http://podloni.co.cc Judy Newz http://www.judynewz.com Judy Williams and more... Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:55:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 en Serendipity in San Diego http://www.judynewz.com/200809_68/ http://www.judynewz.com/200809_68/#comments Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:47:32 +0000 Judy http://www.judynewz.com/200809_68/ Serendipity is defined by Webster as: The  phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not  sought for. 

Don’t you just love those moments in life when God sends something agreeable, surprising, fun, but  totally unexpected and not sought after? Have you had a moment of serendipity this week? 

This event could not have been pulled off had I used all of my resources, yet it happened this morning. Unexpectedly, delightfully and effortlessly God sent me a gift of serendipity in San Diego.

Whether you visit Sea World, the USS Midway,  Lego Land,  or the San Diego Zoo, you can find a ticket for it in sunny San Diego. However, this is one event that I did not need a ticket for. It came to me freely,unexpectedly and effortlessly but with plenty of goosebumps!

After one week of vacation we were set to go home on an afternoon flight scheduled for the next day. Our airline tickets were purchased and our plans were set.However on a whim we decided to stay in sunny San Diego for another four days of vacation. We cancelled our ticket home and began to look for a new hotel to stay in for the remainder of our trip.  A  downtown  hotel had a nice room available, but just for one night, so we moved there.

Waking up to traffic noise and trains, we headed to the lobby for a buffet breakfast before departing this hotel for the suburbs. Filling our plates with omelettes, fruit cups and hashbrowns we sat down and began to eat.

We happened to be seated next to a group of two British couples trying to fit at a tiny table for two. Meanwhile, the two of us were comfortable at a table for four. Graciously, my husband offered to trade tables with them. This small act of kindness was to reap surprising fruit.

Being the grand-daughter of an immigrant from Great Britain, I was very interested when I heard their accent as we began the table switch. You see, my British Grand-dad immigrated to the United States in the early 1900’s from England.

 Amidst the shuffle the shuffle of tea cups, plates of fruit, omelettes and potatoes, I asked where they were from. “The UK, they replied.” Intrigued, I said, ” I have a cousin in Ipswich.” Their eyes opened wider and Jane leaned forward in her chair saying “Why that is exactly where I live!”As they asked me where in Ipswich that my cousin lived, I could not recall the full address only Villa Farm something….Fitting together bits and pieces they said “Could it be Rushmere Villa Farm by chance?”

Excitedly, I said”Yes! That’s it!”. Immediately the husband mumbled to his wife, “Hmmm, the only person I can think of there is Mike and Christine H.”

“Yes!” I said, “She is my Father’s cousin.” By now, we were all getting goosebumps.

Further conversation revealed that Jane, the wife of this particular couple grew up knowing my British cousins very well. In fact she spent many days in their home. Her parents and my cousins were very close friends.

Here we were, strangers all sitting three feet apart in the same city, at the same hotel, choosing to eat breakfast at the same time and serendipity brought us together across the miles of Atlantic Ocean. What an incredibly small world we live in.

After exchanging business cards, it turns out that we are all in the same career field as well. Invitations were made all around to come and visit one another’s home.

Today’s happenstance meeting created a modern day connection to the British family that my Grand-dad left behind almost 100 years ago in England.

How delightful to have this surprising, agreeable and yet totally unexpected meeting take place. Truly it was a moment of serendipity in San Diego.

]]> http://www.judynewz.com/200809_68/feed/ A Penny for Your Worries http://www.judynewz.com/200805_66/ http://www.judynewz.com/200805_66/#comments Sun, 25 May 2008 22:34:55 +0000 Judy http://www.judynewz.com/200805_66/ Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.”

So often we allow the things of time to loom larger in our gaze than the things of eternity. “The tiniest of coins, when held close to the eyes, can blot out the sun.” says Selwyn Hughes.

When we worry about something it becomes so large that we cannot see clearly. Our vision becomes clouded and we may lose sight of our trust in God.

Imagine this. You have one eye shut and one eye open. You are holding a penny six inches away from your open eye. This penny symbolizes your worry. Now slowly move the penny closer to your open eye. What happens? It blots out the light and looms very large in front of you doesn’t it?

Worry is like that. As you focus on your worry, it becomes all you can see, it blots out all light and hope around you.

Now imagine this.What if you were to slowly move the penny away from your open eye? What happens? Notice with the penny away from your eye, that you can read the message God has for you on the penny. See it? “In God We Trust.”

Don’t allow your worries to so cloud your vision that you lose sight of your trust in God. Take your cares to Him.

