Category: 40 days

Live Nativity

Posted on by Susan Panzica

For those in NJ/NY, you are invited to attend an outdoor Live Nativity. Pictured above are my son, AJ as Joseph, and Sophie Boland as Mary. There is music, live animals (& petting zoo), refreshments. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of the 1st Christmas in Bethlehem so long ago.

When:   Saturday, Dec. 12 @ 7:00 pm
              Sunday, Dec. 13 @ 6:30 pm

Where: High Mountain Church, 681 High Mountain Rd., North Haledon, NJ
For additional information, call the church at (973)427-2575.

If you don’t live nearby, check your local churches to see if there is a similar event in your area. It’s a wonderful experience for the whole family, and a great opportunity to invite friends who don’t know the Lord. Make the most of every opportunity … Eph. 5:16

Susan

The Real White Christmas

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Here’s a post of mine from last year:



Bing Crosby may have been dreaming of a white Christmas, but Jesus can make it a reality for you.




“Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18



Scarlet was the color of a deep-red permanent dye, virtually impossible to remove from clothing. The stain of sin may seem equally permanent, but God can remove sin’s stain from our life just as He promised to do for the Israelites. God’s Word assures us that if we are willing and obedient (v.19), God will forgive and remove our most indelible stains. He will make us “as clean as freshly fallen snow” (NLT).




“Cleanse me, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7 Because David was truly repentent for committing adultery and murder, God mercifully forgave him. No sin is too bad to be forgiven! Sometimes, I feel separated from God because of having done something wrong. Do you? Well, nothing could be further from the truth. God is waiting for us to confess and repent, to “come clean” as the saying goes, so He can make us truly clean and restore that close fellowship that He longs to have with us.


May this Christmas be one of reconcilation with the God who emptied Himself, took on the appearance of a human and the position of a servant, died the death of a criminal – the death that we deserved, then rose from the dead in total victory! (see Phil. 2)

Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
 

For Christ is born of Mary,
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
Praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.
Where children pure and happy
Pray to the blessed Child,

O holy Child of Bethlehem!
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!


Susan

Have a Mighty Christmas!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Jean Matthew Hall of Encouraging Words for Writers is sharing today’s devotion which has spoken loudly to my heart and mind.

Have a Mighty Christmas

I’m reading a little book by Ace Collins, 25 Days, 26 Ways To Make This Your Best Christmas Ever. In the reading for Day 3, Collins explores the Christmas carol “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” He takes a serious look at the word merry in this song. In Old English, the word could mean happy, but it had several other meanings. One of them was “mighty.”


That sets me to thinking about our greeting of “Merry Christmas.” Is that what we really want for everyone? A happy, jolly Christmas? Or do we want the people we love and respect to have a Mighty Christmas?

Do we want them to go through Christmas after Christmas laughing, singing, eating and drinking too much? Or do we want them to let God make Christmas mighty in their lives?


Do we want those around us to be caught up in all the trappings and traditions of Christmas? Or do we want them to be caught up in the saving love poured out on us by that child whose stable cradle was overshadowed by a cross?


Do we want people to simply have a Merry Christmas? Or do we want them to know the mighty power of God through Christ our Lord this Christmas? For that to happen they must surrender their hearts, their lives, and their all to Christ.


I’ve made my own little private promise to God this year. I’ve promised that each time I say a cheery “Merry Christmas” to someone, I’ll silently pray he or she’ll have a “Mighty Christmas” by accepting Christ as Savior.

Want to join me? Want to make your Merry Christmas a mighty one? Wish all those people well, but also pray for God to save their souls and change their lives into true celebrations of the Mighty Savior—to make every day Christmas in their hearts.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

Jean Matthew Hall, 2009

Lord, You are mighty, and we pray that You will be mighty in us. When we hear “merry”, may we think “mighty.”

Susan

The Right Gifts

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Today, I am grateful to Sonya at Truth 4 The Journey for this excellent post. Sonya also writes parenting pointers for Titus 2 In Action. As you read this, you’ll see why. Be sure to visit her at  http://truth4thejourney.blogspot.com.



Only 18 days remain until Christmas! Have I bought the right gifts? Have I made my lists, and checked them twice? These are common thoughts for many of us right now. We need to make Christmas special and memorable, right?


