Category: worship

God’s Girl and the Christmas Story

Posted on by Susan Panzica

With new technology, searching family ancestry is becoming increasingly popular. Many people, our family included, found a few surprises in their family trees.

And many people would be surprised to learn about some of the members of Jesus’ family tree. Matthew lists forty fathers, but he also includes five mothers, each one bringing an interesting mix to Jesus’ ancestry, people that would not be expected in a royal lineage.

Rahab is one unexpected woman in the line of Jesus.

Almost every time she is mentioned, her occupation is mentioned with her name. Rahab, the harlot. Rahab, the prostitute. How glad I am that there isn’t a “the ____” after my name! Aren’t you?

Her story in Joshua 2 and 6 dramatically tells the story of how she hid the Israeli spies in Jericho, setting the stage for the famous city wall drop.

In her conversation with the spies, she declares, “for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” Because of her faith in the God of Israel, and because of the action she took in protecting the spies from the authorities in Jericho, she and her family were saved from destruction.

Rahab was a harlot, a sinner, but she was also a woman of faith. She demonstrated faith in action, and James uses her as an example when he declared that faith without works is dead. Her faith was alive and well. Paul says that we while are saved by grace through faith, that we are created to do good works.

Many people think that Rahab was saved because she hid the spies.

The truth is Rahab hid the spies because she was saved.

Rahab also beautifully demonstrates my favorite Christmas carol, Hark the Herald Angels Sing. It’s my favorite because of four words: “God and sinner reconciled.”

Reconciliation with God – that’s what Christmas is all about.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Col 1:19-20

Christmas isn’t so much about a weak swaddled baby in a manger. It’s about the bigger picture. Christmas is about the cross. And about the resurrection. The Gospels share only four chapters about Jesus’ birth compared to twenty-seven chapters about His last week on earth. We don’t know the date of Jesus’ birth, but we do know the exact date of His death.

The angels declaration to the shepherds echoed Rahab’s. “Glory to God IN THE HIGHEST… AND ON EARTH, peace, good will toward men!”

God in heaven, who the universe cannot contain, came to our tiny planet out of His great love for us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17

As we go about our days this week, it’s so easy to get caught up in the to-do’s, in relationship issues, in a host of things that steal our attention from the big picture. I pray that you will be able to keep your focus on the big picture and then you will experience the peace He came to bring.

Here is a link to my message which shares more about Rahab and her link to the Christmas story.

 

 

 

For a children’s book that tells the WHOLE Christmas story (including the cross and resurrection), please check out my book Mary had a little Lamb. The book also includes talking points and myth-busters for parents to make Christmas more meaningful. More resources are at www.maryhadalittlelamb.net.

MLL cover

Make a joyful noise!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

ps 100-1

He: “You should sing tenor.”

Me: “Tenor??”

He: “Yeah. Ten or twenty feet away.”

True story. Said to me by a guy. At church! Yup!

Funny? Maybe to some. But it’s nothing I haven’t heard or said to myself.

Me: “I sing solo.”

Me: “So low you can’t hear me.”

My worship-leader-husband often walks into the kitchen as I’m happily singing away while meandering from frig to sink to counter to oven. Shaking his head, out of the side of his mouth, he whispers, “Don’t sing.”

He’s worried that the kids will hear my voice and learn everything off key.

So I stopped singing.

But only for a while.

I just can’t help it. I always have a song in my head, one earworm a day. Often it’s “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman, but I’m not limited. No sir! Whatever God lays on my heart in the morning repeats itself throughout the day, all day long.

I don’t sing loud (unless I’m alone in my car), but I do sing pretty constantly.

My kids are grown now, and thankfully, they inherited their dad’s musical abilities. Every vacation and most holidays require a “Fam Jam” where we play an original song, a familiar song, a reworded or reworked song, or some combination thereof. My job? Nodding my head and hitting a djembe, a maraca, or some sort of drum to the proper beat. Occasionally I’m allowed to lip-sync, but frankly, that’s too much pressure for me.

Fortunately, I live by the credo:

God doesn’t ask us to sing on key. He says “Make a joyful noise.”  

Nowhere in Scripture does it say you need musical skills to sing to the Lord. But in several places, it commands us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord (Psalms 66:1; 95:1–2; 100:1; 1 Chronicles 15:16).

God wants us to find such joy and excitement in Him that we cannot contain it. Ephesians 5:18–19 instructs us to “be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, singing to Him organically flows in and through us. Musical talent has nothing to do with it.

My singing may not be joyful to anyone in earshot, but it’s perfectly joyful to me.

