought that the U.S. can no longer claim to be Christian with those kinds of statistics. I would say that with the acceptance of pluralism by our educational and political class unless there is a great revival it will not get any better.
It seems to me that the first century church lived in a world that was slanted even more against them. The Roman government did not accept them with open arms, the religious world (both Jew and Pagan) were in opposition to them, they had no wealth and no military power. Yet they were used by God to turn their world upside down. Can we in the church world of today be used by God to facilitate such a change? The answer is yes! But it means that we in the church must be men and women who have one message and that is Jesus for our world. While we should be concerned about politics and the opposition that we face the one thing that we should consider the most is who is our Savior! Is God leading us in our lives? If He is then we need not fear who is against us neither should we be overly concerned with who is for us as long as He is with us!
Do we see our time here as being lived in a world of great restraints or do we see it as a time of great opportunity? I ask you to pray for me that I might be the man God would use in this world for Him! I will pray that you will be the man or woman that He would also use in this world.
Have a great day.
HGRudd
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Hello Folks,
I have some questions in my mind and sometimes I wonder if they are shaped by my desire to have good numbers in church? Maybe you can help me on this and tell me what you think.
There is a fundamental shift that is catching up to our community here in Greeneville, Tennessee. It seems that Sunday p.m. is something that is of little if any value to people in our day. Over the past 5 years I have seen a marked change in what people do where Sunday is concerned. It seems that family gatherings and any kind of activity takes precedence over the church? Now, the question is whether it really matters? We know that God did not tell us to go to church on Sunday a.m. and p.m. Could it be that we are just slow in catching up to what really matters in life? Or could it be that we are selling the next generation's spiritual life for ballgames and hotdogs? Does it seem to you that the 40 something's and younger are treating church as something that is nice but not a necessity? In my mind church cannot be separated from Christ since He is the Bridegroom and the church is the Bride? Can we be people of God without placing value on what he places value? Am I putting my measurements on people rather than putting God's measurements on them?
This is the struggle that I am having. What about you? Is it an issue where you are at? Do you see this as a cultural thing? Do you see people making God of less concern in their lives due to them making the church of less concern? Let me know what you think.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
I have some questions in my mind and sometimes I wonder if they are shaped by my desire to have good numbers in church? Maybe you can help me on this and tell me what you think.
There is a fundamental shift that is catching up to our community here in Greeneville, Tennessee. It seems that Sunday p.m. is something that is of little if any value to people in our day. Over the past 5 years I have seen a marked change in what people do where Sunday is concerned. It seems that family gatherings and any kind of activity takes precedence over the church? Now, the question is whether it really matters? We know that God did not tell us to go to church on Sunday a.m. and p.m. Could it be that we are just slow in catching up to what really matters in life? Or could it be that we are selling the next generation's spiritual life for ballgames and hotdogs? Does it seem to you that the 40 something's and younger are treating church as something that is nice but not a necessity? In my mind church cannot be separated from Christ since He is the Bridegroom and the church is the Bride? Can we be people of God without placing value on what he places value? Am I putting my measurements on people rather than putting God's measurements on them?
This is the struggle that I am having. What about you? Is it an issue where you are at? Do you see this as a cultural thing? Do you see people making God of less concern in their lives due to them making the church of less concern? Let me know what you think.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Hello Folks,
I am back in the office after taking a few days to visit my family and a week to preach a revival in S. Pekin, Il. It was certainly a pleasure for me to visit with the children and grandchildren. They all seem to be doing pretty good and they are all pretty busy. The revival went well with some altar response and one person renewing their relationship with Christ. The congregation was a small General Baptist fellowship and I have known their pastor for a number of years. There were numerous folks from the congregation I pastored at Pekin who attended and it was like old home week for me. What a joy it was to see people who I have loved through the years and see them serving the Lord. I also got to see a number of young people who have grown older through the years and are now graduating High School and are in college. God has really blessed me with the joy of being part of the lives of people!
A young man in our congregation here in Greeneville received the "Doer of the Word" award at Greeneville High School. Jonathan Ervin is a wonderful young man who wants to be used by God for ministry in the years to come. I think that we have some great young people who have a heart to be servants of the Lord in our congregation and I pray that God will continue to bless them for His glory!
I have noticed through the years that change is very difficult for most of us! Yet no matter the issue that might arise we need to keep one thing in mind and it is that as Christians we are to be people of the Book! I know that there will be many interpretations of what it means but I would suggest that regardless of where we come out on what something means that we live a life that God is pleased with and that brings honor to Him. While my life is moving toward the final years, I am 62, I pray that what I have left will point people to the marvelous Savior Jesus Christ and that I will please Him in how I live and what I do.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
I am back in the office after taking a few days to visit my family and a week to preach a revival in S. Pekin, Il. It was certainly a pleasure for me to visit with the children and grandchildren. They all seem to be doing pretty good and they are all pretty busy. The revival went well with some altar response and one person renewing their relationship with Christ. The congregation was a small General Baptist fellowship and I have known their pastor for a number of years. There were numerous folks from the congregation I pastored at Pekin who attended and it was like old home week for me. What a joy it was to see people who I have loved through the years and see them serving the Lord. I also got to see a number of young people who have grown older through the years and are now graduating High School and are in college. God has really blessed me with the joy of being part of the lives of people!
