Category: testimony

Life Without Limbs – Nick Vujicic

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Nick Vujicic is a truly remarkable man. Born without arms and legs, he is an inspiration both in how he lives his life and how he captivates a huge audience of teens. I have written about him before. When you have a few extra minutes, be sure to watch the amazing videos I’ve linked below. I promise you will not be the same after watching them.
These are some of Nick’s quotes from his talk at Battle Cry in April:

– If you’ve prayed for a miracle and God doesn’t give you the miracle, you be a miracle for someone else.

– D.I.S. = when you “dis” someone, it’s not a good thing.
     D = demon
     I  = inspired
     S = suggestions
     as in: DIScouragement, DISillusionment, DISpair, DISsatisfied…

– Put your faith, not in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
     Jer. 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,
     plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

– If He told you everything, you’d never be in a position to walk by faith.

– When the world says you’re not good enough, get a second opinion.

– When a mum wants her kids for dinner, she calls, “COME!” The kids say, “I’m coming…” Then repeat it over again 2 – 3 times. When God calls you, don’t say “I’m coming…” Say “Here I am!”

– How can you be Jesus’ hands and feet when you don’t have arms or legs?

Nick was so dynamic and powerful a speaker that I completely lost sight of his lack of limbs. Perched on a table, he shuffled back and forth as he spoke. When he was finished, the lights went off the table and on the next speaker. In the dark, he waited, and I watched, wondering how he’d get off that table. While all eyes (except mine) were on the next speaker, a man silently came up to the table, wrapped his arms around Nick’s torso, picked him up and carried him away like a sack of laundry with a head popping out. The humility of his being carried away like that spoke volumes to my breaking heart. This man had wowed the crowd. He was both hysterically funny and dramatically poignant, holding the audience completely enrapt. Yet in his weakness, he needed the help of another just to exit the stage. And it occurred to me that God wants us to be reduced to allow others to meet us in our weakness, and He will carry us. You can subscribe to his newsletter and read about his amazing ministry.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:7

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Here are some of the links to watch Nick yourself:

The Butterfly Circus movie (20 minutes – bring tissues!)
http://www.thedoorpost.com/hope/The%20Butterfly%20Circus/

Nick Vujicic – Greg Laurie Interview (21 minutes)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Cwx2UbTJA

No arms, No legs, No worries (9 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3LFBqvvW-M
Shows Nick swimming, cooking, grooming, daily activities

I Love Living Life. I Am Happy. (7 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8ZuKF3dxCY
Motivational clip of Nick speaking to youth

Nick Vujicic’ s Official Website
http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/
    

Healing Faith

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Our adult Sunday School class has been studying the Book of Acts, a book I never tire of studying. It is an AMAZING book, rich with drama, history, action as well as theology, preaching and doctrine. Sometimes it’s hard to move along because there is so much to be gleaned. Today’s discussion got hooked on one short verse. 

In Acts 14:8-10, Luke shares the story of Paul’s entrance to Lystra:
In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

Our discussion centered on part of verse 9 – Paul looked at the lame man and “saw that he had faith to be healed.” What exactly does that mean? What kind of faith is the faith to be healed? Is it different from other faith? Was it Paul’s “spiritual eyes” that saw the man’s faith? Did the man himself know he had the faith? If he had faith, why wasn’t he healed already? Why are some of God’s faithful healed physically and some are not? 

What about our friends and loved ones? Some were healed, some were not. Some were sitting in our class. Some went home to the Lord years ago. Should we pray for healing? Should we pray for God’s will? Should we pray at all?

Interestingly, none of the study notes or commentaries addressed this particular part of the verse.  Our hour-long discussion is too much to be posted here, of course, but let me just say this: God is God. We are not. He is trustworthy, and we need to keep our eyes squarely on Him and view life – the good, the bad and the ugly – through His lens. We pray simply because He instructs us to do so. As a mom, I want my children to come to me with every concern, and how much more does our heavenly Father. Also, prayer is not about getting things or even getting answers. Prayer aligns our desires with His. As we pray and have two-way conversations with God, our spirit has fellowship with the Spirit, and we are changed by it.

