It’s almost the end of January, ’23. It feels somewhat similar to the end of January two years ago, when I was recovering from Covid. But this recovery is going slower. It has been three full weeks since being released from the hospital back home. But, as many of you know by now, I was selling my home to move to North Carolina to live closer to my daughter, Tammi, so I didn’t have a home to go to, and I wasn’t in good enough shape to stay with anyone in Ohio. Amazingly, family and friends, cleaned out the house, loaded a POD and their cars, while I stayed in a hotel room to rest. I had severe hick-ups, which made it almost impossible to speak with anyone. Eventually I was able to see the empty house for a couple of hours as the final things were being loaded. The next day, my son Jeff drove me down to NC.
It felt odd to me to not connect with folk, but throughout the hospital stay, hotel stay and even after getting to my daughter’s home, it was just too difficult to talk. It took another week before we could schedule our first Dr’s appointment. Ex-ray and blood tests indicated the infection was still there and needed antibiotic meds, in addition to what I was already taking, and upping the Oxygen I was on to start turning my condition around. That is beginning to happen, but slowly. I am confident you have been praying for me and my family even with limited knowledge of what was happening. Pray that the Drs, nurses and we ourselves monitor the progress well. Also for cooperative weather as we move things into the apartment this weekend and for the sale of the house to be completed. We don’t have to rush with the unpacking and turning my apartment into a home. Our kids and their families need to get back to their normal schedules – they have been very special throughout this rushed process.
I’m planning to hang a banner with EBENEZER emblazed on it. If you’re not familiar with Ebenezer, it’s from the Old Testament book, 1 Samuel 7:12 which tells us Samuel “named a place Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.” Because of Samuel’s faithfulness and Israel’s repentance and newfound faith in the one true Lord, “the hand of the Lord was against the enemy all of the days of Samuel” (1 Samuel 7:13).
I appreciate all the texts and emails sent. If you want to touch base, please do so by email or text, talking on the phone is still an issue. Thanks. Lud
Update from Lud
February 4th, 2023Update, Christmas, ’22
December 23rd, 2022
I wondered how to update all of you who prayed for Mur and Me over the last two years, and now me, after Mur entered her new home in heaven. I’ve remembered the thousands of embraces/hugs Mur and I enjoyed over the 64 years we knew each other, especially after I got home from extended trips overseas. After Mur’s health started declining those hugs became increasingly special. She started having a hard time getting out of bed and on her feet. I could coax her to get out of bed and stand, even if only for a moment, so we could hug. Toward the end I would have to lean over and hug her while she was lying in bed. The last time, I could only lean over and kiss her, tell her I loved her and then as she closed her eyes sing a couple of familiar hymns. Now, three months later I’m reminded of the popular Christian song, “I can only imagine…” where the writer listed some possibilities of what we might experience when arriving in heaven. Then I received a painting of being embraced, maybe lifted off her feet, and overjoyed by Jesus’ loving squeeze. It was a comfort to me and encouraged me to “press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:12). I know that Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers or sisters (Hebrews 2:11) and God is not ashamed to be called our God, for he has prepared a place for us (Hebrews 11:16). That is what our blessed hope is all about. AND THAT IS WHY JESUS CHRIST CAME. Be sure to make time to praise and worship HIM this Christmas.
Celebrating the life of Mur Golz
October 29th, 2022
What a glorious time we had as we celebrated the life of Mur on Sunday, October 23. So many commented on how beautiful and gracious a woman she was. It is clear, many considered her as embodying many of the traits of the one described in Proverbs 31: “A wife of noble character…She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life…She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her…a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise.” That is who she was during her pilgrimage on earth, a recipient of the amazing love of God, a child of God. I referred to her in the service as being like “an oak of righteousness, a planting of the lord for the display of his splendor” (Isaiah 61:3). Just think of the splendor she displays now in heaven, as described in 1st John 3:3, “We shall be like him (Jesus), for we shall see him as he is!”