And I believe that it is to God too – who hears it in perfect pitch.

  • What’s your favorite song to sing all day long?
  • Be sure to click on the FAM JAM link for a smile and a taste of my Christmas book set to soulful song.

 

 

PS – Many thanks to Barbara Higby and the North Jersey Christian Writers Group for the inspiration ;D

What, me worry??

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Matt 6-34
Normally, I love to hear the sweet tweets of the birds, but today outside the window of our office their joyful clamor tells me that they are very busy. Each summer, against our wishes, they attempt to build their nest under the eaves. Twig by twig, on and on, they flutter to and fro.
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Do you think they are worried about the economic crisis? the war overseas? the racial divide? what to make for dinner? if they look fat in their outfit? Nope! They’re like Alfred E. Newman from MAD magazine. Remember him? His signature line is “What, me worry?” That was Jesus’ line, too!!
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“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”Matt. 6:25-34

Take note that Jesus compares worrying about these things to being like a pagan! When He says, “Do not worry,” it’s not a suggestion. It’s an instruction. When we choose to worry, we are being disobedient, we are choosing to sin which can have dire consequences. “Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” 1 Sam. 15:23..

After hearing the birds yesterday, it was my husband who suggested today’s post. Now he is a natural-born worrier, descended from a long line of worriers. Yet, God has shown him the futility of worry. He told his mom once, “Worry is like a rocking chair. You spend a lot of energy, but don’t get anywhere!”..

I think it’s important to note that freedom from worry does not mean sitting back, resting, doing nothing, hoping for God to provide. The birds don’t expect their nest to materialize on its own. They spend countless hours searching and building. It’s just that they don’t fret about it. We can, no we must, take our stand for important issues and work to make them right. But in the end, we must trust God to do the heavy lifting. Trust Him for the outcome, knowing there’s an eternity to look forward to and everything here is temporary. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:18  So seek first His kingdom – the eternal things, and trust God for the temporal. 

I think it’s time we all became “birdbrains!” What, me worry?
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“Worry is believing God won’t get it right.” -Todd Wagner
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Happy Resurrection Day!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

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The door of the Garden Tomb, Jerusalem

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?” 

“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.”

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: 

Rejoice!“


Rejoice, dear friends! May this Resurrection Day usher in a year of peace and victory for you. May you walk closer than ever with our risen Lord day after day after day. 


1. Lk. 2:45
2. Mt. 28:6
3. Phil 4:4 

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?

Holding Hands

Posted on by Susan Panzica
All day long, my husband the chiropractor, plays Simon Says with his patients. As they lie face down on the table, he’ll instruct them, “Put your left hand behind your lower back.” “Raise your right hand above your head.” And so on. Each of these tests indicates specific vertebrae in need of adjusting. 



When Jes was on the table, her little Eli sat nearby in his stroller. As she raised her hand above her head, Eli reached out to grab it. So precious!

And so telling of how we must respond when our Savior extends His hand to us.

To read how to walk hand in hand with God, click over to Laced With Grace. 

Can you feel the love? 

ps – as you read this, I’m in Italy with the family celebrating our kids’ college graduations. How fast the time goes! Would you keep us in prayer? And check my facebook page for pictures!! 

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? 

Dark Shadows vs. Blinded By The Light

Posted on by Susan Panzica

First take – Dark Shadows
Take 2 – Blinded By The Light

At Yankee Stadium last week, my hubby wanted a photo to share on facebook. I offered to take it, but he wanted me in it. That was the last thing I wanted as I sat in the drizzle, sensing my hair frizzle.Grumbling, I  asked a man seated nearby to take our picture. With some consternation of his own, he snapped the photo on the left.

As the shutter snapped, another man rushed over, practically leaping over fans seated in the row. “Wait! Let ME take your picture!!”

He grabbed my iPhone and showed us the picture just taken. “Will anyone know where you are?” he asked.

“Ummm, it does show the blue YANKEE STADIUM letters. There on the left.”

“Oh…… Humph….Well, that’s not what I was talking about. Go back there and let me take your picture. I’m a professional photographer.”

Really? Is that what I need? A professional photographer for a facebook photo? A photo I am only begrudingly agreeing to?

Not to be rude, we returned to our spots in front of the railing, forced a smile, and snap!

Mr. Photographer handed me back my phone and strode away up the stairs, never to be seen again.

One look at the picture he took told us he indeed was a pro. Not only did he get the Yankee emblem behind home plate (his intention), he also captured us swathed in light. And what a difference that made.

Tony and I stood in the same place for both pictures. The difference was the direction we were looking.

Same truth applies to life.

