Month: December 2014

2015 – Forget it! Or Remember?

Posted on by Susan Panzica

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Is. 43:18-19

Isaiah’s words from God seem like the perfect verse to usher in the new year along with Paul’s words from Phil 3:13-14 =

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Seems like starting a new year gives us opportunity to do a lot of forgetting.

Yet I also recall verses that tell me to do just the opposite – remember!

Repeatedly in Scripture the Lord urges His people to remember – His covenants with them, what He has done for them (and us), what they (and we) had been, how they (and we) angered God, how He forgave.

In fact, Isaiah himself who wrote “forget the former things” also wrote “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” Isaiah 46:9



So what’s a girl to do? 
Forget or remember??
Probably a little of both.
<<click to tweet>>


Alas, I find myself remembering things that have little value, hurtful things, foolish things, things that should be long forgotten. These are the things that Isaiah says to forget – “do not dwell in the past.” In Paul’s description of the race of life, these things are weights that drag us down and keep us from pressing on toward the goal.

What we are to dwell on, to remember, is the God that is like no other:
  • The One who redeemed us when we were unworthy,
  • the One who sustained us when we couldn’t go on,
  • the One who grants us peace beyond understanding,
  • the One who helps us to love the unlovable and who loves us unconditionally,
  • the One who made us and REmade us.


The lyrics from one of my favorite bands Tenth Ave. North says:

You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade.

‘Cause this is not about what you’ve done,
But what’s been done for you.
This is not about where you’ve been,
But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.


So in 2015, what will you forget?
And what will you remember?

Chanukah Blessings!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

photo: Jonathan Cahn of Beth Israel, Wayne NJ


Today is the first day of Chanukah which officially began last night at sundown. Chanukah was one of my favorite times growing up.

  • Playing dreidel games!
  • Eating potato latkes! 
  • Eight nights of presents!
  • Lighting the Chanukah candles! 


As the eldest child in my family, I lit the menorah candles. First, we lit the tallest candle (the Shamash). Then the Shamash lit the other candles from right to left, lighting one the first night, two the next, and so on for eight nights. As I lit the candles, I said the following prayer:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melech ha’olam
asher, kidishanu b’mitz’votav, v’tzivanu
l’had’lik neir shel Chanukah. 

which means

Blessed are you, Lord our God, sovereign of the universe
Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us
to light the lights of Chanukah. 


Little did I know that the menorah and its candles were a beautiful reflection of the Light of the world that was to bring me from darkness to light.

Chanukah is often overshadowed by the many Christmas activities. It is not a particularly important Jewish festival, and not mentioned in the Old Testament. Chanukah, the Feast of Dedication is an eight day celebration commemorating the revolt and unlikely victory of the Jewish Maccabbees over the powerful Syrian Greeks who had invaded and oppressed Israel in 167 – 164 BC (the period of time between the Old and New Testaments).

Jesus observed Chanukah (John 10:20-30), and it was during this Feast the Jesus publicly declared Himself the Messiah by proclaiming “I and the Father are One.”

Celebrating Chanukah includes the telling of the story of how the Syrian ruler, Antiochus, brutally oppressed the Hebrews, forbidding the practice of Judiasm and desecrating the Temple by sacrificing pigs on the altar. Mattathias and his 5 sons, including Judah (nicknamed Maccabbee, the Hammer), led a rag-tag army in guerilla warfare for 3 years, retreating to the hills after each battle.

Finally, the Jews defeated the mighty Syrian army and returned to Jerusalem to find the Temple all but destroyed and the oil for the lampstand gone, except for a tiny amount enough for one day. The eternal flame of the Temple Menorah, central to Israel’s worship, was extinguished. Although it would take eight days for the priests to consecrate more oil, by faith they lit the Menorah. Miraculously, the one day’s supply of oil lasted those eight days. Judah Maccabbee declared that these events would be commemorated annually at the Feast of Dedication, the Festival of Lights, Chanukah. A special menorah would be used that had nine candles, rather than the seven branched lampstand in the Temple, one for each of the eight days and one Shamash candle.

The lights of the menorah are symbolic of our relationship with Christ, the Light of the world. The tallest candle is called Shamash which means “Servant.” The Servant candle lights the other candles yet loses none of its own light. Likewise, Jesus who “came not to be served, but to serve” (Mk 10:45) imparts His light to us and loses none of His own. He is the Light of the word (Jn 8:12), but He says that WE are the light of the world (Mt. 5:4).

