Category: devotion

“The Help” Isn’t Just A Movie

Posted on by Susan Panzica

In August, a family vacation took us to Washington DC at the end of our week. On Sunday, we visited National Community Church that meets in a movie theater.

The movie The Help was showing in the theater where the service was held. Entering the door below the sign, I laughed out loud.
I was going there to encounter God – now He’s really the Help!

Just a few “helpful” verses to bless your day:

  • My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2
  • Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. Psalm 54:4
  • Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18
  • So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:6
  • Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews. 4:16

How has God helped you?

Popularity – American Idol Style

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Check out the kid in the “parachute pant” – the so-called “white MC Hammer” – dancing with his sister in this clip from Fox 
News: 
And they got a huge write up in the Bergen Record: 




This adorable duo are my two kids. For his 21st birthday on Thursday, AJ decided on a whim to try out for Americal Idol. The blockbuster show added a last minute audition city at the Meadowlands, just a short ride from our home. They were shooting for the humor angle. AJ facebooked:

  • Heading out for my American Idol audition with Lauren. Remember, infamy wields a much greater spotlight than fame. [take American heart-throb William Hung for example..]

Since they’re great friends as well as siblings, Lauren went along for the ride. They entertained the waiting crowds with their Party Rock Anthem dance shuffle moves. And captured LOTS of attention. “EVERYONE wanted to talk and interview us!!” And it was true – E!, Fox News, Bergen Record, NJ News 12, MTV News, Inside Edition, American Idol reps, and 102.7 FM radio all wanted a few minutes of their attention. It was all lots of fun for two charismatic kids with slightly better than average singing skills. 

And they got the golden ticket! Not to Hollywood yet, but to come back 2 days later for Rounds 2 and 3.
And my mommy radar went into overdrive. 
Sure it was great fun. But what about the bigger picture:
– What about their plans? College and beyond.
More importantly:
– What about their character? The pull of celebrity? The innate insatiable desire to be popular? . 



.

“Popular” from the Broadway show “Wicked’ 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsKH2tqoFJ8

On Friday, Rick Warren tweeted the following:
“Believe me: popularity is an insidious force that will destroy your character unless you deal ruthlessly with it before God.“
I immediately texted that to my kids. Thanks Pastor Rick! 
Oh, what is it about celebrity that is so attractive? Is it wanting people to like us? Wanting to be popular? If so, then American Idol is the right name for that show, and for the culture that adores it. An idol is “1. an image or representation of a god used as on object of worship.  2. someone who is adored blindly and excessively.” In other words, an idol is anything that replaces God in our worship. When we want to be liked by people more than we care about what God thinks of us, we are in idol worship. And we must deal with it ruthlessly. 
I admit I want people to like me. I don’t like it if I think they don’t or if I feel left out. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting to connect with others. The problem is when the desire to be liked causes us to compromise, or causes us to neglect  our relationship with God in some way. 
When Jesus walked the earth, some people liked Him and some didn’t. And if not everyone liked Him, why would we expect everyone to like us? Jesus said just the opposite would be true.
“Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Mk 13:13
“Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude and insult you and reject your name, because of the Son of Man.” Lk 6:22
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you.” Lk 6:27
“Everyone will hate you because of Me.” Lk 21:17
Jesus loved everyone no matter how they felt about Him. He empowers us to do the same. 
So what happened with the kids on Saturday? Well, they got a second golden ticket which took them to Round 3 and another audition, this time before the Executive Producers. That didn’t go as well. They were told that their song was not an allowed song (copyright issues we’re guessing) so they had a just few minutes to prepare another song. And in the end, they were told to strengthen their vocals and maybe audition for So You Think You Can Dance. 
Not really a surprise. Going in, AJ’s ultimate hope was just to meet Steven Tyler. They got a lot farther than they expected. Must have been their winning personalities. 
Then again, maybe it was just the pants. 


Driven to Distraction

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Early Sunday morning, a few weeks ago, I woke up extra early to prepare for my Sunday School class, only to be distracted by another random task calling my name, leaving my preparation less than best.



Then while in the class, my cell phone signaled a text message arrival. I quickly silenced the alert, only to have it vibrate loudly two minutes later with another text message.


Several minutes later, someone else’s cell phone rang an alert.