]]> http://www.judynewz.com/200805_66/feed/ Who can YOU encourage? http://www.judynewz.com/200805_62/ http://www.judynewz.com/200805_62/#comments Sat, 24 May 2008 02:44:19 +0000 Judy http://www.judynewz.com/200805_62/ As God’s chosen people…clothe yourself with… kindness…   (Colossians 3:12)

There is an old story of an elderly man who always carried a little can of oil with him everywhere he went, and when he would go through a door that squeaked, he would squirt a little oil on the hinges. If he encountered a gate that was hard to open, he would oil the latch. And so he went through life, lubricating all the difficult places, making it easier for all those who came after him.

People called the man eccentric, strange, and crazy, but he went steadily on, often refilling his can of oil when it was nearing empty, and oiling all the difficult places he found.

In this world there are many lives that painfully creak and grate as they go about their daily work. Often is seems that nothing goes right with them and that they need a touch of the  “oil of joy”, gentleness, or thoughtfulness.

Do you carry your own can of oil with you? Are you ready with your oil of helpfulness each morning? If you offer your oil to the person nearest you, it may just lubricate the whole day for him.

You oil of cheerfulness will mean more than you know to someone who is downhearted. Or the oil may be a word of encouragement to a person who is full of despair. Never fail to speak it, for our lives may touch others only once on the road of life, and then our paths may diverge, never to meet again. 

(Portion from ‘Streams in the Desert’)

]]> http://www.judynewz.com/200805_62/feed/ People Watching with a Purpose http://www.judynewz.com/200805_61/ http://www.judynewz.com/200805_61/#comments Mon, 19 May 2008 23:01:45 +0000 Judy http://www.judynewz.com/200805_61/ Have you ever noticed that there are people out there who are different from YOU? Just try sitting down at the mall or local park and watch the variety of people going by.  Recently, I attended a fascinating conference regarding how we are all ‘wired’ differently. I will post some photos soon.At this conference on ‘Personality’  I learned that there are 4 different temperment or personality types. You may find you are mostly one temperment type, or you may be a blend of two different types. 

  1. The most easily recognized Personality is the Popular Sanguine .They are like a ray of sunshine, they love sparkly bright clothing and their motto is ”I just want to have fun!”.
  2. Next is the Powerful Choleric personality. They get more done in a day than most do in a week. They walk fast, talk fast, do everything fast. Their motto is “I just want to have control.
  3. The Perfect Melancholy people would say their motto is ”I  just want perfection .” They dress to blend into the woodwork and do not like flashy clothes.
  4. Least recognizable is the  Peaceful Phlegmatic. They are calm like green, green grass. They love to wear  clothing that above all is comfortable! Their motto is ” I just want to have peace!”

When you learn to recognize and identify these four different Personality types, you are well on your way to “People Watching with a Purpose”.

]]> http://www.judynewz.com/200805_61/feed/ Tale of the Teapot http://www.judynewz.com/200805_60/ http://www.judynewz.com/200805_60/#comments Fri, 09 May 2008 06:59:26 +0000 Judy http://www.judynewz.com/200805_60/ God sees the big picture. He knows what He is doing.  He is big enough to love you in large and tiny ways. Always, He has our best interests at heart. He sees the future and weaves our present upon the framework of our past. Know that God is in control and He is generous.  “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power and the wonders He has done.” Psalm 78:4  

The tale of the teapot, recounts the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. It tells of His awe- inspiring  power. No detail in your life is overlooked by Him. Even when you think He didn’t see, He didn’t notice, He did see. He did notice… He loves you in amazing ways. 

Over a half a century ago we were privileged to go to a camp for university students north of

Toronto. It was located in the beautiful

Lake of

Bays Region on

Fairview

Island. God used the Biblical teaching, lectures and the love of the people to help us become believers in Jesus. We went there several summers enjoying many rich and memorable experiences. Villages nearby had many little charming antique and gift shops. One day we found a very lovely English cobalt blue teapot overlaid with silver filigree. It was unusually beautiful. We decided to buy it as a special symbol, a special reminder of how God had given us so many wonderful times there.

