The days since my last Update have flown by. The Vesper service on February 18 went well with 17 present. Thanks for praying. The next service will be on March 17. The time in Nashville for the NRB conference went well. Jim and Susan Hawley, former members of FCC who now live near Nashville picked me up at the airport and took me out to a delightful dinner before dropping me off at my hotel. And Mark and Susie Hassett, also formerly a part of FCC took me back to the airport after a delightful lunch. Sandwiched between these special times with friends, I had a wonderful time at the conference.
At the convention I made good connections with a few who broadcast my program. I also met some who might consider adding my program to their network. In addition, I met a few who could help disseminate my books to new audiences. Seeds have been sown. It will be interesting to see in time what fruit might result from this time of sowing.
Yes, there were some Serendipitous Encounters at the NRB conference:
As I walked the floor of the exhibition hall an exhibitor stopped me to show me his product – a new kind of overhead projector. I wasn’t interested in the product, but we continued talking. I became aware that he was not familiar with what it meant to have a relationship with Jesus, so I started explaining it to him. A woman came up and asked about the product, so I stepped back and waited. When he had answered her questions, we continued our conversation. He was very interested, so I briefly shared a pamphlet I had and showed him how to respond to Jesus. Other customers started standing around, so I gave him a hug and he responded warmly to the embrace. I wonder what kind of soil that seed landed on (ala – parable of the sower found in Matthew 13:1-23). God knows!
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I had a couple of appointments lined up ahead of the conference. One was with a friend, Wayne. When I got there, he was talking to Dr Job, the President of Moody Bible Institute. After he introduced us, in our brief conversation Dr Job asked when I graduated from Moody. I said, “In 1959.” As he left for another appointment, I gave him a copy of one of my books.
A few hours later I was getting tired and started walking back to my room to rest. On the way, as I was crossing a bridge in the Resort complex, I heard someone mention, Gary Chapman. As I looked over the railing, I noticed a group of people being addressed in a restaurant below the bridge. It sounded like they were honoring Gary, the author of the “Five Love Languages.” Suddenly my phone rang. It was Wayne. He asked me where I was. I said, “I’m on the bridge to the island market.” He said, “Moody’s president, Dr Job, is honoring Gary Chapman in the restaurant below you.” I said, “I know. I’m listening to it.” Wayne said Dr Job wanted him to contact me because, as he was talking to Gary in preparation for the event, he found out that Gary graduated in 1958. He told Gary he met someone a few hours ago who graduated in 1959 and mentioned my name, Lud. Gary said, “Is Lud Golz here? I’d like to see him.” So, Dr Job called Wayne to see if he could contact me. As we were talking, I could see him wave to me, so I found a way down to the restaurant. When the honoring ceremony was over Gary saw me and the two of us embraced and enjoyed a brief conversation.
Isn’t it amazing how God can knit together a network of schedules of people just to bring together two friends, former fellow students at Moody and Wheaton College, who haven’t seen each other in some time, just so that they can enjoy a brief warm embrace and chat: it’s like a shot of spiritual adrenalin! Just think, what heaven will be like!!!
Update from Lud, March, ’24
April 25th, 2024Update for February, ’24
February 13th, 2024
Amazing! The first month of 2024 is already history. For you who get this monthly email Update, you know that I have been doing a monthly Vesper service here at Countryside Village. The service in January went well. The next one will be on February 18. Please pray for God’s blessing. On February 20 I will be going to Nashville for the National Religious Broadcasters Convention. Please pray for God’s guidance.
On January 31 I flew to Cleveland for a planned meeting. As I was embarking from the first leg of the flight in Newark, NJ, I got a call to let me know that the meeting was not going to be able to take place. That’s not the way I wanted the trip to start, but I reminded myself that “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). Fortunately, I was not stranded with nothing to do. I continued to Cleveland and looked forward to making contact with many I have missed seeing face to face over the past year. What a blessing it was to hear how God is working in so many of my brother’s and sister’s lives. And I was able to do some important work on my radio ministry as well.
On my way home a week later I had some time to kill in Newark airport. So, I started to take a walk. Almost immediately I noticed a young man sitting at a table reading his Bible. Rather than killing time I went over to him and tried starting a conversation. It was kind of like, when Jesus saw a man on the side of the road one day who was blind since birth (John 9). Jesus noticed him. So did his disciples. They saw a problem. Jesus saw an opportunity. Jesus didn’t miss this opportunity, because He knew, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” Rather than kill time, He made the most of the moment. That’s the secret of Serendipitous Encounters: train yourself to look for and make the most of opportunities (Ephesians 5:15-20).
Back to this guy who was reading his Bible. I approached him as though he was probably a brother, not a stranger. The problem, however, was, he couldn’t speak or understand English. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit reminded me that on my website my program archives are in English and Spanish. I quickly got my phone out and went to my website and found the program for Tuesday and clicked on the Spanish version. He immediately recognized it was in his mother tongue and listened to the whole program – in Spanish it is 3 minutes long. I sat by him and showed him how he could find the program and listen to it daily. If you are curious you can look up and listen to that program: gettinggodsmessage.org, and find it in the archives for Tuesday, February 6, 2024. If you can’t find it, email me and I’ll send you a copy.
