Hello Folks,
I was just reading about a resurgence in Calvinism at least here in America. One author maintained that it was a backlash to the Emergent Church viewpoint that is moving through evangelical church groups. The Emergent Church maintains that theology is basically what you think it is--this may be a rather broad statement so please understand there can be some variety in that viewpoint. The resurgence in Calvinism is especially concentrating on predestination. With those two "bookends" of belief it is an interesting question, at least to me, as to where the Church of God Reformation Movement fits. Certainly we are not followers of predestination. Could it be that we have some of our pastors and educators who are moving closer to an Emergent viewpoint?
I am not for sure about this but it certainly seems that we are moving away from sanctification as definite second work of grace and casting aside holiness as it has been understood in the Holiness Movement. One factor that stands out to me very clearly is that question on alcohol consumption. With leaders and pastors who are fearful of angering the 20-30 year old demographic it appears that we are telling them that alcohol is acceptable as long as you do not get drunk. Social drinking is becoming acceptable in our circles and the thought that it might be wrong is cast aside. For the pastors who believe that it is wrong but they do not want to address it they should be ashamed! Our silence might be a very large factor in why the message of holiness is not being heard.
Let me give you something that might be of far greater importance where these issues are concerned. Does anyone care anymore?
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Hello Folks,
Every day we get up and face what God brings to us. This is not a matter of happenstance but the desire of God to use us in His Kingdom. I wonder how He wants to use you and me today? Could it be that some of us miss the hand of God in our lives due to the fact that we are so intent in do what we have planned for that day? Maybe God wants to do more than we could have ever imagined in our lives if we would just pay attention to Him. What about you and I spending this day simply looking for the opportunities that God will bring to us! If we do that would our lives and our world see changes take place that are planned by God for us? If we do not I wonder if would miss some of the plans that God has for us?
Last Friday night I watched a local football game that a couple of the young men in our church were involved in and it was a very exciting game. One of the things that must take place for victory to be achieved is for the players to pay attention to the coaches. They all have been assigned certain responsibilities and for a play to work as it is planned everyone of them must do what they are supposed to do. Is this not also true for the church? Are we not part of the body of Christ if we are followers of Jesus and are we not told that we He places us in the body as He sees fit? When a local congregation fails to fulfill the desired plan that God has for it could it be that individual members are refusing to fulfill the plan that God has for them? I pray that I would fulfill His desire!
Have great day,
HGRudd
Every day we get up and face what God brings to us. This is not a matter of happenstance but the desire of God to use us in His Kingdom. I wonder how He wants to use you and me today? Could it be that some of us miss the hand of God in our lives due to the fact that we are so intent in do what we have planned for that day? Maybe God wants to do more than we could have ever imagined in our lives if we would just pay attention to Him. What about you and I spending this day simply looking for the opportunities that God will bring to us! If we do that would our lives and our world see changes take place that are planned by God for us? If we do not I wonder if would miss some of the plans that God has for us?
Last Friday night I watched a local football game that a couple of the young men in our church were involved in and it was a very exciting game. One of the things that must take place for victory to be achieved is for the players to pay attention to the coaches. They all have been assigned certain responsibilities and for a play to work as it is planned everyone of them must do what they are supposed to do. Is this not also true for the church? Are we not part of the body of Christ if we are followers of Jesus and are we not told that we He places us in the body as He sees fit? When a local congregation fails to fulfill the desired plan that God has for it could it be that individual members are refusing to fulfill the plan that God has for them? I pray that I would fulfill His desire!
Have great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Hello Folks,
Just this past Saturday our youth Sunday School class sponsored an outreach. They washed cars for free, gave hot dogs and bibles away. They had a lot of cars stop and the approximately 35 people who washed cars were busy. We had families helping with small children as well as some of our older adults. I am not sure how many people stopped for the free car wash and hotdogs but many of them were curious about the congregation and willing received the material that was given. What a joy it is to have people who are willing to do what they can in an effort to present Christ to our world.
I wonder how many of us are willing to wash cars or do something that is inconvenient for us in an effort to let our world know that there is a Savior who came so all of us could be saved? Is that not the crux of the issue for us as followers of Jesus? We may be willing to go to church but are we willing to try to reach people outside of our doors. What opportunities could be given us if we were willing to be inconvenienced? Maybe we could feed a family that said they were hungry like the folks did here this past Saturday. Maybe we could get folks to tart thinking about their need of Christ like some of them did this past Saturday. Maybe we could intersect with someone who really did not attend church and finally admitted that they only went every now and then. Could it be possible that a car wash will be used by God to help people to consider their eternity?
Well, maybe this week you and I could decide that we will watch for someone that God will bring our way for us to witness to about Jesus. Or, maybe we could find some way to witness to someone by our actions toward them. What about it will you watch for someone that you could share Christ with?
Have a great one,
HGRudd
Just this past Saturday our youth Sunday School class sponsored an outreach. They washed cars for free, gave hot dogs and bibles away. They had a lot of cars stop and the approximately 35 people who washed cars were busy. We had families helping with small children as well as some of our older adults. I am not sure how many people stopped for the free car wash and hotdogs but many of them were curious about the congregation and willing received the material that was given. What a joy it is to have people who are willing to do what they can in an effort to present Christ to our world.
