Category: worship

Happy Birthday!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Today’s post is from my gifted friend and mentor, Penny Musco, freelance writer, actor, and author of Life Lessons from the National Parks. Happy Birthday, Penny!!




The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all life and breath and all things… Acts 17:24, 25






Today is my birthday!


Why haven’t I received your present yet?


What? You didn’t know? All right, that’s a legitimate excuse.


But now that you do know—where’s my gift?!


Just kidding. Sort of.

I blame my mother entirely for raising the bar so high for my birthday. After all, it was her (and Dad’s) fault that I was born in December. But she went out of her way to make a big deal of my birthday so that it wouldn’t get lost in the Christmas rush. For one thing, I always had a party. My most memorable was when I turned 16—Mom really pulled out all the stops for that one.

Sadly, as an adult, I still crave a lot of attention on my birthday. I get miffed very easily if those close to me don’t fete me in the way I think I deserve. And woe to anyone who sends cards or presents late! As I like to remind everybody, me ‘n’ Jesus share the same birthday month, therefore I’m extra special.

Okay, so His birth wasn’t necessarily in December, even if that’s when we celebrate it. But—bear with me on this—He and I are a bit similar when it comes to birthday honors: we both desire them.

Oh, unlike me, He doesn’t need the recognition. As the apostle Paul preached to the Athenians, God isn’t affected by anything we humans do or don’t do. His position, power and plans aren’t altered one whit by us driving ourselves crazy trying to find the perfect gifts, baking dozens of cookies or sending out hundreds of cards, nor by any of our other Christmas activities.

No, but God wants the recognition. Not in an imperfect, egocentric way like me, though. Incredibly, I believe it’s for our benefit! “Stop,” He says. “Don’t get yourself all tied up in knots. Look at Me. I came to save you from your sins and bring you joy. That’s what I’m all about. Honor Me, and everything else will fall into place. Because only in Me will you find the rest and peace and strength you need” (from Psalm 46:10,11; Matthew 1:21; John 15:11; 1 Samuel 2:30; Matthew 6:33).

The thing is—when we do that, we can’t help but exalt, glorify and thank God even more! Now there’s a tradition that should be at the top of our Christmas to-do list.

So really, forget about me and my special day. Save your presents—and your presence—for the birthday that really matters.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part, —
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.

—Heaven Cannot Hold Him, by Christina Rossetti

Penny,
From one December birthday baby to another, thanks for sharing and putting things in proper perspective.

A Time for Celebration

Posted on by Susan Panzica

I thank Maria Morgan, fellow blogger and facebook friend, for today’s post. Maria is an inspirational/devotional writer. She is a contributor to Around About Cumming, and is currently working on a Fruit of the Spirit, devotional series. She resides in Georgia with her husband, daughter, two dogs and cat. Visit her website: http://www.mariaimorgan.blogspot.com/.

The bins stood open and ready to be unpacked. Each item I lifted out, had special significance. The ornate, lighted church was given to me by my parents. The Christmas geese were purchased in a quaint, little town. The whimsical, red elf was a treasure from childhood. Every piece brought back memories, putting a smile on my face.

Several of the bins were filled with silk poinsettias. Following a year of decorating with real poinsettias, the silk variety became a necessity. No muss, no fuss, and they could be used year after year. With everything unpacked, and seasonal music playing in the background, I was ready to transform our home into a Christmas wonderland.

Decorating for Christmas has been a tradition for as long as I can remember. My family enjoys putting up a tree with hundreds of twinkling lights. Poinsettias grace the top of our cabinets. A Christmas village enlivens the bookshelf. A nativity provides the focal point in our music room. Although a myriad of stories abound as to how this tradition got started, many of the items we use for decoration point to the One we celebrate this season: Jesus Christ.