I also found out he was far more proficient in using the phone, eg. He soon typed out a Spanish statement, and had it translated into English. Slowly we got a little conversation going via the phone. He was married and has an 11 year old daughter. They were left behind. He was being deported back to his country in South America. I gave him a tract and paged through it to where there is a prayer of commitment. He took a photo of it and got it translated into Spanish so he could understand it. I felt led to just say a short prayer in English asking God to be with him. When I finished, I asked him if he would like a donut from Dunkin Donuts? He nodded Yes. So, we went over and got two bottles of water and a donut for him. He wanted to take a selfie before we parted, and I tried to take one of us on my phone. It didn’t turn out, so he took my phone and took a selfie of us for me.
I don’t know how this Serendipitous Encounter plays out from here. But some day in glory we’ll find out!
On January 31 I flew to Cleveland for a planned meeting. As I was embarking from the first leg of the flight in Newark, NJ, I got a call to let me know that the meeting was not going to be able to take place. That’s not the way I wanted the trip to start, but I reminded myself that “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). Fortunately, I was not stranded with nothing to do. I continued to Cleveland and looked forward to making contact with many I have missed seeing face to face over the past year. What a blessing it was to hear how God is working in so many of my brother’s and sister’s lives. And I was able to do some important work on my radio ministry as well.
On my way home a week later I had some time to kill in Newark airport. So, I started to take a walk. Almost immediately I noticed a young man sitting at a table reading his Bible. Rather than killing time I went over to him and tried starting a conversation. It was kind of like, when Jesus saw a man on the side of the road one day who was blind since birth (John 9). Jesus noticed him. So did his disciples. They saw a problem. Jesus saw an opportunity. Jesus didn’t miss this opportunity, because He knew, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” Rather than kill time, He made the most of the moment. That’s the secret of Serendipitous Encounters: train yourself to look for and make the most of opportunities (Ephesians 5:15-20).
Back to this guy who was reading his Bible. I approached him as though he was probably a brother, not a stranger. The problem, however, was, he couldn’t speak or understand English. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit reminded me that on my website my program archives are in English and Spanish. I quickly got my phone out and went to my website and found the program for Tuesday and clicked on the Spanish version. He immediately recognized it was in his mother tongue and listened to the whole program – in Spanish it is 3 minutes long. I sat by him and showed him how he could find the program and listen to it daily. If you are curious you can look up and listen to that program: gettinggodsmessage.org, and find it in the archives for Tuesday, February 6, 2024. If you can’t find it, email me and I’ll send you a copy.
I also found out he was far more proficient in using the phone, eg. He soon typed out a Spanish statement, and had it translated into English. Slowly we got a little conversation going via the phone. He was married and has an 11 year old daughter. They were left behind. He was being deported back to his country in South America. I gave him a tract and paged through it to where there is a prayer of commitment. He took a photo of it and got it translated into Spanish so he could understand it. I felt led to just say a short prayer in English asking God to be with him. When I finished, I asked him if he would like a donut from Dunkin Donuts? He nodded Yes. So, we went over and got two bottles of water and a donut for him. He wanted to take a selfie before we parted, and I tried to take one of us on my phone. It didn’t turn out, so he took my phone and took a selfie of us for me.
I don’t know how this Serendipitous Encounter plays out from here. But some day in glory we’ll find out!
Update from Lud, beginning 2024
January 2nd, 2024
What’s in your “bucket list” for 2024?
Maybe we should also ask ourselves, “What’s in God’s ‘bucket list’ for me in 2024”?
Paul addressed this in his letter to the Colossian Church, when he wrote out his prayer for them: “We have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding…in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9-10). In another place Paul added a further dimension: “We constantly pray for you…that by his power God may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).
For prayer: I am planning to continue having a vesper service here once a month – next one will be on January 14. I shared a copy of my book, Walking as He walked, with each resident here – pray that God will use it to draw people closer to Him. Work is being done on my website to improve its usefulness. Translation of my program into Portuguese is being done – pray for someone to do the audio.
HERE IS A NOTE from one who receives my monthly Updates. Pray that her “bucket list” request be fulfilled:
Dear Lud, I heartily agree with those who say your emails are encouraging and enjoyable! I love the stories of God giving you opportunities to share the gospel, and they have made me more bold in my witness. I especially loved your story of being in the hospital with Covid, and how God used you to meditate, pray for and witness to so many people there! I pray now in every setting I’m in that God will help me to say a word about what a faithful God I have, and I’m surprised how easily I can find something to say to strangers about how Jesus has cared for me so well. I wish and pray for the ability to “seal the deal” the way you do, but God continues to use you in your older years, and maybe He will help me become better at actually seeing people be saved in response. Blessings, Liz
HERE IS WHAT I SENT TO HER to help her fulfill her desire.
Hi Liz,
Thanks for your email. It was an encouragement to me.
