Category: 40 days

He’s With Us!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Immanuel-

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel”

(which means “God with us”).

Matt. 1:22-23, Is. 7:14

 

My friend experienced a horrific family tragedy not long ago. Yet miraculously she glows with the grace of God. When I told her this, she simply shrugged and said, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing. So I’m with Him.”

Another friend with ongoing family heartbreak told me about a sermon that spoke to her, and said, “There’s a miracle coming out of that mess!” That sermon’s title? “Emmanuel, God With Us.”

Mary of Nazareth, an unwed pregnant teenager. Her betrothed, Joseph was about to divorce her when an angel assured him that this miracle Child would fulfill the prophesy that the virgin’s child would be named Immanuel meaning “God would with us.”

Yes, He came to be our Savior, to redeem us.
Yes, He came to set an example.
Yes, He came to give us life, abundant life.

But, He also came simply to be with us.

To be with us in the tragedy, providing grace and peace through the storm.
To be with us in the joy, multiplying it and giving it meaning.
To experience life with us that we might experience life with Him. Glorious!

Are you with Him?
Because He said that if you’re not, then you’re against Him. Ouch!

So if you don’t sense that you are WITH Him – seek Him without delay.
Seek Him with your whole heart.

Repent of anything that would hinder His presence in your life.

He came to be with us.
Anything less is less than best.

From Jesus Calling ~ “When you sit quietly with Me, the process I went through is reversed in your experience. As you identify with Me, heaven’s vistas open up before you – granting you glimpses of My Glory.”

I pray your CHRISTmas is filled with His presence, the greatest present of all!

“He will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace….

Immanuel.“

Isaiah 9:6, 7:14

Susan_signature

Full or Flat?

Posted on by Susan Panzica



Ever see those inflatable lawn decorations?

All puffed up and full of life?



















Ever notice them when the power is off?

Looks like a CSI crime scene after a 
mass-inflatable-murderer rampage!



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Anybody feel like that today?
I call Dec. 26 “society’s collective exhale.”
We’ve been running, wrapping, rushing, reveling, and now relaxing.
But we may feel more exhausted than relaxed.
What we need is some recharging!

Last year as part of the 40 Day Focus, my friend Laurie Hock, shared a post called, “Where You Gonna Get Your Fill?” In it, she explored Psalm 81:10. “I am the Lord your God…Open wide your mouth and I will fill it” (NIV).

Laurie said:

“It’s that simple. God asks us to ask Him. He responds with the promise He will fill what we set before Him. He is our satisfier. God exists to be our Father, our Provider, our Wisdom, our Grace and Guide. He holds all the answers, all the peace, and all of time. What better place to fill up?

“Can you think of anything else that can offer you such satisfaction? Will you let God be your fill today? He will fill you up when you make time for Him. God fills us up when we start our day with prayer and praise. God fills us up when we show His love to His people.

“God fills us up as we read, meditate on, and proclaim His Word and truth each day. God fills us up as we listen to songs offering Him worship and adoration. God will fill each of us the way He knows we uniquely need. To activate His loving power, we must tell Him that He’s where we want to get our fill. We must offer Him our heart, our time, our lives.”


As the worship leader in our church, when my husband plugs the power cord into his guitar, he imagines himself plugging into the Spirit like a branch of the Vine. It’s the connection that provides the power.


So if you’re feeling deflated, open wide your heart and say “Lord, fill ‘er up!”

Our 40 Day Focus leading up to Christmas Day is now complete. I pray that you experienced His presence daily, and will continue to do so. I’ll be taking a few days off, but will be back soon!

Blessings to you and yours,
Susan


ps – I just have to add:
Dec. 26th, the most anti-climactic day of the year, happens to be my birthday! 
But my wonderful family has always made it special for me, so personally – I’m not feeling deflated at all!  

Hark… God and sinner reconciled!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn King;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!”

The good news, the heart of the story, the reason He came – “God and sinners reconciled.” As you celebrate Christmas this year, may you be filled to overflowing with the joy of knowing the One who came to die, who came to redeem you as His own. Merry Messiah-mas!

Col. 1:15-23

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
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.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 
if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.
This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I have become a servant.


And the Word Was Made Flesh

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Lynn Mosher of Heading Home shares today’sbeautifully written, heartfelt poem. Many thanks, Lynn.

Advent King in straw-lined splendor,
swaddled gently at mother’s breast,
God incarnate in a pink suit,
not knowing yet His future test.

In the gentle hush of silence,
soothing sounds of cattle lowing,
angel hosts sing Him their praises,
all creation in glory knowing.

Destiny pressing upon His life,
as crossed shadow falls on His face.
The miracle of the manger
now filled with man’s future grace.