I wonder how many of us are willing to wash cars or do something that is inconvenient for us in an effort to let our world know that there is a Savior who came so all of us could be saved? Is that not the crux of the issue for us as followers of Jesus? We may be willing to go to church but are we willing to try to reach people outside of our doors. What opportunities could be given us if we were willing to be inconvenienced? Maybe we could feed a family that said they were hungry like the folks did here this past Saturday. Maybe we could get folks to tart thinking about their need of Christ like some of them did this past Saturday. Maybe we could intersect with someone who really did not attend church and finally admitted that they only went every now and then. Could it be possible that a car wash will be used by God to help people to consider their eternity?
Well, maybe this week you and I could decide that we will watch for someone that God will bring our way for us to witness to about Jesus. Or, maybe we could find some way to witness to someone by our actions toward them. What about it will you watch for someone that you could share Christ with?
Have a great one,
HGRudd
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Hello Folks,
I must celebrate that there are times when it is a great joy to be able to point to the efforts of God's people to reach into the world. This can be done in numerous ways. There are times when personal evangelism is the means by which the church attempts this then there are various ways that they attempt to do this as a body. This past Sunday in our congregation I saw people who were willing to make a step of faith by committing to God through Faith Promise. Charles Heater was our special speaker and God used him to point people to the needs of those around us and to our responsibility toward them. At the end of the day our folks promised to give $27,735 to missions and to believe that God would give them the amount of their pledge through the year. There will be people in Haiti, Ecuador, Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Nicaragua who will have their needs met because this congregation has placed trust in God to use them as a conduit to provide the resources these folks need. I am thankful for the willingness of people who sit in our pews to be used by God.
Every year congregations all across the U.S. and the world have "Annual Business Meetings". It would seem that most folks do not believe that it is needed due to the fact that most of them do not bother to attend. There is a sense in which I understand because we should be people who are saying that we trust God to perform His glories as He will. Yet there is a need for financial transparency that will allow anyone who desires to see where money is used and whether the leadership is being faithful. I wish I could figure a better way to give this information allowing people to give input rather than having a business meeting. Until then I will keep attempting to provide all the information that I can to the congregation and look forward to the way we invest our resources in the Kingdom.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
I must celebrate that there are times when it is a great joy to be able to point to the efforts of God's people to reach into the world. This can be done in numerous ways. There are times when personal evangelism is the means by which the church attempts this then there are various ways that they attempt to do this as a body. This past Sunday in our congregation I saw people who were willing to make a step of faith by committing to God through Faith Promise. Charles Heater was our special speaker and God used him to point people to the needs of those around us and to our responsibility toward them. At the end of the day our folks promised to give $27,735 to missions and to believe that God would give them the amount of their pledge through the year. There will be people in Haiti, Ecuador, Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Nicaragua who will have their needs met because this congregation has placed trust in God to use them as a conduit to provide the resources these folks need. I am thankful for the willingness of people who sit in our pews to be used by God.
Every year congregations all across the U.S. and the world have "Annual Business Meetings". It would seem that most folks do not believe that it is needed due to the fact that most of them do not bother to attend. There is a sense in which I understand because we should be people who are saying that we trust God to perform His glories as He will. Yet there is a need for financial transparency that will allow anyone who desires to see where money is used and whether the leadership is being faithful. I wish I could figure a better way to give this information allowing people to give input rather than having a business meeting. Until then I will keep attempting to provide all the information that I can to the congregation and look forward to the way we invest our resources in the Kingdom.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Hello Folks,
I returned this past Saturday from preaching at the Whitehall camp meeting in Pennsylvania this past week. What a joy it was to be there. The people were open and kind to me as well as wanting to seek the Lord in our time together. The leadership and pastors treated me as if I were one of their family and gave me great cooperation in all that I did. I pray that God spoke to hearts and that people were able to hear from God.
Ruth and I drove home on Saturday and then preached our regular worship services this past Sunday. I must admit that I am tired but also have to admit that I found it a great honor and joy to get to proclaim the gospel of Christ as frequently as I did. We live in a world where people are presented all kinds of options where religion is concerned and we must lift up Jesus as often as possible. It might be in a church building or it might be at the gas station as you wait in line. Is there a greater message than Jesus' saving grace? I would contend there is not! No one can proclaim a Savior like Jesus except Christian folks! Praise be to Him!
We are coming to a close where summer is concerned. Two of my grand daughters started back to school on July 29 while the area schools started back last week. It seems to me that time moves at a blur and if we are not careful we will miss out on what God has for us! I pray that all of us will have our hearts open to what He has for us and for the opportunities that He provides us to speak about Jesus to those we come into contact with in our life. May He bless you all.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
I returned this past Saturday from preaching at the Whitehall camp meeting in Pennsylvania this past week. What a joy it was to be there. The people were open and kind to me as well as wanting to seek the Lord in our time together. The leadership and pastors treated me as if I were one of their family and gave me great cooperation in all that I did. I pray that God spoke to hearts and that people were able to hear from God.