Wait! Whose birthday is it, anyhow? Most likely it’s not someone in your family or circle of friends. It’s Jesus’ birthday. So where is He on your list? After all, it is His birthday. Shouldn’t He be on your list?


I know that in today’s society we are pressured to make a list of loved ones and to put down the perfect gift idea for each one. But what if we put the name Jesus first under each loved ones name. Next, pray and ask what God would want you to give that person. I’m not talking about material things here. No, I’m talking about relational gifts.



Here are a few examples:


Christmas List:

1) My husband
a. Jesus – Pack his lunch at least once per week with a love note.


2) My daughter (toddler)
a. Jesus – Plan a play date for just the two of you and play what she wants to play.

3) My daughter (teen)
a. Jesus – Go online together to find a child to sponsor (this was her desire for Christmas this year). Then take her shopping to buy gifts for that child.


4) My daughter (tween)
a. Jesus – Put a love note from God (He inspired me to write love notes based on scriptures. If you are interested in them you can contact me) under her pillow every Monday this month.

5) My son
a. Jesus – Spend the time to read the Bible with him two nights per week.

These are a few examples from my own Christmas list. As I study the Bible, I find that God is not interested in the material things that we can give as much as the relational things. He is all about relationships and we need to put those at the top of our lists.


I pray that God will lead you and guide you this holiday season as you remember that relationships are far more important than material things.
 
Dear Lord, I thank You and Sonya for this precious reminder to keep the Giver of all gifts at the forefront of our gift-giving. Help u’s to remember that it’s relationship that is most important – with You and with each other.
 
Susan

The Calm of Christmas

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Today, I thank Pastor Jan Rizzo of the Maranatha Church of the Nazarene for contributing this beautiful post. May we take heed to her words and experience true calm!

What an odd definition of Christmas with all that we find ourselves doing this time of year! The Calm of Christmas enables us in the midst of our busyness to stop and ponder the true meaning of this glorious time of year! For it is not in the giving, as wonderful as that may be; but it is in receiving the One who came for us and desires to live within us.



The Apostle Paul in Galatians tells us that In the Fullness of Time God sent His Son to redeem (4:4-7). That time in history was anything but calm with persecution under Roman domination and a people waiting for the Messiah. But in the middle of such history … His-Story began and The Calm of Christmas heralded throughout the sky as the angels proclaimed: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:14).


Someone once said … it is not easy to hear the angels sing. There is so much in our lives and in our world that would persuade us that there is no angelic music, and certainly nothing to sing about. But if we listen with faith, we can hear the angel’s sing, and we find that we also can sing!


It was The Calm of Christmas that enabled Mary to say: Let it be to me according to your word (Luke 1:38) as she lived in calmness of strength and pondered all things in her heart. It is the calmness of faith … not an easy faith … but a faith that still believes when life is anything but calm that enables us to say yes to what God has for us!

CeCe Winans states: Faith is about how you live your life in the meantime. How you make decisions when you don’t know for sure what’s next. What you do with yourself between the last time you heard from God and the next time you hear from Him is the on-going challenge of the life of faith.


Has your faith been challenged in 2009? If yes, then I pray The Calm of Christmas brings you serenity, quietness, stillness and peace as you ponder the true meaning of this year … as you say let it be to me according to your word … as you sing with the angels and as you live by faith in the meantime.

Pastor Jan Rizzo, Maranatha Church of the Nazarene, Paramus, NJ

Joseph Mohr penned the words, “Silent night, Holy Night…  All is calm. All is bright.”
Dear Lord, may we experience such calm in the midst of the busyness.

The Checkout Lane

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Today, we have a gifted writer, Lynn from Heading Home, as our guest blogger. And you can read my post “How Can It Be?” on her blog at www.lynnmosher.blogspot.com.

The Checkout Lane

With the parking lot full, finding a space was almost impossible. Shopper after shopper filed in the store’s front door, list in hand, and most lacking the Christmas spirit.


The lines at the checkout lanes stretched halfway through the store. As angers were on the verge of erupting, loneliness carved a swath through the throng of shoppers, fighting for a place in each line.


“Why don’t they have more checkout lanes open?” complained one shopper.


“I don’t know. This is so depressing,” grumbled another nearby.


