Category: speaking events

What – Me Worry??

Posted on by Susan Panzica

This week, I’m heading to the speaker/writer conference She Speaks, with my book proposal in tow. I’m filled with anticipation of exciting possibilities ~ meeting women from across the country, learning from experts in their fields, and appointments with publishers to present my proposal. And despite the excitement, a measure of fear lurks beneath. And I’m not alone. I see from friends I know and those I will get to know that many are experiencing similar emotions.
Some worry about their families at home. Others about the conference itself and what they’ll say in their presentations.
Worry seems to be a universal tool of the enemy to keep our eyes focused on ourselves instead of God. But thankfully, there’s an antidote to worry.

Jesus knew the disciples would be called to speak publicly and He had this advice for them:

“…don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” Mk 13:11

The Holy Spirit inside us, comforting us, guiding us, dispels the worries that plague us.
If we try to fit God into our agenda, we’ll be worried and stressed. When we rest in the knowledge that the Spirit is doing the talking, we’ll experience peace. This is not to say that we shouldn’t be diligently prepared.  It is to say that we let God guide our thoughts and actions.
We have no control over many of the things that happen to us each day. Family, health, financial, weather, and job situations press upon us and weigh us down. In any given moment, we could receive bad news, have an argument, be required to do something seemingly beyond our ability.
In that moment, we have a choice.
We can wallow in the gloom of self-pity, worry, fear, or depression. Or we can ask God for His perspective. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul shares the secret to finding joy in troubling times:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 4:8

This process is the same whether it’s worship or worry. Worry is life-sucking meditation on the negative. Paul tells us what to meditate on: what’s true, noble, just, pure, lovely, things of good report, virtuous and praise-worthy things.
When a dear friend was going through a terrible time, she started a list. Using this Scripture, she decided to  list verses that stated what was true, noble, just, etc. She never got past “true.” Her truth list was comprehensive enough for her to rewire her brain to meditate on the truth of God’s unfailing love, His hope-filled plans for her, His never-ending compassion, His mercy, His trust-worthiness, His peace that passes understanding. 

What’s on your truth list? 

You’re Invited!

Posted on by Susan Panzica
If you’re in the north Jersey area, please join me on Sunday morning 3/24/13 as I share the Word at High Mountain Church, in North Haledon.

Shhhh! Don’t tell your man the topic. I’m presenting a fresh new look at what it means to be the Bride. Hint: It has nothing to do with lace, giggles or hormones! I’ll just say this: it may not be pretty, but it is powerful, and it’s something both men and women need to know. Paul calls the relationship “A Profound Mystery.” We’ll unravel some clues of this mystery to walk  deeper and closer in the most important relationship we’ll ever have for all eternity.

Where:

     High Mountain Church
     681 High Mountain Rd.
     North Haledon, NJ

Time:
     10:30 am

Hope to see you! Be sure to say “hi!”

photo credit: www.sarahhalstead.com

What’s a nice Jewish girl doing in a place like this?

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Jewish girl. Disco band. Salvation mine.


Today’s blogpost is an entry to win a scholarship to attend the She Speaks conference in July. The contest was to write a story in six words. I thought it couldn’t be done, but you just read my story – I was that Jewish girl. Who would have thought that spending weekends at a cottage in the Hamptons visiting bars and disco dancing the night away would lead a “nice Jewish girl” to find her Messiah. But that’s how it happened, the short version anyway.


My testimony “I Was A Jewish Tax Collector” can be found at: http://eternitycafe.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-was-jewish-tax-collector.html


The She Speaks conference was the catalyst for me to begin the journey into writing, including this blog. It is my heartfelt prayer to attend the conference again this July. If not through this contest entry, then praying that the Lord will provide another way.

Thanks AND Book Giveaway

Posted on by Susan Panzica
What a joy to spend a day with the women of Calvary Chapel North Jersey on Saturday. It was a special day dedicated to the beauty of the Lord, and the beauty that He instills in us.

How good and pleasant it is when sisters live together in unity! Ps. 133:1
My first thought was how good it was to be there, to be in the company of such lovely women.  And I remembered someone else who said,”It is good for us to be here.”
One day, Jesus took His inner circle, Peter, James and John, up on a high mountain. Miraculously, Jesus was transformed into a figure of blazing white, and He was joined by Elijah and Moses. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here…” Matt. 17:4
Peter also suggested building 3 shelters so that they could stay on the mountaintop. But that wasn’t God’s plan then, nor is it now. In His grace, He provides us spiritual mountaintop experiences, but He doesn’t want us to set up camp and stay there. Were we to stay permanently up on the mountain, the people in the valley would never get to hear the good news. Also, fruit doesn’t grow on mountaintops. Fruit grows in the valley.
So thankfully, we get glimmers of glory, and then we are  commissioned to share what He has shared with us. We enjoy brief periods of R + R before we head back to the struggle, back to the valley. Yet whether on the mountaintop or in the valley, He is with us.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Ps. 23:4 NLT
So as much as I would love to stay on a retreat, experiencing the sweet joy and fellowship with God and His people, it is necessary to take what I’ve gleaned and return to the frontlines. To continue the blessing and as a thank-you to the women of Calvary Chapel, I am giving away the book “Who Calls Me Beautiful” by Regina Frankin. I will make 2 copies available.

