The Life and Times of Jesus: Becoming "Christ-like"

Mark 1:1 -- “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.”

There are millions who claim to be Christian, but how many of those really know Christ? Here’s a more important question - Do you really know Christ?

I know many, including myself, that went to church and got an idea of who Christ might be. At least who we want Him to be. However, the more I study and the more I learn, the more I realize that Jesus was and is a lot more than we often give Him recognition for.

The term “Christ-like” is very common in the church, but before we can imitate Christ, we have to know Him. We have to know more than just His story, more than even His purpose in saving us all. Those are important, but to truly become “Christ-like,” we must know Him more, intimately, and consistently.

photo credit

For the next year, I am going to devote Sundays to the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We are going to learn who Christ was on earth from the ones who knew Him then. I am going through His life chronologically and thoroughly to get an idea of the man, the God, we are meant to intimidate.

I believe we will find a man who challenged people, who loved the unlovable and who sacrificed His life to save sinners - to save us and the world He loves. We will discover a God who loves us more than we could ever imagine.

The McCusker Journal: January 4, 2014

"The McCusker Journal" was a project I started over four years ago when Zoey was born. It was a newsletter I put together once a month to keep our friends and family up to date on Zoey and what our family was doing. However, time slipped away and I haven't written about our family in quite a while. I would like to get back to that so that I can connect with you and so that our friends and family can once again get updates about what we are up too. So here goes...

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas season! We did. We always spend Christmas day at home with our little family. Zoey wakes up in the morning so excited to see what Santa left her.

Merry Christmas 2013!

Zoey waiting patiently to begin unwrapping presents

Zoey had a lot of fun on Christmas day. This year she really understood and got into the anticipation of Christmas. Before she opened any presents for herself, she gave a present to us (mommy and daddy) that a friend helped her make. She was so excited for us to see it that she couldn't wait. It was really awesome. Then the frenzy began. She loved ripping open the presents, gave them each the appropriate ooh and aahs before moving on to the next. There were several small gifts, but the most exciting one was a Wii U for the family.

Zoey's writing is getting really good,
she wrote Daddy's name on his present all by herself!

After all the presents are opened, then the real fun begins. We play with all the gifts! 

Zoey loves legos and was excited to put together her new Lego Friends Cafe.

My little princess, complete with pink dress,
got the most enjoyment out of a toy tool set.
She's adorable with those goggles on though!

Zoey also got a pink soccer ball, pink shin guards and a pink baseball glove with ball.
She may be a girl, but she was ready to play!

The best presents are the ones that bring family together. I love our Christmas days because that is all we do, spend time together relaxing and playing with new toys. It was a wonderful relaxing day full of many great memories.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! The holidays were a blast, but I am thankful for the refreshing start to a new year. Welcome 2014!

"This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Have a wonderful week!
God Bless You!

Keep on Knocking - Matthew 7:7

Matthew 7:7-8 -- "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you."

We live in a time where everything seems to be within reach before we really even need it. If we want vegetables, we don't have to wait for the crops to grow, we simply go to the grocery store. If we want to build a house, we don't have to cut down trees and make it with only our hands and simply tools. We can order previously manufactured houses, which can be set up in a matter of days. We don't even have to get creative with entertainment, we simply turn on the TV. Society gives you quick answers for the things you need.

However, what if the thing you need isn't a thing at all. I wonder if it is because of our accustom nature to instant gratification that we get so hard on ourselves when we can't change our habits overnight. My short temper, my desire for material possessions, and even my desire to overeat are habits that developed over many years, there is nothing short of a miracle from God that would cease these habits overnight.

However, God wants us to take the time and learn new habits, good habits that help ourselves, help others and give glory to Him. These are not things that can be fixed quickly, but that doesn't mean they can't be improved. These bad habits are bondage, the effects of sin. But we have a Savior who has overcome sin. With His help we can overcome anything, even bad habits that have gone on way too long. 

photo credit

Jesus says, "Keep asking and you will receive what you are asking for." This doesn't mean that if you ask once and you don't receive what you are asking for that it will never happen. It takes time for God to change our hearts and our desires into ones that will please Him. When we are persistent in our request, God will provide an answer, though it may not be what you expect it to be. Sometimes instead of the answer you were looking for, He simply works in your heart to change the question.

We must keep seeking God. Not only must we continue to ask, but we also have to keep a close relationship with Him so that we can hear the answer. God cannot change our hearts if we are not seeking out His wisdom each and every day.

We must keep knocking. There are doors in front of us for new jobs, new ways to serve, expanding families, breaking free of bad habits and many more. If it is our desire, we must keep knocking and the door will be opened. God gives us opportunities to work with small things before He gives us great responsibility. We have to prove our faith and our endurance. God created each of us for a purpose and He wants to use us, in big and small ways. We must not give up, but wait for God's perfect timing. We must keep knocking and be there ready when the door is opened.

Seek God - Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:33 -- "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."

photo credit

When you begin getting to know God a little, I find that you want to get to know Him more. I know I do. Even though we've had a strong relationship for many years now, I know there is still more to learn and He can still use me in many ways.

One way to get to know God better is to seek Him out, intentionally and purposefully. By spending time with God everyday praying and studying His Word you can begin to sense Him working in your everyday because He will show Himself to you.

This time with God is different for everyone. I'm not a morning person; however, I have my most peaceful time with God first thing in the morning before anyone else is up. I like to begin my day with the Lord because it can alleviate stress of the day before it starts. On the other hand, spending time with God at the end of the day helps others more. For some, making time during lunch or in a quiet moment of the day works.

The when and the where and even the how of making time with the Lord is less important than the fact that you do. God's deepest desire is for us to seek Him out and to have a relationship with Him. He created us because He loves us, and now He wants to spent time with us. He simply wants us to care enough about Him to put Him first and above all else.

When we put God before our worldly stresses and desires, He gives us everything we need. It won't necessarily be everything we want or even what we are expecting. However, what we need is God's eyes can be more fulfilling than anything we could want.

Seek God, live righteously, have faith and trust that God will provide throughout this year, giving you just what you need in just the right moment.

This Is The Day! - Psalm 118:24

Psalm 118:24 -- "This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."

photo credit

Happy New Year!

I love the new year, it is a chance for a fresh start. It is a decisive opportunity to really evaluate your life and your relationship with God as well as with others. It is a moment where we can turn away from old habits and create good ones. It is a chance to ask God for forgiveness of any wrong deed in the old year, a chance to forgive yourself for slipping and a chance to begin anew to make good choices again and again throughout the new year.

For me I will choose a fresh start that includes eating healthy, exercising and seeking simplicity. I want to clear out the clutter of my mind, body and my house. I want to live in peace and joy in every moment. I want to be ready for anything. I want to trust God that He has everything in control and I can live knowing I am doing the best that I can for myself, my family and my community.

At the beginning of the year I like to pick a word, a quote and a scripture to really help me focus in the new year. It helps me to overcome distractions and temptations and remember what I am an working towards.

My 2014 focus:

Word: 

Healthy

photo credit

Quote: 

Do more of what makes you happy.

photo credit

Scripture:

"This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

photo credit

I really needed a blank slate. I needed forgiveness for being so lazy toward the end of the year. I needed help from getting so overwhelmed all the time. I prayed about this during the last couple of months of 2013, asking God what direction I should go and what can I do to grow closer to Him and find peace and joy in every moment. This is what He revealed to me. I pray that you would do the same. Reach out to God and let Him reveal what will make a difference for you in the new year.

What is your focus for the new year? Do you have a word, quote or scripture to guide you into 2014? I would love to hear it and create a community to help us all succeed in our goals for the new year.

photo credit