A young man in our congregation here in Greeneville received the "Doer of the Word" award at Greeneville High School. Jonathan Ervin is a wonderful young man who wants to be used by God for ministry in the years to come. I think that we have some great young people who have a heart to be servants of the Lord in our congregation and I pray that God will continue to bless them for His glory!
I have noticed through the years that change is very difficult for most of us! Yet no matter the issue that might arise we need to keep one thing in mind and it is that as Christians we are to be people of the Book! I know that there will be many interpretations of what it means but I would suggest that regardless of where we come out on what something means that we live a life that God is pleased with and that brings honor to Him. While my life is moving toward the final years, I am 62, I pray that what I have left will point people to the marvelous Savior Jesus Christ and that I will please Him in how I live and what I do.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Hello Folks,
Ruth and returned from Pastor's Fellowship 2014 in Winchester, Ky late last night. I finally made it to my office about 9:30 a.m. and have spent the day digging out of e-mails and other administrative items. While I am still not finished it is now time for me to write this blog.
There is little doubt in my mind that this year at Pastor's Fellowship we heard some powerful sermons that were anointed by God. While I must admit that I am rather prejudiced on behalf of Pastor's Fellowship I also must say that I do think that can sense when God speaks to us. There were two first time speakers, Nick Wilson of Pennsylvania and Tommy Walker of Texas. One of the reasons I bring this up is the contrast of speakers. Nick is younger and Tommy is getting a few miles on him, like me. Nick spoke through a clearly prepared manuscript while Tommy was extemporaneous. Nick was almost scholarly in his presentation while Tommy was homespun. Both of them spoke with the power of the Holy Ghost! God used them powerfully. If you want to listen to the sermons, along with the other six sermons, you will be able to listen to them at Greenevillefcog.com website after it is posted or you can order them by contacting Noretta Brown in Winchester, Ky at the First Church of God there.
Since I am the chairman of the Steering Committee for Pastor's Fellowship I was pretty busy with meetings, details, and attending services. The time I spend there admittedly wears me out physically and mentally but I must say that it also refreshes me spiritually. The friendships that have been gained through the years and the anointed preaching of Church of God truths (when I say Church of God truths that is synonymous with biblical truths) that is not often heard in man of our pulpits anymore thrills my soul. I would tell each of you that it takes place every year on the first Monday and Tuesday of May and if you can come I pray that you will attempt it. We have people there from Canada, Pennsylvania, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Illinois, Virginia, West Virginia and other states. Maybe you could add to that by your attendance.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Ruth and returned from Pastor's Fellowship 2014 in Winchester, Ky late last night. I finally made it to my office about 9:30 a.m. and have spent the day digging out of e-mails and other administrative items. While I am still not finished it is now time for me to write this blog.
There is little doubt in my mind that this year at Pastor's Fellowship we heard some powerful sermons that were anointed by God. While I must admit that I am rather prejudiced on behalf of Pastor's Fellowship I also must say that I do think that can sense when God speaks to us. There were two first time speakers, Nick Wilson of Pennsylvania and Tommy Walker of Texas. One of the reasons I bring this up is the contrast of speakers. Nick is younger and Tommy is getting a few miles on him, like me. Nick spoke through a clearly prepared manuscript while Tommy was extemporaneous. Nick was almost scholarly in his presentation while Tommy was homespun. Both of them spoke with the power of the Holy Ghost! God used them powerfully. If you want to listen to the sermons, along with the other six sermons, you will be able to listen to them at Greenevillefcog.com website after it is posted or you can order them by contacting Noretta Brown in Winchester, Ky at the First Church of God there.
Since I am the chairman of the Steering Committee for Pastor's Fellowship I was pretty busy with meetings, details, and attending services. The time I spend there admittedly wears me out physically and mentally but I must say that it also refreshes me spiritually. The friendships that have been gained through the years and the anointed preaching of Church of God truths (when I say Church of God truths that is synonymous with biblical truths) that is not often heard in man of our pulpits anymore thrills my soul. I would tell each of you that it takes place every year on the first Monday and Tuesday of May and if you can come I pray that you will attempt it. We have people there from Canada, Pennsylvania, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Illinois, Virginia, West Virginia and other states. Maybe you could add to that by your attendance.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
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
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
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