Category: strength

No Regrets

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Today’s post is stolen from “Stuff Christians Like” by Jon Acuff. Jon writes hysterical Christian satire. Except on Wednesdays which is reserved for more serious issues.  Last Wednesday, he wrote the following story about a conversation with his coworker, Brian. At the end, I’ll add my two cents. To read his post in its entirety, click here.
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REGRET:
While at the gym the day before, Brian had seen a man have a heart attack on one of the machines. A crowd quickly formed, but confusion reigned. The gym employees were slow to act and 911 was not called immediately. Brian prayed with a handful of other people and comforted the man the best he knew how, but by the time the ambulance showed up, it was too late. With his wife standing in the crowd of exercisers, a stranger at the gym passed away.


So on an otherwise uneventful morning in an otherwise ordinary conference room, Brian was replaying the whole situation. With the laser focus we all seem to inherit when feeling guilty, he was watching the film of the day before looking for something he could have done differently. There must have been something. Anything that would have saved that man.

That’s a horrible moment that maybe you’re familiar with too. Perhaps the circumstances were different, but somewhere in your life, there’s been a moment you wish happened differently. You lost your job. You lost your marriage. You were too slow to act in a car crash. Your son, the one who used to laugh so hard when you’d build towers of wooden blocks for him to knock over is running away from you and you’re left wondering what you could have done differently.


I don’t know. I don’t know the specifics of your situation. There are some circumstances where we are called to act and have the chance to do something and we don’t. But I think far more often we make the same mistake Brian made. We look back on yesterday or last year or ten years ago and we think we could have done something differently. And if I could tell you the same thing I told Brian, it would be pretty simple.


“God didn’t ask you to be God that day.”


God didn’t turn the reins over to you that day. Just like he didn’t ask Brian to handle a stranger’s aorta tear in the gym, he didn’t ask you to be the God of any particular situation. He is still God. He is still in control. He is still on the throne. And when we act otherwise, it must pain him so.


Because it hurt me to watch Brian that day. It hurt to see him running through scenarios and CPR techniques and a thousand other “what ifs” that morning in the conference room. He had a limitless supply of things that a good person should have done.

Maybe you do too. About your marriage and your job and your childhood and your family. And while I’d never encourage you to shirk the responsibility and accountability God gives each of us, I can promise you one thing, he didn’t ask you to be God that day. He’ll never do that. You get to just be Brian. Or Pam or Sue or Felix. That’s enough. That’s how he planned it. For yesterday and today and tomorrow.

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Too often, I pull out thethe “if only’s,” the coulda, shoulda, woulda” wistful thinking, and then my mind parks there filled with regrets or frustrations.


Jon’s statement “God didn’t ask you to be God that day” is what really pierced me. Maybe you too. Why is it so hard to relinquish control sometimes? Why is feeling helpless so difficult?

 
Jon titled his post “Regret”, but I titled mine “No Regrets.” On one of my son’s mission trips a few years ago, he chose a personal theme for training camp and the trip = “No Regrets.” AJ didn’t want to look back on the trip [or on his life] and have regrets. He purposed to make choices, to go places, to say and do things that would leave him satisfied, fulfilled, with no regrets. Hearing his wisdom, I purposed to learn something from my young son.

For those things that are in our control, let’s take the action, say what should be said, avoid what we know to avoid, so we won’t have regrets.
And for those things that are out of our control, let’s let God be God and rest in His divine wisdom.

What do you think?

Susan

Elementary, my dear….

Posted on by Susan Panzica
For my birthday, the family and I went to see the new mystery movie, “Sherlock Holmes.” I won’t critique it for you nor will I spoil it for you by giving away any info. But there is one observation that I do want to share with you.
Several times in the movie, we are allowed a vision of what Sherlock Holmes is planning. The director reveals what is about to happen, and then it does happen.
Other times, however, we see Sherlock making observations, but have absolutely no idea what the clue might mean, if it is relevant, or how they will all fit together.
Life with God can be like that, too.
And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, … Ephesians 1:9
Sometimes, His strategy is clear. He reveals to us just what He wants us to do, His perfect plan apparent to our lowly eyes. The Word provides confirmation, and we can take action with the confidence that comes from knowing we are following His will.
But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as He announced to His servants the prophets. Revelation 10:7

But there are times when it is all just a complete mystery, and we won’t know the reason for His plan until much later, if in this lifetime at all.

