Author: Susan Panzica

Blessed? or Stressed??

Posted on by Susan Panzica

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, or so the song says, the happiest season of all. Norman Rockwell images dance in our heads, or across the TV anyway. And a ball in the pit of our stomach starts to grow like a snowball careening down a mountain. 


Today over at Circles of Faith, check out my Top Ten list of stress-busting choices to help us “keep the main thing, the main thing” during the upcoming Advent season. 




photo credit: murilocardoso via photopin cc



Call 911!

Posted on by Susan Panzica
A facebook post from my friend Laurie Jeron reminded me of Psalm 91. She’s praying it for all us easterners in light of the pending storm. It’s one of my favorites and a perfect psalm to contemplate when all the media hype could easily derail our peace. When I first started blogging, I wrote a post on this Psalm, and I think it’s time to share it again!

Praying for peace and protection in the midst of your storms..

For years, my favorite Psalm was Psalm 91. I even used Psalm 911 as my email address. Why?

“911” is who we call when we are in trouble, and the first verse of Ps 91 is “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” That’s who we call on when we have a problem! And the psalmist goes on to declare WHY we need not fear, HOW He will cover us with His protection and become our refuge and our rest, and even how He commands His angels concerning us.

When we look at the end of the psalm – verses 14-16 – it becomes clear just how lopsided our relationship with the Father is. “‘Because he love me,’ says the LORD, ‘I will rescue him, I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. With a long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.‘”

If we look at these verses, we see that God does the lion-share in this relationship. He RESCUES us, PROTECTS us, ANSWERS us, IS WITH US in trouble, DELIVERS us, HONORS us, SATISFIES us, and SAVES us. What’s our part? To love Him, acknowledge Him, and call upon Him.

How awesome is that! Just like a loving parent with the lion-share of responsibility wishing only for her child to love her, so too, our heavenly Father just desires us to love, acknowledge, and call upon Him. His promise is to rescue, protect, answer, be with us, deliver, honor, satisfy, and save us.

Could you ask for anything more?

Election Predictions

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Well, three debates have come and gone. With the election less than two weeks away and still too close to call, social media and news media outlets are abuzz with comments and opinions of  people and pundits from both sides of the political fence, disparaging their opponents and claiming victory for their candidates. Uncertainty seems the order of the day. 

But as believers, we have certainty. We have assurance that there is One who reigns supreme regardless of who is in political power. Our hope is not in a politician or a platform or a policy or a prediction or a political party. 

Our hope is based on eternal not earthly predictions. 

To continue reading this post, click on over to Laced With Grace at http://lacedwithgrace.com/?p=10981

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Fear Is A Four Letter Word

Posted on by Susan Panzica
For as long as I can remember, that four letter word fear has been a most unwelcome companion of mine, a curse you might say. I’ve tried to raise my children to be strong in the face of fear so that they would not have to deal with some of the stuff I’ve endured. But my dog? Well, she’s just a scaredy-dog!

Visit me over at Laced With Grace today where I share what my little Roxie taught me about that nasty four letter word ~ FEAR! 

http://lacedwithgrace.com/?p=10890
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Support A Wonderful Cause ~

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Almost 5 years ago, our cousin, Ron Weber, passed away after battling pancreatic cancer. A year later, one of our favorite patients and friend, Jerry Schwartz, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer just a few months after being diagnosed. And then, my cousin, Allen Woolf, died within one month of being diagnosed with this same insidious disease.

On Sept 30th, my family is walking to support research for a cure for pancreatic cancer. The Lustgarten Foundation was extremely helpful to the Weber family during their ordeal, and they are leading the charge to finding a cure and effective treatment for this disease.

We will be walking in honor of Ron, Jerry and Allen. If you would like to join us, please let me know.
Here’s how to give a donation by credit card online to support this wonderful organization:

     Enter the Donation Amount. Click Continue.
     Fill in your Donor Information.
     Continue.

