Category: writing

Start or Stop?

Posted on by Susan Panzica

If it is to be

 

Our patient, Angelo, is a super athlete, a long distance bike racer, who has accomplished what many never dreamed of. He had an appointment scheduled at our chiropractic office one day, but left a message that he wouldn’t be able to make it. It seems that while on a practice run with 20+other bikers, he was hit and dragged by a bus, severely injured. Remarkably, he had called us from his hospital bed, but he has no memory of calling. After extensive surgery, he needed to learn how to walk again. It seemed that bike riding was out of his future.

But not for Angelo.

That was over a year ago, and he is back in training. At his visit to our office yesterday, he expressed his concerns with getting back in the race. Then I overheard him say, “But I have the gear.” Yes, but he also had the fear. As his muted conversation continued, I overhead him again.  “It’s the start that stops most people.”*

I’m not one for eavesdropping, especially on patient’s care. These were after-adjustment conversations with open doors. And I’m so glad his words drifted my way. I was so inspired by his outlook that I asked if I could write about and quote him.

He gave credit to Dr. Rob Gilbert for the start-stop quote*, and shared his favorite Gilbert quote: “The ten most powerful two letter words – If it is to be, it is up to me.”* And he added one more quote for good measure:

Continue reading “Start or Stop?”

You’re Never Too Old

Posted on by Susan Panzica


“You’re never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis


Seeing  that quote as a footnote in a friend’s email made me smile. For the past few months, I’d been feeling pretty creaky. And not just in my cartilage-depleted knees. With a milestone birthday approaching, I was really feeling my age. Or was I?

Milestone birthdays have a way of doing that – making you feel old. But when I stopped to evaluate the big picture, I had a realization. I might look old, but I sure don’t feel old.  I’m doing more now than I’ve ever done.

Six years ago, when my kids started college, I started writing. I joined a writers’ group, went to a few conferences, and put myself to the task of learning the craft and business of writing. With a few published articles under my belt, I’m self-publishing a children’s story this month, and working on two proposals for traditionally published books.

Two years ago, I co-founded Justice Network, a human trafficking awareness organization. After hearing more about the issue, having a life-changing nightmare, and feeling convicted to do something, I reached out to a friend, and our collaboration of two grew into a small but mighty group that has had a global impact.  

No one is more surprised than me at these turns of events. I fully planned to relax and have a laid back empty-nester season of life, but God had other plans.

I’m not unique. There’s a whole garden of late-bloomers. <<Click To Tweet

At 65 years old, Harlan David (Colonel) Sanders faced a failing business due to the construction of Interstate 75 which diverted traffic away from the service station where he sold his not-yet-famous chicken. Not to be deterred, he took his recipe on the road, walking long miles, being rejected 1009 times before finally succeeding in the franchise we know and love as Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Peter Roget proved it’s never too late to create a new invention, such as the Thesaurus. Suffering from OCD since childhood, he often made random lists to calm himself. At 73, he started the project of creating a list of synonymous words. Roget’s Thesaurus has never been out of print since its initial appearance in 1852.

Grandma Moses switched to painting from embroidery at age 75 due to painful arthritis. After her paintings were discovered in a drugstore window, a NY gallery show led to worldwide fame. She created over 3600 paintings, continuing her art until close to her death at age 101.

On June 28, 2015, Stanislaw Kowalski became the world’s oldest athlete, competing in track and field events at 105 years of age, and necessitating the creation of a new age division for World Masters Athletics.

You don’t have to be a well-known achiever to live with distinction. <<Click to Tweet

My hero in the faith, Ida Anderson, was a dear friend and someone most people would overlook. But I could create a list as long as Roget’s of her many virtues and the unnoticed kindnesses she did for people. When she got too old and infirmed to go out, she started a prayer ministry. Wanting to be an active servant of the Lord, she requested that before people drop off clothing donations to charity, they bring them to her so she could wash them.