~~Blessings, Lynn~~

I pray you all have a most blessed Christmas. May the One who was born to die fill you with His presence.

Christmas Myth-Busters

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Despite pageants, stories and pictures to the contrary, there is no innkeeper mentioned in Scripture. Luke simply says it this way: “And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)

The image of a cold-hearted scoundrel turning away the holy family is a part of folklore, but not part of the scriptural record.

The “Bethlehem Inn” was not like the Holiday Inns of today. Usually, the first floor of an inn was a stable for the animals owned by the travelers who stayed in the rooms above. There was little privacy at normal times, probably none during the census. The most private area for people would be the “fragrant” space reserved for animals. It was an act of kindness for Mary and Joseph to be allowed to share of corner of the first floor to deliver their Child.

What other images are part of our memory, but have no foundation in Scripture? Do you picture Mary and Joseph traveling alone from Nazareth to Bethlehem, a hugely pregnant Mary astride a donkey, solitary figures in dark silhouette against a blue background? It’s highly unlikely that they would be traveling alone. It wasn’t part of the culture. Bands of robbers roamed the highways. The other family members of Joseph would also need to be in Bethlehem. How about Mary running to see Elizabeth? Again, unlikely that she would be traveling alone from Nazareth to Jerusalem. Speaking of travelers, the magi are often pictured alongside the shepherds in a nativity scene, when they actually arrived up to 2 years after the birth of Jesus.

Those are just a few of the images that inhabit our minds that are not based on truth. The Scripture is silent about some details, and so our ideas are formed by popular culture instead.

But there’s plenty that Scripture is not silent about, and because of our familiarity with the story, we miss important messages. In Acts 17:11, Luke commended the noble character of the people of Berea when he said, “they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” I encourage you to search the Scriptures to see if what you believe is really true.

In your search, you will find nuggets there that will speak directly to your heart, words that you might have skimmed over in the past. I had this experience a few years ago when reading Luke 1. I knew that after her encounter with the angel Gabriel, Mary hurried to see her relative Elizabeth. I knew that when Elizabeth saw Mary, the baby “leapt in her womb”, and Elizabeth declared Mary blessed and herself favored because of Mary’s visit. And then, Mary began her “song”. At least, I thought she did. I totally missed a little statement by Elizabeth that spoke volumes to me 2000 years later. “You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:45 NLT

Maybe it was reading in a new translation (something else I recommend), but seeing those words made me realize how blessed I am simply because I believe that God will do what He says. I need nothing else to be blessed. That verse was there all along, but I had skimmed over it for years.

This year, the fact that hit me was that the angels were rejoicing, this despite the fact that the object of their eternal worship was wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a filthy animal feeding trough. They rejoiced because of the reconciliation between God and His eternally beloved creation, His people, and if God was pleased, so were they.

As you read these 4 chapters (Matt. 1 & 2, Luke 1& 2) this year, in your quiet time or with your family, won’t you ask God to reveal something new to you?

I wrote a poem called “Mary Had A Little Lamb” which concludes:

For God did speak to Mary
And He spoke to Joseph, too.
And if you listen with your heart
God will speak to you!!

May He speak to You anew this Christmas!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Rhonda Schrock of “The Natives Are Getting Restless” and a contributor to “An Army of Ermas” normally writes downright hysterical columns about the life and times of her restless tribe. Today she shares a poignant reminder of His faithfulness for those of us who have suffered loss.

Over the holidays, I found my thoughts frequently turning throughout the day to friends who were facing a difficult Christmas. So many people lost this year…

First, in our hometown here in Northern Indiana, a local son was killed while on active duty in Afghanistan. His mother works at the middle school right up the road from our house, and he grew up in a church here in the middle of town. I will never forget seeing the caravan, including the hearse, come down Main Street on a bright Sunday in June, only days before Independence Day. His young wife and parents were devastated.

In October, our beloved school nurse, Diane Brown, passed away suddenly from the chemotherapy she was on for her breast cancer. She was such a bright-spirited, active, positive person. She left a legacy of hospitality and love for people from all walks of life.

Four days later, our close neighbor, Lisa Lengacher, a 39-year-old mother of 2, passed away in her sleep. She and I used to coffee together in days gone by, and her girls and our boys played in our back yards. There is still no explanation for her death.

How odd that both Diane and Lisa lived within one-third of a mile from our house.

Earlier in the fall, my parents lost one of their best friends, Joe Miller, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Joe was my very first boss and probably one of the best. He was a brilliant, largely self-taught businessman who left behind his wife and three sons and their families.

Other friends from days of yore lost their mother unexpectedly. This family of 9 children are now orphans, way too early, actually. The oldest son is only a bit older than Grant and I.

