Pastor Pusch

For years I have unashamedly been making fun of my wife, Rena, over her love affair with the Carpenters. While she does not listen to her CD around me (or very much at all), she does like them and threatens to kill me during the Christmas season if I dare change the radio station when Karen Carpenter begins to sing, “Merry Christmas Darling.” I hate that song, although you may catch me from time to time whistling a bar or two, but that is simply because the I find the song to be extremely annoying. It is one of those songs you cannot get out of your head…kind of like the song Ice, Ice Baby.

The banter between my wife and I has really become a holiday tradition in our family (and you better believe that Jovie will side with her daddy when she is old enough to understand).  Rena loves it, I hate it, and thus the “argument” begins. Rena would tell me of all sorts of folks who just love that song. However many of those people she would mention were females of another generation. Personally, I would expect my mom or grandmother to like that song. That makes sense to me.

This year was a banner year for Rena as this subject came up with some friends of ours around the dinner table. Last week, Rena and I attended a Christmas musical at The Donelson Fellowship. It was dinner show where we shared a table with some of the greatest people in the world, Don and Mary Neal. Oh and their granddaughters, Teri and Casey Deel, also sat with us. As expected, Don and Mary supported Rena, as they, too, love the Carpenters and the song “Merry Christmas Darling.” Where I expected to gain some ground was with Teri and Casey. We are relatively the same age and I thought for sure that they would side with me. Much to my surprise, they did not and just to make sure that I was not mistaken, they began singing a line or two from the song. The only thing that kept my sanity was they fact that they are girls; so I guess it was not a total surprise.

What say you? Do you like the song, “Merry Christmas Darling”? In your response, please include your age and whether you are male or female.

Well, did it work? The Man in the Mirror. If you thought I was going to blog on Michael Jackson, I am so sorry to disappoint. It’s Tuesday a.k.a. “Weigh-in Day”! What have I been writing about every Tuesday for the last 7 weeks? That’s right kids, WEIGHT LOSS! The title to this blog does play a role in weight loss. Here’s how…

This past Sunday night my wife and I attended The Donelson Fellowship (TDF) church to see the 2009 National Youth Evangelistic Team (NYET) do their thing. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for these guys as I too was a apart of that team my junior and senior years of High School. Those were some great times. Anyway… My doctor, Dr. Paul Gentuso, attends TDF so it’s always interesting when I go as to whether or not I may see him. Last night was one of those times that I ran into him. Many times when I do run into him outside of his practice, it can be an extremely odd feeling, like conviction sets in or something. Why? It’s simple. Dr. Paul, the Lord, and I all know that I haven’t been to see him in a long while (for reasons described in other weight loss blogs). This time was different. As we approached each other, he looked at me and said, “I hear you have been losing some weight.” My first thought was wondering how in the world he found out. Then I realized that he’s friends with most that I work with at Randall House. So, I immediately smiled and proclaimed, “YES SIR!” Naturally, he was excited for me and I think he noticed that my approach to the subject was completely different. We talked for maybe another 5 minutes or so (I wonder if he will bill for that?), and I briefly walked him through what I was doing. I think he was proud.

It was a funny interaction. I often thought about how I would approach my doctor about this weight loss bit. I had it played up in my mind that I would just schedule an appointment for the fall and then when I got there, step on the scale and watch the nurse or Dr. Paul look puzzled. Needless to say, it didn’t work out that way, but I am really glad I got to see him and talk with him for a few.

The Man in the Mirror – All my life I have heard the same 5 words during the course of any doctor’s appointments. “You need to lose weight” has been the theme of my life. As has been explained in my other weight loss articles, I have battled this beast for YEARS! I tried weight watchers, medical weight loss program, “weight loss” vitamin supplements, crash diets, not eating, and all sorts of other things. I can’t tell you the number of times that I’ve talk to my doctors about this problem, thinking after I left that I was going to change, just to fail in a matter of days. I’ve BEEN THERE – BOUGHT THE T-SHIRT!

Today is Tuesday! It’s weigh-in day… time to step up to the scale! I can’t believe that I’m already 7 weeks into the journey and have seen some incredible results. So, what makes this time so different. I have never lasted this long. It’s been 7 weeks and the thought of quitting now is absurd.

I’ve learned that weight loss is more than weight-watchers, more than slim fast, more than medical weight loss, more than any pill, more than any pep talk with the doctor. While those items may help along the journey, it can never start there. It starts with God’s help. It starts with “the Man in the Mirror.”
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Week 7: -4lbs
Total: -34.5lbs

Beginning today and all throughout the weekend, I’ll be on location at the 2008 National Youth Workers Convention. NYWC has been around almost 40 years providing training and teaching from several featured authors, speakers, and practitioners for thousands of youth pastors, workers, and volunteers. Randall House will be showcasing the D6 Conference: Reconnecting Parents with Kids. This is a exciting time for our team. We had a blast last year in San Diego and Atlanta and we’re looking forward to an amazing time at the Nashville Convention Center this weekend! Maybe I’ll meet Crowder this year!

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For those of you readers in the Nashville area, you’re invited to a special fundraising event at The Donelson Fellowship featuring the music of Legacy of Praise! LOP has asked me to join them for this special night! Come by for some free coffee, dessert, and door prizes! All proceeds will go to Central Asia missionary Angela Emerick and to the Cuban AFWB. Make you way Friday, November 21 from 7:30pm-9:00pm to The Donelson Fellowship for a great night of food, music, and fellowship. Come on… it’s for a great cause! Hope to see you there!