When you're smilin'...

    Not going to spend much time blogging today.  My man is back in town and I'd rather be looking in to his starry cornflower eyes that twinkle when he laughs...  (He's asleep actually, in the other room.  I was just attempting some of that poetic expression stuff, - not a big strong point for me - obviously.)

Moving right along...

I've been trying to whittle down some of the photos on my hard drive.  I came across are a few of my little guy that I thought might brighten your day.  They sure are making me smile.

Proverbs 15:15 ...  But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. 

Bon Appetite!

Love you, and, thanks for stopping by!

The Extraordinary Ordinary Me

      

Swear words are silly. This is a PG13 post.

       I have contemplated road-rage for as long as I can remember.   It puzzles me.  I still can't figure out why kindly good-hearted human beings turn into vulgarity (yes, it is indeed a word, Dr. H.) cannons when they're behind the wheel.   Does no one wonder if, maybe, the blinker doesn't work on that beat-up old chevy with the two-by-four bumper?  Or possibly, that everybody has that moment of indecision when the light turns yellow as you are mere feet from it.  Sure, some people drive like they're insane.  (Don't be afraid to call the authorities if you happen by someone who could take a life, because of reckless driving.)  And, yet, I find no place in the Bible where name-calling is encouraged under any circumstances.

    I was in a car accident seven years ago.   Somebody decided last-minute to make a sharp turn into a subdivision.   That of course, meant that everybody behind that car had to step on the brakes to avoid a collision.  I was among that line-up.  As I slammed my brakes,  a really weird thing happened.  I could no longer steer the car.  My brakes had locked.  Because the road was slick, my car slid into the oncoming lane, it's driver unsuccessfully doing everything possible to get back over.  Unfortunately, the zippy driver of the shiny new red car,  did not view our collision as an opportunity to make a new friend.  Perhaps, it was because she was a bit confused.  You see, she could not decide if I was an unintelligent girl-version of the canine species, or an orifice in the lower half of the body.  Either way, it would've been impossible for me to have intercourse with myself.  Moving on...

   Road rage is just one of those things that is "acceptable" because everybody does it.  Listen Buddy, (Just kidding. - "Buddy", in my neck of the woods is the mean-hearted, non-cuss word for bad drivers.) I'm just crazy enough to challenge that.  Try to think the best about the rest of the world behind the wheel.  They are the same people you see at church, the movies, and at the grocery store.  You wouldn't refer to them as "donkeys who have relations with their mother",  for taking the last buy-one get-one box of Wheaties, would you?  So, why direct imprudent sayings at them when they are in their vehicles?  I'm just sayin'.  Oh wait,  no, that's not me talking... It's Wisdom... Let me see where is it?...  Ahhh, here it is.

Wisdom is personified in the book of Proverbs.  She says...

I hate perverse speech.   Prov. 8:13

Also in James 3:9&10:   With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.


And in Philippians 2:3:  in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Anyway,  just chew on it for a while.  I love you.  You are the most AWESOME READERS EVER!

Love you,

Christina

PS.  I almost forgot!  The winner of the kneecap scar competition....

Congratulations Jennifer!  The scar is shaped like the letter H, but your guess, "L", was closest!

You have won $10 gift certificate to the place of your choice.  Let me know where you'd like to spend it!

To Infinity and Beyond

 Woo-hoo! I am geeked about Toy Story 3.  Those Pixar people aren't known to disappoint often (not too impressed with Rat's Patootie, or whatever that one with the culinary vermin was).  I plan to go see it the day it comes out (with or without kids?...that is the question...or is the question: popcorn drenched with equal parts heaven and hell, or baby carrots?  I'll let you know the answer to both later).  

          Buzz Lightyear may have coined the phrase in the title, but I find it applicable in my life as well.  Why?  Because it is relevant to every human being.  Not to be redundant, but that includes you and me.  God made it very specific in His word that he will use anybody, who is willing to be used by Him in whatever way they can.  God uses people for one thing: to help other people.   When you commit to that, you will eventually find yourself in places you never imagined, writing books you didn't know were in you, meeting with heads of state, and creating an impact beyond anything you could've ever thought possible.  The great men and women of the Bible never dreamed (except for Joseph (the guy with the cool coat), who dreamed it, but didn't understand it) that they would do the amazing things that they are remembered for.  Moses, who parted the waters and was responsible for the ten commandments, asked God, "Who in the world do You think I am?  I'm not a fancy talker, and I don't consider myself to be a great leader."  But, he was willing to do what God wanted him to do.  David, the singing kid who took care of sheep, had no idea he would slay a giant with a few pebbles, or become King of a nation.  The virgin Mary, was as confused as all get out when she became pregnant.  But, she achieved greatness because of her attitude of willingness.  