A few minutes after that, the children loudly shuffled past our group to practice their special presentation, returning 15 minutes later, sweetly suspending our discussion once again.


The thing is – this type of stuff rarely happens in our class. No cell phones. No parades. No distractions. Each week, we have awesome discussions that experience very few interruptions. Even late arrivals don’t divert us from our study.


Our text that morning was Acts 16, particularly the demon-possessed, fortune-telling servant girl who followed Paul for days shouting “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” This greatly distressed Paul, and he cast out the demon. Since the girl was declaring truth, our group shared thoughts on why Paul would be distressed, concluding that if “he accepted her words, he would appear to be linking the Good News with demon-related activities.” (Life Appl Bible)


And then it occurred to me. While that was most certainly true, it might also be simply that she was a distraction to the work Paul and his companions were doing.


Grrrr! That word – distraction! 


Lately, I’ve been quite onvicted about my own distracted nature. Unlike the focused, goal-oriented people I admire, I am a tumbleweed, often wandering from room to room, task to task. Being very busy, but in reality, accomplishing little.


My dear friend, Joanne at Blessed, shared not one, but two posts a few weeks ago about distraction. When she wrote that her nickname is “bright, shiny thing,” I laughed out loud, knowing that it could easily be mine too! She calls it “the attraction of distraction,” and that’s exactly what it is. It’s a lure, a snare, a decoy. Like a fishing lure, distraction will entice us, then hook us, keeping us from accomplishing anything.

“Hi, my name is Susan, and I’m a distractaholic.”

There I said it. Just as alcohol can derail the one addicted to it, so too, can distraction. Now, there’s nothing wrong with being a free spirit. Usually, I love being one. But there are times when I know that God signals a certain task for my day or a call on my life, and I must be honest and admit – I’m being disobedient.

Oswald Chambers said that “Good is the enemy of best.” The soothsaying servant girl shared a truthful statement, but it was a distraction from the men who were on God’s mission of truth. I may be busily serving the Lord, but if I’m not also listening to Him, my work is a distraction from my relationship with Him. Sometimes, a tumbleweed needs an anchor.

I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. 1 Cor. 7:35b

What’s It All About?

Posted on by Susan Panzica
The question is one that has been asked for ages. What’s it all about?

Back in college, my husband and his friends were published in the school newspaper with one of the two winning answers to the reporter’s question, “What’s it all about?”
My husband’s group’s response: “Alfie-ness”
Some of you may be old enough to remember the inspiration for their answer – the theme song “What’s It All About, Alfie?” from the movie “Alfie”. 



Alfie was all about himself, his desires.

Driving past this store last month, I just had to stop to take these pictures.
“It’s All About Me!”
Deeming that this sign sums up so much of our culture today, I looked down my sanctimonious nose at the owners of this store. Until it dawned on me that I’m as guilty as anyone of living in my “all about me” universe.
Recently, I had a few situations where due to MY actions or suggestions, something positive happened. Yet afterward, when the story was retold, MY contribution (which made it all happen, people!!) was omitted. Uh, hello???? Remember me? The suggestor? My inital annoyance eventually receded as I slowly realized that the main thing was the positive result itself, not MY contribution to it. It is not about ME.
Last summer at a writers’ conference, a lovely new friend, Lisa, at my dinner table described her book project. She could have been reading MY notes aloud. After picking my jaw off the table, we started to share our vision for our similar projects. By the time dessert ended, we grasped that our projects were not ours at all. They were God’s words, His work, His vision. We prayed together and accepted that whether it was her book or mine that was published, the main thing was that His word would be shared, that women would be encouraged, that the message would be delivered. What did not matter was WHO was the deliverer of that message. Our calling was to be obedient to the heavenly vision, and to allow God to take care of the rest. It is not about ME.
The summer before that, I saw Alan and Denise Jackson on the Today show. Not much of a fan of country music, I had no idea of his music or their story. High school sweethearts, Denise’s life was dedicated to her husband and his growing career. The years sped by, and eventually, Denise lost herself in Alan’s world. Her life was “all about him.” Eventually, she rededicated her life to God and wrote a book titled “It’s All About HIM.” Her life no longer about “him” (Alan) anymore, but about “Him” (Jesus, her Lord and Savior).
Alan wrote a song to go with Denise’s book. Here’s part of the lyrics:

it’s all about Him
and the love that He gives
redemption and hope
for all who have sinned
you can walk all alone, never find your way home
till you see deep within
it’s all about Him

its not about ego
or things you can hold
its not about power, or silver, or gold
not who’s at your table
or where you lay down
it’s not about spreading your wings on the ground
so look in the mirror
and look at your life
it may seem perfect, but just don’t feel right
lay down your fences, and let the love in
right there beside you,
it’s all about Him
What was the other winning answer back in my hubby’s college days?
It came from a rare Christian on that campus, “It’s all about Jesus.”
It’s not about Alfie.
It’s not about me.
It’s not about him (or her).
For generations past, present and future, it’s all about Jesus.
What’s it all about for you?
Susan

How To Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day

Posted on by Susan Panzica

What did you first think when you read the title of today’s post?
Leprechauns? Shamrocks? Pot of gold?
Drunken revelry? Celebrations out of control?
Green bagels? Green beer? Green painted people?

After working in NYC for years, I’ve seen it all. I find it most curious the way that people “honor” St. Patrick on March 17th.  I once witnessed a near-fatal showdown between mounted police and carousing, green-faced partygoers who spilled out of a bar and blocked 33rd St. and nearly became a casualty myself!

Have you ever read the prayer of St. Patrick? After reading the words and sensing the heart of this godly man, it grieves me to see the misunderstanding that the celebration of his life has become.

I wanted to find just the right thing to say today, and I found it in my pastor’s weekly newsletter. So- many thanks to Pastor Steven Creange, for this post and for serving the Lord so effectively day in and day out, year after year.


 

REFLECTIONS…

One of my favorite Christian singer/song writers is Fernando Ortega. It is not so much the music (which I enjoy) or the lyrics (which are very good) but it is the spirit that I sense comes through him; through his voice, through his instruments, through his passion. When I play his CD’s or listen to him on my IPOD I sense the presence of Jesus. This is not true of every Christian artist or every Christian song that I hear. But for me, there is something very beautiful and calming and I am taken to a place that agrees with my spirit… (“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit..” Romans 8:16). He may not be the greatest singer or the greatest song writer or the greatest musician. Fernando Ortega may not even have any effect on you at all; but when I hear him sing I sense the presence of Jesus.


Many years ago I attended the District Assembly at the Maranatha Church of The Nazarene in Paramus. The presiding General Superintendent was Dr. Charles H. Strickland. When I approached him to shake his hand I immediately sensed I was in the presence of Jesus. As I shook his hand the power of Christ seemed to surge through him. He was a short, stocky man who wore glasses. By the measure of any standard he was common; unimpressive to the human eye. But he didn’t have to say a word; I knew I was standing on holy ground. Christ was in him and flowing through him and I felt so small yet so in awe.


My desire is that I would have Christ flow through me in such a way that it is His Spirit that people sense. I know that too much of “me” gets in the way and I have to allow the Holy Spirit to have free reign. John the Baptist said “He must increase while I must decrease.” The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ live in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, l who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Saint Patrick’s beautiful prayer says:

I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear for me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
Christ be with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my lfeft,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise.
Christ in the heart of everyone thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me.
Christ in every eye that sees me.
Christ in every ear that hears me.






Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have people know that we have “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13) without us even saying a word. I think praying the Prayer of Saint Patrick is a prayer to be prayed every day not just on March 17th. I think we would actually witness the power and presence of Jesus through us touching the lives of others. What do you think?


God’s Blessings,
Pastor Steven

May your day today be filled with His presence. And may His presence flow through you to those around you today and everyday.

Susan

Susan

What do you ask God for?

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Last Sunday, on the radio as I was driving to church, I heard Pastor Rob Cruver encourage his congregation to pray – not for God’s power or for God to do something, but just to pray for His presence.



Those words changed me, changed my prayer perspective. I know that God says to ask, knock, and seek, but what is it that we are asking, knocking, and seeking for? If we ask and seek for His presence, all other matters will fall into proper perspective. We’ll have His peace, even if in a storm. We’ll have His wisdom, even if in a time of indecision. His presence will put to rest our questions, doubts, fears. It will dissipate our anger, resentment, frustration.

Before we make our confessions (looking at ourselves) or our supplications (requests for others or ourselves), let’s pursue His presence. Then our prayers will align with His will, and we’ll be asking, knocking, and seeking after what He desires for us.