What a privilege was mine. We met over 64 years ago and celebrated our 63rd anniversary on August 8. We have four married children, 12 grandchildren (7 are married), and 11 great grandchildren (she got to hold all of her great grandchildren in her arms during her final year). And as a member of our board for the radio ministry, she was present, though in her bed in our family room, at our last board meeting, just two days before going to her eternal home. She finished well, at the close of “a long obedience in the same direction.”
If you were not able to be at the “Celebration of her Life’s” service, you can see it by clicking on the link below to see the service on YouTube. There is about 8 minutes of slides before the service starts. The slides continue after the service
https://youtu.be/aBX_A9YKWUw
What a privilege was mine. We met over 64 years ago and celebrated our 63rd anniversary on August 8. We have four married children, 12 grandchildren (7 are married), and 11 great grandchildren (she got to hold all of her great grandchildren in her arms during her final year). And as a member of our board for the radio ministry, she was present, though in her bed in our family room, at our last board meeting, just two days before going to her eternal home. She finished well, at the close of “a long obedience in the same direction.”
If you were not able to be at the “Celebration of her Life’s” service, you can see it by clicking on the link below to see the service on YouTube. There is about 8 minutes of slides before the service starts. The slides continue after the service
https://youtu.be/aBX_A9YKWUw
Mur Golz died on September 20, ’22
October 7th, 2022
Mur will not have any more temporary “home stays!!!” She has successfully “fought the good fight…finished the race…kept the faith!!!” (2nd Timothy 4:7). For one brief moment, at about 11pm on Monday night, as the finish line was in sight for her, I caught her eyes open, trying to focus on me, as I leaned over and said, “I love you.” Then her eyes closed. I dozed off beside her until about 3:30am when I heard slow, strained breathing. 15 minutes later she must have crossed the finish line. Silence in the room. When the nurse came in to give her more medication at 3:45am she checked and confirmed it was over.
But it wasn’t over. Remember, she had “kept the faith,” believing in the promise Jesus gave in John 14:1-3, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” That’s her new address! That’s her permanent, eternal residence! That’s where she received “a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2nd Peter 1:11).
Though we will miss her and grieve the departure of Mur from here on earth, where all of us have a temporary home address, we celebrate her transition to her permanent, eternal residence. We are sure there is great rejoicing in heaven, welcoming her there. Down here we are planning to celebrate her life, and glorify her Savior, at a memorial service on Sunday, October 23, at 2pm, at our church we helped establish 46 years ago, Fellowship Bible Church, now called Fellowship City Church. We hope you will be able to join us.
But it wasn’t over. Remember, she had “kept the faith,” believing in the promise Jesus gave in John 14:1-3, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” That’s her new address! That’s her permanent, eternal residence! That’s where she received “a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2nd Peter 1:11).
Though we will miss her and grieve the departure of Mur from here on earth, where all of us have a temporary home address, we celebrate her transition to her permanent, eternal residence. We are sure there is great rejoicing in heaven, welcoming her there. Down here we are planning to celebrate her life, and glorify her Savior, at a memorial service on Sunday, October 23, at 2pm, at our church we helped establish 46 years ago, Fellowship Bible Church, now called Fellowship City Church. We hope you will be able to join us.
Update for September 21, ’22
September 22nd, 2022
Muriel June Golz, age 83, beloved wife of Lud Golz for 63 years, was welcomed into the loving arms of her Savior on September 20, 2022, with her husband at her bedside. She was born on December 21, 1938, in Carney, Michigan. Her family moved to Evanston, Illinois during her High School years and she attended Trinity College. After marrying Lud Golz in l959 they served two churches in Illinois, then two churches in Ohio. She is survived by her husband, four children: Greg (Judy) Golz, Debbie (Brad) Houlberg, Tammi (Bill) Wilson, and Jeff (Beth) Golz; 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She was a devoted pastor’s wife, teaching in Sunday School and leading a women’s Bible Study for many years. The family is having a memorial service on Sunday, October 23, at 2:00pm, at Fellowship City Church, 16391 Chillicothe Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023. The family asks, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Getting God’s Message, 9584 Kinsman Rd, Novelty, OH 44072; Compassion International; or Josh McDowell Ministries.