   I never dreamed that I would go to foreign nations where I would speak publicly before thousands of people, or that diseases would vanish from them when I preached the word of God.  I didn't know I would speak multiple languages.  For that matter, if you would've told me a year ago that I'd be writing a blog that would help people find a church or lose weight (or smile daily, xoxo), I would have told you, "You must be mistaken, I'm not that person."

     Below is the grave of a person, who much like the great people of the Bible, is still impacting others today.  I first learned of her five years after her demise.  I found a cassette tape with her name on it.  I listened to it.  She and her husband (also below) talked about how they traveled the world with their two small children, renting homes abroad, teaching the kids, cooking the meals,  and preaching the Gospel to every creature.  The Osborns are such an inspiration to me, and to people all over the world.  I thank God they made the cassette(s) and wrote the book(s). 

   Daisy Osborn, King David, the Virgin Mary, Mother Teresa, and (Do I dare put myself next to such a line-up?) Christina Lusk, have this in common; We are people just like you, who are doing or have done the simple things we know(knew) how to, to honor God.

  

   YOU are no different.  God has big, no, - HUGE plans for you.  His plans are to give YOU a hope and a wonderful future.  (He (Big Man Upstairs) actually told me to tell you that.)  If you ask Him to be the head honcho in your life, he will guide you gently into greatness.  All he wants is for you to do the things you know how to do.  Go to church (a church that says the same things (except for stuff about boogers and poop) that you read in this blog).  Meet somebody's need.  Be kind to others.  Pray. SEEK GOD. Belive it or not, these simple things are the keys to greatness.  Who knows?  You may become the next Walt Disney, Martin Luther King, or King David.... Or better yet, you could be YOU, the you God sees.  

To infinity and beyond, 

Christina

Restaurants that describe my body: The switch from "Dairy Queen" to "Hot & Now"

    Whew.  My sincere apologies for last night.  I had every intention in the world of writing to you, but somehow I ended up with my eyes closed and drool on my pillow instead.  When I discovered the run-away saliva,  I said, "Michael that's gross.", and he gave me my pillow back.
    But now I'm back, to let you know, I can really shake 'em down.  Oh how I long to scream, "Do you love me?!", but alas, Bambino is asleep, and that is currently more precious to me than belting The Contours.  (I am however, full-blown lip syncing to the melody in my head.)   So now that we're finished with the stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with the main focus of tonights post...
    
      I don't know about the rest of you, but I've been a little dissatisfied with the physical state of my body.  Now, before you go all, "Christina, you're so beautiful, you should really love yourself the way you are.", on me, lemme tell you, yes, I am and I do, BUT, I know that I'll FEEL better and enjoy time with my great-grandchildren,  if I start implementing a healthier lifestyle.  So that is what I've decided to do.  Fortunately for me, I have a fantastic husband that supports everything I do (Well, almost everything anyway, he wasn't completely on board when I wanted to dye my hair red, white, and blue,  or make the switch to turkey bacon.)  When I informed him I wanted to make healthier life choices he replied, "Great!  Me too! (except for turkey bacon) Let's do this thing."  Then, we worked out together and drank mates (mah-tays) while we discussed how good we felt after exercising.  Thanks Michael, you are above and beyond what I ever thought one could find in a spouse.
      So, I'm contemplating making every Friday's post a "fitness friday".  I will write about my fitness journey and maybe even give you a photo of me taken that day so you can view my progress.  I will also let you know my current weight  and my goal weight.  Please be encouraged to join me.  Also, give me some feedback to let me know if you this idea is interesting to you, or if you're like, "Please just stick to the formula and we will remain faithful to read this nutty blog."

I did some research, and although Paul says, "exercise profits little" (1 Tim. 4:8), he didn't say it doesn't profit at all, he was comparing it to the greatness of having a relationship with God.  Furthermore, back then the dude was probably walking miles each day, not even considering his mode of transportation to be exercise.  Also, he wasn't consuming beaucoup chemicals that messed with his metabolism.  And, last but not least, he was a GUY.  He did not care what his thighs looked like in a swimsuit.

