Hello Folks,
The weather here has taken a sudden turn and blasted us with cold weather. I think it is supposed to change by the end of the week but for now I am cold and it is effecting my breathing. But is that not how life happens? You are going along and life is moving along pretty good when suddenly something changes and you are adversely effected by it. Then in a few days, weeks, or more you have things change again and you are coasting along in life without a problem.
It just might be that we ought to consider James 4:13-18 where we are told that we "know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life, it is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little , and then vanisheth away." Life comes at us so quickly that sometimes we are shocked at what has happened. We think we are immune from some of those things, or a least we act like it, and we want to point a finger at God and accuse Him of forgetting us.
I must admit that as my life goes through the cycles of living I can be overwhelmed with all that takes place. But one thing I am sure of and it is that God sees me and knows me! I can depend on Him whether it is a balmy 72 degrees or a shivering 17 degrees. I trust Him.
Have a great one,
HGRudd
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Hello Folks,
Last week I had the honor of preaching the sermon at the funeral of my pastor Vernon B. (Bert) Collins. He was 94 years old and had been in ministry over 60 years. When I was about 7 or 8 years of age my mother started attending the congregation he pastored in Dayton, Ohio on McClure St. in the East End. Brother Collins and his wonderful wife, Sally B. (Bea) Collins were giants in my mind. I remember him preaching and there was never a pulpit that he could stay in while he preached. Sister Collins would sing and the glory of God would fill the place. At the age of 21 I was saved, at 23 years of age I was called to preached both under the preaching of Brother Collins. I became the youth pastor and, later, the associate with Brother Collins where he taught me so very much. I remember going on visits and meetings with him riding in his car and him talking to me about ministry. I became the pastor in Pekin, Il in 1980 and for the past 34 years I have realized how indebted I am to him and Sis. Collins. My wife and I learned how to pastor and care for people through their examples. I fully believe that Bro. Collins is celebrating in heaven today and I look forward to seeing him again one day. There were 10 preachers at the funeral who came out through Brother Collins' ministry. God used him for His glory and I found him to be a wonderful spiritual father and friend. I just pray that my life can be as fruitful as His was for our King Jesus.
Yours in Christ,
HGRudd
Last week I had the honor of preaching the sermon at the funeral of my pastor Vernon B. (Bert) Collins. He was 94 years old and had been in ministry over 60 years. When I was about 7 or 8 years of age my mother started attending the congregation he pastored in Dayton, Ohio on McClure St. in the East End. Brother Collins and his wonderful wife, Sally B. (Bea) Collins were giants in my mind. I remember him preaching and there was never a pulpit that he could stay in while he preached. Sister Collins would sing and the glory of God would fill the place. At the age of 21 I was saved, at 23 years of age I was called to preached both under the preaching of Brother Collins. I became the youth pastor and, later, the associate with Brother Collins where he taught me so very much. I remember going on visits and meetings with him riding in his car and him talking to me about ministry. I became the pastor in Pekin, Il in 1980 and for the past 34 years I have realized how indebted I am to him and Sis. Collins. My wife and I learned how to pastor and care for people through their examples. I fully believe that Bro. Collins is celebrating in heaven today and I look forward to seeing him again one day. There were 10 preachers at the funeral who came out through Brother Collins' ministry. God used him for His glory and I found him to be a wonderful spiritual father and friend. I just pray that my life can be as fruitful as His was for our King Jesus.
Yours in Christ,
HGRudd
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Hello Folks,
For the past 3 weeks I have been working with The Church of God Bible Institute teaching a online course on the Second Coming. It has been very fulfilling for me as the students blog and write their papers on the subject matter for that week. The comments made and the way they have grasped the material has been excellent. But the most exciting part has been how they have given insight into little gems of material that I had not thought about. They have actually been teaching me and providing me tidbits that I think will be of value to me in my ministry.
God seems to allow me to see more truth as I move forward in my life for Him. I must admit that there are some dry seasons in my life and that I find it very difficult to push ahead in ministry. When things are not going like I want them to go I sometimes forget what I preached about this past Sunday. God is in the drought as well as in the rain! This comes from 1 Kings 18 and the account on Mt. Carmel with Elijah. The drought is never fun but is used by God to achieve His will! I pray that I be the man that God can use in the drought or in the rain!