Perhaps we need to mature some more before we are ready to understand:
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:11-12 

Or perhaps, He just wants us to trust Him. It is at those times that we walk by faith, and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7) like a child holding hands with her Father. [See my post on that here.]

If you’re like me, you want to know it all – all the “who, what, where, why and  how’s” of  life. But “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Heb. 11:1), so by its very nature, the life of faith must contain the unknown.

It’s a wonderful mystery, the greatest story ever told. And we are part of it!

Susan

 

Where You Gonna Get Your Fill?

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Many thanks to Laurie Hock for this excellent post. After reading it, I just want to yell, “Fill ‘er up!” Laurie and I met at She Speaks, and we are now part of a writer’s critique group. She is a dynamic ball of fire for the Lord.

The weeks leading up to Christmas are best described as…full. Christmas parties, decorating, purchasing gifts, performances, programs, and other unmentioned clamor. There’s no arguing our holidays are jam-packed, plum full, stuffed to the max. But let’s pause for a moment and ask ourselves, “What what kind of fillers are these?”


Our hearts, souls, and minds naturally need to be filled, but with what? God created us with a need for Him, a hunger for the Holy. This hunger has been misinterpreted in our rush-rush culture of over-scheduled and overtired men, women, and children.

The majority of us aren’t getting “full” on daily doses of the presence of God, nor by fellowshipping with Him through prayer and praise. Instead, most of us end up stuffing our lives with commitments, busyness, and a lot of other eternal unnecessaries. These earthly and temporal fillers are fake. They distract us from our true God-given purpose. These can never satisfy us the way God can.


Fake fillers end up making our schedules fat but leave our souls starving.


We can’t afford to spend our energy filling up on temporal things while sacrificing intimacy with God. The world is stacked with alternative fillers the devil has disguised as good and seemingly godly. These may indeed be good things. But when these activities and obligations fill us up before we give God a chance to, we’re going to be running on empty. We’re not full at all in the way we should be. These fake fillers tend to take more out of us than they give to us.

God desires His children to depend upon Him. He is our ultimate satisfaction. He is the eternal fullness available for us to experience everyday here on earth and forever after. God is the answer to our every need and desire. Our hunger for Him must be quenched above all else. We must look to Him to get our daily fill.


It sounds spectacular to be filled by God, but perhaps intimidating, right? How do you begin to develop and deepen a relationship with Almighty God so He can fill you up? How does He become your fulfillment, your everything?

Psalm 81:10 gives insight. “I am the Lord your God…Open wide your mouth and I will fill it” (NIV).

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.

How do you need to rearrange the days leading up to the holidays so you can be full of God, His patience and love instead of stress, frustration and anxiety? Tell me… where you gonna get your fill today?

Laurie Hock

Years ago, my husband, Tony, wrote a song titled, Fill Me Up. Some of the lyrics are: “Fill me up, Holy Spirit. Fill my life to overflowing… that I might be a reflection of Your love.”

Lord, Fill me up to the brim with Your truth, Your Word, Your peace, Your presence… that I might overflow and be a reflection of Your love. Thank you, Jesus, that You desire to fill us with Yourself.

Susan

Leaf Me Alone!

Posted on by Susan Panzica
At this time of year, there is a whirring sound heard ‘round the neighborhood. Up and down the streets, neighbors are doing their fall leaf cleanups.

One side effect of being empty-nesters is that my son is not available to help my husband with the annual leaf cleanup. With our over-abundance of leaves, it is a huge undertaking. Without AJ, my husband turned to me…. Oh, joy! My husband wore the backpack blower while I loosened up the wet leaves underneath with the rake.