No matter our situation (where we are), we choose what direction to focus on. We can lurk in the shadows of self-pity, complaints, judgmental attitudes, discouragement, need I go on? Or we can face the Light. Seek Him in His Word, in the fellowship of believers, in praise and worship, in serving Him. The choice is ours.

What will you choose today? 

This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5


For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Eph. 5:8


For times when it seems that there is no light to be found, read “When The Son Don’t Shine.” 


Lord Undo Me

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Driving home tonight listening to K-LOVE Radio (96.7 in NYC area), I heard the dj (JD Chandler) read the following. You can hear him read it on his webpage: http://www.klove.com/blog/jd/ Scroll down to Oct. 31. It undid me.

“Lord Undo Me”


I don’t really worship these day
I don’t really stand up to praise you with songs
Or prayers or actions
or with anything
I am full of all the right moves
I am full of all the right words
I am full of all the right religion
But it is all just illusion
I am really
Lonely
Lost
Calloused
Jaded
Cynical
Too religious
Too realistic
and well really just to lazy
to worship you anymore
I have lost my first love
I have lost the joy of your presence
But most of all I have lost the fear of your glory


Father I need to see you again
Like Isaiah I want to stand in awe of your glory
To fall down at your feet
To come face to face with your
Perfection,
Radiance,
Goodness,
Holiness,
Awesomeness
I want to stand before you and see you for who you are
and me for who I am
I want to be undone


I want to know me for who I really am
I want to see the depths of my heart
And know that you are the only way
You are the only truth
You are the only life
I want to see me and understand
What it really must have taken for you to
Love me
Care for me
See me
Speak to me
Want me
Communicate with me
Die for me
Die for me
Die for me


Lord, I want to stand in that place where all I can see is your glory
And my sin
Because in that place I can’t help but worship you.
Lord let me come undone
Undo my heart
Lord, undo my heart
break down these walls that I love so much
No, wait don’t,
I’m scared I don’t know if I can handle this
don’t
But I can’t live this way anymore
I can’t stand here in this half-life
this going through the motions life
this not really alive life
Father, I need you so come in and do what you must
Cut out the tumor on my heart
Break down the walls that I love
Lord let me come undone
Undo my heart
let me worship you again


*Blake Williams

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Aftermath

Posted on by Susan Panzica
On Thursday night, my family, friends and I went to a Hillsong United concert, part of the tour promoting their new album Aftermath.

It was a worship encounter that rivaled any I’ve ever experienced. During the final song, I glanced up and saw the massive painted ceiling of the Hammerstein Ballroom, a vision of heaven that brought my spirit right through the roof to the clouds. I sensed the prayers of the people rising up to heaven as incense.

The next morning, I awoke to the news of the tragedy in Japan. My heart is breaking for the loss and suffering over there. And in the days since, the word “aftermath,” so often repeated, has taken on new significance.

The album was titled Aftermath because “instead of living in the aftermath of our mistakes and sin, we can live in the aftermath of what Jesus has done for us.”

What is the aftermath? According to the dictionary, it is:

af.ter.math – noun
something that results or follows from an event,
especially one of a disastrous or unfortunate nature;
consequence: the aftermath of war; the aftermath of the flood
After natural or man-made disasters, there are the expected devastating consequences.
After the cross, there was and is the unexpected consequence – what appeared to be total destruction and loss one tragic Friday 2000 years ago was complete victory the following Sunday. A victory that is ours today. At the concert, Joel Houston of Hillsong shared, “The cross was a symbol of sin and shame, but Jesus turned it upside down into a symbol of grace and forgiveness and hope.”
“A perfect God sent His perfect Son to an imperfect people in order to perfect them through His perfect love.” Heb 10:14 (Hillsong U. version)

Aftermath
The skies lay low where You are
On the earth You rest Your feet
Yet the hands that cradle the stars
Are the hands that bled for me
In a moment of glorious surrender
You were broken for all the world to see
Lifted out of the ashes
I am found in the aftermath
Freedom found in Your scars
In Your grace my life redeemed
For You chose to take the sinner’s crown
As You placed Your crown on me
In that moment of glorious surrender
Was the moment You broke the chains in me
Lifted out of the ashes
I am found in the aftermath
And in that moment You opened up the heavens
To the broken the beggar and the thief
Lifted out of the wreckage
I find hope in the aftermath
And I know that You’re with me
Yes I know that You’re with me here
And I know Your love will light the way
Now all I have I count it all as loss
But to know You and to carry the cross
Knowing I’m found
In the light of the aftermath



May you, dear friend, find yourself in the aftermath of His sacrifice and love for you.