Flipping through the book of love, I also found this verse:


1 Corinthians 10:31 (King James Version)

 31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 I am going to do all things, whether I am eating rabbit food, or enjoying a treat, (hey, He was the one who made cocoa beans and sugar cane), or typing an irreverent (and occasionally vulgar), blog,  to the glory of God.

Now I am going to do something completely gutsy.  I am going to walk over to the scale, step on it, look down at the numbers, and put those very numbers on this public writ.  OMG. This is tough. Here goes:

It says..... 146 lbs.  There you have it.  According to the doctor, 130 lbs. is a healthy goal for me.  So stay tuned to see 16 lbs. shed itself from my "getting more and more rockin', body".

Love you everybody!

PS.  My grandma planted peas for me in her garden.  They're my favorite.  Thanks G!

PPS.  To the ladies (Dana, Crystal, Marla, Kellie) who have been posting FB stats about jogging and biking, I thank you.  You have been great inspiration to me.  Keep up the great work!



    
  
   

Today was the day that the Lord had made.  I rejoiced and was glad in it.  God made this day.  I had no choice in the matter.  He did not ask my opinion.  He just made it.  He did give me a choice concerning my attitude.  I did not have to be glad.  I could've looked at the messy house and groaned. (Ok, I did, but I fixed my attitude quick.) I could've scratched my mosquito bites and grumbled.  But instead I thought about all the GOOD things I had going on.  Here are a few of the things I thought of.

The windows in my car go down again, YAY!  I am now able to get nifty pictures of myself, in the sideview mirror (until Michael drives though a rough neighborhood and makes me put the camera away and roll up the window:(  It's inevitable, every party has one.).

I got to go down memory lane a bit at the in-laws.  This is the Sting Ray Michael used to pick me up from high school in.  How sweet it was!  Below, is the tree house Michael's dad and older brothers built for him when he was a kid.  Michael and I used to play chess up there.  Now he sleeps up there every once in a while with Lucy and the nieces and nephews.

And what would a trip to Grandma & Grandpa Lusk's be without a tractor ride and a few smiling dogs?

I dare you to take a moment, and think of the good things He's done for you.  Do you have someone in your life who loves you? (If you say no, you'll hurt my feelings.)  Say it out loud.  "Thank you God for______________. " You may find once you start you may not be able to stop thinking of good things in your life.  Have a blessed day!  Bible verse for today is...Cue Jeopardy music....

1 Chronicles 16:34 (New King James Version)

 34 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

      For His mercy endures forever.

Love you soooooo much, Thanks for reading,

Christina M. Lusk

The Friendly Ape Man

     I shouldn't have done it, but I did.  I made fun of the extremely hairy guy wearing no shirt.  My friends and I were waiting in a loooooong line, on the hottest day of the year, at Cedar Point.  He was there, just a few people ahead of us, and he was as furry as an ape.  In fact,  I think that's what we were calling him, "Ape Man".  I'm not sure if it was heatstroke or God striking me down for teasing, (leaning towards heatstroke, the doctor at the Cedar Point clinic shares my inclination) but I suddenly got very lightheaded, and next thing I knew, Ape Man was kneeling on the ground and had me in his arms.  "Yer friends said you was a goin' down so I thought ya might like to have yer skull in one piece win ya woke up.  How ya feelin' lil' lady?"  What a nice hairy man.  I deeply regret the unkind things I said about him, especially after he caught me mid-faint.  He stayed with me too, until the mini golf cart ambulance (complete with siren) took me to the wonderfully air-conditioned clinic, where I played poker with the Bernstein  Bears (Sister's not as sweet as she puts on) and received free food coupons for the rest of the day.  Ahh, Good times, good times.  I wish I could say that is the most embarrassing faint story of my life, but alas, there are others that surpass it still.  (I guess I'm a little too calm sometimes, as my blood pressure tends to run VERY low.  Also, needles make me very sleepy and I occasionally take brief naps upon the sight of them.)  

  I know, I know, I always get this from you guys.  "WHY ARE YOU TELLING US THIS?"  Hmm.  Well, I guess it was because I was reminded of this as my air conditioner in the car went out.  Not a big deal unless it's 90 degrees outside and your windows don't go down.  So, it was kind of a big deal.  (Never fear, it is an easy fix and we have another car someone just gave to us.  It's one of those fancy Lincoln Continentals with air and everything.  I mean EVERYTHING.  Where was I.... ?