But with the beautiful weather, it wasn’t as bad as I expected. It was fun to work together and even provided a few spiritual insights!


First of all, we only have this responsibility because we are blessed to own a home. Renters do not have to rake leaves, but when you are a homeowner, it’s necessary. We must be good stewards of what God has entrusted us with. A home that is not maintained falls into disrepair and loses its value. Likewise, the spiritual gifts that we have been blessed with are not to be left undeveloped and unused. If we have the gift of teaching, we are to study to show ourselved approved. If we have the gift of helps, we ought to seek out those in need. Those who are gifted musically practice to keep their skills sharp. The servant who buried his talent was called “wicked and lazy,” but those who invested theirs were told “well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matt. 25:23, 26)


When I was trying alone to move the leaves with the rake, it was hard work. I was striving in my own strength when I sensed a strong wind behind me – the blower – and the leaves suddenly lifted easily. So it is with the Spirit = the pneuma = the wind! We can toil in our own strength and make a little progress. But when His power comes, we are lifted in the struggle. We no longer bear the burden alone. We can accomplish greater things with greater ease when it is in His power that we labor.

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

The blower, though, needed the assistance of the rake to loosen up the matted leaves that were wedged in corners or under bushes. Now God doesn’t need us to accomplish His purposes, but the Spirit can accomplish more in our lives when we partner with Him. He prompts us, reminds us, leads us, directs us, but it is when we respond in obedience that we can see change and victory.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt. 11:29-30

Our work for the day was finally done. My aching muscles were thankful I’m married to a chiropractor! But the full cleanup is not done. We tackled the front yard, but the sides and back may need professional help. Sometimes, we too need help from godly counselors who are trained to lead us through difficult times.

And when it was all done, I looked up toward the heavens thankful for the victory over the leaves – only to see the branches still had some more leaves that were sure to fall… aaarrgggghhhh! It’s NEVER over!!! Next year, the glorious herald of spring will carry the chore of the fall cleanup with it. And as long as we breathe, there will always be something that God will work in our lives. Paul was thankful that he had come so far in his walk with the Lord, but he also knew there was still far to go, more work to be done. Can this be discouraging sometimes? Sure, but only if we look at how far we still have to go without remembering how far we’ve come.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. …But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:12-14

Susan

How to Climb Mount Everest!

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Recently, I attended a chiropractic seminar with my husband. The speaker one night was Dr. Tim Warren, who climbed Mount Everest reaching the summit. His talk and slide show were captivating, and his conclusion was a quote by one of the guides (called “sherpas”) who helped lead Dr. Tim and his group up to the summit.

“If you are facing in the right direction,
keep putting one foot in front of the other.”
– Phinjo Sherpa
I just love that quote. So often, we hear motivational quotes regarding the importance of putting one foot in front of the other:

Keep on keepin’ on.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Don’t watch the clock. Do what it does…
keep going. – Sam Levenson
When you come to the end of your rope,
tie a knot and hang on. – Franklin D. Roosevelt
Consider the postage stamp:
its usefulness consists in the ability to
stick to one thing till it gets there. – Josh Billings


But, what all these quotes lack is the importance of facing the right direction. Frequently, we’re running a race that is just spinning our wheels, or worse – taking us in the wrong direction – away from the plan God has for us. Jonah put his feet, one in front of the other, but in the wrong direction! Same for Elijah, Jacob, Moses, David, need I go on?

Sometimes, we are trying to reach the mountaintop in our own strength like the Galatians: Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Galatians 3:3

To reach our goal, we must follow the wisdom Paul shared with the Philippians: Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers [and sisters], I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:12-14

Our goal is not necessarily the finish line. Peter assures us that we can receive our goal today whether we see it or not. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

Climbing Mt. Everest was no easy task. Dr. Warren could not always see his finish line. The journey required a considerable amount of effort, money, time, and committment.

