Time sure flies. I remember when I was a kid, I never understood when old folks said that time was just flying by. Now I’m experiencing what old folks said. Soooo let me just list a few things that have happened.
Thanks for praying for the once-a-month Vesper service that I’m doing here. It is going well. We had 15 at the last one.
I enjoyed a visit from Greg and Jeff: we played two 18 hole rounds of golf. I enjoyed that and endured the 80+ temp. I haven’t played 18 holes in years. I need to do that again soon.
Recently I shared my serendipitous journey with Joe B and Lenny C, both in heaven now. I ended that account, “We don’t know the rest of the story.” Well, let me share another chapter of that journey: Joe’s daughter, Dina, called me last week. During our hour-long conversation, she shared that her brother Larry had become a believer and recently sent her a Bible and some verses for her to look up. She was struggling with some issues and wanted to talk to me to get some clarity. Before our conversation ended, she prayed with me to invite Jesus into her life as Savior and Lord. The next morning, I sent her some follow-up verses from the Bible for assurance. She wrote in response.
“I heard His voice! I opened the door! I just thanked Him again for knocking. And coming into my heart. I didn’t go to work today. I’m resting. Much needed. And I’m going to call the gal you recommended. Also, I’m going to memorize those verses you suggested. I wrote them down along with a few others I read this morning that touched me. John 12:24-44. I’ve always found writing helps me soak things in. Much love and be in touch. Thank you for your follow up.”
As I mentioned recently, I have focused this year on reprinting my books that have been out of print. I prayed for a few years about this and finally went forward with it. As I’ve started sharing them, I’ve received some neat responses. Pray for God to bless this.
-One radio manager in Puerto Rico wrote: Thank you so much pastor Lud. We received the books you sent us and are ever so grateful. We will pass them out at our Pastor’s Panel next week and to all of our volunteers and staff, and what is left over we will save for the visitors that come to the station. God is good and we greatly appreciate your generosity and your programs. Once again, Thank you and God bless you.
(This station broadcasts my program in English and Spanish, and the books we sent were in English and Spanish)
-Another recipient shared how in a discussion at a men’s breakfast a question was asked and he shared what he had just read in one of my books. They all agreed what he shared was a very good answer to the question.
-Many residents here at Countryside Village are reading my books that I’ve shared with them. It has opened some neat conversations.
And here is a new serendipitous encounter, going back to when Mur and I met!!??
Before my senior year as a student at Moody Bible Institute I decided, after three years of non-stop study, work, and mission trips, to go somewhere to rest and get renewed. I had a map of North America on the wall and started praying for guidance. As I prayed God put a heavy burden on my heart for the remote city of Churchill, Manitoba, in the Hudson Bay territory of Canada. After a month of this daily prayer burden I decided to go to Ken Taylor, the director of Moody Press, and ask him if he knew of any missionary contacts in Churchill. I wrote to a couple of these missions but didn’t hear from any of them. Gradually the burden to pray for Churchill subsided. A few months later a missionary from Churchill came to Moody and asked for me. When I told him about my prayer burden, he shared that the missionaries in Churchill were going through a very difficult time at the same time I was praying!! God knew all about it. This all resulted in my going to Churchill to help for a summer before returning to Moody for my Senior year of study.
While all of this was happening, another serendipitous encounter was being orchestrated by God. A fellow student was planning to get married in June. His fiancé, a good friend of Mur’s, had asked her to be her bride’s maid. She explained that her partner would be a married man, but if he couldn’t make it, they had asked me if I could be his substitute. One Saturday night that Spring I was at a large youth rally with some friends. Mur and her friend happened to be there and when her friend saw me, she pointed me out as the one who would be the substitute, if necessary. Mur went back to her dormitory at Trinity College and asked all her girlfriends to pray that the married man would not be able to be at the wedding so that I could be her partner!! I was had, before I knew anything about it!!
God answered her/their prayers! Some weeks later I found out the married man couldn’t make it, so I was going to be the replacement. We were introduced at the rehearsal. It went smoothly and was soon over. Since there were no refreshments or plans for after the rehearsal I left when it was over. I must say, I was delighted to be paired with this attractive young lady for the wedding. The next afternoon the wedding went as planned and as Mur and I stood together at the end of the receiving line we finally got acquainted. During the reception I asked what she had planned for the rest of the day. Her response was, “Nothing.” I told her I had plans to attend a missions prayer meeting and asked if she would like to go along.” “Sure,” she warmly replied. I asked her if she thought her dad would let us take his car. He agreed. So, we went on our first date. After the meeting she dropped me off at the bus depo. But before we parted I asked her for her phone number. During the two weeks before I left for that mission trip to Churchill we had two dates, got better acquainted and committed to corresponding during the summer…….You’ll have to wait till the next Update to get the rest of this story.