Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 9

Jason's Creations: Inspiration at its Finest

"At that time the disciples came to ask Jesus,
“Who is considered to be the greatest in heaven’s kingdom realm?” 
Jesus called a little one to his side and said to them,
“Learn this well: Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking
nd become teachable, and learn about heaven’s kingdom realm
with the wide-eyed wonder of a child,
you will never be able to enter in. 
Whoever continually humbles himself to become
like this gentle child is the greatest one in heaven’s kingdom realm.
And if you tenderly care for this little one on my behalf,
you are tenderly caring for me."Matthew 18:1-5 The Passion Translation

Oh my goodness, I must tell you, Sir Jason is one amazing young man. Let me introduce you to Jason, a 7 year-old entrepreneur from Central New York. I first learned of Jason's Creations in January after a Facebook friends shared his page.

Her post caught my attention because she talked about a smart, young, and talented boy who started a craft page and set a goal of 100 likes. My friend asked for anyone seeing and reading her post to visit his page and "like" it, to help him reach his goal. I found this inspiring and uplifting. In a time when there is so much darkness and despair, a young boy was using his talents to create tie-dye totes to save money to do something super cool. If you want to find out what it is, you'll have to listen to the podcast. As with any great success story, is a strong and solid foundation. The love and joy between Jason and his Mom during the podcast interview lit up my Zoom screen. I had the opportunity to meet his little sister too, who he gifts little treats to with some of his profits. He's such a great big brother.

I interviewed Jason on Monday and made sure the podcast aired yesterday, Wednesday, February 10th, on his 7th birthday. Jason's joy and excitement when he talked about making his tie-dye bags increased the energy in the room ten-fold. He was nervous and a little shy yet his charming personality shined through. There was much laughter and the smile he inspired on my face remained. 

In addition to giving Jason a shout out, I want to commend his parents for raising such an inspiring, goal setting, charming, talented, and loving young man. With a world full of children like Jason, it is going to be joyous future.

​It is a pleasure to help others and my hope is that after you listen to Jason's interview on my podcast, use the links below, many to choose from, you will find yourself smiling the remainder of the week also. After you listen, leave a birthday wish for Jason in the comments below and be sure to like his Facebook page.

​He has a goal for 1,000 likes. Let's see if we can help him reach this goal during his birthday month. Thank you in advance! Click  to listen to Jason's Interview on one of your favorite podcast apps today. CLICK HERE to visit Jason's
Facebook page so you can:

*LIKE his page

*FOLLOW his page
​
*Check out his creations and place an orderPlease take a minute and leave a note for Jason to encourage him on his endeavors...

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Lent Starts A week for Today

Good Tuesday to everyone!

It's an exciting week, Lent starts next week. If you aren't familiar with what Lent is, it's the days leading up to Easter. Over a year ago, I started to work on my first devotional. At that moment, I hadn't planned this devotional to be for Lent or associated with Easter.

I personally felt run down and disconnected from God, so the research and Bible readings were focused on drawing closer to God. It was through this process that I realized, there were unresolved pains associated with my sister's kidnapping on Easter Sunday, 1994. ​

It was while enjoying my February 2020 break that God inspired this particular book and devotional. It surprised me and was grateful for a few reasons. While traveling out of state with my daughter, knowing she would graduate with her undergrad in May and be leaving New York, the mix of emotions was overwhelming. I was excited and grieved at the same time. As I sat by the hotel pool, reading my Bible one morning, I knew God was speaking to my heart. I went back and forth with God in prayer about writing this devotional yet by lunch, I returned to my room, grabbed my wallet and walked to the nearest store to purchase paper, pens, and the items I "need" to write.  By the time my daughter returned to the hotel from interviews at potential graduate schools, I was hunkered down on my bed with a couple Bibles, multiple pads of paper, pens, pencils, white-out, and music playing.​

Her face upon arrival was priceless, she asked no questions. She didn't ask my what was going on but said, "I take it you got an idea for a book." We both laughed and I realized I must have a "look" when I'm in the groove for a writing project. #wsite-video-container-855682641799179371{ background: url(//www.weebly.com/uploads/b/4792487-8833... } #video-iframe-855682641799179371{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... } #wsite-video-container-855682641799179371, #video-iframe-855682641799179371{ background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; } @media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and ( min-resolution: 2dppx) { #video-iframe-855682641799179371{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; background-size: 70px 70px; } } ​Although we didn't spend a lot of time together during the week, we both were grateful for the time and success and bonding as we debriefed each evening. She prepared for interviews and I read, wrote, and prayed. The week was a win for both of us.
​
We returned home recharged and prepared for the future in a way we hadn't expected. It was a blessed week and I pray you are blessed when you purchase and dive into this devotional, it starts next Tuesday. Thank you for your encouragement and I pray you are blessed by this devotional and it draws you closer to God during this Lenten season.

The Difference a Day Makes

Saturday ~ January 30, 2021 Sunday ~ January 31, 2021 These are beautiful! Have you seen the boxed flower bulbs when you cash out at the grocery store? This is the result. I learned a valuable lesson, don't judge a bulb by its box. My Auntie gifted one to me and one to my daughter, I'm so glad my daughter left hers here. I sent her a picture and she loves them, I think it will be traveling back to grad school with her after her next visit home. I enjoy looking at them so much, I'm going to look for a couple purple ones to add to the collection.