Walking with the Lord is a committment as well, but we have the best Guide ever! He will lead us into all truth, set us in the right direction, strengthen us to keep putting our feet one in front of the other, enable us to scale heights unknown.

Susan

We’re Empty Nesters!

Posted on by Susan Panzica
It was a finale that only the moguls of Hollywood or the Master of Heaven could have orchestrated. And since there were no movie cameras, actors or scripts, it’s safe to assume who directed this show!!
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Background:
For 14 years, I hated making brown bag lunches for my kids. But now that my son was about to graduate high school, I got emotional every morning knowing that the end of this task was approaching. You see, my husband and I are about to be “empty-nesters,” and I’m not quite sure I’m ready.
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Speaking of nests, as you know from previous posts, for the past 2 weeks, our front door wreath has been home to a growing robin family. I have learned much from observing these busy feathered friends.
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The early bird gets the worm:
I am not a morning person. Never have been. I used to be a night owl, but now that I’m older, I’m strictly an afternoon person. Well, this morning I had to drop my daughter off for leadership training for her mission trip. Getting up and out at 5:45 a.m. was no picnic, let me tell you. But as I tiptoed down the stairs, I got to see both Momma and Poppa bird feeding their babes. A worm banquet! Those babes now barely fit in the nest as they have developed into sturdy little round robins.
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Flew the coop:
I soon found out that this bounty of worms was their last meal at home. This afternoon, I came to the front door and saw one lone baby robin standing on the edge of the nest (pictured here)
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Before long, both Momma and Poppa returned, flying to and fro in a frenzy encouraging baby to take flight with them.
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After a few seconds, baby tenderly lit off the nest and experienced her first miracle of flight. The three flew across the yard, across the street headed for a neighbor’s tree, the first stop on their journey onward.
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And here’s the Hollywood ending:
As they took off across our yard, who walked up the pathway to the house? My own baby boy who is about to take off to college! AJ was away all day, working down the block doing landscaping, and returned home for just a minute. At the very moment that he approached, the birds made their final exit and sailed away right over his head. Get me a Kleenex, please!
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Epilogue:
I didn’t see the other babies leave, but AJ saw the first one leave and shared his story. (I’m guessing it was the one bird that was so restless in the nest, always fluttering and extending his wings.) He stood on the edge of the nest and took off prematurely, falling to the ground injuring himself. He hobbled to the side yard, and we are unsure of his fate.
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Didn’t he read my last blogpost? “… but those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Key word here being “Wait…”
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Postscript:
I never had much of a liking for birds. During this experience, however, I have come to appreciate this special segment of God’s creation.
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But there’s one thing that I just can’t get past..If you look closely at our window, you will see that the birds left us a most unpleasant reminder of their stay! Yuk! Now that the birds have made me an empty-nester, I have quite a job to do!
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Wouldn’t you know, not even one hour later, I saw the following sign:
The fine print:
You gotta love birds.
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We give them seeds.
They poop on our decks.
(and windows!)

Susan

Hungry

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Tonight I had the privilege of serving the Lord by serving 10 homeless men. Several of us prepared and served the meal while others washed sheets, slept over, shared music and the Word, or drove the men to and from the shelter and the church where they stay for the night because the shelter is over-crowded.

One man asked for prayer for a job interview he has tomorrow at 1 pm. During the course of our conversation, he also asked for prayer for his sister who has been in a coma for 4 months. She suffered with a form of muscular dystrophy all her life, and now is on life support with no brain activity. He hasn’t seen her in over 4 years because he was incarcerated. His request? For God’s will to be done.

Hearing these stories and many others like them help put things in perspective. Somehow, issues like laundry problems (my daughter at college), car problems (my son’s leaks oil requiring major repair), relationship problems, financial problems, and so on, seem to be less consequential by comparison. Normally, I wouldn’t recommend comparison which causes all sorts of dilemmas, including envy, self-consciousness, and feelings of inferiority, to name a few. But in this case, seeing how men who own just a duffle bag’s worth of belongings are praising God, asking for prayer, seeking His will, humbles me. It puts things in perspective.

