Author: Susan Panzica

Impossible is Nothing!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Breezing past the Athletic Department today, a pink t-shirt splashed with Dating Game style letters caught my eye. The groovy letters stated “Impossible is Nothing”.
It put a new spin on Luke 1:37 “For nothing is impossible with God.” When I say those words, I say NOTHING is impossible with God. My focus is on the problem which is huge to me, but is nothing for God.
But with this switch of words, I picture God looking at the problem saying, “Impossible?? Ha! It’s nuthin’!” The focus is on Him, not the problem.
I found that this is the new slogan for Adidas. Soon, there’ll be ads and commercials galore. When you see them, remember God in heaven for whom all things really are possible!
Susan

Will the real miracle please stand up!

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Miracle on the Hudson
I’m sure you heard about the “splash crash” of US Airways flight 1549 to Charlotte, NC yesterday. Taking off, a flock of geese were caught in the engines, and the plane went down in the Hudson River. Thankfully, the pilot’s skillful maneuvering averted greater disaster, and the quick response by ferry and boat operators helped to rescue the passengers. The newscasts cited people testifying that, during this ordeal, many prayers were uttered throughout the cabin. Some, maybe many, of these prayers were spoken by people by who have never prayed before, but this desperate situation brought them to their knees. An old saying goes, “Nothing improves your prayer life like big trouble!” And, unfortunately, that is true. We often amble through life without any communication with the One who gave us life. That is – until trouble hits.
The real miracle here, I think, is not so much that people were spared death. The miracle is prayer itself. That the Creator of the entire universe would deem to hear our feeble cries for help is amazing. That He who set stars and planets into orbits is concerned with our baby’s fever, our financial woes, our relationship problems, even our parking spaces! (Don’t even tell me you’ve never prayed for a parking spot!) He is intimately aquainted with all our ways, and He greatly desires to spend time with us as a mother loves to spend time with her child. What if we never heard from our child unless he or she was in trouble? Wouldn’t that be so sad? We love to celebrate their joys, their sorrows and their everyday experiences. And so does our heavenly Father. It’s not that He doesn’t know about what’s happening. It’s about relationship! He wants to hear about it from us, and prayer will build that relationship on our part. It will help us to know Him better the more we speak with Him.

Miracle in Charlotte
When I heard that the plane was destined for Charlotte, I felt the impact profoundly. Charlotte holds a very special place in my heart, having visited there last June for what has become a turning point of my life. I plan to share more on this in the future, but God’s miracles were present at the She Speaks conference in Charlotte. The fact that I was even there was a miracle in itself. It was a conference for speakers and writers and women in Christian ministry. I have kept secret a desire to write a book for about 8 years when I found myself at this conference. At the end of the first day, I cried myself to sleep, “There is NO way that I am up to this task.” My thoughts as I drifted off to sleep were that I would pay attention to the sessions the next day and glean what I could from the various speakers, but forget about my book dream. When I woke up the following morning, a single thought pushed through the haze. “Do not bury your talent. “ I had one talent, and I did NOT want to be compared to the wicked and lazy servant who buried his one talent rather than invest it. I didn’t give this much more thought, but my spirit felt lighter as I made my way to the sessions that day. The first speaker shared an uplifting devotion, and then I proceeded to a session I had previously selected called “Pathway to Publication.” This presentation was a nuts & bolts, point by point, systematic discussion about pursuing publication. Since I had decided that I wasn’t going to pursue publication, I wondered what I was doing there. Near the end of the session, the speaker said, “Now, don’t forget. You have to give an account to God. Do not bury your talent.” She continued on with her factual helpful information, but sitting there, I could barely breathe. Did I hear correctly? Indeed I did. Later on, we spoke and she (again very matter-of-factly) repeated, “Yes, you have to give an account… Do not bury your talent.” This was a confirmation to me to do what I believe God has called me to do.
I purchased the keychain pictured to the right in Charlotte Airport waiting for my delayed flight back to NY. It is a daily reminder to me that God works even in the smallest details of my life.
There were many other doors that opened in 2008, but I share this one today because it confirms the miracle that our all-knowing, all-powerful God cares about our concerns, no matter how tiny they seem in comparison to His vastness, and He wants us to share our burdens with Him. He desires relationship with us, and to me, that’s a miracle!!
Miracle at your place
Prayer ought not to be a laundry list of requests to God. It’s not even just pleasant conversation with God. I am reminded of what Corrie ten Boom shared in “The Hiding Place”. She was being taken out of her barrack at the concentration camp by Nazi guards. Her friend ran past her and whispered, “I’m storming the gates of heaven for you.” That’s what prayer is – entering a spiritual dimension where God dwells. And we’re invited! My friend, Lisa, sent me an email that said: “Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says, “Oh no, she’s awake!”
Susan

