It’s Passover

Growing up in a reform Jewish home, my family was not very religious, but we did celebrate Passover every year with our extended family. All would gather, sometimes at our house, other times at the cousins’. The table would be set with all the traditional elements: matzo, wine, charoses, Seder plate, salt water, white linens, candles…. More on that later.
Now, as with all Jewish “holidays” (btw- most Jews refer their special days as “holy days” not holidays), the actual day begins at sundown. That’s because in the account of creation, Genesis 1:5 says “God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” Evening and morning = the first day. Day began at evening.

So when we’d gather together, everyone was eager for dinner, but we had to read through the Haggadah before we could eat. The retelling of the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt could take over an hour or more. So our family used Cantor Applestone’s abbreviated version. The cantor (rabbi’s assistant and song leader) in our synagogue created a shortened account of the Exodus story, sort of a Cliff Notes version, and every year, we’d pull out the tattered mimeographed copies (remember those!). I never even knew we had a real Haggadah book that was my mom’s when she was a girl. Here’s a picture of our Seder plate, and my mom’s original Haggadah. The mimeographed pages have long been lost.



It wasn’t until I became a Christian that I really began to appreciate all the elements of the Passover.
Tonight March 29th is the first night of Passover this year, so this week, I will be sharing some insights that I have learned over the years.

What we commonly call the Last Supper was a Passover seder. And so much of what Jesus and the disciples did and spoke about have meaning beyond what appears on the surface. For example, the bread and wine that we partake during communion are important elements of the Passover seder. Much of what is celebrated in Jewish homes across the world has important meaning for Christians as well. Jesus, after all, is referred to as the Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7).

There are many elements to this special week, and I will only be able to touch on a few. But I think one of the most misunderstood ones is the meaning of the word “Passover.” In Hebrew, the word “Pesach” means “exemption.” And in the book of Exodus, it refers to the Passover sacrifice = the spotless, unblemished lamb.
Exodus 12:11 = This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; IT is the LORD’s Passover.
Exodus 12:21 = Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb.

We usually think the word Passover comes from the angel passing over the homes of the Israelites. But Exodus 12:27 says, “then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’ ” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.”

The Passover refers to the sacrifice, the spotless lamb who’s blood was shed to save the lives of God’s people. The lamb provided the exemption for God’s people from death. That is why Jesus was called the Passover lamb. He was sinless, spotless, unblemished, and He paid the sacrifice for all God’s people.

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love. John 13:1

Healing Faith

Our adult Sunday School class has been studying the Book of Acts, a book I never tire of studying. It is an AMAZING book, rich with drama, history, action as well as theology, preaching and doctrine. Sometimes it’s hard to move along because there is so much to be gleaned. Today’s discussion got hooked on one short verse. 

In Acts 14:8-10, Luke shares the story of Paul’s entrance to Lystra:
In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

Our discussion centered on part of verse 9 – Paul looked at the lame man and “saw that he had faith to be healed.” What exactly does that mean? What kind of faith is the faith to be healed? Is it different from other faith? Was it Paul’s “spiritual eyes” that saw the man’s faith? Did the man himself know he had the faith? If he had faith, why wasn’t he healed already? Why are some of God’s faithful healed physically and some are not? 

What about our friends and loved ones? Some were healed, some were not. Some were sitting in our class. Some went home to the Lord years ago. Should we pray for healing? Should we pray for God’s will? Should we pray at all?

Interestingly, none of the study notes or commentaries addressed this particular part of the verse.  Our hour-long discussion is too much to be posted here, of course, but let me just say this: God is God. We are not. He is trustworthy, and we need to keep our eyes squarely on Him and view life – the good, the bad and the ugly – through His lens. We pray simply because He instructs us to do so. As a mom, I want my children to come to me with every concern, and how much more does our heavenly Father. Also, prayer is not about getting things or even getting answers. Prayer aligns our desires with His. As we pray and have two-way conversations with God, our spirit has fellowship with the Spirit, and we are changed by it.

Paul was used by God to bring about healing of this lame man. Yet Paul also asked the Lord three times for his own “thorn in the flesh” to be removed, and God’s answer was “My grace is sufficient for you.” The Susanpanzica translation: “Stop looking at your thorn and start looking at Me. I’m all you need.” See my post on that here.