Paul was used by God to bring about healing of this lame man. Yet Paul also asked the Lord three times for his own “thorn in the flesh” to be removed, and God’s answer was “My grace is sufficient for you.” The Susanpanzica translation: “Stop looking at your thorn and start looking at Me. I’m all you need.” See my post on that here.

After church, I came across this video in my inbox. It puts many of today’s questions in proper perspective.

My dad is battling stage 4 prostate cancer with a new chemo regimen started this week.
Kelly, a sweet friend of our family, will have surgery on Tuesday to remove a tumor on her pituitary invading her brain. She’s in 10th grade.
You all have a story to tell as well. Would you pray for these requests, and let me know your requests so that I can pray for you?
Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray.
Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.
Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 
Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
James 5:13-16

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

News from Susan

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Dear friends,
I interrupt my summer reruns & hiatus from posting to share with you a brief update on how the conference last weekend went and what’s coming up.
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On the way to Charlotte, I was delayed an hour in Newark airport. What else is new? (or as Grandma used to say – “So, vat elz iz noo?”) Then 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot announced that we were returning to Newark airport because of trouble with the landing gear. So eager was I to get to Charlotte, my first thought was “Why are we turning back? We could crash land in Charlotte as easily as we could crash land in Newark!” Have you ever been so eager to get somewhere or do something that rational thought completely escapes you? Anyway, turn back, we did, and as we approached landing, the flight attendant warned, “Please fasten your seat belts tightly.” Tightly? Did she really say “tightly?” Would a tight seatbelt really make a difference in this situation?

We had to deplane (btw-is deplane really a word??) and wait for a new plane. My husband (through texting) wisely suggested I write while I wait. Here’s my divine inspiration: “They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength… Obviously, Isaiah never waited in Newark airport.” Now, that’s good writing!

Once there, I missed my connection to the hotel, but was able to meet up with my new friend, Karen (another woefully delayed sister thanks to Continental Airlines), and we had a beautiful time of fellowship on the way. God can always redeem a mess!

There is much to tell, but I’ll just summarize briefly, then share what made the greatest impact on me.

– On the first day, two editors took my book proposal for review. One wants to consider reworking the project for a teen audience. This is very exciting for me since I already had a vision for developing it for teens in the future. Who needs to learn about true identity more than teens? Shortly after this meeting, I was introduced to Shannon, a beautiful young author, who has written 10 books for teen girls, offering me help to tailor my message in the language that teen girls can receive. You can find her at www.beingagirlbooks.com

Then, on the last morning of the conference, I met a friend from last year’s conference, and I may have the opportunity to write devotions for a new ministry focused on young women ages 18-29, possibly in conjunction with my 20 year old daughter (who is thrilled about this possibility!) See a pattern developing here? Thank you Lord.
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– Then, on the second day, based on a 1 sentence description of my book, an editor said that I need to do more research – there may too much competition on this topic out there. Well, that was all I needed to hear to send my spirits to the basement. I have researched the competition and found very little that speaks the message the way I do, but frankly, it occurred to me how much easier it would be for me to acknowledge that the need is already met and give up writing for publication. I took a step heading down the slippery slope of despair. How quickly the joy of yesterday melted under the disappointment of today.

– Later that evening, Lisa (my dinner table-mate), shared what her book-to-be about. She could have been describing my book word for word, but with a different, excellent format. She seemed so much more confident and wise, younger and more beautiful, and definitely more spiritual than me. Okay, guess I should just hang it up. I’m heading into the empty nest stage, I would love more time to relax and enjoy my time with my husband.

Our speaker that evening was Jennifer Rothschild. If you want a blessing, you can read about her here http://www.jenniferrothschild.com/. After hearing her, the only thing I could think of was: It’s not about me. It’s about Him. Nothing else.