  Oh yes,  I was wanting to talk more about passing out.  There will be moments in life when it seems like  we can't handle anything else, and you feel like that toy that has the batteries dying.   You can tell  it's about to kick when the alphabet song starts to sound like the soundtrack to the latest Steven King movie.
   The Bible, (how predictable, right?) gives us clear instruction on what to do when we feel too weary move forward, or even stand up, without falling down.  It says.


       but those who hope in the LORD
       will renew their strength.
       They will soar on wings like eagles;
       they will run and not grow weary,
       they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31

Can I confide something to you?  Michael and I felt completely inadequate today.  There was too much of the ministry, and the housework, and the parenting, and the budgeting, and the MAJOR decision making, etc,  for us to handle.  We felt overwhelmed.  Michael had the bright idea to stop everything and put our trust in God.  We took turns shouting Bible verses and thanking God for taking care of all that stuff.  Before long we were so pumped up about life that we knocked everything out! We even had fun doing it.  So, I encourage you to do the same.  If you don't know any Bible verses, start with the one above.  It works.  I promise.

Goodnight, Friends,

Christina

P.S.  I know you want to know why my friends didn't catch me when I fainted.  I want to know too.

P.P.S.  You really do reap what you sow.  My husband is shaping up to look just like that guy.

L.L. Cool PJ

   So, I wasn't planning on a sleepover.  It just kind of happened.  There I was, ready to say good-bye to Lucy's friend, when two pairs of eyes met mine.  I don't know how they did it, but all four of those eyes became cartoonishly huge.  Sweetness spilled out of every fiber of their being.  All the while I'm going through my mental to-do list,  "Newsletter has to be designed and ordered tonight, clients need to be contacted regarding their orders, receipts need to be issued, bloggies will be expecting a new post, checkbook balanced, costume made (cue Gloria), etc."  Just as my tongue hit the roof of my mouth to pronounce the "n" sound in "No",  Lucy, (without whining - that's key) made her request known, as she proceeded to tell me all the reasons she felt it would be the right thing for me to do.  "Mom, you always said I couldn't have a sleepover until Noah slept all night, and now he does." She wasn't finished. "AND, you and Dad said I couldn't have anybody overnight because he was going on a trip, and would miss me so he wanted me all to himself for awhile.  YOU said that when he left you would consider letting me have a friend spend the night.  It is a week-end so there's no school tomorrow and Dad will be home soon and want to spend more time with just me."  She's good I tell you, sinisterly good.
      And you know what,  I didn't realize it, but I desperately needed a slumber party.  It's refreshing to get away from the hectic, busy, task oriented life and enjoy a precious life moment.  There is an unequaled joy that comes with listening to seven year olds talk about how cute that boy actor is.  "Yeah, he's soo cute I would probably kiss him. Giggle giggle".  "Um yeah, giggle-snort, but not until you were married."  Thank you, Lauren, for your high moral standards.  I hope that rubs off a bit on the ministers' child:)
    
     Thank God Lucy was so darn convincing, because I was so zonked and under pressure that whatever I did wouldn't be my best work anyway.  And when I knock it out tomorrow, only one day will have passed.  A year from now, I won't remember how I missed a night of work, but I don't think I'll ever forget Lauren's wise instruction on pre-marital relations.  In fact, I plan to smile about it often.
      
         Long story longer, Lucy won me over because she executed two biblical principles.

1. She made her request known. Aka, she ASKED politely.

 Philippians 4:6 (New King James Version)

 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

2. She believed I would do what I said I would do.

Matthew 8:13 (New King James Version)

 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

The key to "getting what we want" from God is doing exactly what Lucy did tonight.  She knew the words I had spoken, she believed what I said, and she acted on it (She ASKED.)

God doesn't have a problem with us bringing up his promises and hoping for a piece of the pie.  He eagerly waits to give us good things. I find throughout His word (the Bible) his desire to give us peace, joy, greater understanding, restoration, even "non- spiritual" things like houses and money.  Oh Yeah! So I am encouraging YOU, special reader, to search his promises and believe them for your life.  And then, if you can muster the courage, (It worked for Lucy) ASK Him to give you all the things he's claimed he'll do.  What have you got to lose?  Ok, next question.  What have you got to gain?  Try it!

I've even done some research for you.  You'll find a boatload of promises from the Bible by clicking Here.  

I love you all more than you could imagine.

Christina

P.S.  Which of these promises will you apply in your life?

God is a big fat Ham.