In the final letter of his life, the apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy, “As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.  And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:6-8

That prize is for all of us, no matter how old we are. To finish our race well and eagerly look forward to His appearing, we must continue with what He calls us to at every stage of life.

Let Me Introduce You ~ and Blog Hop

Posted on by Susan Panzica
At last week’s writers conference, I had the pleasure of meeting Kathryn Ross who invited me to participate in my first ever “blog hop.” The rules are simple: I have to answer 4 questions and introduce you to 3 blogger friends. Kathryn is a dynamic writer, filled with joy and creativity. Although she is much more artistic – and Victorian – than I am, we were instantly kindred spirits who both write using everyday situations and occurrences to highlight eternal spiritual truths. 

So without further ado, here are the 4 questions:

1 – What am I writing or working on?
Right now, I’m working on various projects including articles and blogposts, but always in the mix is my book about our identity in Christ. At a recent writers conference, I received some great feedback and opportunities so my book project has moved to the forefront after several years of languishing.
2 – How does my work differ from others of its genre?
Like Kathryn and others, I bring an eternal perspective to earthly matters. Much like Jesus used lilies of the field, vines and fruit, sheep and goats, or types of soil, I use everyday observations and experiences highlight the divine in the ordinary, mundane things like frying pans and chipmunks. But I also try to challenge conventional thinking. For example, I don’t picture the Bride of Christ as a lovely lady in a frilly gown. I see a tough man who wears camel hair! After all, it was John the Baptist who first to referred to Jesus as the Bridegroom.   
3 – Why do I write what I write?
Short answer – God called me to. I feel compelled to share, much like Paul who said, “For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord…”   I’m relatively new to writing. Though I have been a speaker for many years, the concept for my book nudged me into new territory, and I find I’m loving it! My heart is to be an encourager, and writing gives me increasing opportunities to do that. 
4 – How does my writing process work?

With my work schedule (3  l-o-n-g  days a week), I dedicate my Tuesdays to writing, working on several projects including articles and blogposts, along with the book proposal and edits. Despite advice from accomplished writers to write at least a little every morning, I am just not a morning person and have no creativity at that time. Setting aside a block of time works better for me. As for the process itself, I keep a notebook by my bedside, in my handbag, in my car, and a note app on my phone, so whenever a thought or idea pops into my brain, I write it down. These become great fodder for illustrations or talking points in any piece of writing. 


Now to introduce my fellow bloggers. Please stop by and visit their blogs. All are great writers, and I’m thrilled to say that all three are dear friends! 


Elise Daly Parker writes at Our Stories, God’s Glory. She’s also the Executive Editor and co-founder of Circles of Faith, where I am a contributing writer. She is absolutely certain that we all have amazing God stories of transformation and redemption and is committed to helping people share their stories. She believes stories have power to enlighten and inform. Elise is a professional writer/editor for 30 years, a college essay coach, and a speaker and Mentor Mom for MOPS. 

Kimberly Amici, is the other co- founder of Circles of Faith, and its Managing Editor. She writes about life with children at her blog, Living In The Sweet Spot. Kimberly is a gifted designer and artist, known for her creativity, strong faith, and commitment to living life with purpose and passion. Kimberly is a writer and community builder whose desire is for hearts to be healed, minds to be renewed and women to be connected in fellowship just as God intended.


Ann Van Hine is a friend for over 30 years, but we recently reconnected thanks to our new love for writing. Ann’s passion is “telling the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of our Lord and Savior.” Ann is a widow of 9/11 firefighter Bruce, a volunteer docent at the 9/11 Tribute Center Memorial in NYC, head of children’s ministries for the NY District of the Nazarene Church, and a speaker across the US and the world. Ann blogs at Random Ramblings. 


So there you have it! Three more wonderful women to connect with thanks to modern technology! I hope you enjoy their writing as much as I do. 

A Celebration Contest and Giveaway!!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

I’m so excited about my new blog design. Many thanks to Traci Little for her genius, creativity, and overall ease to work with.
To celebrate, I wanna have a little fun and give away a $25 Amazon gift card. You get one entry for each of the things you do on this list and THREE entries for the last one!