Have a great day,
HGRudd
For the past 3 weeks I have been working with The Church of God Bible Institute teaching a online course on the Second Coming. It has been very fulfilling for me as the students blog and write their papers on the subject matter for that week. The comments made and the way they have grasped the material has been excellent. But the most exciting part has been how they have given insight into little gems of material that I had not thought about. They have actually been teaching me and providing me tidbits that I think will be of value to me in my ministry.
God seems to allow me to see more truth as I move forward in my life for Him. I must admit that there are some dry seasons in my life and that I find it very difficult to push ahead in ministry. When things are not going like I want them to go I sometimes forget what I preached about this past Sunday. God is in the drought as well as in the rain! This comes from 1 Kings 18 and the account on Mt. Carmel with Elijah. The drought is never fun but is used by God to achieve His will! I pray that I be the man that God can use in the drought or in the rain!
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Monday, October 20, 2014
Hello Folks,
John Maxwell had a conference where one of the individual lessons was titled, "It's the Grind that Gets Them". I think that most of us understand that concept whether we be pastors, housewives, lawyers or bakers. Most people have to do the same things over and over again in life. For me it is the fact that Solomon was right when he said there is nothing new. The problems that arise for a pastor are the same problems over and over even though they come from people with different names and faces. It is also the fact that every week no matter how well you did this past Sunday you have another Sunday to preach 2 more sermons. That happens week after week after week and the older I get the more difficult it is for me. I am sure that none of you ever deal with that issue but if you do the one redeeming factor lies in the good things that take place. The people who come to Christ, the baptism's, the testimonies, the moving of the spirit of God in your worship as well as other more personal successes in your life. All I know to say is that we must keep in mind that God is our God and what we do we should be doing for Him! That helps me and I hope it helps you.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
John Maxwell had a conference where one of the individual lessons was titled, "It's the Grind that Gets Them". I think that most of us understand that concept whether we be pastors, housewives, lawyers or bakers. Most people have to do the same things over and over again in life. For me it is the fact that Solomon was right when he said there is nothing new. The problems that arise for a pastor are the same problems over and over even though they come from people with different names and faces. It is also the fact that every week no matter how well you did this past Sunday you have another Sunday to preach 2 more sermons. That happens week after week after week and the older I get the more difficult it is for me. I am sure that none of you ever deal with that issue but if you do the one redeeming factor lies in the good things that take place. The people who come to Christ, the baptism's, the testimonies, the moving of the spirit of God in your worship as well as other more personal successes in your life. All I know to say is that we must keep in mind that God is our God and what we do we should be doing for Him! That helps me and I hope it helps you.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Hello Folks,
I am always a little bit surprised when I have preached on the Second Coming to have people respond in such a positive way. It seems to me that I have preached on the subject so many times that everyone should already have complete understanding on it but that is never the case. Of course, I must remember that there are people who are newer to the congregation and there are some who were not in church the last time I preached about the subject. But this is such a good time to deal with the Second Coming due to the movie that is coming out with Nicholas Cage called "Left Behind." While it is nothing more than a remake of a 2000 film which used the Left Behind series book to proclaim their viewpoints.
Is it not strange that people are so anxious to have some kind of spectacular science fiction type event take place that they run to these movies and books to satisfy their thirst for such things. I wonder if people would bother to look at the word of God to find out what He has to say about such things. Is it not funny that people talk about a seven year tribulation when the bible never gives us a plain statement of such a thing? Is it not funny that people talk about a secret rapture when the bible never gives us a plain statement of such a thing? We do have very plain statements that when the end comes people will be doing the normal things of life and that they will be surprised. That is why we are live life ready for His coming!
Well, let me give you a review about the "Left Behind" movie! It is filled with some wonderful cinematography and the special effects are amazing. This fictional account is well acted and produced at an extremely high level but it is nothing more than mere fiction. It is a repeat of other writers material dating back at least until 1970 when Hal Lindsey wrote his best seller "Late Great Planet Earth." I have never seen the movie and do not plan on ever seeing it! I know the real outcome of the Coming of Jesus and it is not planes falling out of the sky and everyone crying out that we are left behind. It is judgment and eternity--are you ready?
