FORCED REST

God has placed me in a major FORCED REST. The doctor emphatically declared, "DO NOTHING/COMPLETE REST" for at least several weeks, but possibly several months. Yikes! Why? Diagnosis: post-viral pericarditis. This is my best opportunity to completely heal, or else I might battle pericarditis the rest of my life.

I am an exerciser, biker, walker, runner and as my son says, "Mom, this is quite possibly the hardest/worst thing you will ever have to do, but please, please do it-we want you to get better." 

Since pericarditis is chest pain and extreme fatigue, turns out, it is easy to rest. At first, looking at and deleting lots of old email (and finding a few buried treasures), phone calls, texts, podcasts, a little TV, but that is not really very restful. Now reading books, journaling, some porch rocking chair visits with friends. I am so thankful for current Bible studies, devotions, quiet time, etc., and just hearing God's peace and comfort. My second story bedroom has a wall of windows with a little sitting area-my family affectionately calls it Grandpa and Grandma's “tree house". I love sitting in my recliner, gentle breezes, lovely birds' songs (until they stop around 1:00 pm-apparently the birds take a siesta-HA), or sitting on my back patio under the trees by our peaceful fountain. I am so thankful for big windows, beautiful blue skies, recliners, great medical care and medicines, for my incredible family, for friends who have reached out to us. I am thankful I do not have little children whom I am taking care of, nor an intense job that is pushing me back to work.

Generally I have been very involved with the ministry of Concordia High School..."go and make disciples" what better place than local teens? Teenage years-so important for faith development and launching into life. Future Christian leaders of homes, churches, our nation, etc. With our chaotic world, I delight in helping with a joy-filled, faith-filled place for teens to spend their days learning and growing.

My kids are all thriving in faith, family, careers, all more than 1000 miles away, but still very "close" lots of visits, texts, facetime, etc. I have been with most of them in person most of the months in 2026. In September, I will have 7 grandchildren under 7 years old. Lots of facetime visits with grandkids. (A few weeks ago I read books to my 6 yr old grandson for over 2 hrs on FT!) Still opportunities for encouraging and  influencing the next generations with God's Word.

My husband continues to provide compassionate complex care to many many patients whom he considers his friends. (His goal is to make every patient laugh during their visit and send them out with a remedy for their problems!) He is becoming very unique in the medical world that sadly now is very focused on numbers. He does not want to abandon his people. Walking away will be hard. He is getting older and appreciates my support in just handling everything at home (before pericarditis!) and my encouragement so he can continue on. Retirement timing is constantly in our prayers and discussions.

Having this unknown time frame-very hard! But do we know any time frame? All we really know is that we are in God's hand!!  “ It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deut. 31:8

I am torn between this sweet REST with all responsibilities released versus wanting to get back to ahhh just a nice bike ride on the trail, walking up stairs at normal pace without chest pain, working with my people and responsibilities for the mission of CHS, and running and playing with my precious grandchildren, etc. 

Here are very specific verses God has given me for this time-through my Bible readings or what people have sent to me :

2 Cor. 12:9-10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Praying that I can have complete recovery, but ultimately I know that God's will is best!!

May God bless and keep you and yours-especially in the unexpecteds.

If you have any stories about pericarditis from your family and friends, please share them with me.

Resources for REST from "Run Hard. Rest Well."

Stuck in My Rocking Chair With Covid and I Cannot Get Out

My time has come…covid. My "medical" husband and I had just been contemplating the fact that after all this time and multiple exposures to covid, maybe I was just one of those people who would not get covid. Then whammy; I was struck with the dreaded virus. Only it was not too bad. In fact, if there was not so many unknowns, news media dramas, and anxieties swirling over "covid", this would have been another "run of the mill" illness. I have had worse. 

So what are the knowns: 

1. God is, and always will be, in charge of the universe. (Genesis 1, Hebrews 1:1-4, Psalm 8:1-4)

2. The death rate is 100% for everyone. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the punishment of sin is death. (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23)

3. Jesus has paid the price of our sin and for those who believe in Jesus as Savior, we will have eternal life in Heaven with God forever where there will be no more sickness or sadness. YEAH!! (Ephesians 4:2-9, John 3:16-17, Revelation 21:4)

4. As the covid virus mutates, it will become more contagious, but thankfully less deadly. I love the number of times God assures us, "Do not fear." I love the number of times God tells us, He is with us. Immanuel-God with us. I love that no matter what, God holds us.  (Deuteronomy 31:8, Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 41:13, Psalm 23:4)

5. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones from or with covid. But my heart also goes out to those who have and continue to lose loved ones from cancer, heart disease, diabetes, dementia, depression, car accidents, etc. (See #2.) 