Lisa and I had the most wonderful conversation after the message. She had experienced exactly the same feelings I had! We laughed, we cried, we prayed, we hugged. It’s not about either of us! It is about HIM empowering women to know who they are because it’s who God says they are and to equip them to live with strength and do what He’s called them to do. And whoever writes this book, and publishes it, and gets the message out there is who God wants to. And in the end, we know that each of us will be equally happy if either of our books is published. Because it’s not about us. It’s about Him and His message.
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– Now I have to edit my proposal to reflect what I’ve just learned, so I can present a better version this weekend in Philadelphia. One thing that I was encouraged to do is to develop a prayer circle. If this work is to go forward, the enemy is sure to come against it. If you would consider being a part of a prayer team with me, please comment or email me. I will keep you posted every 2 weeks (or as needed!).
[and JoEllen – I did get your message but need your email address to respond!]
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So ladies, that’s it for now! Please keep this weekend (Aug 6-8) in prayer as I attend the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference. I so appreciate all of you!!

Susan

MySpace (part 1) REDEEMED!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

When our family room was being built, my husband prophesied that the living room would be rendered useless. And he was right. For a few years, the living room served as a rather large foyer. We, and our guests, walked right through it to get to the kitchen and family room, the hub of the house. Truthfully, the living room had become a giant dust collector.
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Then, in January, my husband’s aunt moved. In her downsizing, we purchased an old, slightly dilapidated piece of furniture from her that I had long admired. After applying some elbow grease, her tall secretary was placed in our family room, and our smaller desk was moved to a corner in the living room. As I rearranged the furniture in that abandoned room, I started to get excited. I had a space of my own…MySpace!
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My newfound space in the front of the house is somewhat removed from the noise in the back of the house. I assembled my treasures in clear view (more on that tomorrow). The desk stores my “new” (well, new to me) laptop computer. And thanks to the miracle of wireless technology, I can surf the world wide web from my little corner of the world and even print out documents on our printer in the next room!
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I needed a seat for the desk and found a stool the perfect height for $25, reduced from $129.99 due to a minor flaw that I covered with a fashionable throw! Oh, isn’t God good!!

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Sometimes, my husband even joins me, sprawled out on the couch with a magazine or his laptop. The room has been redeemed! So how wonderful it is for me to write in this redeemed space about our Redeemer!
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Redemption involves recovering something by paying the debt against it. A redeemer is one who buys back, or pays ransom, or makes amends. There are many passages of Scripture in the Old Testament (especially in Isaiah) that speak of God being the redeemer of his people, and the New Testament tell us that Jesus, the Son of God, is our redeemer.
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So what can I say about our Redeemer?
– He gives us a new name and purpose
– He redeems us, but we were never forgotten or abandoned
– He makes us useful
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And what does the Word say about our Redeemer?
– He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light. Job 33:28
– My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed. Psalm 71:23
– Let the redeemed of the LORD say so— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe. Psalm 107:2
– But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
– “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. Galatians 3:14
– For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers. 1 Peter 1:18