After church, I came across this video in my inbox. It puts many of today’s questions in proper perspective.

My dad is battling stage 4 prostate cancer with a new chemo regimen started this week.
Kelly, a sweet friend of our family, will have surgery on Tuesday to remove a tumor on her pituitary invading her brain. She’s in 10th grade.
You all have a story to tell as well. Would you pray for these requests, and let me know your requests so that I can pray for you?
Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray.
Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.
Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 
Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
James 5:13-16

What’s It All About?

The question is one that has been asked for ages. What’s it all about?

Back in college, my husband and his friends were published in the school newspaper with one of the two winning answers to the reporter’s question, “What’s it all about?”
My husband’s group’s response: “Alfie-ness”
Some of you may be old enough to remember the inspiration for their answer – the theme song “What’s It All About, Alfie?” from the movie “Alfie”. 



Alfie was all about himself, his desires.

Driving past this store last month, I just had to stop to take these pictures.
“It’s All About Me!”
Deeming that this sign sums up so much of our culture today, I looked down my sanctimonious nose at the owners of this store. Until it dawned on me that I’m as guilty as anyone of living in my “all about me” universe.
Recently, I had a few situations where due to MY actions or suggestions, something positive happened. Yet afterward, when the story was retold, MY contribution (which made it all happen, people!!) was omitted. Uh, hello???? Remember me? The suggestor? My inital annoyance eventually receded as I slowly realized that the main thing was the positive result itself, not MY contribution to it. It is not about ME.
Last summer at a writers’ conference, a lovely new friend, Lisa, at my dinner table described her book project. She could have been reading MY notes aloud. After picking my jaw off the table, we started to share our vision for our similar projects. By the time dessert ended, we grasped that our projects were not ours at all. They were God’s words, His work, His vision. We prayed together and accepted that whether it was her book or mine that was published, the main thing was that His word would be shared, that women would be encouraged, that the message would be delivered. What did not matter was WHO was the deliverer of that message. Our calling was to be obedient to the heavenly vision, and to allow God to take care of the rest. It is not about ME.
The summer before that, I saw Alan and Denise Jackson on the Today show. Not much of a fan of country music, I had no idea of his music or their story. High school sweethearts, Denise’s life was dedicated to her husband and his growing career. The years sped by, and eventually, Denise lost herself in Alan’s world. Her life was “all about him.” Eventually, she rededicated her life to God and wrote a book titled “It’s All About HIM.” Her life no longer about “him” (Alan) anymore, but about “Him” (Jesus, her Lord and Savior).
Alan wrote a song to go with Denise’s book. Here’s part of the lyrics:

it’s all about Him
and the love that He gives
redemption and hope
for all who have sinned
you can walk all alone, never find your way home
till you see deep within
it’s all about Him

its not about ego
or things you can hold
its not about power, or silver, or gold
not who’s at your table
or where you lay down
it’s not about spreading your wings on the ground
so look in the mirror
and look at your life
it may seem perfect, but just don’t feel right
lay down your fences, and let the love in
right there beside you,
it’s all about Him
What was the other winning answer back in my hubby’s college days?
It came from a rare Christian on that campus, “It’s all about Jesus.”
It’s not about Alfie.
It’s not about me.
It’s not about him (or her).
For generations past, present and future, it’s all about Jesus.
What’s it all about for you?
Susan

How To Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day

What did you first think when you read the title of today’s post?
Leprechauns? Shamrocks? Pot of gold?
Drunken revelry? Celebrations out of control?
Green bagels? Green beer? Green painted people?

After working in NYC for years, I’ve seen it all. I find it most curious the way that people “honor” St. Patrick on March 17th.  I once witnessed a near-fatal showdown between mounted police and carousing, green-faced partygoers who spilled out of a bar and blocked 33rd St. and nearly became a casualty myself!

Have you ever read the prayer of St. Patrick? After reading the words and sensing the heart of this godly man, it grieves me to see the misunderstanding that the celebration of his life has become.