Ruth and I drove home on Saturday and then preached our regular worship services this past Sunday. I must admit that I am tired but also have to admit that I found it a great honor and joy to get to proclaim the gospel of Christ as frequently as I did. We live in a world where people are presented all kinds of options where religion is concerned and we must lift up Jesus as often as possible. It might be in a church building or it might be at the gas station as you wait in line. Is there a greater message than Jesus' saving grace? I would contend there is not! No one can proclaim a Savior like Jesus except Christian folks! Praise be to Him!
We are coming to a close where summer is concerned. Two of my grand daughters started back to school on July 29 while the area schools started back last week. It seems to me that time moves at a blur and if we are not careful we will miss out on what God has for us! I pray that all of us will have our hearts open to what He has for us and for the opportunities that He provides us to speak about Jesus to those we come into contact with in our life. May He bless you all.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Hello Folks,
This week started the East Tennessee Camp Meeting and it has been wonderful so far. Sunday p.m. was our unity service with the local congregations and E.J. Swatzell, the youth pastor at Cedar Creek Church of God was the speaker. There was a very good crowd and people seemed to worship the Lord with joy. Mark Stayton, the worship pastor from Kingsport, did a good job leading us to lift our voices to the King of Kings.
Last night the camp meeting began with a theme of Extraordinary Passion and it seemed to me that was what was exhibited for all of us to hear and see. Jodi Poorman, a worship pastor from the Fox Street Church of God in Pennsylvania, was used by God to help us worship in song. Jeannette Flynn was the preacher and God anointed her as she spoke His Word. I must say that my wife, Ruth, and the quartet she sings in were also anointed by God as they sang in the worship. I look forward to there the rest of the week and just pray that God continue to be powerfully present.
One of the points that Sister Flynn brought to us was that if we were to have extraordinary biblical holy passion was that we must realize that God will speak in the dark. We must be people of faith that are willing to speak the Word of God even when we cannot see the reasons for it with our eyes. This is the real definition of faith is it not? Believing God even though the circumstances may not reveal to us a visible reason to do so. Real faith believes enough to act upon God's truth even when we cannot see everything about it. May we be people of real faith and not miss the wonders of what He will do when He has men and women of faith to fulfill His will!
Have a great day.
HGRudd
This week started the East Tennessee Camp Meeting and it has been wonderful so far. Sunday p.m. was our unity service with the local congregations and E.J. Swatzell, the youth pastor at Cedar Creek Church of God was the speaker. There was a very good crowd and people seemed to worship the Lord with joy. Mark Stayton, the worship pastor from Kingsport, did a good job leading us to lift our voices to the King of Kings.
Last night the camp meeting began with a theme of Extraordinary Passion and it seemed to me that was what was exhibited for all of us to hear and see. Jodi Poorman, a worship pastor from the Fox Street Church of God in Pennsylvania, was used by God to help us worship in song. Jeannette Flynn was the preacher and God anointed her as she spoke His Word. I must say that my wife, Ruth, and the quartet she sings in were also anointed by God as they sang in the worship. I look forward to there the rest of the week and just pray that God continue to be powerfully present.
One of the points that Sister Flynn brought to us was that if we were to have extraordinary biblical holy passion was that we must realize that God will speak in the dark. We must be people of faith that are willing to speak the Word of God even when we cannot see the reasons for it with our eyes. This is the real definition of faith is it not? Believing God even though the circumstances may not reveal to us a visible reason to do so. Real faith believes enough to act upon God's truth even when we cannot see everything about it. May we be people of real faith and not miss the wonders of what He will do when He has men and women of faith to fulfill His will!
Have a great day.
HGRudd
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Hello Folks,
We had a really good week-end here at Greeneville First Church of God. On Saturday about 60 of the folks from our congregation met here and were sent out to a total of 3 Greene County Elementary Schools. Over the next 2-3 hours our people cleaned rooms, painted stripes on walls, organized books, and anything else that the individual school or teacher wanted us to do. Then we met back at the church, inviting the teachers to come with us, and had hotdogs, chips and cookies. There were about 20 teachers and one principal that attended and ate with us. We called that a Community School Blitz. We already have had some of the teachers ask us to come back next year. It was a great time of service to our community and fellowship with one another. Hopefully, above everything else, we were able to exemplify Jesus Christ to those we came into contact with. I am so thankful for those who came and helped. If we are going to impact our community we must get into our community and that is what we are attempting to do.
When I looked at the people who were there working we had folks from 8 years of age to 75 years of age who came out to help. I must say that there is no better way for the elders of a congregation to reveal a Christian life to the younger people than to be with them and live the life in front of them. I am thankful that I am the pastor of this congregation and that God has allowed me to be part of it for almost 13 years now. I pray that we can continue to find ways to reach out to our town and county with the wonderful message of Jesus being lived out in front of them. Some of those people will never hear me preach but they can see people living Jesus around them. What a joy it is to be part of that!
Have a great day,
HGRudd
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