Pastor Rick Hudgens | Know Pain–Know Gain

Today we begin a new series of messages entitled, “Action Required.” The book of James is filled with practical applications for life that clearly states that action is required. In part one of this series we look at a message entitled, “Know Pain–Know Gain.”

Though we may face trials, temptations and even toils in life, God has left us instructions. The New Testament book of James is God's instruction book on faith in action. In this series, we will look at this book written by the half-brother of Jesus Christ, and find where our faith and action cross paths, resulting in a fully-devoted follower of Jesus.

We read in James 1:2 “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds.” Maybe someone should have pulled James aside and clued him in to the fact that it would be much easier to have joy if there was a lack of trouble as opposed to an abundance or even existence of trouble. Today we are going to share some thoughts about this odd verse that seems kind of like an oxymoron.

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Pastor Rick Hudgens | Happy Father's Day

As I prepared for this sermon, I came across a job posting that I thought I'd pass along to see if there are any takers...

JOB DESCRIPTION: Long-term team players needed for challenging, permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills, and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings, weekends and frequent 24-hour shifts on call.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Must provide on-site training in basic life skills, in negotiating, conflict resolution, and crisis management. Must be able to think out of the box but not lose track of the box, because you most likely will need it for a school project. Must be able to drive motor vehicles safely under loud and adverse conditions while simultaneously practicing above-mentioned skills in conflict resolution. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute and an embarrassment the next. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION: Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required, unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION: You pay them, offering frequent raises and bonuses. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS: While no paid holidays and no stock-options are offered, the job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and the ability to impact future generations.

JOB TITLE: Parent

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Pastor Rick Hudgens | Living Single in a Double World

The number of single adults in America exceeds the total national population of all but 11 of the world’s 192 nations. The number of single parents is greater that the entire population of Colorado and Tennessee combined! According to the 2006 Census, 40% of all adults 18 years of age and older (over 48 million people) are single.

In too many cases we may forget the fact that Jesus Christ is the son of God, but he was also a single young adult, and as such he experienced all of the feelings, and asked all of the questions that single young adults have asked since the beginning of time. Single adults and single parents continue to be the fastest growing household types in America. Since 1980, single fathers increased 99 percent and single mothers, 42 percent. What struggles do single adults face in 2008?

We will take a look at some of the things in Jesus’ life and how he dealt with them. Though this message is designed to speak to single and single again adults, I am sure that God’s Word will speak to all of us.

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