God is Bigger Than the Hot Mess

I'm a hot mess of a hurting momma. My kids hurt, I hurt. What to say? What not to say? What to do? What not to do?

And it is constantly changing.  As a parent, just when you get something figured out, it changes. Then they grow up and everything is different again. My kids, but their journey. With 2 of my children  already married, (a grandbaby on the way-how did I get this old so fast???), and my youngest a senior in high school, my life is really changing. My friend, Julie, texted me: The book we really needed was "What to Expect 17 Years After You Were Expecting".  So true.

A mentor friend, Lois, told me to keep praying and journaling; keep seeking God's guidance! (I love the comfort of my journal- soft leather tactile comfort!! Thank you Murdy Creative Co ) As I was praying for God's presence & guidance, here are the bits and pieces from my devotion readings that really spoke to my heart one day last week.  My journal entry:

Devotions today exactly what I need-

from Portals of Prayer 9/19/19 by Bryan Hopfensperger

"What is God's will for you? That you would be saved! That you would hear His Word & have forgiveness of your sins. That you would be washed in Baptism's waters & be fed the bread of Heaven-body and blood of Jesus for your forgiveness and salvation.  

This is God's desire for ME!! (Very comforting and and puts into perspective all the mom stuff-God is bigger!)

Redeemer devotions from Daily Bread by Kirsten Holmberg, 

From Ecclesiastes 3:1-14

A Fitting Time "a time for everything, & a season for every activity under heaven" v.1

In seasons of heartache, we can trust God to bring something good from this time. Our comforts & joys may come & go, but God's works "will endure forever" v.11. We may not relish every season-some are quite painful-yet He can bring beauty to them all. 

Father, You have permitted this season in my life. Help me to be content in the midst of it & to recognize Your power & might are at work. 

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them                     

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up, 

a time to keep and a time to throw away, 

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak.” Ecclesiastes 3

And wow I guess God really wanted me to read this part of His word today... Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 is also the Hinz family verse for today chosen by Markus & Lauren!

I pray that YOU, like me, are blessed with God's truth. In the midst of the hot mess hurting momma moments, God is bigger!! In the midst of hot mess hurting momma moments, God is comforting. In the hot mess hurting momma moments, God is guiding.

Best of Times, Worst of Times

As my family travels we like to sing along with Jimmy Buffet, “These changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes, Nothing remains quite the same…” This time of year is filled with graduations, weddings, and new babies, Changes…”Nothing remains quite the same.”

Personally my family is about to experience a major change. (More on that in a later blog!!) Changes are often both the best of times and the worst of times.

I invite you to read a blog post I wrote for WLI:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” So begins “A Tale of Two Cities”. Since my high schooler was reading this classic story, I decided to read it, too. I love the way Charles Dickens masterfully creates contrasts.

“It was the best of times…” It was Christmas Eve. “It was the worst of times.” It was Grandma Barbara’s last breaths on earth. My son, along with his new bride, Leah...continue reading here http://wlicuw.org/the-best-of-times-the-worst-of-times/

When I think of change, a few lines from a verse of one of Dad’s favorite hymns, “Abide with Me” comes to my mind:

“Change and decay in all around I see;

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.”

As we go through changes, we cling to our Savior, who does not change. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrew 13:8

If you are looking for a speaker for your group, please contact me; I love to talk! Check out the link to my page on WLI Speaker’s Bureau http://wlicuw.org/profile/speaker-karen-sue-hinz-murdy/

The Women’s Leadership Institute educates, encourages, and equips women for Christian leadership in the home, church, workplace and the world. WLI’s vision is to develop capable and confident women who serve Christ, embrace their gifts in service and leadership, and mentor others to do the same. http://wlicuw.org/

MAKING THE MOST OF 2% Especially During Times of Upheaval

(Originally posted April 23, 2015  http://www.wheatridge.org/making-the-most-of-2/)

Time.  Twenty-four hours a day, the amount of time each person has each day whether rich or poor, young or old, couch potato or marathon champion.  For most people, 24 hours is too short to complete all they desire to do.  “Not enough time,” people moan and give as a common excuse for not exercising. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends between 150-300 minutes (midpoint 225 mins) of exercise per week for important health benefits.  Of the total 10,080 minutes available per week, 225 minutes of exercise time is only about 2% of the total time.

Early morning walkers at an LEA Convocation

What about spiritual exercise – time reading the Bible, praying, group Bible study, community worship? Although there are no specific spiritual exercise guidelines like there are for physical exercise, a spiritual exercise guideline could include 15 minutes daily of personal Bible reading and prayer, 60 minutes per week of group Bible study, and 60 minutes a week of church worship for a total of about 225 minutes per week.  Still, that’s approximately just 2% of the whole week.

In spite of these both only being about 2% the time in each week, many people struggle with finding time for spiritual and physical exercise.  How can churches encourage people to be successful with both physical and spiritual exercise?  Perhaps bringing together physical and spiritual exercise would be helpful.

Here are some idea starters for combining spiritual and physical exercise:

• Encourage individuals to listen to Bible readings and/or sermons on their phone or iPod while walking, running, or even exercising at a health club.
• Host aerobics, Zumba, or other exercise classes with praise music in the church multipurpose room.
• Install a prayer labyrinth on church property for members to walk and pray.
• Offer active games and activities for all ages (not just kids) at church picnics and events.
• Instead of mailing invitations to church events (such as VBS) to neighbors, divide up into teams and deliver them by hand.
• When visiting shut-ins and elderly, ask if you may take them for a walk outside (if they are wheel-chair bound, offer to push!)
• “Pray What You See” by walking your neighborhood and praying for the needs around you (Read how God has responded to Pastor Chris Paavola who is doing this as he plants a church in St. Louis)
• Extra Credit: Encourage church meetings to be held walking around a room instead of sitting (Lower blood pressure, calmer tempers, and increased productivity just might be the outcome of such a meeting!)

These are just a few ways churches have sought to combine spiritual and physical fitness. Which of these ideas might work in your church? What other ideas do you have?

For exercise resources, please check out wheatridge.org/logs