Regarding your sharing the gospel: I’m glad you are finding it easier to share, but have a hard time closing the deal. There are three things that might help. 1. Pray for God to open hearts and the Holy Spirit’s enabling power. 2. Write out your testimony on one sheet of paper.. One third about your life before you trusted Christ. One third about how you trusted in Him. This is where you want to be clear enough about the steps you took that after hearing your testimony, they would know how to do it. Last third, what difference has it made in your life since you made that decision. Then learn it so that you can on the spur of the moment share it. If you know it well, you can shorten it if necessary or extend it if you have time. 3. Always have a tract or pamphlet with you that explains the gospel clearly. Below is one that I use often. If there is an interest in the one you’re talking to, you can take it out and actually read it with them. It has a prayer in it, and I often read the prayer and then ask if they would like to pray it. They can just read it as their prayer. If they don’t feel comfortable doing that, leave the pamphlet with them so they can read it over, think about it, and maybe pray later on their own.
Hope this is helpful.
LUD
Maybe we should also ask ourselves, “What’s in God’s ‘bucket list’ for me in 2024”?
Paul addressed this in his letter to the Colossian Church, when he wrote out his prayer for them: “We have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding…in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9-10). In another place Paul added a further dimension: “We constantly pray for you…that by his power God may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).
For prayer: I am planning to continue having a vesper service here once a month – next one will be on January 14. I shared a copy of my book, Walking as He walked, with each resident here – pray that God will use it to draw people closer to Him. Work is being done on my website to improve its usefulness. Translation of my program into Portuguese is being done – pray for someone to do the audio.
HERE IS A NOTE from one who receives my monthly Updates. Pray that her “bucket list” request be fulfilled:
Dear Lud, I heartily agree with those who say your emails are encouraging and enjoyable! I love the stories of God giving you opportunities to share the gospel, and they have made me more bold in my witness. I especially loved your story of being in the hospital with Covid, and how God used you to meditate, pray for and witness to so many people there! I pray now in every setting I’m in that God will help me to say a word about what a faithful God I have, and I’m surprised how easily I can find something to say to strangers about how Jesus has cared for me so well. I wish and pray for the ability to “seal the deal” the way you do, but God continues to use you in your older years, and maybe He will help me become better at actually seeing people be saved in response. Blessings, Liz
HERE IS WHAT I SENT TO HER to help her fulfill her desire.
Hi Liz,
Thanks for your email. It was an encouragement to me.
Regarding your sharing the gospel: I’m glad you are finding it easier to share, but have a hard time closing the deal. There are three things that might help. 1. Pray for God to open hearts and the Holy Spirit’s enabling power. 2. Write out your testimony on one sheet of paper.. One third about your life before you trusted Christ. One third about how you trusted in Him. This is where you want to be clear enough about the steps you took that after hearing your testimony, they would know how to do it. Last third, what difference has it made in your life since you made that decision. Then learn it so that you can on the spur of the moment share it. If you know it well, you can shorten it if necessary or extend it if you have time. 3. Always have a tract or pamphlet with you that explains the gospel clearly. Below is one that I use often. If there is an interest in the one you’re talking to, you can take it out and actually read it with them. It has a prayer in it, and I often read the prayer and then ask if they would like to pray it. They can just read it as their prayer. If they don’t feel comfortable doing that, leave the pamphlet with them so they can read it over, think about it, and maybe pray later on their own.
Hope this is helpful.
LUD
Update from Lud, Christmas ’23
December 8th, 2023As we approach Christmas, I want you to know how much your friendship and prayers have encouraged me this year. It has been quite a journey: In the hospital with pneumonia in January, traveled to North Carolina and entered my new two room apartment in February, sold my house in Novelty in March, and started my “new normal” life here. It’s been quite a journey! I’ve worked at learning my new neighbor’s
names, shared some of my books with residents, prayed with two as they accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, and led three Sunday afternoon “Vesper” services. Please pray that God will bless as I lead the next Vesper service on December 17. Also, that I might bloom where I have been planted by the Lord “for the display of His splendor” (Isaiah 61:3)
Fifty years ago, we as a family of six, did a special Christmas project, sending New Testaments to 250 people, the only ones listed in the telephone directory of Sikkim, a small Himalayan country northeast of India. It now is a province of India. Mur typed the addresses, and the rest of us packaged, stamped and sent out the NTs from Novelty, OH.
Three months later we started receiving letters from some who received the NTs. Mr. Lingdong, was a believer and elder in a church in the capital of Gangtok. I corresponded with him for a number of decades, sending literature to help with the ministry of his church. Another fascinating experience involved a group of young troublemakers who were planning to kidnap the wife of the Prince of Sikkim the day after the NTs arrived. They resented her, a socialite from Cleveland, OH. When the young leader of this group got home his father showed him the NT that came to their home that day. He started reading it and was so fascinated that he read it all night. When he didn’t show up to lead the planned kidnapping the group came to his home to find out why? He told them not to bother him and kept on reading. While this was happening, the Prince found out about the planned kidnapping and whisked his wife and son out of the country to safety. I don’t know the rest of the story. Sorry. But God promises that when His Word goes forth it will not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:10-11).