Each lane had its share of Grinches and lonely hearts, each moaning over all the congestion. In one lane, stood a mother with three small children in tow, all whining and wanting everything in sight.


In the next lane stood another mother with her three little ones, all in a joyous mood. Six year-old Olivia asked her mother, “Mommy, why is everyone so grumpy?”


Lowering her voice so others wouldn’t hear their conversation, Olivia’s mother whispered, “I’m not sure, dear. I think everyone is in a hurry, and they don’t know the meaning of Christmas.”


“Don’t they know it’s Jesus’ birthday?”


Trying to shush Olivia, she lowered her voice again, “I guess not. Some people just don’t know.”


“Well, why don’t we tell them?”


“I don’t think this is a very good time, dear.”


“Why not, Mommy? Didn’t you say it’s always time for Jesus?”


“Well, yes, I did, but…”


“Well, let’s tell them.”


Overhearing their conversation, those standing near this family began shifting their weight from one foot to another, uncomfortable as to what they might hear next.


The mother began to silently pray, “Oh, Lord, if You desire others to know it is Your birthday that they’re supposed to be celebrating, then please resolve this situation.”


Olivia bowed her head and thought for a moment. Then, a very soft, little voice began to sweetly sing…


“Away in the manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.”


Silence fell on the checkout lanes. All that could be heard was the whirring of the cash registers. No one said a word.


Then, that sweet little voice began to sing again…


“Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.”


Just as a place was made for baby Jesus to be born so many years ago, a place was made for Him in the checkout lanes. Smiles erupted across the stone-cold faces of the Grinches. Peace swept across the store, carving a swath through the crowd of shoppers and banishing loneliness and the Grinch from the checkout lanes.


As you weave your way in and out of the stores this Christmas season, remember the Reason for the Season…it’s the celebration of Jesus’ birth! May the blessings of the manger find a place your heart.

Lord, we surely can be grinches ourselves from time to time. Help us to sense Your presence with us as we search for presents for others, and  help us to be patient with those who don’t know You. May we be a light in the darkness.

Susan

Rope in the Blizzard – Stop, Look & Listen

Posted on by Susan Panzica

In his book “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality,” Peter Scazzero shares a story about farmers in the Midwest who prepare for blizzards by tying a rope from the back door of their house out to the barn as a guide to ensure they could return safely home. During these fierce and dangerous blizzards, a farmer could not see the end of his or her hand. Many froze to death in those blizzards, disoriented by their inability to see, sometimes within feet of their own front door, never realizing how close they were to safety.

Peter Scazzero suggests a spiritual rope in the blizzard – the ancient practice of the Daily Office – stopping to be still with God a few times during the day. He writes:


Three times a day (Daniel) got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before… I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. – Dan.6:10; Ps. 130:5

Lord, help me to grab hold of you as my rope in the blizzard today. The idea of stopping to be with you one, two, or three times a day seems overwhelming, but I know I need you. Help me to be still and to wait patiently for you (Ps. 37:7). Teach me to be prayerfully attentive to you not only when I stop and pause, but also throughout the day. Amen.

The basic elements are “Stopping, Centering, Silence and Scripture.” Because of my ever-weakening memory, I just call these elements: “Stop, Look and Listen.”
Sometimes, the flurry of activity around me makes me feel like I’m in a blizzard. To combat the disorientation, I stop, close my eyes (unless I’m driving of course!) and take a slow, deep breath. I whisper a prayer and invite God in. Because in the blizzard, it is all too likely that I will forget to stop, I set the alarm on my phone to softly ring/vibrate three times a day as a reminder. I’ll try to read a Scripture but won’t feel guilty if I can’t. Just the pause can be enough to refocus me.

My husband’s office is located at a busy intersection in Paramus, NJ, the shopping mecca of the northeast, with 5 major malls in each direction from our building. The snarled traffic sits waiting through 3 or 4 light changes, even more as we get closer to Christmas Day. So each year, we put up a giant sign on the high turret that reads:

“JOY TO THE WORLD.
THE LORD HAS COME.”

Just our little rope in the blizzard extended to the travelers outside our doors.

our office





So as we shop, if the kids are driving us crazy, when the dinner burns, if the boss is unreasonable, when the traffic is unbearable (or sometimes, like today, when I was driving around just plain irritated for no apparent reason, and I grrrrrumbled at my windshield as if there was someone there, and I let that invisible person have it, ooops, but I digress, sorry!),
anyway, as I was saying…
when the blizzard is blinding, let’s grab that rope, tune in to Him and tune out the rest.