Before we make our plans, let’s seek His presence that we will only do as He directs.

Before we set our feet to the floor in the  morning, may we breathe in His presence that we will walk in agreement with Him like synchronized swimmers. Like a dancer following His lead, every movement choreographed according to His design. May our voices speak in perfect harmony with His. May we not move if His Presence does not go with us:

The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. Ex. 33:14-15

Thank you Lord, for sharing Your presence with us. May we relish it afresh every day, every moment.  
Susan

A River Walk Talk

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Today, my guest blogger is my friend Mina’s 14-year-old daughter, Ellen. She is sharing her testimony of what God spoke to her at Harvest Christian Fellowhship’s Women’s Retreat last month.

After the workshop at the HCF Women’s Retreat of 2010, I decided to take a walk because the message was very heavy. The subject was “Rejoicing in Trials,” and I had been having conflicting feelings about a crush on a boy at my school. So I put my coat and sneakers on, and left to walk along the river. The sky was completely blue, and there was no sound except the wind. I decided to put my iPod on and listen to a song that I call “Me and God’s song.” The song is Beloved by Tenth Avenue North. I was listening to the song and looking at the water, when all of a sudden, I heard a voice in my head, and it said “Look at the water.”


And I replied “Yeah?”


Then it said, “How is the water moving?”


I replied, “That way.” and I was pointing to the right, which was the way the water was flowing.


The voice in my head said, “No, I mean symmetrically.”


I replied, “As one.”


And what it said next brought me to tears.


“Exactly, and that is how I want to be with you, but you keep pushing me away.” This is when I began to cry, my heart broke to hear that. So, to my surprise the next thing he said was “Ellen, will you be my bride?”


And my response is what I will never forget. I said, “You will be my daddy, my husband, and my best friend.”


Since that point, I have realized that I have started becoming the woman that God wants me to be. I strayed away, but I realized that still, through everything I’ve done, God loves me so much. I will never forget that day.

And, Ellen, I will never forget your testimony. You have moved me to tears, and I pray that I too walk symmetrically as one with my Lord, my Abba daddy, by husband, my best friend.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea-billows roll—
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul. —Spafford

Susan

More Snow, More Lessons

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Sometimes on a journey, snow causes you to take a detour. So with this week’s massive storm, I’m turning aside from the Journey posts to share another snow day lesson.

Today’s post is just stating the obvious –
there are lessons to be learned in the storm, any storm.

God never wastes a hurt, a problem, a sorrow when yielded to Him. In every storm, there’s something to be learned, an attribute to be developed, an insight to be gleaned. And once again, today’s snowstorm provided more blog fodder.

I keep hearing the refrain, “This winter just won’t end. I’m ready for spring already.” Well, that makes for pleasant small talk. We can all commiserate, but the truth is that winter will end. It always does. Even if you live in Alaska or Antarctica, there are seasons. Winter will become less fierce in those regions. For us, don’t expect winter to end yet. It ends in March, not February, but it will end. In the summer, we’ll be saying, “This summer is so hot, it just won’t end.” But it will end. It always does.

Life has its seasons, too. When my son came back from one of his mission trips, he desperately wanted that spirit-filled mountaintop feeling to continue forever, but with each passing day, he slowly settled into the “ordinaries.” I shared with him that if all our time were spent on the mountaintop, it too would be come ordinary, not a unique sacred time. Also, if all our time was on the mountaintop, we’d be useless to those who need us in the valley. We’d miss the lessons that He teaches us in the deep, dark seasons of our souls. Jesus can calm the storm. If He lets the storm rage, He will calm the child.

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter was eager to set up tents to remain there on the mountain. But the gospel writers all say that Peter didn’t know what he was talking about (Mt. 17, Mk. 9, Lk. 9). Jesus didn’t spend all His time on the mountaintop, but He did make it a point to have some time there. A season, if you will.

Years ago, when my husband and I honeymooned in Hawaii, we met a guy who told us that he had to fly to California once a month to get away from the sameness. Paradise – sameness? Are you kidding? But he wasn’t kidding.

Here in NJ, I do feel blessed to experience the variety of seasons.

And may it help me to remember that spiritually, there are seasons, too. The chill of winter will end – it always does. The scorch of summer will end – it always does.