If you prefer to pay by check, you can make it out to The Lustgarten Foundation, and send to me at:
     Susan Panzica
     11 South Farview Ave.
     Paramus, NJ 07652

No contribution is too small. This Paramus Walk is one of the most effective in the nation in raising awareness and funds to combat this disease. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

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Getting Rid of the Rubbish

Posted on by Susan Panzica

I was so proud of myself.

Spent a day digging, sorting, and clearing out stuff.

Stuff that I don’t wear.
Stuff that the kids have outgrown.
Stuff that has outlasted its usefulness.
Stuff that’s just collecting dust.


I bagged it, washed it, and carted it to the car to be donated to Ditto, the thrift shop that raises funds for my kids’ school.

Felt like a real accomplishment.

The problem is Ditto’s hours of operation aren’t in sync with my hours of operation ;D  I can’t seem to get there before their closing time.

And so I have been driving around with my discarded stuff for a week. I went through it – did the inventory. I identified and separated it. I even moved it. But I haven’t really gotten rid of it. I plan to, but it’s still there hanging around. Moving around. I stopped short yesterday and heard a symphony of shuffles as the stuff shifted around.

In order for me to actually get rid of this stuff, I have to make real change. I need to change my habits, to rearrange my schedule, to move out of my comfort zone.

And so it is in life. Just like the challenge of getting rid of physical clutter, it can be difficult to get rid of spiritual and emotional clutter. There are changes I think about, but never actually get around to making. Behavioral changes like exercising more or getting up earlier for quiet time or writing that encouraging note. Heart changes like forgiving or becoming less judgmental or being quicker to listen, slower to speak.
I’ve taken inventory, considered what I need to dispose of, even recorded it in my journal. But identifying what needs changing doesn’t actually create change. It may be a first step, but if I fail to take the next necessary steps, these wishes remain just that – wishes.

“The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?
“The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.” Romans 7:21-25 MSG

Well at least I’m not alone! I’m so grateful for God’s Word, and these words penned by Paul which reveal his and our earthly weaknesses. If I stopped reading at Romans 7, I’d be “wretched” (v.7:24) but thankfully Paul continues on. In Romans 8, he states, “There’s no condemnation… The Spirit helps us in our weakness… In all things, God works for the good… Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?… Nothing!”

When our perspective shifts to the eternal, Jesus empowers us to do that which we in our own strength are powerless to accomplish. He frees us from our accumulated baggage that encumbers.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matt. 11:28-30



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How To Run The Race – p.s.

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Today over at Laced With Grace, I shared the following post. As I pondered it, another thought came to me and I’m sharing it with you today in my new last paragraph. Also, my LWG friend Debbie reminded me of another noteworthy athlete, Oscar Pistorius from South Africa, who ran Olympic speed with prosthetic legs. Check out the video below where he met and danced with a 7 year old English girl who wears the same prosthetic legs. I tried (and failed) to find the actual NBC Olympic coverage footage, but this YouTube video gets the point across as well. It’s simply an amazing story!
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Like so many others, I was captivated by the Olympics earlier this month. There were the major stories – gold medals for the fastest man alive, the most decorated Olympian, the first African-American all around gymnast. You know their names without my sharing them – Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, Gabby Douglas. The media lavishly focused on the perfection of these performances.
But there were other noteworthy performances that received far less attention.
For me, some of the most compelling stories were those devoid of athletic perfection.
In the 2008 Bejing Olympics, during the women’s 400 meter relay, Lauryn Williams dropped the baton in the final leg of the relay. Facing certain defeat in the race, she picked up the baton and ran to the finish line, coming in dead last. When asked why, Lauryn responded that she “just had to do it.”
This year in London, Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang, a former world-record holder and Olympic champion, stumbled into the first hurdle in his race, his injured right leg unable to make the leap. He stayed down for a few moments before hopping on one leg the rest of the track to the finish line.
Two days later, in the first leg qualifying heat of the men’s 4×400 relay, American sprinter Manteo Mitchell heard a loud “pop” and felt his left leg snap. With 200 meters to go, he faced the decision to keep running or stop and lose the race. He finished his lap allowing his team to qualify before limping off the track. Doctors later confirmed that Mitchell had broken his fibula halfway through his race, his personal Olympic dreams ended.
These athletes and many others exhibit the perseverance and endurance that makes a true champion. They are living examples of what Paul said in his letter to the Philippians:
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. 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.” Phil 3:12-14