Have a great day,
HGRudd
I am always a little bit surprised when I have preached on the Second Coming to have people respond in such a positive way. It seems to me that I have preached on the subject so many times that everyone should already have complete understanding on it but that is never the case. Of course, I must remember that there are people who are newer to the congregation and there are some who were not in church the last time I preached about the subject. But this is such a good time to deal with the Second Coming due to the movie that is coming out with Nicholas Cage called "Left Behind." While it is nothing more than a remake of a 2000 film which used the Left Behind series book to proclaim their viewpoints.
Is it not strange that people are so anxious to have some kind of spectacular science fiction type event take place that they run to these movies and books to satisfy their thirst for such things. I wonder if people would bother to look at the word of God to find out what He has to say about such things. Is it not funny that people talk about a seven year tribulation when the bible never gives us a plain statement of such a thing? Is it not funny that people talk about a secret rapture when the bible never gives us a plain statement of such a thing? We do have very plain statements that when the end comes people will be doing the normal things of life and that they will be surprised. That is why we are live life ready for His coming!
Well, let me give you a review about the "Left Behind" movie! It is filled with some wonderful cinematography and the special effects are amazing. This fictional account is well acted and produced at an extremely high level but it is nothing more than mere fiction. It is a repeat of other writers material dating back at least until 1970 when Hal Lindsey wrote his best seller "Late Great Planet Earth." I have never seen the movie and do not plan on ever seeing it! I know the real outcome of the Coming of Jesus and it is not planes falling out of the sky and everyone crying out that we are left behind. It is judgment and eternity--are you ready?
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Hello Folks,
I wonder what it is that moves people to have a commitment and desire to serve God? As I look at our world I see some people who have a great desire to reach others for Christ but most of what I see is, at best, a general lack of concern for God or His Church. I guess I probably measure both of these things together--the desire to serve God and the desire to serve His Church. Of course, there is the great matter of whether you can serve God without have a love for His Church?
As a pastor it is very hard for me to watch as commitment to the local congregation seems to be dwindle but commitment to sports, work, and a variety of other things seems to grow. I ask myself if I think that way simply because I am a pastor and get much of my sense of success from my ministry. Is that fair if that is the case? Would I think the same way if I spent all week working hard and just did not have the energy to give to the local congregation from my life? Should I expect more than just Sunday morning attendance? Is the church of today moving from a group of people who meet "much...more, as ye see the day approaching." (HEB 10:25)
Just this past week the Supreme Court let stand the lower courts opinion that same-sex marriage is legal in certain states, about 30 of them will be effected. The moral fabric of our nation has been changing and at this time it would seem that the Church should be an anchor for all. But when there is little if any commitment to the Church I wonder what that will mean for our nation, or what it has meant for our nation.
Maybe this is nothing more than the concerns of a man who is growing older. I pray that is the case. I know that God's Church will always exist because it is God's Church. But I do wonder what it will mean for our Movement and our nation.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
I wonder what it is that moves people to have a commitment and desire to serve God? As I look at our world I see some people who have a great desire to reach others for Christ but most of what I see is, at best, a general lack of concern for God or His Church. I guess I probably measure both of these things together--the desire to serve God and the desire to serve His Church. Of course, there is the great matter of whether you can serve God without have a love for His Church?
As a pastor it is very hard for me to watch as commitment to the local congregation seems to be dwindle but commitment to sports, work, and a variety of other things seems to grow. I ask myself if I think that way simply because I am a pastor and get much of my sense of success from my ministry. Is that fair if that is the case? Would I think the same way if I spent all week working hard and just did not have the energy to give to the local congregation from my life? Should I expect more than just Sunday morning attendance? Is the church of today moving from a group of people who meet "much...more, as ye see the day approaching." (HEB 10:25)
Just this past week the Supreme Court let stand the lower courts opinion that same-sex marriage is legal in certain states, about 30 of them will be effected. The moral fabric of our nation has been changing and at this time it would seem that the Church should be an anchor for all. But when there is little if any commitment to the Church I wonder what that will mean for our nation, or what it has meant for our nation.
Maybe this is nothing more than the concerns of a man who is growing older. I pray that is the case. I know that God's Church will always exist because it is God's Church. But I do wonder what it will mean for our Movement and our nation.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
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
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
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