1. Follow or subscribe to my blog!      www.susanpanzica.com 
If you already are a follower or subscriber, just let me know in the comments under this post. 

If you’re not, to subscribe just enter your email address in the box “FOLLOW BY EMAIL.” Then go to your inbox, open the email from Feedburner, and click on the verification link. You must click the link to activate the subscription.

2. Share your email address with me. I promise not to share it with anyone else and not to bombard your inbox! In the future, I hope to send a quarterly newsletter that will bring encouragement, enthusiasm, and an eternal perspective to your day.

In sending the address, replace @ with (at) and . with (dot) to prevent spam. 


3. Follow me on Twitter @sapanzica (or let me know if you already do.) 

4.  Friend me on Facebook – susan.panzica (or let me know if you already are.) 

5. Here’s the big one! I’m looking for a wedding anecdote to include in a chapter in my WIP book. I know you have one. Everyone does! So what’s your story? It can be funny or poignant about your own wedding or someone else’s.

If chosen, your story will be included in the chapter of my book about our identity as the bride of Christ. Names can be changed to protect the innocent ;D

Please email your story & your contact info to me at: susan(at)susanpanzica(dot)com 

Please note that I reserve the right to be judge and jury in selecting the winning story. Also, limit the story to 500 words or less and if editing is required (again at my discretion), I’ll contact you with the revised copy.

DEADLINE FOR THE CONTEST IS MAY 8 – a week from today! 

Image courtesy of Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Here’s The Latest!

Posted on by Susan Panzica


Here I go asking for you to keep me accountable and then no update for almost a month! Please accept my humblest apologies, but what a month it’s been! Crazy busy, but all good!  


Right after my last post, I served 5 days at the Touch The World training camp, teaching child evangelism and kids Bible stories to youth going on mission trips to Haiti, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Uganda. It was exhausting. And exhilarating. [btw- my son just got back from Uganda. He’ll be sharing with you in the near future.] 
I spent the following week preparing the message for our church’s Sunday morning sermon. I was week #2 in a four part series on John 11. We four each shared a different aspect of the raising of Lazarus story. My assignment – Mary and Martha. Click here to listen to the message for a different perspective on these two well-known women of the Word. Hint: “Martharization”  [click on download, not streaming]
The following week took me on a trip to Phoenix to visit my mom’s sister who has terminal pulmonary fibrosis. It was the living definition of “bittersweet.” My aunt has survived 2 years beyond expectations, but it is not without increasing difficulty. Despite that, my mom, sister, and I had a wonderful time with our extended family. Hours were spent reminiscing, laughing, eating, driving, eating, swimming, eating. Did I say we did a lot of eating? Please keep my aunt and her family in prayer during this difficult time. Thanks.
As for writing, I’m working on refining my book proposal which I hope to share with an interested editor or agent at the Philadelphia writers’ conference in August. Looking forward to connecting there with blogging friends Jeanette Levellie and Susan Reinhardt. If you’re a blogger, maybe you and I will connect face to face one day! If you’ll be at the conference, please be sure to let me know.
Well that’s the latest news. I will tell you – after the writers conference and a [long overdue] family vacation, be on the lookout for the promised “i am” series featuring a wonderful cast of characters!
Still need that accountability though. It’s so-o-o-o-o easy to get distracted. 

Hope you’re all having a fantastic summer! What’s new with you? 

And if you listened to the message – has your view of Mary and Martha changed? If so, in what way? 

My Interview

Posted on by Susan Panzica
One of the best things about blogging is the friends and fellowship in the blogging community. Today I was interviewed by gifted writer, Marja Meijers, over at her blog Fresh Insights On Ancient Truths. Please stop by there and leave a comment. I’d love to “chat” with you.

http://sacredsabbath.blogspot.com/2011/04/interview-with-susan-panzica.html

Marja’s newest book Breath of Life is available here.