Years ago, the Europeans were amazed to see that evergreens remained alive during the winter months, and even bore berries and fruit in spite of the frigid temperatures. They began bringing these plants into their homes with the hope that the evergreens would bring them new life and vitality. They didn’t quite grasp the truth. The evergreen is part of creation that points to the Creator. Even nature itself bears witness to the Author of Life. The green color of the Christmas tree, is reminiscent of this life – the life of Jesus Christ.

There’s an interesting story about the poinsettia. Legend has it that a young brother and sister had nothing to offer baby Jesus when He was born. On their way to church, they searched for something they could give Him. They were unable to find anything, and out of desperation, picked some leafy, green weeds and hurried into the church. When they laid their gift at Jesus’ feet, the weeds were miraculously transformed into dazzling red blooms. The gift they gave baby Jesus was more beautiful than any other gift He had received.

Although the story isn’t true, there’s no doubt the poinsettia plant described in the story is quite unique. Have you ever noticed it’s foliage? It’s star shaped leaves have been connected to the star of Bethlehem. The star that led the wise men on their journey to find the Christ child. The brilliant red hue of the poinsettia’s leaves point to the blood Jesus’ would later shed on the cross of Calvary.

This is a special time of the year. As you decorate your home with Christmas trees and poinsettias, be sure to prepare your heart to celebrate the birth of God’s Son. Let the Spirit of the season point you to the Light of the world!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6; KJV)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Point me to You as I prepare my heart and home during this Christmas season. May I be a shining light, guiding others to Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Rejoice!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Yesterday at my writers’ meeting, as our leader Barbara shared the Christmas story, I was struck anew with the image of the angels praising God for the good news that the Messiah was born. But, I wondered, why were the angels praising God for this?

Up until this point in the narrative, the angels served as messengers. But their primary job, their purpose, their very existence is worshipping the triune God in heaven (Is. 6, Rev. 4 & 5). Now the object of their worship is wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. If that was me, I think I might be a little depressed about that. Did they miss Him? Was the throne empty for 33 years? Could they know His future fate? The trials, beatings, betrayals, humiliations, and bloody death that would be part of His earthly journey?

And yet, Scripture tells us that the heavenly host praised God, saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

“Praise to Him in the highest heaven…
and on earth, peace…”

He in heaven, now He on earth. The angels are rejoicing over the reconciliation between God and His eternally beloved creation, His people. Miraculously brought together in the incarnation, the veil between heaven and earth is suddenly and briefly opened. The humble band of bedouins are given a glimpse of heaven. And they responded as we all should. They hurried to see the One that the Lord had told them about (Lk 2:15-16).

If the angels can rejoice for us and the salvation made available to us, how much more should we?

Like the lowly shepherds, won’t you hurry to be in His company?

“Rejoice in the Lord always.
 I will say it again: Rejoice!
…
The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious …
but by prayer and … thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.”
Phil 4:4-7 NIV


MISSION is POSSIBLE

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Luke 18:27
This morning in church, our pastor prayed for the youth who are going on mission trips this summer, including my son and daughter who are going as youth leaders.



As part of his message, our pastor shared that with the Lord, all things are possible. Of course, we need to do what we can, yet trust the Lord to deliver what we cannot do on our own. He then had us write our impossible situation on an index card. Individually, we wrote our cards and laid them at the altar, giving our situations to the Lord.

I didn’t know it at the time, but on her card, my daughter’s impossible situation was that she had to raise $1300 in the 10 days remaining before her trip to Uganda (she needed to raise $3800 in total.)

After our family Father’s Day celebration following church, Lauren spent 2 hours on facebook, contacting 60 college friends to whom she had not sent support letters, informing them about her upcoming trip. She asked for a donation amount equal to cost of a cup of coffee. 18 seconds after she logged out, she received the following email:

  • Prayers are answered, the Mission Team has voted to give you the entire amount. $1,300. If you still need that much, if not let us know what you need. I’ll need your address so we can send the check, or if you prefer you could pick it up at the church office or at my home. Please let me know. Sorry it took a little while but we needed to contact the as many team members as possible.


