Category: new year

Starting Over!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

;

When  my mother-in-law was interviewed in our wedding video, her first words were, “We waited a looong time for this!” Since then, my husband and I have jokingly said that phrase thousands of times. And I’m about to say it today. I just wish you could hear it in my mother-in-law’s Jersey Italian accent.

I’ve waited a looong time for this!

For what, you ask?

For my broken blog to be fixed.

It’s been a year and a half, and I’m finally back – hoping to share a bit of encouragement to your day. Equal parts of procrastination and lack of technical skills led to months of silence on my part, at least in the virtual world.

But New Year’s is a great time to start fresh, and I’m so thankful to my friend Kim, the website wizard, for bringing my little piece of the web back to life.

Oswald Chambers so wisely said,

“Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands and step out into the invincible future with Him.” 

I hope and pray that you will join me in an invincible future with Him, that you will allow Him to take your broken parts and fill them with His ever-loving presence, mending you and making you whole and wholly His.

I will be posting on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Because of a new email subscription service, to receive future blogposts, you must re-subscribe on the blog page of my newly fixed website. Simply:

Looking forward to our journey together in 2021 and beyond!

 

On Purpose for 2016!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

For the past few years, I’ve been part of a growing trend – to select one word for the year, rather than set a bunch of resolutions likely doomed to failure.

The one word concept works for me. Throughout the year, my word often serves as a little bird that flutters in my brain at the point of decision making, keeping me on track. Sometimes it serves as a sit-down-and-contemplate-for-a- while-experience. Previous one-words for me include: Now, Faithfulness, Obey.

Those previous one-words were chosen after meditation and consideration, but this year, the word came to me like a bullet. I heard it in a moment and grabbed it for the year with an assurance that this word would serve me well.

My word for 2016 is Purpose. Or more specifically: Purposed.

As in “But Daniel purposed in his heart…” Dan. 1:8

Fifteen times, the word “purposed” appears in Scripture. In all but four verses, the word refers to God purposing to do something. Only Daniel, David, and Paul were people that purposed to do something. One purposed in his spirit (Paul), one in his heart (Daniel), and one in his mouth (David).

 

The Dictionary tells us that purpose can be a noun or a verb:

Purpose 2016

 

Purpose is what motivates us in life, what moves us forward. Without a purpose, we’re left to wander and to wonder why we’re doing anything, why we’re even here. But God created each of us with a purpose. And by discovering our purpose and working all we do within that purpose, we can accomplish God’s purposes and experience fulfillment in life.

So this year, I am purposing in my heart, spirit, and mouth to walk and talk in God’s purposes for me.

At each point of life’s decisions, whether  large or small, the little word “purpose” flutters across my brain and begs me to ask the question, “Is this opportunity within God’s purpose for me?” If not, I have the freedom to gracefully decline without feeling guilty. If yes, I experience the confidence to move forward boldly.

God’s purposes aren’t always plans or definitive actions. His purposes include growing in the fruits of the Spirit, developing Christ-likeness, resting in His presence.

Ultimately, for me, my purpose is to bring an eternal perspective to everything here on earth. There is an overarching purpose for each of our lives, and the daily circumstances and roles we play are small ingredients in much larger divine recipe.

Do you have a word for the year? What is it? And why?

Susan_signature

 

 

 

For more on the “One Word” perspective, check out One Word 365.

Wanna play Hangman?

Posted on by Susan Panzica
In the restaurant last night, I spotted a boy with his new Christmas gift – an ipad. And what was he doing with this valuable gift?

 
Playing Hangman. 


Hangman? – on an iPAD? – really????
As a kid, I played Hangman – using pencil & paper, chalkboard & chalk, dirt & stick.
And here was this 21st century kid using one of the most powerful devices currently known to man to play the simplest of games.    
But could we be doing exactly the same thing with the gifts that God has given us?
He is Emmanuel – God WITH us.
He declares us to be His temple and so His limitless power dwells WITHIN us.
And yet too often we are content to live a limited life.
We are satisfied with less than best.
We play with dirt & sticks when the Power that created the dirt resides inside us.
He calls us to use the gifts He has so freely given for Kingdom work. He wants us to step out of the boat with our eyes fixed securely on the One who keeps us from sinking. He desires to reveal Himself in us and through us. As a believer, His power within us is greater than an ipad or any man-made device. Where we are weak, He is strong. 
Rather than settling for mediocrity, I want 2012 to be the year I climb out of my comfort zone. How about you? 

ps – If uncertainty is holding you back from serving, and if you live near northern NJ, please join me and my Bible Fellowship class as we embark on a 9 week study “What’s So Spiritual About Your Gifts?” by Blackaby. Shoot me an email if you’re interested in participating. 

New Year’s Post and Post-Its!

Posted on by Susan Panzica


When I went to pick up my daughter (and the tons of stuff from her dorm) for semester break, I noticed a wall of post-it notes beside the sink of the tiny wash area near the bathroom.

Lauren (left) & Cassie

Lauren and her roommate, Cassie, love quotes. They wisely decided to use this space that they see every morning to provide a positive start and end to their day.

It reminded me of my friend, Cathy, who had written the following words above her closet:
“Put on the full armor of God: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the readiness that comes from with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”. (Eph. 6)
Every day as she donned her clothes, she simulated putting on the armor of God, spiritually preparing herself for the day ahead.

Following her example, on my closet, I had posted:
“Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Col. 3:12

These reminders each morning set the tone for the day.

So I thought, if they can set the tone for the day, maybe they can set the tone for the year as well. As we begin 2009, consider a Scripture verse or quote that would be appropriate for you for the year to come. Then post it as a reminder. Perhaps in your closet, in your Bible, by your kitchen sink or in your car. Commit it to memory.

In the books of Psalms, Nehemiah and Isaiah, we see that the nation of Israel posted watchmen as guards protecting them from their enemies. When we post Scripture verses, they will serve as guards to our minds protecting us from our enemy and the temptations he sends our way.

May your new year be filled with God’s grace and blessings.
May you begin each day thinking of God and end each day thanking Him.


Susan