 

I’m baaaaack ;)

Posted on by Susan Panzica

After nearly a month-long unintentional blogging hiatus, I’m back.
No excuses, well at least no valid excuses.
Life’s been busy. But when isn’t it?
Is it the writer’s block or the distractions that’s the culprit? Likely a combination of both.
But I finally followed some sage, if not eloquent, advice:
– Just Do It [thanks, Nike]
– BIC [Butt In Chair, famous writer advice]
– Just Say No [to distractions]

Now I’ve got a few in the cue, some new posts coming your way.
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After that, look for the continuation of my series of “little i am’s,” based on my work-in-progress book. These are “people posts,” stories of people who exemplify the names that God labels us. Last fall, I shared with you “i am a Shepherd”, “i am a Servant,” and “i am an Ambassador.” I’m excited to share at least 6, maybe more in the weeks to come.
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Blessings,

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

Be Our Guest! Wow – I’m a Guest!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

I'm a Blessed Guest!

One of the best things about blogging is the friendships you develop in the “blog-o-sphere.”  My friend, Joanne from California, is one of those friends. We met at the She Speaks conference when I had no idea what I was even doing there. It was a God thing, to be sure. It was part of my “Get Smart” year where God opened doors for me, like the opening credits of the TV show and movie where Maxwell Smart walked through doors he didn’t open. For the first time in my life, I (like Max) walked through doors rather than run the other direction. Joanne, a gifted writer, was there to meet me after walking through the doors, an accomplished Agent 99 to my bumbling Maxwell Smart.

After initially meeting over lunch, we sat in on a session that we thought would be helpful. Instead, as Joanne says, she received “some disappointing news from a woman who was an over-achiever in the discouragement department.” So later, when Joanne had to leave for her publisher interview, she was understandably anxious. Rather than say (as I usually would) “I’ll pray for you,” I felt strongly impressed by God to pray WITH her, not just FOR her, to pray OVER her, not just ABOUT her. So right there, in the front row of the conference room, we 3 had a little heavenly tête-à-tête, Joanne, me and God. Normally apprehensive about putting myself out there, Joanne helped me learn a little about walking in obedience. And though the verse Eccl. 4:12 is often used in weddings, Solomon is also talking about friendship, and that afternoon it was alive for me:
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Joanne is a gifted writer, often with side-splitting humor. This month, Joanne is using her newly renovated corner of the web to interview some blog-friends, including me! She’s such a good friend, I don’t even mind that she called me an “oxymoron.”

You can read her interview with me here.

Thanks Joanne. May God continue to use you abundantly.
Susan

The Last Update!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

So much to say, so little time!
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I’m back from my 2 conferences and my special 3 days in between with my family at the Jersey shore. It’s been a whirlwind, but a good one. I learned so much and met so many, that it’s hard to keep it all straight in my brain.
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Things I’m grateful for:
– the invitation to be part of the VA posse – Kelly, Sonya and Laurie (girls just need a group, don’t they? And this group welcomed me & was so sweet, funny and encouraging.)
– hearing encouraging words from editors, even the agent who gave excellent constructive criticism that I took to heart, prayed with me & directed me to devotion publishers
– Marlene, the conference director, who spoke to the Father as she spoke to us – He & we were her audience
– faithful men & women of God who are farther along in their journey taking the time and effort to mentor those who are less accomplished. This echoes my desire for ministry (my blog, speaking & writing) – may I be one beggar showing another beggar where the bread is.
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I’m so grateful to you all for your prayers, and I have some good news. But you’ll have to keep prayin’! There were 4 publishers who expressed interest in my book. So now I have much work to do. I need to keep writing it (duh!), plus I need to do a lot of followup work and some platform-building work, such as writing devotions and doing more speaking engagements. It’s exciting stuff, but a little terrifying too!
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Thank you to those who responded to be part of my prayer circle. Your support means more than I can say. And if anyone else would care to join this prayer circle, please let me know. I’d love to have you come on board.
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Resting in: He who began a good work will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6

Susan

Susan