I wanted to find just the right thing to say today, and I found it in my pastor’s weekly newsletter. So- many thanks to Pastor Steven Creange, for this post and for serving the Lord so effectively day in and day out, year after year.


 

REFLECTIONS…

One of my favorite Christian singer/song writers is Fernando Ortega. It is not so much the music (which I enjoy) or the lyrics (which are very good) but it is the spirit that I sense comes through him; through his voice, through his instruments, through his passion. When I play his CD’s or listen to him on my IPOD I sense the presence of Jesus. This is not true of every Christian artist or every Christian song that I hear. But for me, there is something very beautiful and calming and I am taken to a place that agrees with my spirit… (“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit..” Romans 8:16). He may not be the greatest singer or the greatest song writer or the greatest musician. Fernando Ortega may not even have any effect on you at all; but when I hear him sing I sense the presence of Jesus.


Many years ago I attended the District Assembly at the Maranatha Church of The Nazarene in Paramus. The presiding General Superintendent was Dr. Charles H. Strickland. When I approached him to shake his hand I immediately sensed I was in the presence of Jesus. As I shook his hand the power of Christ seemed to surge through him. He was a short, stocky man who wore glasses. By the measure of any standard he was common; unimpressive to the human eye. But he didn’t have to say a word; I knew I was standing on holy ground. Christ was in him and flowing through him and I felt so small yet so in awe.


My desire is that I would have Christ flow through me in such a way that it is His Spirit that people sense. I know that too much of “me” gets in the way and I have to allow the Holy Spirit to have free reign. John the Baptist said “He must increase while I must decrease.” The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ live in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, l who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Saint Patrick’s beautiful prayer says:

I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear for me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
Christ be with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my lfeft,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise.
Christ in the heart of everyone thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me.
Christ in every eye that sees me.
Christ in every ear that hears me.






Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have people know that we have “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13) without us even saying a word. I think praying the Prayer of Saint Patrick is a prayer to be prayed every day not just on March 17th. I think we would actually witness the power and presence of Jesus through us touching the lives of others. What do you think?


God’s Blessings,
Pastor Steven

May your day today be filled with His presence. And may His presence flow through you to those around you today and everyday.

Susan

Susan

Spring Break

The hubby, kids and I will be traveling to Florida next week for Spring Break.

Think – a geriatric version of Where The Boys Are.

I have previously shared with you my trite observations of this lovely southern state when I visited my folks last September – Why I Don’t Live In Florida. But with our summer days largely spoken for with mission trips, cross-country camp and dance training, we decided to head south for Spring Break. Frankly, I’m rather honored that my college kids have agreed to spend their spring break with their parents. We’re just so cool… 

We’re flying out of LaGuardia, and I have been praying nonstop that there would be no geese around when we take off. I honestly have imagined our vacation spent on the wing of a plane floating in the Hudson River. I pray that our pilot is as skillful as Capt. Sully Sullenberger.

Once in sunny (and by sunny, I mean excruciatingly hot and humid) Florida, we’ll be spending a few days with my folks and a few days at the beach. Please keep my dad and stepmom in prayer as he has been in and out of the hospital with prostate cancer procedures that have weakened him and stressed her.

And feel free to keep my hair in prayer. As some of you know, I have naturally curly (and by curly, I mean huge, intermittently frizzy) hair that expands with the humidity. I am powerless to fight it. And of  course, I hate the way I look when it’s curly. Ladies, why is that???? We straighten our curls, and curl our straights.

But the humidity foils all our efforts. Ahhh – the great mystery – the very same humidity that swells my hair makes another’s straight hair flat. Just like the very same boiling water will make an egg hard, but a carrot soft. So we must conclude – it’s not the humidity nor the boiling water that is the problem, it is how we react to it! Likewise, a difficult circumstance will reduce one to tears, yet cause another to fortify her reserves. And so we must conclude – it’s not the circumstance that is the problem, it is how we react to it. We can’t always control the circumstance, but we can control how we react to things. To carry this a little further – When in hot water, we should be more like a coffee bean than the egg or the carrot because the egg and carrot react to the hot water, but the coffee actually changes the hot water. In it’s brokenness, it infuses the water with its fragrance and substance and positively affects the situation. It creates an improved environment. I’ll need to remember that this week 🙂

And so, my friends, as we speed along towards spring, may you have a blessed week, and I’ll catch up with you on the other side!