The Temple in Jerusalem no longer stands, but God’s Word declares that WE are a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19) and the light of the world. How is our oil burning? Sometimes an oil change is necessary. Or perhaps we are a quart low. Maybe we feel like all we have left is one day’s supply. Isn’t it reassuring to remember that the Bible teaches that more oil is always available when the undying flame has been ignited in our souls! 

When we spot a menorah, let’s remember that we have been illuminated by the Shamash, the Servant, and we have an eternal supply of oil to keep the Light of the world burning brightly in our hearts throughout the year. 


Thank you Jesus for imparting Your light to us. May we reflect You, bringing light to people still in darkness. Thank you for the miracles 2000 years ago, and the miracles today!! 

For more information from Chabad about the Jewish observance of Chanukah:
Printable Chanukah Guide

How Can This Be?

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Has a phone call or conversation ever delivered incomprehensible news and you wondered, “How can this be?” You’re not alone…




A devout priest, Zechariah was a descendent of Aaron. When his priestly division was on duty at the Temple in Jerusalem, he was chosen to enter the Holy Place. A religious man, schooled in the Scriptures, he was in a religious place where one would expect to encounter God.

Yet, when the angel appeared to him, standing beside the altar of incense, Zechariah startled, gripped in fear. Gabriel comforted Zechariah, telling him not to be afraid and providing the reason for his visit. He was delivering good news. Zechariah’s elderly wife, Elizabeth, would bear them a son. Not just any son, but a son to be named John, who would be filled with the Holy Spirit and would prepare the people for the Messiah who was also coming to the world.

When Zechariah heard Gabriel’s words, he questioned him. “How can this be?” as he and his wife were well along in years and therefore could not bear a child. Gabriel, discerning that Zechariah didn’t believe, condemned him to silence until the baby’s birth when Zechariah demonstrated obedience by naming him John.

Mary also had a visit from the angel Gabriel. She wasn’t near the temple, but in a lowly village in Galilee, called Nazareth. She wasn’t schooled in the Scriptures. She was a simple devout young woman engaged to be married.

Gabriel greeted her, stating that she was highly favored and the Lord was with her. Troubled at his words (but not at the sight of him), he told her not to be afraid of what would happen to her, that she would miraculously bear a child. Hearing his words, Mary asked, “How can this be?” as a virgin cannot bear a child. Gabriel, discerning that she didn’t understand, explained to her about the Holy Spirit coming upon her, affirming that “nothing is impossible with God.” Mary responded in faith, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

Two appearances of the angel Gabriel
-One is the place of highest esteem, the Temple
-One in the lowest of villages (Can anything good come out of Nazareth? John 1:46)

Two expressing the same question, “How can this be?”
-One an unbelieving, though devout, old man
-One a believing, devout young woman

Two different responses by the angel to that same question
-One was rendered speechless for at least 9 months
-One was provided an answer to her question

So what can we glean from this?

Just because we are in a religious place doesn’t make us holy. You may have heard the saying, “Just because you are in McDonalds doesn’t make you a cheeseburger.” Despite Zechariah’s expectation of meeting with God in the Holy Place, he was shocked and terrified at seeing the angel. Mary, however, fully experienced the presence of God in the humblest of locations. Unlike real estate, when it comes to experiencing God, physical location seems to be of little consequence.

What is of great consequence is the state of our heart. We can live a life as “devout and blameless” as Zechariah and still miss God. While it is fitting to “study to show ourselves approved,” it can’t be just head-knowledge. The simple faith of a young virgin must inspire our desire to know Him, and to be willing to serve Him in whatever way He leads.

Fortunately, Zechariah’s song (Luke 1:67-79) makes it clear that he now possessed great understanding and belief in how his child would fulfill the Messianic prophesies. This encourages me to realize that even when I stumble, there always remains hope in the future to make it right.

In her song (Luke 1:46-55), Mary doesn’t appear to have the depth of comprehension that Zechariah had regarding the coming of the Messiah. What she does have is the simple understanding that she is blessed because He was “mindful of her, His servant.”

“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45

Do you believe that He will accomplish what He said? Then you are blessed!

Do you question God? That’s ok. Both Zechariah and Mary did.

When you ask the Lord “How can this be?.” do you struggle to ask with the heart of Mary, believing and trusting? Let’s talk about it.