And last year, friends of ours lost their two oldest teenagers in a horrific crash, so this year they faced the second Christmas with two empty places.

So much loss.

In the last – oh, year or two? – I have found that my heart is beating more and more to the rhythm of eternity. Perhaps it’s aging. Maybe it’s growing and maturing. I’m not sure, but in the midst of such sorrow and devastation and pain and terrible suffering, I cannot help but think more and more of Heaven. And I remember that this is only temporary.

If this is all we were left with, this life with its deepest affliction, we would be of all men most miserable. But Heaven awaits. And this is how we persevere. This is not the end of the story. It’s really only the preface, the introduction. There is so much real living that’s waiting for us. We’re in training. Oh, it’s hard. How it hurts! But it will not last.

When I think of my life from this angle, things make a bit more sense. I want to hang in there, to persevere. I remember that we are made for something more. But while I’m here, there’s a work to be done. There is a calling to fulfill. Oh, let me not be found shrinking back from fear or unbelief or apathy! So many around need joy, need hope, need encouragement. Lord, strengthen my hands and establish my feet on a firm path that I may be found faithful when it’s my turn to fly away.

So thankful that He understands groanings that cannot be uttered,

Rhonda

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Draw Near

Posted on by Susan Panzica


Thanks to Lynn Mosher of Heading Home for sharing this excellent post. What an awesome God that woos us to draw near.

Draw nigh to God…
…in holiness
Draw nigh in repentance, for the forgiveness of sins
Draw near…
…in silent adoration
Draw near in unrestrained awe and praise
Draw close to the Lord…

…to that Intimate Friend
Draw close to the Beloved of your soul

Draw alongside…
…kneeling as a petitioner
Draw alongside as a listener, in deepest affection

Draw closer still to the Babe in the manger…
…listen to the sweet sounds of the Newborn, as a foreshadowing of grievous sobs for a world of sinners
…smell the scent of the timbered cradle, as a harbinger of the distinctive fragrance of a destined, wooden cross
…see the Babe’s tiny hands reaching out, as impending vessels for prophetic iron spikes
…hear the gentle beat of His humble heart, as the antithesis of the future, rhythmic clanking of a metal hammer

Draw near to receive…
…a salvation so freely offered
…the power and strength you are lacking
…the guidance necessary to proceed through life’s events
…the tender touches of love to ease your pain and suffering
…overflowing streams of peace into your tired and hurting soul
…words of comfort and encouragement to soothe your broken heart and wipe away your tears

Draw near…
…in moments of anger
…in moments of praise

Draw near…
…in moments of emergency
…in moments of stillness

Draw near…
…in moments of deep sorrow
…in moments of great joy

Draw near…
…in moments of despair
…in moments of thankfulness

“Something better has been brought to us. It is God’s promise. And by that promise we come near to God.” (Heb. 7:19b Worldwide English) Therefore, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb. 10:22 NKJV)

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8 NKJV)

Draw near to the King of heaven and earth! Draw near to sing Happy Birthday!

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A Prophecy of Peace

Posted on by Susan Panzica

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
Into the turmoil of our world, our families, our hearts, comes One who is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. These names of the promised Messiah who came on Christmas always rivet my attention when reading this prophetic passage in Isaiah. Reflection on any one of those names stirs wonder within and calms my heart. But this Advent season a different phrase brought the peace into my unsettled world.
“The government will be on his shoulders.”
Like a placard, the words hung over a door through which too many uninvited concerns had paraded. Concerns that demanded urgent attention, shouted threats, and bullied my composure. Now the words of Scripture blocked out the noise and boldly declared, “The government of life, the government of your life, is not on your shoulders, they are on mine.”
The dictionary helps us understand what it means for the Lord to govern our lives:



• He exercises continuous sovereign authority over us


• He controls, directs, and strongly influences the actions that touch our lives


• He exerts a determining influence over us


• He holds our lives in check


• He prevails and has a decisive influence over our lives


Verse seven elucidates the blessings of our Lord’s government – nothing falls outside His influence (no end to the increase of his government), He rules with peace, justice and righteousness, and He is zealous to govern and accomplish His perfect will.

The Messiah has come and the government is on His shoulders. Let us rest under His loving reign until He returns to free us from the conflicts of this world and bring us into His Kingdom.

 

Today’s post comes from gifted writer and leader of our local writers group, Barbara Higby of The Hope Perspective.   

Candy-Grams

Posted on by Susan Panzica


Have you ever met someone and instantly connected? That is what happened in NC when I met my very dear friend, Joanne Kraft, from Blessed and Grace and Truth Living. Though we live a continent apart, it’s as if she’s right next door. Her writing is filled with humor, and today – a little lump in the throat.