Susan

I Was a Jewish Tax Collector

Posted on by Susan Panzica

I grew up in a Jewish home, and a fairly dysfunctional Jewish home at that. My parents had separated before I was born, reunited, but eventually divorced when I was 13. Some day I may share the details, but for now let’s just say there were deep emotional issues that lingered on into adulthood. I was shy, fearful and filled with insecurities. We were reform Jews, not very religious, but we participated in many Temple activities, observing Passover, Chanukah and the High Holy Days.
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After college, I worked for the US Customs Service in the World Trade Center in NYC. My job was the appraisement and classification of imported merchandise, determining the amount of tariffs & duties that importers would pay the government. I advanced quickly through the ranks and had great friends with whom I socialized after work. On the outside, life seemed good. Inside, the questions and insecurities kept growing. As Charles Dickens said, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
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In the summer of 1979, my 3 girlfriends and I rented a house in the Hamptons, Long Island. It was just a converted 2 room garage, but it was home to us. Despite many rainy weekends, we had a wonderful summer. We’d arrive late on Friday night, dance in the bars all night, then sleep on the beach the next day.
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Toward the end of the summer, while at one of our favorite bars, we happened to meet the guys playing in the band. They came over to our table, and to be sociable, we commented that we liked their original song. It was titled, “Born Again to a World of Love.” (It had a good beat, you could dance to it! haha) When we said that we liked it, they got all excited, “Do you know what it means, what the song is all about?” We had no idea, so they started sharing with us that they had come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior a month ago. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and we wanted to know more. We went to their apartment behind the bar and spent the night talking about God, the Bible and Jesus. I still laugh at some of what we discussed – like story of Lazarus being raised from the dead and yet the people were concerned that he would “stinketh”!! I was amazed that the Bible could be so interesting.
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We talked all night and went out for breakfast the next morning. When we were leaving the diner, it started raining, “Ugh, not again!” One of the guys asked us if we like tomatoes. “Huh? Yeah, sure, we like tomatoes.” “Well, the rain is good for the tomatoes.” From that point on, whenever we were disappointed about anything, we’d just say, “Well, the rain is good for the tomatoes.” We now had a new perspective on the rainy days and other disappointments.
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Since it was raining and not a beach day, we decided we would read the Bible for ourselves. Of course, we didn’t have one, so we knocked on our landlady’s door. She wasn’t home, but we somehow conveyed our request for a Bible to her Armenian mother who spoke no English. She returned to the door with a Bible and with tears streaming down her cheeks. At the time, I didn’t understand her tears, but looking back I wonder if she had been praying for her 4 young tenants.
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One by one, we’d randomly open the Bible, point to a verse and read it. The first 3 verses we each read were very convicting – about repentance and salvation. The room took on a heavy, serious, scary Twilight Zone quality. So when my last friend read Proverbs 26:11 “As a dog returns to its vomit . . .,” we just were speechless until we collapsed into side-splitting laughter.
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That obviously wasn’t the best method, and so we started in the beginning. I opened to the Gospel of Matthew, and began to read. When I got to chapter 5, I read “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. . . You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
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At this point, I stopped reading and began ranting. “This is what I don’t get. WHY should you love those who persecute you? WHY turn the other cheek? WHY???” I looked to my 3 friends for answers (2 were Catholic, 1 was Greek Orthodox). They just looked at me blankly, and so not knowing what else to do, I picked up the Bible and started reading aloud again. And I read, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” I stopped. I laid the Bible on my lap. Jesus Himself had just answered my question.
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Over the years, He would answer many more questions. I would learn that the writer, Matthew, and I had the same job – we were tax collectors, although I was an honest one. I would experience more peace and joy than I ever knew was possible. I would develop an eternal perspective, instead of an earthly one. I would discover my purpose and identity in Him. I would receive healing in the deep places in my heart. I would find my worth in Him, as a single woman and later as a wife and mother. I would serve in ministry, teaching and encouraging women and children. And yes, I would learn to turn the other check, go the extra mile and love my enemy.
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It will be 30 years in September, and I am still learning and growing into what God has called me to be. I am still Jewish, of course, but no longer a tax collector. The newest chapter of my life is one that I am just beginning to write. As I embark on a new endeavor toward publication, you are part of my journey now. I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to you to get to know Jesus better, to walk strong for Him, to be uplifting and bring you an eternal perspective amid earthly matters.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Eph. 3:20

Susan

Answered Prayer

Posted on by Susan Panzica

There’s an email circling around about a medical missionary in Africa who was traveling in a dangerous area carrying medical supplies and money. Alone, he had camped overnight and arrived safely to his destination, but later he was told that some men from the city had planned to kill him for the drugs and money. When they arrived at his campsight, they fled because they saw 26 guards surrounding him.

While on furlough in Michigan, the missionary related this story to a group of men. One of the men asked him when this event happened. It was discovered that at the very moment the missionary was in danger, some of the men had felt a strong urge to pray for the missionary, and there were exactly 26 men who had prayed!