Another positive, these grow quickly. I only planted them on New Year's Day and less than a month in and these flowers are almost three feet tall and brighten my day. I watered the dirt and waited. Then the stems started to bust thru. I'm in awe of their height, color, and daily changes. This is one of the positives I choose to celebrate from my isolation time. I think if I had been keeping up with normal pace, I would have missed this past weekend's growth. I encourage you to slow down and absorb God's beauty and the miracle of all that happens around you. It's a miraculous world out there when we slow down enough to enjoy it.  Are you noticing the small differences a day makes?

Do you remember to Feed Your Faith?

A few weeks ago I started an online devotional called, "Sustenance Sunday: FB Live Devotional with Lisa". I tried it one week upon the Holy Spirit's leading and the response was positive so I added it to the weekly agenda. If you want to join us on Sundays, or catch up on the few you missed, head to my Keeping it Real Cooking with Lisa , Facebook page.

This past Sunday was week four, but only the third one, due to Covid knocking me down for a bit. Thankfully, I was an obedient patient. I followed doctor's orders, listened to my body, and rested. You can catch this past week's devotional below. I haven't decided  if I goofed when setting up or if I was quieter than normal, but either way, next week's will be clearer. 

I share a poem written by Danna Faulds, Walk Slowly . I was introduced to this poem as part of a mindfulness workshop a couple weeks ago with Liane Benedict. It spoke to me them so I printed a copy and it was buried in a pile. As I worked through the piles last Saturday I found it, read it, and it resonated with me more than it did the first time. Maybe it's because I'm coming of a period of isolation and focusing on my breath, or maybe it was the notion of each moment or day in front of us is a mystery. I read it a few times with a couple verses coming to mind: Psalm 150 and 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. As I slept Saturday, I awoke Sunday morning with this message of hope for those joining the live devotional. I hope God speaks to your heart through this short live.

The poem is from Danna Foulds book, Go In and In: Poems from the heart of Yoga. 
Click here to read the poem or print a PDF for yourself.
Praise the Eternal!
Praise the True God inside His temple.
    Praise Him beneath massive skies, under moonlit stars and rising sun.
Praise Him for His powerful acts, redeeming His people.
    Praise Him for His greatness that surpasses our time and understanding.
Praise Him with the blast of trumpets high into the heavens,
    and praise Him with harps and lyres
    and the rhythm of the tambourines skillfully
​played by those who love and fear the Eternal.
Praise Him with singing and dancing;
    praise Him with flutes and strings of all kinds!
Praise Him with crashing cymbals,
    loud clashing cymbals!
No one should be left out;
    Let every man and every beast—
    every creature that has the breath of the Lord—praise the Eternal!
Praise the Eternal!
Psalm 150 VOICE
Remember to take a breath...
​Breath in peace and let go of of the harshness.

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: A Journey to Easter on Kindle

Lent begins in just over a couple weeks. My first devotional, A Journey to Easter , starts the Tuesday before Lent, two weeks from today. I'm so excited to have others read and draw closer to Jesus in the weeks leading to Easter. My shipment of books arrived last week!

The arrival of a first edition print book to my doorstep is such an inspiration and encouragement. I'm grateful to share this enjoyment with my parents and hubby. The joy on my mother's face still comes to mind, even now. I'm sure she's smiling in heaven to know I tackled a devotional and focused it on the weeks prior to Easter.

The birth of a book starts in many places, yet through the days, weeks, months, and sometimes years of process, the initial design changes and morphs into something totally different. I'll be honest, I'm not sure an Easter devotional was in the forefront of my mind, and I hadn't considered myself qualified to write such a thing and I felt God say, "Why not you?" And with that, I went to work. I learned a lot about myself and enjoyed the journey through the Bible to write and bring you this devotional.

My hope is to have others to add to the collection. I've started a new series, the Keeping It Real with Lisa Series , A Journey to Easter is book 1. As this new year, 2021, begins, I am encouraged for the opportunity to continue to stretch myself as I trust and follow God's lead. If you are looking for a new devotional, then maybe give mine a try this year. The readers who helped throughout the process assure me it is worth your investment of time and money. May you be blessed and draw closer to God as you read, reflect, and share with others this Lenten season.


To order the print version, click here.
To order the Kindle version, click here.
Do you prefer Kindle or to hold a print book?

If you like one more
than another, why?

Is there a type of book you
​prefer in print over Kindle?

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: New Lent Devotional Available

A big thanks to those who ordered your copy of, ​ A Journey to Easter , already. It is a joy to share a new book release with all of you, especially one that celebrates and prepares you for Easter. 

Would you like to help spread the word on my new release?

There are a few ways to do this.
1) When your copy arrives, will you upload a picture of you and your book to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, or your social media of choice? Tag me so I can share in the excitement. Use a hashtag or two: #onesistersjourney, #keepingitreal, #lisambuske, #JourneytoEaster. 
2) Write a review on Amazon.com
3) Write a review on Goodreads 
4) Share with your friends and family.