 
 Newly married, we were settling in to our home in Fort Collins, Colorado. With the financial help of our parents and the insurance company of which Gene was the Personnel Manager, the Lord gave us a large house near

Colorado

State

University. We believed God wanted us to have an open home. Upon moving in, we took the locks off the doors. This resulted in a lot of activity. People were coming and going at all hours. One evening a homeless gentleman slept under our grand piano.  Most of the activity in our open home was from the Colorado State University students including some of the CSU  football team, even the famous Thum McGraw ( The McGraw Athletic Center at CSU is named for him.) Students came from other Colorado Universities as well. We had Bible studies, scheduled meetings and dinners. Also, many students came to ‘Hang out’. There would be discussions on many topics, including topics and “life”. These often lasted late into the night. Wrestling and rough housing were often part of ‘hanging out’ and our furniture suffered. During the first year we replaced nine couches! This was no place for spindly French furniture. Finally, Gene’s Dad, who lived in town, was exasperated. He found a heavy sturdy steel framed couch at an auction that took four strong men to lift. During one of these times of a lot of activity and laughter the teapot fell and was shattered beyond repair.  We had a pretty good attitude about most of our things that got broken, but this teapot was so special and symbolic to us that we felt sad. A few other things that meant a lot to us were broken or stolen. There is a temptation to stop having an open home and say “We don’t want these people in our home any more.” We said, “God, are you trying to get out attention? What lesson do we need to learn?” We thought He said, “I love you and am your heavenly Father. You need a little ‘correction’ to refocus, to keep on course. You need to be really clear about what your priorities are. First, fix your eyes on Me. Wherever your treasure is, you may be certain that your heart will be there too.”  We sing the Scripture, “Seek ye first the

Kingdom of

God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” Does this mean, Seek ye first the

Kingdom of

God and His righteousness and ALL these things will be STRIPPED from you? What should be our attitude toward things? Corrie TenBoom said, “Hold THINGS loosely.” That can mean position, power, even our children- who are all from God. One saying we knew well is. “Do not love things and use people, but LOVE people and use things.” People are a priority over things. We are stewards of what God gives us and we should be good stewards- it is all God’s stuff anyway. It’s our attitude toward things that God cares about. We DO need a house or apartment or room to have an “open home.” It is nice to serve tea in a teapot, but it can be a very ordinary teapot and, if it breaks, get another one. Things are like equipment for the job. So we decided we would rather have people in our home and have some things get broken than not have people at ALL in order to protect our valuables….So…..LET THINGS GET BROKEN!

 We have tried to keep our priorities right, but we have had to refocus many times over the years. One Bible verse that greatly influenced us and impacted our lives is Luke 9:24: Jesus said, Jesus said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” God has given us lots of exciting and interesting people to love and serve. In our many trips to

Canada we did try to find another teapot like it, but never were able to. Fast forward about 30 years. We were in Vancouver, B.C.,

Canada.

We were at what was called a “Conference in the City” where Gene was speaking. A church had rented a small recreation center in the middle of the city. All the families came for the weekend, bringing sleeping bags and we all ate there, etc. As we were leaving at the end of the conference, a little old lady from

Australia we had just met on the weekend came to Gerri with a box all tied up. She said, “This is for Gene and you. I think you will enjoy it and can use it more than I will.” We had to dash off to catch a small plane because Gene had to speak at the

University of

Victoria the next day and there wasn’t a ferry that would get us there on time. We debated whether to check the box on the plane, but decided not to. We arrived at our hotel and those of you who know Gene will not be surprised to hear that he said, “I wonder what’s in the box? Maybe there are some sandwiches or a German chocolate cake.” So I opened the box and there was a VERY LOVELY ENGLISH COBALT BLUE TEAPOT OVERLAID WITH SILVER FILGEREE plus a ‘bonus’, a matching creamer and sugar, which we had never had. It was EXACTLY the same as the one that had been broken. The lady had no knowledge of our broken teapot. We found out later that she had brought these on a boat from Australia when she came to

Canada decades before! We were stunned. We could just say, “WOW.” Thank you God!

 This is what we called a Serendipity. “A happy and unexpected discovery or, looking for one thing and finding another.” So we had a Serendipity, a happy and unexpected discovery, we were looking for one thing and found another. We asked God again, “What lesson do we need to learn?” We think He said, “I love you. I am your Heavenly Father. I know ALL about you and want to encourage you.” 1 Timothy 6:17 says, “God generously gives us everything for us to enjoy.” Psalm 149:4 says, “For the Lord takes delight in His people.” The scripture says that God loves a cheerful or hilarious giver. If God wants us to be hilarious givers, then He is definitely one too! He showed His love and care for us and took delight in giving us this gift, which would be meaningful to us, and we would know it came from Him. We read in James 1:11 “Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light.”  Jesus said, “Even the very hairs of your head are numbered.”  We know about His looking after the sparrows that are of small worth and He says, “Not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.”Does “God is in control” sound familiar? Then he says, “You are far more valuable than many sparrows.” Think about all of the details necessary to get the replacement teapot to us: the lady brought it on the boat from

Australia years ago, we met her only the one time at the conference and she was touched to be generous and give it to us. Ephesians 3:20 says, “God can do anything you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams.”  Then God led us to read Hebrews 6:10: “God doesn’t miss ANYTHING. He knows perfectly well all the love you’ve shown him by helping needy Christians, and that you keep at it.”  No detail of life just happens. Nothing escapes His attention. An Old Testament verse says, “Do not despise the day of small things.” 