Stories like that amaze us, but also can seem like they only happen to others. But God is faithful whether we think the matters are of small importance or large.
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Years ago, while still a new Christian, I was having severe problems with insomnia. I couldn’t fall asleep, and then I couldn’t stay asleep. And during the brief sleep I did have, I had terrible nightmares. It began to affect my health. One day, my friend Nancy asked me how have I been sleeping. She had been praying for me. When she asked me the question, I realized that for the past few nights, my sleep had been wonderfully restful. I had hadn’t even noticed until she asked! That experience taught me the power and significance of intercessory prayer.
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Recently, my daughter had experienced a big disappointment. She was feeling overwhelmed and depressed and couldn’t seem to move past it. One day, as she was busy walking back and forth across campus registering for classes, she noticed the weight had just mysteriously lifted. No reason why. No particular thoughts in her mind. Simply freedom from the oppression. She was so joyful as she told me all about it. And she said that she felt that she was being prayed for. When I shared this with my husband, he said that that very afternoon as he was working on the computer, he was praying for her. Tony noticed the picture that Lauren had set as background for my desktop:


This picture of Lauren and me was taken at my brother’s wedding when she was their 5 year old flower girl. My husband prayed that she would have the weight lifted off her shoulders – and her heart – and that she would be as free as she was in those days of innocence.

This may not be life and death stuff, but it has been a powerful testimony in our family that God does hear and answer prayer. Nothing is too small for Him to be concerned about nor too big for Him to handle.

“but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.
Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!” Ps.66:19-20

Susan

Coincidence or Confirmation ??

Posted on by Susan Panzica

As many of you know, I have been working with my son’s high school chapel program for the past few weeks. The students have chosen the topic of my book-to-be as their theme for the current chapel series. I was the speaker for the introduction chapel, and each week since, a special speaker has provided a special unique message about our identity in Christ. So far, they have examined what it means to be a soldier, clay, an ambassador, a servant.

This week the speaker was a gifted basketball player [he ran the entire NYC marathon while dribbling a basketball!] named Gian Paul Gonzales, who spoke on being an athlete for Christ. He shared a powerful message about the discipline, perseverance, focus and training required of athletes, and compared it to our walk with the Lord. He also introduced his ministry “Truth or Die” ( www.truthordie.org. ) I encourage you all to check it out and support it as the Lord leads. I believe that this ministry will have a powerful effect on the youth of our country.

After chapel was over, I had a wonderful conversation with Gian Paul – the kind where you intend to encourage the other person and he ends up encouraging you! And as we were about to leave, he asked to pray with me. It was one of those prayer times that you could physically sense the presence of God inhabiting the spoken words. And a crazy “coincidence” occurred:

During his prayer, Gian Paul quoted two Scripture verses – one was the portion of Scripture that just so happens to be the closing chapter of my book – the final “i am” – “Here I am . . . send me!” spoken by the prophet Isaiah. The other was Psalm 91:1 “Those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” This verse just so happens to be on my business cards and psalm911 is my personal email address! He had no way of knowing how significant those particular verses are to me. There are a million other appropriate verses, so you can imagine my surprise to hear him pray those particular verses.

I believe that God used this man to confirm once again to me that He has plans for this message, and I better get moving! I have the heart of the message to share, and I have lots of researched material (although I still could use more), but I am not confident in my writing skills and often sit at my computer thinking “what should I do now?” The more I learn about how to write and about the publishing industry, the more I realize how much more I need to learn! So would you pray for me? And for this project? My prayer is that people would be encouraged and equipped to walk strong for God, and in so doing would fulfill the calling that God has placed on their lives. I can’t thank you enough for your prayers and support!!
Susan

Fear Is A Four Letter Word

Posted on by Susan Panzica

For as long as I can remember, fear has been a most unwelcome companion of mine, a curse you might say. I’ve tried to raise my children to be strong in the face of fear so that they would not have to deal with some of the stuff I’ve endured. But my dog? Well, she’s just a scaredy-dog!