 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:2
Right here, my daughter, right here. Meet with Me.






Susan

I’m STUFFED!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

I am so grateful to Joanne Kraft from One So Blessed. She has blessed me in more ways than I could possibly share in this short post.

I’m STUFFED!

Stuff. We all have it. Make no mistake about it, our houses, cars, rooms, cupboards and even purses are filled with it. Things you once loved or didn’t, now stuffed in a closet, behind a chair, under a bed or overhead in the attic. If you were to make a list of all the stuff you have in boxes, stacked in the garage, or tossed beneath a cabinet, you couldn’t. Forgotten stuff, used only for a time, not to be remembered again.


Stuff holds us in bondage. It keeps us from moving forward, from focusing on the present. And, at times, it overwhelms us. Yet, each Christmas I want more of it. I check the ads searching for it. Not only do I want more stuff, I want to give stuff to my husband and children too.


My teenage daughter recently told me a story her college professor shared with her class. It helped me see “stuff” in a much different way.


As the students filed into the college class for their final exam, they were greeted by their teacher. He was standing beside a table of archaic looking items. As each curious student came forward, their professor explained the odd -looking objects, and then proceeded to try and sell them to his students.


“This here is an 8-track player. I’ll sell it to you for $100.00.”


“Are you kidding? Those are obsolete. No one uses 8-track players anymore.” The student smirked.


“Well, how about this transistor radio? I’ll give you a deal…$40.00.”


Another student peered over the table and laughed at his teacher. “That transistor radio is a dinosaur. And it only gets AM!”


“Ok, then how about this TV?” The professor waved his arm towards the gargantuan television, towering over the table.“I’ll give you a bargain…$500.00.”


A chorus of students roared with laughter. “Is this a joke? I bet that TV weighs 500lbs!” The students crouched down to get a better look. “Are those dials for changing the channels? Cmon’ professor!” Their laughter had them doubled over by now.


As they chuckled and giggled, their teacher calmly shared, “Not long ago, men and women… some of them your own mothers and fathers, worked long hours to bring this “stuff” home to their family. Time taken away from their loved ones was used instead to bring a couple smiles, and a few light moments to those they cared about. Not much has changed today. People are working harder and longer to give those they love “stuff”. When what matters, what really counts is time. And in time, even your newest and neatest toy will become archaic, odd and obsolete.”


The teacher looked at around his classroom. The laughter had stopped.

This Christmas, take a moment, ask the Lord to help you discover something your husband and children can’t tuck away to be forgotten in a box or on a shelf. Take a walk together. Make cookies together. Share a cup of cocoa together. Cuddle on the couch together. Play a game together. Love on one another and laugh together. Memories should be the “stuff” we tuck away in our hearts this holiday season.

Joanne

Dear Lord,  Lead us to us to gather memories not dust-collectors.

Susan

Do You See What I See?

Posted on by Susan Panzica

******************************************************

It’s funny how two people can look at the same image
and see two different things.
But once it’s pointed out to you,
you can see both!
Today, I’m having a little fun with the popular Christmas carol:
Do You See What I See?


Do you see what I see?

Some see: sweet little baby Jesus
I see: the Savior of the universe, Creator God, who reduced Himself to a single cell embedded in the womb of a humble virgin, that He might become as one of His subjects to live like them, to die for them, to rise again providing victory for them.
Some see: plastic figurines of nativity characters
I see: depictions of real men and a woman who lived 2000 years ago and were used by God in the incarnation of God the Son. Unlikely people who were led to participate in the event that changed the course of human history.
Some see: twinkling lights adorning houses, trees, windows
I see: images of the Light of the world, eliminating darkness bulb by precious bulb

Some see: jolly old Santa’s
I see: a portrayal of Bishop Nicholas of Myra, a godly man with a reputation for secret gift-giving to the poor, who worshiped Jesus with all his heart
Some see: paper wrapped gifts under the tree
I see: demonstrations of love for family and friends representing the Gift that came wrapped in swaddling clothes

Do you hear what I hear?