Great Expectations … NOT

Posted on by Susan Panzica

If you know me, you know I’m mourning the playoff loss Sunday by my beloved NY Giants. Sniff, sniff. And, of course, I’m not alone. The Giants entered the season as the reigning Super Bowl champs, and had the best record in team history (11-1) before they lost the next 4 out of 5 games, and the playoff game. You might call it a GIANT disappointment! Why? Because there were high expectations for this team that were not met.

Like so many others, my husband has been trying to figure out what’s going on with the stock market. And like so many others, he’s completely baffled. But there is one occurrence that is particularly astonishing to him: A report is published showing that the company performed better than the previous quarter, yet that stock value goes down! Why? Because the financial community expected an even higher gain than the actual gain. So here is a company doing well, making a profit in tough times, and because some financial fortune-teller predicted an even larger profit, the stock in that fine company dips. To avoid this, some companies are intentionally leaking fake poor reports. The problem – unrealistic expectations.

This is a problem for us, too. Disappointment is due to our expectations not being met. Our expectations often are too high or unrealistic. We hope, hope, hope for different circumstances or relationships, failing to recognize the blessings that we already have.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t be hopeful. Not at all. Hope is one of 3 things that Scripture says will endure forever – “Three things will last forever: faith, hope, and love…” 1 Cor. 13:13. Hope is a necessary part of our faith – “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for ….” Heb. 11:1. Hope is what keeps us going during difficult times and are part of God’s plan – “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jer. 29:11 I have a lot more to say about hope, but will save that for a future post.

What is on my heart is this – sometimes we place expectations on someone else’s performance that are just unrealistic, and our disappointment stems from our error, not theirs. We expect those who serve in ministry to be perfect, yet they are as human as we are. We expect our loved ones to behave in the way that we want them to, sometimes even completely contrary to their nature. We want our husbands to purchase the perfect Christmas gift by reading our minds, supernaturally knowing our secret wish. Or perhaps we want him to say just the right thing, or pick up a dishtowel or put the kids to bed. That list goes on and on (by the way – is there anything sexier than a husband vacuuming? Oops – I digress.) We want our children to never embarrass us by saying or doing the “wrong” thing. We want our relatives to gather together as warmly as an idyllic Hallmark Christmas special. Frankly, we want people to remove the speck in their eye, while totally ignoring the beam in our eye. We want people to satisfy our needs in a way that only a perfect God can. Ouch. I’m sorry, I don’t want to be a finger pointer – I am speaking to myself first here. And I absolutely don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. What I do want is to spare you the disappointment that is sure to come if you place an expectation on someone that they cannot possibly live up to.

So…
Let us look for and list the positive qualities in people, rather than focus on the negatives, especially with family members. Oh, why is it so easy to let those irritations be our focus?
Let us try to see people as God sees them, and extend grace to them as He does to us.

Let us count our blessings instead of our disappointments. Or better yet, turn a disappointment into an appointment to meet with God. Share your frustration with without becoming a gripe session, and ask to view the situation through His eyes.

Here’s an excerpt from an email I received a while back, that puts a new perspective on some old annoyances:

Be Thankful
I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT’S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.
FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY (you mean me??)
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.
FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.
Susan