When I got home, I was going through some of my papers that had been put in a box several years ago and forgotten. I came across the following paragraph that talks about being hungry -hungry for God.

The strongest, most mature Christians I have ever met are the most hungry for God. It might seem that those who eat the most would be the least hungry. But that’s not the way it works with an inexhaustible fountain, and an infinite feast and a glorious Lord. When you take your stand on the finished work of God in Christ, and begin to drink at the River of Life and eat the Bread of Heaven, and know that you have found the end of all your longings, you only become more hungry for God. – John Piper

Wow! That is so true. I find that the more I get into the Word – the more I want to get into it more! Follow me? Does that make sense? The more time I spend getting to know God and getting to know more about God makes me want to know Him more and know more about Him.
Conversely, if I neglect time with God, I get into a pattern where I find myself going through the motions and living far too shallow an existence. Oh, that you and I would get our fill, and then fill up some more from that “inexhaustible fountain and infinite feast”.

Paul said, “I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:11-13,19 NLT

May you hunger only for more of Him, and may He satisfy you completely.
Susan

ps – Hi, Maria! Thanks for your encouragement tonight. Hope you enjoy reading this in the morning!

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

Call 911!

Posted on by Susan Panzica


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

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

When we look at the end of the psalm – verses 14–16 – it becomes clear just how lopsided our relationship with Him is. (I took the liberty of changing the “he” to “she”.)
“Because she loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue her; I will protect her, for she acknowledges my name. She will call upon me, and I will answer her; I will be with her in trouble, I will deliver her and honor her. With long life will I satisfy her and show her my salvation.”
If we look carefully at these verses, we will see that God does the lion-share in this relationship: He rescues us, protects us, answers us, is with us in trouble, delivers us, honors us, satisfies us, and saves us. Our part? Love Him, acknowledge Him and call upon Him.

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

Stand Up!

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Today, my pastor’s message inspired us to stand up strong for what we believe.

In the book of Daniel, we saw 3 friends, believers in God, refuse to bow down to an idol. They were consequently thrown into the fiery furnace, a fire so hot it killed the soldiers who brought Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to it.

In the book of Acts, we saw that Peter and John were thrown into jail for sharing about Jesus and healing a man in Jesus’ name. Instructed by the rulers and elders to keep quiet about the name of Jesus upon their release, they refused to remain silent.

This, in itself, is inspiring, but I believe the key is this: in both cases, these men had experienced the very presence of God in their lives. When observers looked into the fiery furnace, they saw not 3, but 4 men walking around! And that 4th man is described by the king as looking like the “son of god”. And the observers of Peter and John said that “when they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” When we follow their example, we will stand because we stand with Jesus. We will fall if we stand in our own strength.

In our service today, we were encouraged to stand up for our faith. There will come a time when it will be at great sacrifice for us to do so. The church is growing most rapidly in countries where Christians suffer persecution, and the early church grew and spread because of persecution in Jerusalem. I pray that we will stand strong long before we are faced with formidable opposition, but sadly, history indicates that persecution is an effective means of growing the church.

Now, I do not mean that we are to behave in an assertive or aggressive manner. I don’t believe that we should trample unbelievers with our demands. What I do believe is that we must be salt and light in a dark world. We should appear to have been with Jesus. This means that His grace, peace and love are apparent in how we relate to others, but we will refuse to compromise that which dishonors God. And if we fall, if we should miss an opportunity to stand strong, remember our story about Peter. Previously, on 3 occasions, he had denied that he knew Jesus, yet God used him repeatedly in mighty ways after that.

Our service concluded rocking to that old Tom Petty song, “I Won’t Back Down”:

Well I won’t back down, no I won’t back down
You could stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won’t back down
Gonna stand my ground, won’t be turned around
And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down
Gonna stand my ground and I won’t back down
Hey, there ain’t no easy way out
Hey I will stand my ground
And I won’t back down
Well I know what’s right, I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around
But I’ll stand my ground and I won’t back down
Susan