Who Calls Me Beautiful?—Finding Our True Image in the Mirror of God


Who Calls Me Beautiful? helps you to identify the forces that influence your life and affect how you understand “beauty,” and encourages you to embrace a biblical and spiritual balance that honors the God who created you.

“I am an ordinary woman who has faced the same struggles that other women face,” says Regina Franklin. “But we have an extraordinary God who sees us as His beautiful vessels.”

Contest Rules:

1. For the Calvary gals, if you sign up to be a follower or subscriber to Eternity Cafe, and leave a comment with your email address, you will be entered to win.


2. If you already follow or subscribe to Eternity Cafe and leave a comment with your email address, you will be entered to win.

Contest ends Wednesday, May 5th

What a night!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

On Saturday, the ladies (and men!) of High Mountain Church held their annual Ladies Tea. It was a beautiful night of music and ministry, food and fellowship, and of course, the drawing for beautiful baskets, gift certificates and other items!

The ladies on the left (at least to my left!)

The crowd in the middle

Ladies on the right
and
along the wall:
the awesome men who served us
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Ladies,
Thank you for making our night so special.
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In particular:
Cherie – thank you for sharing such beautiful music, especially the song “Brave”. I know it was out of your comfort zone, and you were so brave! Those lyrics have long ministered to me, and I am so thankful that you were willing to share it. And somehow you worked your magic to transform that unattractive gym into a lovely environment (so mod & groovy!!).
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Nancy – you do an awesome job with the baskets, from creation to presentation. (Hmmm – He created us and will present us faultless before His throne! Sorry, I’m just too corny sometimes!)
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Susan – you have set a vision and so beautifully demonstrate the grace of God as you are the glue that holds it all together.
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I know that there were many others who worked so hard to make the evening so special for all who attended. It was an example of the body of Christ working effectively together. Some were the eyes, seeing the need and casting a vision. Some were the feet running to and fro, while others were the ears and heart listening and ministering comfort.
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The message I shared was about conquering fear, and I’ll be sharing bits and pieces here and there within the weeks to come. Until then, let me just say – I am a living testimony that God can bring us through those doors, past the thresholds of fear, enabling to walk in victory.
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Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 15:57
Susan

An Invitation from the Speaker of the House!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

As I walked into church on Sunday, I was met by my beloved friend, Rose, who greets everyone with the hugest smile ever!
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As she handed me the bulletin, Rose noticed that I was to be the speaker at our annual Ladies Tea this year. She commented that I have been doing a lot of speaking lately! (Not a lot really – but more than she has!) Then she declared that I was the Speaker of the House! We roared with laughter!
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If only she knew (and she will after Saturday night) the journey that God has taken me on to bring me to the point where I can stand in front of people, much less speak. When I was a child, my mother’s motto was that children should be seen and not heard. She meant in front of company, of course, but I fit the bill perfectly. If being quiet was the standard of proper behavior, I was a model child. But, the truth is that I was very far from a model child, just a quiet one! I was painfully shy and riddled with fears. My fears morphed and grew over the years to monumentable proportions.
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So this Saturday, please join me as I share about the journey that God has brought me – to face these fears and bring me freedom. It will be a wonderful evening with extraordinary special music, delicious food and raffles of beautiful baskets, gift certificates and other items.
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Here’s the info:
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Saturday, June 6, 2009 . . . 5:30pm
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High Mountain Church of the Nazarene
681 High Mountain Rd., No. Haledon, NJ
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$15 per person
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Call the church office for tickets:
973-427-2575
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Hope to see you there!
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Susan

Mourning to Gladness

Posted on by Susan Panzica

I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. Jeremiah 31:13

Well, I wasn’t exactly mourning. That’s way too strong a word, but I sure was disappointed.

Yesterday at my son’s high school was the final chapel of the series based on my book-to-be. It has been a terrific series, and the finale of this last chapel was a wonderful presentation by the students in the class. As James softly played the piano, one by one each student in the class came on the stage, alternately from the left and right. Each one spoke a different “i am . . .”, read a Bible verse and carried or wore a symbol representing that identity. Fourteen in all portrayed clay, child, bride, soldier, part of the body, instrument, ambassador and so on. To wrap it up, I came up last and shared the final “i am” – “Here I am . . . send me. . .” During my conclusion, I shared the words I had first shared 7 weeks ago:

“I am not who you think I am.
I am not even who I think I am.
I am who God says I am.”
The whole presentation was very moving, and it was videotaped so that we could put it on YouTube and be an encouragement to others (including you!). Well, we thought it was videotaped. You see, in order to be taped, it is necessary to push the “REC” button, and the guy doing the recording did everything but press “REC”.
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My heart sank when I heard the news. I tried to be cool about it, but secretly I was so-o-o-o disappointed.
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Until later that night.
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My son called me over to see something on the computer. He was checking Facebook (what else is new??) and pointed toward the middle of the screen. There amid the many photos and newsy updates was a picture of a girl from his school, and what do I see next to her picture in the “what’s on your mind” box: “I AM NOT WHO YOU THINK I AM. I AM NOT WHO I THINK I AM. I AM WHO GOD SAYS I AM.”
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Oh, God is so good!
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The class wants to re-enact the presentation to properly film it in a few weeks, so hopefully you’ll be able to see it. But whether or not that actually takes place is not quite as important to me now. To know that the message reached at least one, hopefully more, was such a blessing. To have this young lady declare it boldy to the world, at least her part of the world, is such a testimony to importance of this message.
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Isn’t it funny how we can feel so disappointed one minute, then soaring with gladness the next? All because we see God working. Oh, may we remember that He is always working!!
Susan

W O W – What an Outrageous Weekend!

Posted on by Susan Panzica
W O W – With Outstanding Women!
I’m so thankful for the wonderful time I spent with the women from the PVCA retreat this past weekend! They are a beautiful bunch, inside and out. And we were in a beautiful place, inside and out! Many thanks to Nancy, Pam and the committee who worked so hard all year long to put together such a blessed experience.
We strolled along the ocean.

And rested on the jetties.


We ate (mostly)
delicious meals.
And had lots of laughs.
(That’s Heather!)

Time was spent in small groups and large groups, dining, laughing, sharing, catching up with old friends and getting to know new ones. So many inspiring stories were shared with both humor and tears.

The small group leaders did a fabulous job helping me to present the message about who we are in Christ. They shared about what it means to be an ambassador, the bride, a servant, salt, a soldier, an heir, a sheep and a branch of the Vine, about what prevents us from living as we should and what can we do to get back on track.

On a side note – I noticed that many of the group leaders shared that fear was a factor, so I want to invite you to attend High Mountain Church’s Ladies Tea (June 6th) where I was asked to speak on what subject — fear! Fear is something that I have wrangled with all my life, and it seems that I’m not alone. Especially in these dark days, with the economy and spiritually, fear hits very close to home. But take heart – “perfect Love casts out fear!!” “God did not give us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and self-discipline.”

Back to the retreat – One image that will stay with me was when little Alex (our very special male attendee) heard his aunt’s voice and turned his head, looking up at her with eyes brimming with adoration and a smile to match. It reminded me that His sheep know His voice, and when we hear His voice, we must turn toward His direction with joy.

Aunt Nettie, Alex and mom Amanda

At the very end, the entire group turned toward the wall of windows facing the bay (and the mainland in the distance) and sang “Shout to The Lord.” It was a holy moment, one which bridged the sacred to the secular.


As we leave the Spirit-filled weekend, may the lessons that God showed us strengthen us to know who we are because of who He is and to be His representatives back in our realities at home, work, church, school, wherever He’s placed us.

Susan

Back to Reality!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

On the way home from the retreat, I received a call from my son,
“When are you coming home?”
A half hour later, I received a call from my other blessing,
“When are you coming home? . . . Hello?? Aren’t you in the same house??
How do you get out a pollen stain?” Back to reality!
“By the way, I’m making dinner tonight, so you don’t have to after your long weekend.”
Ooooh, maybe it’s a new reality!!
Once home, I ask my son to tear himself away from the TV to fetch my other bags.
“Sure, Mom.”
5 minutes later, I ask my son to tear himself away from the TV to fetch my other bags.
“In a minute.”
10 minutes later, I ask my son to tear himself away from the TV to fetch my other bags.
“I will.”
15 minutes later, I grab the remote with fire in my eyes and ask my son to tear himself away from the TV to fetch my other bags.
“Why can’t Lauren do it? I’m so-o-o-o tired.” Maybe not a new reality!

Okay, in his defense, his school play was this weekend, and there was lots going on, and he was exhausted. He did get the bags, and he’s now napping on the couch.
And Lauren is in the kitchen cutting up chicken for our dinner listening to Christian radio. Oh, joy!
And Tony surprised me while I was away by putting up the new curtain rod in the living room.
Aaaaah! Back to reality, new or not, it’s good to be home.

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ps-
I have so much to share with you about the wonderful weekend I had with the terrific ladies from the PVCA retreat. In the days to come, I will share some humorous, inspirational and poignant stories and photos. Stay tuned!!

Susan

Check me out!

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Well, thanks to my husband, I’m on the world wide web!
You can see my website at:
It’s still a little rough, but you have to start somewhere!
Other news:
This weekend I will be the speaker at the PVCA’s annual Ladies Retreat.
I appreciate your prayers regarding this event.
That God alone would be glorified.
That women’s hearts would draw closer to Him.
That as we learn more about who we are in Christ,
the more empowered we will be to serve Him as He leads.
Thanks so much!
Next week, I’ll let you know how it went.
Susan