God remembered a broken teapot and showed us that He cares about every tiny thing that happens to us in our life.

May you be encouraged as you read this that God can be trusted with all things in your life, both big things and small things.Our God is BIG. Our God is AWESOME!

Gerri’s Teapot  is as told to me in her  2007 Christmas letter.

The author, Gerri Thomas, was on staff with my parents at the Bear Trap Ranch, an Intervarsity camp just outside of

Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Her husband Gene taught there as well as in many other locations.

]]> http://www.judynewz.com/200805_60/feed/ Maganimity http://www.judynewz.com/200709_57/ http://www.judynewz.com/200709_57/#comments Tue, 04 Sep 2007 05:18:09 +0000 Judy http://www.judynewz.com/200709_57/ Found any new favorite blog sites lately? I did and I LOVE it! Check it out for yourself at 

http://5purposedriven.wordpress.com/

The author “Maggie” wrote the following. I loved it and thought you all may too. 

Maganimity– don’t you just LOVE that word!

 to be

  • big-hearted,
  • quick to forgive,
  • slow to hold a grudge,
  • freely giving of thought and mind.

Magnanimity: to be Christ-like. I love this word–I love the challenge and focus it brings! I AM A LONG WAY OFF…but, with the Life of Christ in me, I am certain to SHINE for Him with His life, love, and grace…to His fame! He gave everything for me, including His very life, that I might TRULY LIVE. This blog is a celebration of that magnanimous journey with Him, toward magnanimity for, and through, this One who is My Life and Love. So…here, I am “Maggie” for short (because Magnanimity is too hard to spell on a daily basis).

]]> http://www.judynewz.com/200709_57/feed/ Great Books for Summer Teachable Moments http://www.judynewz.com/200705_56/ http://www.judynewz.com/200705_56/#comments Tue, 29 May 2007 03:38:55 +0000 Judy http://www.judynewz.com/200705_56/ You may enjoy using some of the following books to be intentional this summer about  giving your child a Godly heritage.

  • The HoneyWord Bible by Tyndale Kids.
  • An Introduction to Family Nights Tool Chest.By Jim Weidmann. Published by Focus on the Family.
  • The Children’s Book of Virtues. Edited by William Bennett.
  • The Singing Bible. 1-800-A-FAMILY. Focus on the Family.
  • My Time with God. For 8-12 year olds.  150 days of discovering how awesome God really is! From Focus on the Family. 1-800-A-FAMILY.

These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7

]]> http://www.judynewz.com/200705_56/feed/ Turn Everyday Moments in Learning Moments http://www.judynewz.com/200705_55/ http://www.judynewz.com/200705_55/#comments Tue, 29 May 2007 03:21:14 +0000 Judy http://www.judynewz.com/200705_55/ Imagine this scene that happened at the home of Jim Weidmann. 
The kids are all standing at the foot of the stairs. Dad is at the top of that same staircase. They wait eagerly for Dad’s instructions. He says ” I’ll take you to Baskin & Robbins for ice cream if you can figure out how to get up here.” NOW he has the full attention of all 4 kids! “But there are a few rules. 1st you cant touch the stairs, 2nd, you cant touch the railing, Ready,now, begin! ”
After several quiet moments, the youngest speaks up. “That’s impossible Dad !How can we get to where you are with out touching the stairs or the railing?”
Suddenly, son Jacob gets an idea. “Hey Dad, Come down here.” Dad walks down the stairs. Jacob says,” OK Dad, now bend over while I get on your back. Okay, now climb the stairs Dad. ”
     Jacob was a winner! Dad explains how this simple game is like how it is impossible to get to God on our own. But when we trust Christ’s completed work on our behalf, we can get to heaven.A lasting impression is made.After a trip up the stairs on Dad’s back, the whole gang piles into the mini van for a double scoop of mint-chip ice cream.
Idea:Staircase Challenge. You may find this and more creative life lessons for your children in a great book by Jim Weidmann. It is called An Introduction to Family Nights Tool Chest , and is available from Focus on the Family.

]]> http://www.judynewz.com/200705_55/feed/