And until it does, let’s appreciate that there are lessons to be learned in the season that will make the next season easier to endure.

Some seasonal encouragement:

Be prepared in season and out of season… 2 Tim. 4:2


She is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Psalm 1:3

Have you experienced a storm that yielded a lesson learned?

Susan

Just a Penny

Posted on by Susan Panzica
My friend, Donna, shared the email below with me to be shared with you. The same day, my blogging-buddy, Karen, posted about “Abraham Lincoln, One Smart Guy” and used the penny photo you see here. Such a confirmation, I just couldn’t resist! So with thanks to Donna and Karen, I’m sure you will enjoy the story as much as I did.
JUST A PENNY

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the home of her husband’s employer. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway and cars costing more than her house.


The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. Her husband’s employer was quite generous as a host, and he took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so she was enjoying herself immensely.


As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant one evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped and a few cigarette butts.

Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?
 Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at Arlene. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and she asked if the penny he had found had been of some value. He took the penny from his pocket and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?


“Look at it,” he said. “Read what it says.”


She read the words, “United States of America.”


“No, not that. Read further.”


“One Cent?”


“No, keep reading.”


“In God We Trust?”


“Yes!”


“And?”


“And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin, I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him. Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray. I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick up the coin as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God’s way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!”


When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, “In God We Trust” and had to laugh. “Yes, God, I get the message!”


It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months; but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient.

—

I, too, am grateful for the plentiful patience of God. And now I have a sweet reminder to trust in God everytime a coin passes my way.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 20:7, 9:10

Susan

Snow Day Lessons – Part 2

Posted on by Susan Panzica

The kids may have had off from school, but there were some awesome lessons to be learned on our recent snow day! Here’s a few more:

“I Can Do It Myself”

Paul demonstrated what a true neighbor does – saw my need and answered the problem with no expectation of reciprocity. But immediately I began thinking of how I could repay him for his kindness. He offered to finish shoveling the front walk I was working on. But I said that I was fine. Thanks, but no thanks. In truth, I behaved like a little child trying to be self-sufficient, not wanting to receive a helping hand. He could have done it in half the time, and as his sweet wife, Nancy, told me the next day, he was going stir crazy in the house and was looking for things to do. He actually enjoyed it! And I robbed him of his blessing by rejecting his offer of help.
I remember well the days when my children would say “I do it myself!” when I knew that they weren’t mature enough yet to do the task. As I try to stand in my own feeble strength, the Lord is beckoning me to lean on Him. “For when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).” 2 Cor. 12:10 Amp.
Too often, I reject the help of God and other people in a misguided attempt at independence. It’s easier for me to be the ‘helper’ than the ‘helpee’. But when I resist the help that someone offers, I rob them of a blessing. God desires to bless us, but when we try to do it ourselves, we miss out on that divine intervention.

Power in Numbers

Fragile dainty snowflakes, not one like another, easily crushed by the slightest pressure, yet together, they became a formidable force. Swirling, they blind drivers. Accumulating, they grow into massive mounds. Freezing, they create slick and dangerous icy surfaces.
Oh, what we can learn from the snowflake. We, too, are fragile when alone. We are each uniquely different from one another. If we focus on those differences, we remain alone and frail. But if we stand together, we become mighty, powerful to defeat our common foe. Yet…

Not By Might, Not By Power, But By MY Spirit

The front walkway was cleared as much as humanly possible with the shovel, but still was not totally free from snow. But late in the afternoon, half the walk was completely clear. Which half? The half that was in the sun. Half of the front yard is covered by shade. The part of the walk in the shade remained snow-covered.

The light and warmth of the sun can do what no human intervention can do. And the light and warmth of the Son can do what no human intervention can do. As powerful a force when we band together, it pales in comparison to the mighty works of God.

It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over


Beautiful as it is, the pristine snow doesn’t stay pristine for very long. The dirt and grime of feet, vehicles and debris muddle the white landscape.
And as long as we tread on this earth, there will always be cleanup activity. God cleans us up making our scarlet sins as white as snow, and then reveals new areas to work on. Life is a journey, not a destination. the Lord is our pilot, our janitor, our partner, our friend along the way. But He is more than that. He is our source of life and will keep us in this life and the next. Even when it’s over, it’s never over! Praise the Lord!

Susan