In the race of life, we will have setbacks and disappointments. These are God’s tools to produce in us perseverance, character, and hope; patience; maturity; and godliness. (Rom. 5:3-4, 2 Cor. 1:6, James 1:4, 2 Peter 1:6)
Last week, a beautiful young mother died of cancer. She finished her race and is now in glory. Her grieving husband and baby will need to press on for the prize for which God has called them.
Another friend is in the hospital on life support. His family and friends pray for a miracle and grow in endurance.
A single mother lost her job. A family faces foreclosure. A wayward teen breaks his parent’s hearts. A middle-school student is bullied. All people I know. All so hard to live through. But in each of these situations, their testimonies reflect the glory of God. He strengthened their faith as they pressed on through these setbacks and disappointments.
“The testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:3-4)
“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)
“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Consider Him who endured such opposition, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Heb. 12:1b-3
How do we run the race with perseverance? By focusing on Jesus and the joy He sets before us just as He endured the cross by focusing on the joy set before Him. And as we consider Him, He strengthens us so we will not grow weary and lose heart.

Beloved, what will you be considering today?
Postscript:
It occurred to me that these friends and acquaintances of mine (and yours too) are our current day “great cloud of witnesses.” The OT faith heroes in Hebrews 11 had their victories and their struggles, yet the writer of Hebrews exhorts us that we can throw off anything that hinders us and run our race with perseverance because of their testimony.  Likewise, the people I mentioned above and so many others who are valiantly enduring through their struggles serve as encouragement to me to press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. May I be such an encourager. 

Here’s the video of Oscar Pistorius:

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How Do You Measure Your Life?

Posted on by Susan Panzica

I had another post in mind to share with you today, but a quick check on facebook this morning sent me in a whole new direction.
First I saw – and shared – this picture:
Then I scrolled down and saw my daughter Lauren’s – totally unrelated – status update:
“stop thinking about what you don’t have and start thinking about what you do have.
well that’s my convicting moment of today. thank you Jesus.”
Seems a theme is going on today, yes?
When Lauren was on a mission trip in Uganda, she spent time teaching at an orphanage. The children there owned nothing but what could fit in a cigar box. And yet they eagerly shared their most prized possessions with the Americans. One young girl gave Lauren her baby picture so she would remember her. Another girl unraveled the end of the sleeve of her sweater to give Lauren a piece of yarn for a bracelet. She literally shared the clothes off her back.
Lauren didn’t want to take these treasures, but to refuse would crush these children’s hearts, as they’d mistakenly think she didn’t want to remember them.
It was a powerful lesson to appreciate what we have rather than longing for what we don’t have. Yet sadly, she – and we – have to learn this lesson over and over again.
And it’s not just “things” that we yearn for. With my mother-in-law and my dad experiencing devastating effects of aging, it’s easy to see how much they no longer have. It requires devoted effort to look past the infirmities and be thankful for the abilities that they still possess. Doing a crossword puzzle would be sheer joy to someone who lost their eyesight or mental acumen. Walking across the living room with a walker would be a thrill to one who is wheelchair-bound.
From prison, Paul wrote to his beloved friends in Phillipi, “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” (Phil. 4:4-9 MSG)

If I measure my life by what I have, my measuring cup overflows – with Jesus, my loving family and friends. When I find myself contemplating what I don’t have, I make the choice to follow Paul’s advice to meditate on what’s true and gracious, best not worst, beautiful not ugly… for that’s the secret to peace. 
How do you measure your life? 

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