   God is never two-faced, but he does have many facets.  The Bible tells us of times when He is angry, happy, jealous, sad, compassionate, (oh thank goodness, I AM like Him after all, lol)  etc... Today I read about an instance where Jesus was in a show-offy kind of mood.  Oh, who am I kidding? He's always an upstager, isn't He?

  Mark 8:1-10 - The C.M. L. version of the Bible relays it like this. "Jesus was so freaking awesome that people would do anything just to be around Him.  His jokes were fresh and everyone sensed his genuine interest in every individual he met.  A crowd had followed him into the wilderness, forsaking their Nintendo Wiis and Mafia Wars for three whole days.  Eventually, the thronging grew to over 4000 people.

    Jesus looked out at the crowd, and then turned to his disciples, saying, "I feel sorry for these people.  They have been with Me for three days, and they don't have anything left to eat.  If I send them home, they will pass out before they even get there.  Some of them have come from miles and miles away."
      He turned to the disciples with cocked eyebrows.  That questioning look always made them uneasy.
  "How are we supposed to find vittles for that many hungry bellies, out in the wilderness?  HELLO, we're in the desert here." (One of them had the guts to say something like that, anyway).  Jesus responded to his question with a question. (That was kinda his M.O. with those guys.)  Jesus smirked, and said, "How much bread do you have?" "Uh, let's see, Pete, whaddya got? Ok, plus Matt's sourdough pita...that makes... seven.  Seven Loaves, Lord."
      Jesus told everybody to get comfy on the ground.  Then He took the loaves, thanked His Dad for them, and broke them into pieces.  His disciples started handing out the bread to the multitude.  Somebody gave Him a few sardines, and he blessed those too.
       Everybody ate as much as they wanted.  Afterward, the disciples gathered the leftovers into seven large baskets. Then, J.C. thanked everybody for their sacrifice, and told everyone to return home and get some rest. "
  What a show-off! (I know, you're asking me, "Christina, Do you really believe that stuff happened?")  Well, I can't say I've miraculously (yet) fed that many people.  But I have seen the lame walk, blind eyes and deaf ears open, Tumors vanish, and a soul set free.  So, I don't have too many issues buying into this, as well.  (If you're still wondering, the answer is YES!)

   The cool thing about Jesus, is that he never changes.  This nifty book I've been sharing from, tells me that He is the same yesterday, TODAY, and forever.  So, Jesus, I'm resolving right now to give you, not only everything in my refrigerator (no sardines there), but every part of my life. I thank you for the miracles I saw yesterday, the ones I'll experience today, and for the ones I'll see tomorrow.  Thank you for loving me.  As always, You are free to "Ham it up" on center stage in my life anytime.

Thanks again for reading!

Christina

P.S.  Do not google "C.M.L version of the Bible". It stands for Christina M. Lusk, and isn't yet in print.

I heart Thomas because...

So, here it is - my blog. I didn't think I'd ever do it but now the time has come. My thoughts are now public domain. If you like them, tell me. If you don't, well, you can still tell me but please be as nice about it as you can muster. And now I'd like to present my very first entry...

I heart Thomas (the one from the bible, he was a follower of Jesus who got to spend time with Him) because... he was a lot like me.

He saw Jesus do amazing things. He knew first-hand the miracles, saw them with his own eyes. Just like me.

He had child-like faith and ideas which Jesus loved him for. Just like me.

Jesus told the disciples that His friend Lazarus had died. Jesus then told them to view this as a good thing because what He was going to do next would cause them to REALLY believe. Jesus said, "Come, let's go see Lazarus." To which Thomas enthusiastically replied, "Let's go too - and die with Jesus."

Sweet Thomas. It never crossed his mind that Jesus would raise Lazarus from the dead. But he did think it would be quite the adventure for the whole group to die so they could visit with their buddy on the "other side."

I bet Jesus smiled the way I smiled when my daughter thought the word deadline meant getting your work done before the boss kills you.

And like Thomas, I am often amazed and surprised at the ways His plans unfold. I misunderstand Him often I'm sure. But just like He smiled at Thomas, He smiles at me. And eventually, I do get it. It's fun, believing the Bible. If you don't understand everything in it -it's ok. Thomas and I don't understand everything either, but we have a great relationship with Jesus. And that makes Jesus smile.

You can read what I read about Thomas today in the Bible. At the top of the page it says John. It is in chapter 11 and there are some smaller numbers too. The story is between the little numbers 1 and 41. Or another way it can be written is John 11: 1-41

Thanks for stopping by!