My Girls

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Fifteen years ago, when my children were just 5 & 3 years old, my friends and I began a women’s neighborhood Bible study. Over the years, we have had many women share our Tuesday mornings, most for years, some for months, all for different seasons of our lives. We have laughed, cried and prayed together, sharing each other’s joys and sorrows. We have broken bread and studied the Word together. We know that this group provides a safe haven to share our burdens. Our children have grown from babes to young adults, have grown mighty in the Lord and have struggled with the forces of evil. Through it all, we have seen God work His wonders in and through us. I am so thankful for my partner Lisa, for these wonderful women and for the God that brought us together.
At our Christmas brunch, we all raved about Annie’s recipe, and she graciously shared it:
AVOCADO and TOMATO SALAD
2 or 3 firm Haas Avocados
2 16oz pkgs. Grape Tomatoes sliced in two
2 16oz pkgs. Mozzarella Cheese cut up in 1 in pieces
2 whole sections of Scallion chopped small
1 handful of chopped Dill
1 large clove of Garlic minced
2 Tbls. Extra virgin oil
White pepper to taste – it is not sharp like black pepper

Mix the tomatoes, cheese, scallions, dill, garlic, oil and pepper in a large bowl. Keep refrigerated.

The avocado needs to be firm, but not hard as a rock. Usually if you keep it one day after you buy it, that’s about right. Peel them last so they don’t get soft.

Cut into decent sized pieces. If you make them too small, they will get mushy. Add the avocado last. Toss with the rest of the ingredients and store in the refrigerator in a 2qt covered container.

If you try fresh mozzarella, remember that it is not as firm as regular packaged cheese. You can experiment by adding other ingredients to this salad. It’s great to add other ingredients also, like parcooked asparagus.
– Nusia Dubas

Bon Appetit!!

Susan

Are you a flirt?

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Saturday, I went to my first writers group and was so blessed. The meeting opened with a teaching by the leader Louise DuMont titled: “Are you a flirt?” referring to people who are flirting with writing, who start and don’t finish, who talk about it but don’t pursue publication, etc. Here’s what she said:

“People who flirt don’t mean any real harm. But the truth is that flirters often lead others to believe they want a serious relationship when, in truth, all a flirt wants is a little fun. Flirting is fun for the one doing the flirting. It’s like eating all the cake you want with none of the calories. No work, no commitment, all fun. Unfortunately, it eventually leaves the flirter feeling less than fulfilled and causes others to look on the flirter with less respect.”

This got me thinking about our relationship with God. Are we flirting with Him? Do we want all the benefits without any of the responsibilities that an honest relationship requires? So often, we go to church, enjoy the music and fellowship, but miss the depth of intimacy that God desires to have with us. There’s a saying that goes, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.” So what does make us a Christian? It’s the relationship that we have with our Savior. He wants to abide with us – to dwell with us – to set up house and live with us permanently, 24/7. This is not a casual relationship. This is a lifetime commitment.

When a couple gets married, they stop flirting with each other and have serious conversations, make important decisions together, view their lives as a partnership. The married couple will need to make sacrifices and compromises and surrender selfish desires because that is what will be better for the relationship. It’s no longer about doing it “my way” or obtaining what “I want”. It’s “WE” now, hopefully forever.

When we become a Christian, we say “I do” to God. We must make the commitment that involves sacrifice, compromise and surrender. But whatever we relinquish for our relationship with God is for our own good. When we don’t get “our way”, it’s because our way is not the best way. Our commitment with God is a two-way agreement, a covenant between the two of us. It is a lifetime vow of dedication, devotion, and loyalty.

Does this mean the fun is gone from the relationship? Not at all. Life with Jesus is more joyful than any relationship we can imagine. He provides peace, laughter, confidence, and more. The deeper the relationship the more rewarding it is. No matter how wonderful your husband may be, he is still just a person with all the faults that accompany being human. On the other hand, Jesus will never let you down, will never leave you, will always supply all your needs (maybe not your wants, but definitely all your needs).

With a mate like that, why settle for anything less?

Susan

Top Ten Predictions for 2009

Posted on by Susan Panzica

I received this email, and compared to all the other predictions that are made, these will really come true!

A land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year. (Deut. 11:12 )

As we begin the year 2009, with all the problems the World is facing, it can be unsettling to the mind. Today, I will share with you ten predications that are sure to come true this year!

Top 10 Predictions for 2009
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still honor the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10.Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Isn’t It Great To Remember Who Is Really In Control,
and that; “the Word of the Lord endures forever.”
( 1 Peter 1:25 )

Susan

A New Year’s Prayer for You

Posted on by Susan Panzica

I wanted to write a perfect New Years prayer for you all, and when I sat down at the computer found one that perfectly expressed what I wanted to say! This is from Proverbs 31 Ministries daily devotion:

“Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord.” Lamentations 2:19a (NKJV)

It’s a new year. What is on your heart? What would you like to accomplish? What would you like to change? Have you made any New Year’s Resolutions?