Susan
ps – Speaking of mysteries and seasons, here’s a favorite – Daniel 2:19-23
During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.
I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

What do you ask God for?

Last Sunday, on the radio as I was driving to church, I heard Pastor Rob Cruver encourage his congregation to pray – not for God’s power or for God to do something, but just to pray for His presence.



Those words changed me, changed my prayer perspective. I know that God says to ask, knock, and seek, but what is it that we are asking, knocking, and seeking for? If we ask and seek for His presence, all other matters will fall into proper perspective. We’ll have His peace, even if in a storm. We’ll have His wisdom, even if in a time of indecision. His presence will put to rest our questions, doubts, fears. It will dissipate our anger, resentment, frustration.

Before we make our confessions (looking at ourselves) or our supplications (requests for others or ourselves), let’s pursue His presence. Then our prayers will align with His will, and we’ll be asking, knocking, and seeking after what He desires for us.

Before we make our plans, let’s seek His presence that we will only do as He directs.

Before we set our feet to the floor in the  morning, may we breathe in His presence that we will walk in agreement with Him like synchronized swimmers. Like a dancer following His lead, every movement choreographed according to His design. May our voices speak in perfect harmony with His. May we not move if His Presence does not go with us:

The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. Ex. 33:14-15

Thank you Lord, for sharing Your presence with us. May we relish it afresh every day, every moment.  
Susan

A River Walk Talk

Today, my guest blogger is my friend Mina’s 14-year-old daughter, Ellen. She is sharing her testimony of what God spoke to her at Harvest Christian Fellowhship’s Women’s Retreat last month.

After the workshop at the HCF Women’s Retreat of 2010, I decided to take a walk because the message was very heavy. The subject was “Rejoicing in Trials,” and I had been having conflicting feelings about a crush on a boy at my school. So I put my coat and sneakers on, and left to walk along the river. The sky was completely blue, and there was no sound except the wind. I decided to put my iPod on and listen to a song that I call “Me and God’s song.” The song is Beloved by Tenth Avenue North. I was listening to the song and looking at the water, when all of a sudden, I heard a voice in my head, and it said “Look at the water.”


And I replied “Yeah?”


Then it said, “How is the water moving?”


I replied, “That way.” and I was pointing to the right, which was the way the water was flowing.


The voice in my head said, “No, I mean symmetrically.”


I replied, “As one.”


And what it said next brought me to tears.


“Exactly, and that is how I want to be with you, but you keep pushing me away.” This is when I began to cry, my heart broke to hear that. So, to my surprise the next thing he said was “Ellen, will you be my bride?”


And my response is what I will never forget. I said, “You will be my daddy, my husband, and my best friend.”


Since that point, I have realized that I have started becoming the woman that God wants me to be. I strayed away, but I realized that still, through everything I’ve done, God loves me so much. I will never forget that day.

And, Ellen, I will never forget your testimony. You have moved me to tears, and I pray that I too walk symmetrically as one with my Lord, my Abba daddy, by husband, my best friend.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea-billows roll—
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul. —Spafford

Susan

Happy Birthday, Tony!

Today’s my hubby’s birthday, and I’m glad to take this opportunity to let you know a little about him and to wish him the best day ever. Tony’s a great dad, husband, son, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend – devoted to his family, his patients and his ministry, and of course, the Lord.

He is extremely gifted at many things, and so keeps very busy. He’s a great musician and chiropractor, and so handy, my mom bought him a t-shirt that reads “Mr. Fixit”. Since he really can fix just about anything, we rarely hire someone to do the job. Of course, he’s so busy that he can’t always get to it, so we blissfully live in a constant state of disrepair. 

He lends his wisdom to the leadership of the church and the state chiropractic organizations, who have honored him with several awards, although most of his work is done quietly without any reward or recognition except for the select few who work alongside him.

He’s very supportive of this new path that God has led me down in the past year, one more thing for which I am so thankful.

So, hon, happy birthday, and may this year be filled with music, fishing, pancakes and tons of fun!

All my love,
Susan