My worse symptom was an incredible fatigue that hit me early Sunday morning. I did not go to church. I did not get out of my pajamas. I did not get of of my rocker recliner. (I am a mover. HA. Very unlike me to sit for me than 30 minutes at a time.) However, as I look back it was a good time. Yes, a good time!

My covid thankful list:

1. I am so thankful we had a good time with all four of our boys, two lovely daughters-by-love, and our sweet Baby James home between Christmas & New Year. I am so happy I was not sick when they were home; I became sick the day they left. (I am so glad none of them ended up sick.)
2. I am so thankful for my sweet doctor.  She was so helpful, caring, and easily accessible.
3. I am so thankful I was able to do a ton of reading. It was great! Hours and hours of uninterrupted reading. I never have time to sit and read...Or actually I am never very good at sitting for extended periods of time to read. 
4. I am so thankful for fellow commiserators. My sister from Michigan had covid, too, so we had great long phone conversations. One of my best friends, also had it. Her word for the year was "whimsey" and we shared great whimsical conversations and laughter through our texts. 

5. I am so thankful for #3 son home on college break who- without even being asked- cooked meals for us, cleaned up our home from the holiday clutter, and did multiple loads of laundry of towels and sheets from everyone being home. Another reason to resist killing your teenagers.
6. I’m so thankful that I was ok. Still a tiny bit on the mend. Steroids helped.
7. I am so thankful for alka seltzer cold plus & cough medicine. They did not have that in Laura Ingalls Wilder days. 

So many of us are suffering-from illnesses, loss, disappointments, fear of future. Our nation is in a heap of hurt whether it be political disagreement, racial disharmony, differences of opinions regarding vaccinations or masks, and so much more.

Contemplate this in crazy covid times: If each one of of us could live out what the Apostle Paul exhorts us to do, life could be so much better. I encourage you to encourage your family and friends to uphold each other in living life better, living life God's way: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

From February 18, 2018 to February 18, 2020

About two years ago, life felt tumultuous! The future was unknown. (Let's be real, even if we think we know the future, the future IS unknown... Ugly cancer diagnosis. Death by motorcycle crash. Unfortunate estranged relationships.) What was known is that God kept declaring- through friends, Bible readings, devotions- "Do not be afraid. I will never leave you or forsake you!"
On February 18, 2018, we worshipped at the church of my nephew, Pastor Tim Fraker, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Weatherford, TX.
The sermon text was from Matthew 6:10. "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven."
Pastor Tim asked three questions:
1. What is your present need?
2. What is your past thanksgiving?
3. What is your future hope?
At the time, I had no idea that my "present need" would ultimately lead to a "past thanksgiving" because in that need came the change that brought us so many blessings in our move to Texas. Nearby family. Warmer weather. Brighter sunshine. Wildflowers galore. Fulfilling jobs. And Concordia High School, Austin, TX- a perfect fit for our youngest son- with rigorous academics, leadership development, and personal relationships with Godly mentors.
Now two years later that same verse from Matthew 6:10 "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven" is the focus of a prayer movement for Concordia High School.  Will you pray? Please click on this link to watch the video:  https://chsaustin.org/iwillpray I will pray! Text PRAYCHS to 844-901-1659. #iwillprayforCHS

Difficult Boss? Difficult Dad (or Other Family Member)? Difficult_______?

Everyone has THAT someone-that difficult person.
As I think about Father's Day quickly approaching, I am so thankful for my kind and wise father who died in 2006. I was so blessed to have a loving father.
But I know some people have a different story- a "Difficult Dad". Or some difficult relationship. Click on this link for a blog post I wrote for Women's Leadership Institute about difficult relationships.
http://wlicuw.org/difficult-boss/

Hope this is helpful for you in dealing with that difficult person in your life.

http://wlicuw.org/profile/speaker-karen-sue-hinz-murdy/


The Women's Leadership Institute educates, encourages, and emboldens Christian women for exemplary leadership. I am thankful for the many ways WLI has educated, encouraged, and emboldened me through conferences, workshops, interactions with inspirational leaders, and their website.
Check out more information about Women's Leadership Institute 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