A few years ago, I gave up making New Year’s Resolutions. I could never keep them. One year, instead of a resolution, I wrote a prayer. Throughout the year, I watched in amazement as God worked in my life and in the lives of others through my simple prayer.

Today, I would like to pray for you. Below is the prayer that the Lord put on my heart. As you read it, I invite you to use it as a model. Sit with the Lord and ask Him to help you personalize this prayer for you.

Father in heaven, thank You that You are Sovereign. Thank You that You know each precious woman reading this devotion. You planned for her to meet You here today. You created her heart. You know her every need, her deepest desires, and her open wounds. Lord, I ask that in this new year, You would fall afresh on her.

Father, You are Holy and call us to be Holy. Yet, we confess that so often our hearts wander from You, our speech does not glorify You, and our actions do not honor You. Soften our hearts to receive the words Your sweet Spirit has to speak to us. Clothe us with humility. Take away our desire to always be right and have our own way. Help us to seek Your Word in all that we say and do. Help us to submit to Your Word; allow it to penetrate those deep places in our hearts that resist change. If necessary, put us through the refiner’s fire to burn off those things that keep us from walking in step with Your character.

Give us hearts that love and seek after Truth above all else. Give us wisdom and discernment to reject the lies of this world and the evil one. Guide us into all Truth. Guard our hearts and keep our eyes fixed on You. Grow in us those things that will make us more like You. As we study Your Word, fill us and saturate us with You!

Today, Father, we surrender our thoughts, our speech, and our hearts. Thank You that You are Faithful and True. We trust You will do a mighty work in us and through us this year and carry it on to completion until the day we step into eternity with You. Help us to trust in You with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding. Help us to acknowledge You in all our ways so that we can hear Your voice as You say, “This is the way, walk in it.”

Lord, we love You and thank You that You love us. May our lives be a living testimony of You. We ask this in the powerful and mighty name of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord who will do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God’s Story (available February 2009) by Wendy Blight
Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer
31 Days of Praise and 31 Days of Prayer by Ruth Myers

Application Steps:
As you write your prayer, is there an area of your life in which you consistently struggle? Would you be willing to give it over to God this year?

If you answered yes to this question, I invite you to surrender that area today. Boldly ask God to speak Truth into this area, no matter the cost. Ask Him to teach You His way, give you a mind to understand, and a heart to obey. Hold fast to what you hear so that your walk in that area will be established and ordered according to His will, not your own.

Reflections:
Spend time praying the prayer above or your own prayer aloud. Believe God that He IS able to answer your prayer. Watch expectantly for His answers. Thank Him every time You see His Hand at work. He will be faithful!

Power Verses:
Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

Ephesians 6:17-18, “Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for the saints.” (NKJV)

Mark 11:24, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (NKJV)© 2008 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.

******
Happy New Year, my friends! May God be in all and through all and with you all! May you seek Him each day and 365 days from now be even closer to Him than you are today!
Susan

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

Christmas is Stepping Down

Posted on by Susan Panzica

I received the following devotional, and thought it represents so well the reason that Jesus left His heavenly home and throne.

Jesus manifested His greatness by taking steps down. While the rest of the world is intent on climbing up…up the corporate ladder, up to a better neighborhood…up to higher education…higher office-Jesus stepped down, for us.

He was God, equal with God, and He deliberately emptied Himself and came to earth in the form of a humble servant. Jesus stepped down from glory and equality with almighty God, to the cruel Roman cross, where He hung for our sins before an angry, jeering mob, despised and rejected by mankind.

That’s a big step down, from the highest height, to the lowest, most humiliating death known to the world at that time, death upon the cross. It’s hard to step down. To give up something you’ve worked hard to attain. Or to volunteer for a job that seems beneath your level of education or competence.

But if you feel that tug of the Holy Spirit, calling you to let it go, to humble yourself, let go of the ego or the need to be in charge, and step down to serve others, remember what Jesus did for us. And through obedience, you will also know great joy.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2:8

Susan