She absolutely loves people, sometimes too much. My daughter says that Roxie has no concept of personal space. When visitors are over, she is right in their face, her tail wagging her whole body. But she does not like other dogs, no sir-ree. On our walk today, we came across the tiniest dog. Quaking with fear, she ran behind my legs and encircled the leash around them. I nearly fell over. It was not pretty!

Later, the plumber arrived. Roxie would have loved to be right under the sink with him, so I had to block her off. And what did I use? Something else she is afraid of – paper bags!

So here is Roxie trapped in the dining room behind four empty paper bags from my morning grocery shopping excursion. If she so much as sneezed, they’d blow over. But now, she is a prisoner of her own fears.

Too often, what we are afraid of is just substance of our own making. You have probably heard of the acronym F-E-A-R = False Evidence Appearing Real. It’s true that some fears are based on very real situations (a diagnosis from the doctor, a child or spouse in the military, job layoffs, economic disasters), but unfortunately, all too often, it’s just our emotions run amok.

While on the retreat a few weeks ago, the group leaders shared a common thread that was mentioned in each of the groups. When discussing what prevented the group members from fufilling God’s calling in their lives, most mentioned fear. Fear of speaking to someone, fear of taking a stand, fear of moving out of their comfort zone, fear of the unknown, fear of repercussions, fear of failure, and so on.

Over the years, I’ve learned that there is only one fear we ought to have – the fear of the Lord. There is nothing else to fear. I’ve heard that “fear not” appears 365 times in the Word. This means that there is a “fear not” for every single day! Fear has served a purpose in my life. It has kept me on my knees. I know God can supernaturally remove it, and He has done so on occasion. But, if He doesn’t, I understand that it causes me to go to Him.

When the entire nation of Israel was terrified of the giant Goliath, young David had another perspective. He utters one of my favorite verses in the Bible, “Who is this uncircumcized Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” When I am facing a fearful situation, I now try to keep an eternal perspective, and not feel overpowered by it.

These verses have ministered greatly to me:
“Thou wilt keep (her) in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because (s)he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”1 John 4:18
“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” Psalm 56:4
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind..” 2 Tim. 1:7

What is it that you are facing today? If you seriously think about it, is it just a paper bag? Or is it real? Can you see beyond the immediate situation to view this problem from an eternal viewpoint? Whether real or not, will you make it a matter of prayer today? Will you send me an email or a comment so that I can pray for and with you?

In those famous words of FDR, for most of us “there is nothing to fear, but fear itself.”
Susan


ps – On Saturday, June 6th, I will be speaking at High Mountain’s Ladies Tea on this subject of fear. Won’t you join us? It’s a great event. I’m sure you’ll be blessed.

Get Smart-er!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

While on the retreat, I shared my recent testimony – that I have nicknamed the year 2008 “Get Smart!” You may remember the program “Get Smart” from childhood days. The main character, Maxwell Smart, was a bumbling agent who worked for an organization named Control, fighting crime against the nemesis, Kaos. The opening credits pictured Maxwell Smart walking in a straight line, and as he walked, doors just opened for him one after another. Last year, as I was just walking with the Lord, doors began to open for me in unexpected ways, moving me in the direction of writing, maybe publishing, a book.

What I forgot to mention was that when this new journey began, I made a committment to myself and my family that whatever came my way, I would not get so caught up in my project that I neglected my responsibilities at home. In the past, my tendency to get so absorbed in what I’m doing had caused me to lose all track of time, and I’d be frantic trying to get my other tasks done. I knew this wasn’t God’s way, so I have resolved to keep my priorities in order. You might say – I’m moving from Kaos to Control!!

Anyway, back to my story – I had closed my testimony by saying that if 2008 was Get Smart, then 2009 will be Get Smarter! When I got home, the first thing I saw was this bag from my daughter’s college bookstore on the kitchen table:

Yay!! Who can say life with God isn’t fun?

Susan