 

For unto us a child is born, unto us a child is given. Isaiah 9:6

For God so loved the world that He gave…John 3:16



Unfolding a piece of paper, Grace began reading off a list of names. “Jaden, Michael, Jake, Brittany, and Jessie…”

“What are you doing honey?” I asked.

“Our school is selling candy-grams, Mom. For $1.00 I can send a message and have a candy cane delivered to someone’s home room.” She smiled.

I know all of Grace’s closest friends and had never heard these names before. At eleven-years-old, her only income came from occasional babysitting jobs. Five dollars might very well clean out her piggy bank.

“Sweetheart, who are these children? Aren’t you getting one for Mackenzie?”

“I decided to do something different. Mackenzie is still one of my best friends, but she will get lots of candy grams. I decided to send them to kids in my school who might not get one.”

A lump began to form in my throat.

“Jaden is autistic. He sits by himself at lunch. Michael is really, really smart and gets made fun of by the popular kids. Jake is the boy I told you about at the library, the one who walks kind of funny, remember? He offered to give me his seat and girls walked by him and whispered, Jake-alert. Jake-alert. I could tell he felt bad. Kids encouraged Brittany to dance at lunch last week. She thought they were being nice, but they were really being mean. And, Jessie, well she is kind of chubby and sits by herself in class and doesn’t talk much.”

My child went on and on with her reasons for giving—I couldn’t help but whisper a prayer of thanks for my daughters’ heart. “What are you going to write in their message?” I asked.

“I’m not sure. I think I’m just going to write, Merry Christmas – God Loves You.”

“I’m sure they will love it.” I reached out and pulled her in for a hug.

God so loved the world that He gave. This Christmas season encourage your children to give anonymously. Lead by example and show them how it’s done.


• Drop off a plate of cookies on your neighbor’s front porch, ring their doorbell and run!


• Write out a Christmas card for someone and fill it with reasons why this person is loved by you. Don’t sign your name. Have your child address it and drop it in the mail.


• Take your child with you to the grocery store. Have them help you pick out food for someone in you know is hurting financially. Let your child drop the bag off at the house.

Remember, we are loved by a God who gives lavishly. Let’s remember to touch the lives of someone in His name by giving.

Who can you give to this holiday season?

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Gift of Healing

Posted on by Susan Panzica


Thanks again to my dear friend Cheri Bunch for sharing this story of love, loss, and new life.

 There really wasn’t much of a relationship between us anymore. We had to see each other once in awhile but it wasn’t ever because we wanted to. We are family and we share mutual love for other members in the family.

Holidays were extremely difficult for us. Especially Christmas. This loved one, so to speak, did not ever like what I purchased for her. She was very vocal about her disapproval and if she did like it she refused to say so. It was a member of the family who was highly esteemed by others and it would be dreadful if I didn’t purchase anything for her.

Truth is, I didn’t purchase anything for her for a few Christmases. I got weary of trying to please and I decided that there were others out in the world that were in need and want of gifts. I would carefully spend my time and energy, that I would have spent shopping for her, on those who would appreciate my efforts. After all, Paul instructed us not to give under compulsion. (2 Corinthians 9:7 NASV)

One Christmas I felt like the Lord wanted me to get a gift for her. I bucked at the whole idea for awhile explaining to Him all the reasons that it really wasn’t necessary. He disagreed with me, I could feel His disapproval. I began to plead with Him to show me what I could possibly do to bless this person.

He was faithful and I acquired a splendid idea.

I asked each one of my children to write special memories they had of this person. All five of my children wrote some really special memories down about times they had spent in her home, vacations when she had joined us, and stories she had shared with them over the years. Tears ran down my face as I read them. I was so moved by how much this person had meant to my family. They loved her so much. I was blessed by all the ways they shared about how she had blessed their lives.

Their stories inspired me to write my own testimony of special times I had shared with her in the past. I asked my husband to share his thoughts as well. I compiled each child’s story and ours into individual red or green folders. I alternated them when I stacked them up and tied them together with a beautiful Christmas bow. They were beautiful inside and out.

I received a beautiful thank you note the week after Christmas. She loved the gift, calling it thoughtful. She mentioned that she was blessed that I had put so much effort into my giving. It was the most inexpensive gift I had ever given her, but it pleased her the most.

That Christmas a healing began to take place in our relationship. We are a much happier family these days as a result. I began to pray diligently for this dear loved one. Over time our hearts have softened toward one another. The Lord certainly knew what He was talking about! He had a gift in mind that would heal both of our hearts.

“Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share …” 1 Timothy 6:18

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