Some hear: unlikely singers belting out holiday tunes
I hear: God’s word embedded in Christmas carols. His Word does not return void. Those unlikely singers are proclaiming the good news!

Some hear: well-wishers sharing “holiday greetings”
I hear: more opportunities to share the gospel “It is God’s responsibility to make people receptive; it is our responsibility to sow the seed.” Rick Warren

Do you know what I know?
Some know: that Jesus was a great teacher
Some know: he was a liar, heretic or lunatic
Some know: all about Him with knowing Him personally
I know: that Jesus is the foretold Messiah, the Savior of the world, who left His home in heaven to live a sinless life dwelling in and among His people and ultimately paying the price for their sins and mine.
I know: that my life has meaning and purpose that I never knew before
I know: that I have peace that is beyond understanding
I know: that someday, in His timing, I will go to heaven and be with Him
I know: that you can know what I know




 

Do You See What I See
Said the night wind to the little lamb,
“Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
Do you see what I see?
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite,
With a tail as big as a kite.”

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
“Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear?
A song, a song high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea,
With a voice as big as the sea.”
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
“Do you know what I know?
In your palace warm, mighty king,
Do you know what I know?
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold–
Let us bring him silver and gold,
Let us bring him silver and gold.”
Said the king to the people everywhere,
“Listen to what I say!
Pray for peace, people, everywhere,
Listen to what I say!
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light,
He will bring us goodness and light.”
Dear Lord,
May we see what You see.
May we hear what You say.
May we know what You share with us.
Susan

Do you see an old woman or a young one?

Giving

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Today, I thank my friend, my “soul-mate” Cheri Bunch, from Kansas for this heart-felt post. Cheri and I met in NC at the She Speaks conference this summer. Her husband is a chiropractor, like mine, and even as we just met, we could practically finish each other’s sentences.



Giving

“Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:13-14

She nestled into me as I hummed a lullaby softly in her ear. Her little body well fed and nurtured, she had never known another home. She was born in prison where her momma was presently staying. Little “Gloria” snuggled in peace.



I met her when I was on a mission trip to Kentucky. My son and I joined a group that was taking school supplies and the gospel message to the people in the mountains areas. On the way, we stopped at a children’s home where little Gloria was living.

Gloria is a very fortunate little one who has been rescued by loving Christian people who have a vision of rescuing children and restoring homes. Every two weeks, the children’s home staff loads up all of the babies into big vans full of car seats and take them to the prison two hours away where their mommas are locked up. They allow the mommas to love on their little ones for as long as the prison guards will allow, then the staff loads all those babies back into the vans and take them back to the nursery to be cared for by the staff until the mommas are released from their sentence.


It is a beautiful ministry to behold. I was most moved by this plan, not only to restore families but also to share the Gospel. Every momma is loved on by the staff and eventually witnessed to. The staff demonstrates the Gospel by loving the mommas and their babies first, which tends to soften the soil of their hearts, so that when the Word is heard, it is received by most.


Most of the staff volunteers are from the surrounding community. They are some of the most gentle and loving people I have ever met.

As I sat with little Gloria in my arms, I was overwhelmed with gratefulness that someone had the vision to, not only rescue this little lamb, but to reach out and take the Gospel into the home, while making an effort to bring restoration to the household. This is what giving is all about, serving, loving, giving, and being ministers of reconciliation to others in need.


Jesus loves little ones. He said to bring them to Him.


Little Gloria is no longer at the children’s home. She is back home with her momma. She will be in children’s church this Sunday. She is singing “Jesus Loves Me” and learning Bible verses. Her momma sings in the choir. They say their prayers at night, and they demonstrate His love to others during the day. That is the beauty of this mission. That is what giving is all about.


This children’s home will receive a gift from my family this Christmas. I wish that I lived closer. I would love to be on staff to rock babies and minister to their mommas. Since that is not an option, I will send financial support or fill some of their supplies on their list of needs. Then I will look for little “Gloria’s” in my area that I can snuggle and hum lullabies to.

“I’ll follow you into the homes of the broken. Follow You into the world. Meet the needs of the poor and needy God. Follow you into the world.”

Taken from a song by Leeland from cd – Love is on the Move.




Oh Lord, You know the needs of these little ones. You know the number of hairs on their heads. And You know our needs, too. Help us to sacrificially serve Your little ones as You lead.

Susan