​Thank you in advance for helping me get the word out. Have you ordered
your copy yet?

Who will you
gift a copy to?
Lent is a great time to renew your relationship with God and prepare your heart for Jesus' resurrection.

Adding Something New To the Schedule

Most of you are aware of my new venture as an Epicure Independent Consultant. Next to writing, podcasting, and speaking, spending time in the kitchen is my next passion. Epicure offers the opportunity to share good health and my faith with others at the same time without thumping people with a Bible. The best way to share Jesus is through the way we live and interact with others. It was this truth that inspired me to try something new last weekend.

On Sunday, January 10, 2021, I did an impromptu Facebook Live on my Keeping it Real Cooking with Lisa. This time, it wasn't to prepare a meal, although I did make homemade bread yet this wasn't the focus. Instead of sharing Epicure, food, and recipes...I shared my faith and a virtual devotional.

Below are the first two weeks of my live devotionals from my Keeping it Real Cooking with Lisa. I hope you'll take time to check them out. The first week I encouraged people to share their thoughts if they enjoyed the devotional. There weren't many comments during the live or in public posts yet the private messages offered words of appreciation, encouragement, and requests to do this again. This past Sunday I moved the live devotional to a more comfortable setting, hoping it offered a more relaxing atmosphere for people to listen, reflect, and pray. It was a nice way to start my Sunday, not only reading my Bible but sharing it and the message God had for us on that day. It's ben awhile since I had the opportunity to speak and share God's message with others. As the world starts to reopen and events are added to schedules, I pray for the opportunity to speak at conferences, churches, women and church groups, and libraries again. The benefit of doing in-home cooking classes is another opportunity I look forward to also. 

While we wait for a return to healthy gatherings, I pray my "Sustenance Sunday" LIVE events on Facebook offer you encouragement, hope, and inspiration to brighten your day and carry you through the week. This past Sunday I recorded my Sustenance Sunday while recording my podcast, at the same time. It was fun. If you like what you hear on the video, you can listen to the remainder on my podcast by clicking here.
May you have a wonderful weekend and hopefully
you can join me live on for this weekend's 
Sustenance Sunday LIVE Devotional

What Is Your Favorite Creative Activity?

Is it writing? Is it painting? Is it baking? Is it crocheting
​or knitting? Is it drawing? Is it sewing? Is it photography? Is it jewelry making? Today as you wind down form the week's agenda and look to the weekend, when is the last time you did something creative for yourself? If you can't answer this question, I pray you'll make time in your schedule to use the gifts God's given you.

You work hard and deserve time to relax, to create, to share allow the creative genius within you to escape. Your brain may work a little harder yet it's more relaxing when you are doing something you enjoy. "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.
If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,
so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 4:10-11
Are you making time to use your
creative gifting and talents?
​
When is the last time you CREATED something
for the pure joy of creating?

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Order Your Lenten Devotional

It's an exciting week because it's my original release week for my first devotional. A Journey to Easter was scheduled to release on January 23, 2021 to allow time for delivery prior to the start of Lent.

This devotional starts on the Tuesday prior to Ash Wednesday. Lent starts on February 17th this year, so you still have plenty of time to order your copy. If you don't want to wait, you can download it via Kindle and have it at your fingertips in minutes. 

I've received photos from readers who received their copies and I was so excited, and jealous. It always overjoys me to see my readers post pictures on social media and private message me pictures with them and my books. The only reason I have a little envy this time, I haven't received my author copies yet. They are scheduled to be delivered next week. God is so good, I already have some of them sold to people who want a signed copy.

If you would like to order through me for a signed copy, I can accept payment via Paypal, Venmo, and credit card. I don't know the shipping rates yet until I have my books and can take them to the post office to have them weighed. Once I have those, I will share. Thank you for your continued support, encouragement and prayers. I pray you order my Lenten devotional for yourself and one or two for a friend or two, or three. Those that have received it started to read and said they couldn't wait or put it down, this is a compliment above all compliments. Click here or on the cover above to purchase your copy today.www.amazon.com/Journey-Easter-Lisa-M-Buske/dp/B08RGTG3HD Who are you ordering a devotional for today?

Remember: You are Brave, Strong, & Smart

Earlier this week, people talked about the length of the pandemic and how exhausted they are and how it was "almost a year". I nodded in agreement because the drain of the pandemic is wearing on everyone, even the most upbeat and positive peeps I know are starting to look drained. This week as I stared at the television, not watching or listening, to anything, it dawned on me...it's been ten months, not a year. I haven't experienced a pandemic before but I'm guessing it's normal for it to feel like the time span is more than the reality of the clock. 

I read this quote from Winnie the Pooh and it reminded me of this conversation. Winnie the Pooh has it figured out! When you feel overwhelmed and like giving up. 

Remember...
You are BRAVER!
You are STRONGER!
You are SMARTER!

YOU CAN DO THIS! Regardless of how long the pandemic lasts...you can do this!  How does this quote encourage & inspire you?