The sender: First Reformed Church where Lauren was invited to share a liturgical dance as part of their worship service last fall. Then twice in the spring, she shared her gift of dance with them again. Knowing that they are mission-minded and that she was short of her goal, a few weeks ago, she asked if she could share about her upcoming trip with the congregation and possibly raise support. The initial reply said that many teens from the church were going on trips and have been doing fundraisers, but they’d see what they could do, if anything. And then she didn’t hear back from them… Until 18 seconds after she logged out of facebook tonight!

Despite giving her impossible situation to the Lord, despite singing “All Things Are Possible” this morning, despite her conviction that the Lord was calling her to Uganda, Lauren doubted. And she wasn’t alone. With so much money to raise in so little time, and with the people who contracted malaria on the recent Uganda trip, Tony questioned whether God was closing a door. This most unexpected email with this abundantly generous gift erased our doubts and confirmed much more than just a mission trip experience.

While at first, Lauren thought that she shouldn’t have sent out those facebook messages, perhaps bothering her non-Christian friends, she further realized what Pastor Steve had said. That we must do what we can. We ought not to slack in our efforts and claim that we are waiting for God like a deliveryman. The added benefit to her actions is that she now has opportunity to share what the Lord has done and will do in her life and on her trip. Any extra money raised will be donated to Touch the World Uganda and will benefit the ministry there.

Lauren’s conclusion:
“It’s Father’s Day, and my Father gave a gift to me.”


Do you have an impossible situation? Can you trust the God of the impossible?

Battle Cry – Part 1 – Worship

Posted on by Susan Panzica

I will praise you in the great assembly.
I will fulfill my vows in the presence
of those who worship you.
Psalm 22:25

This past weekend, I had the privilege to accompany some of the teens in our church to the Battle Cry event at the Meadowlands arena. It was both exhausting and exhilarating. Over the next few posts, I will share with you some small snippets that spoke to me in a huge way over this past weekend.

On Friday night, Hillsong United performed as the closing act of the night. As a huge fan of their music, that alone was reason enough for me to go. I sat behind our 6 boys (the girls were beside me) and was blessed to my core to see them all actively engaged in worship, hands raised and hearts abandoned.

I felt compelled to send this text message to my pastor who is also their Sunday School teacher.

Boys… 6
Arms raised… 12
Worshipping God… Priceless

After the song “The Stand,” which contains the lyrics “I’ll stand with arms high and heart abandoned,” the lead singer said, “God is more pleased with the heart abandoned part than the hands raised part.” As a bona fide arm-raiser, that statement pierced me deeply to examine the degree of heart abandonment I offer God, and not just during worship, but in my day-to-day experience.

Do I get caught up in the music experience and miss the divine encounter?
Do I offer merely lip service to God when He wants radical heart change?

The next day, I was challenged again. Believe it or not, during the rap concert! Now, I love contemporary Christian music, which to some hymn-lovers is akin to heresy. But honestly, I am guilty of feeling that way about rap music. Until Saturday.

I was in the back row with a birds-eye view of the entire arena.
16,500 people, mostly youth, multi-cultural, every race represented.
31,000 arms pulsing back and forth in unison, voices raised, loudly praising God.
The rapper kept yelling “Let me ask a question!” To which he and the entire gathering yelled back, “Anybody wanna praise the Lord!” Over and over and over. When I thought it was over, he’d do it over and over and over again.

Suddenly, to my eye, the bright white stagelights blurred, and I sensed the presence of Jesus in that light joyfully receiving the praises of tens of thousands of His people.

I saw a vast crowd, too great to count,
from every nation and tribe and people and language,
standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb.
… they were shouting with a mighty shout…
Revelation 7:9-10
Imagine – Jesus enjoying rap! It challenged me to expand my limited imaginings about what heaven may be like. Surely Jesus on His throne will revel in receiving praises accompanied by all kinds of music – African drumbeats, Caribbean steel drums, harps, guitars, and yes, even rap.