Eternity Cafe

A Rose Among Thorns

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:21:00 +0000

Hello friends! I'm still slightly jet-lagged and bleary-eyed from my week in Australia, but Lauren is all set up and excitedly starting classes. Please remember her in your prayers as this first week is "intensives" which means classes from morning to night. Thanks so much.

Today I'm posting over at Laced With Grace about an unlikely lesson learned from my friend Rose. Please click here to meet me over there. And be sure to leave a comment!

Something That Matters - Part One

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000

This afternoon, my daughter takes off for Hillsong International Leadership College in Sydney, Australia. One giant step closer to realizing her dream.

It seems like yesterday but 20 years ago, Lauren took her first dance lesson starting a lifelong love of dance and all things "arts". Middle school spirit team introduced her to worship dance.

In high school, she started teaching others what she had learned. Mission trips expanded her understanding of the world and increased her compassion for those in need.

This month, she graduated college earning two degrees - a BFA in dance performance and a BA in dance education. And now she's off to study Leadership in Dance Ministry at Hillsong in Sydney.

Why?
Why study more?
Why so far away?
Everyone asks these things [especially her dad wondering why she wants to go to the other side of the world for a year - and possibly meet some nice young Aussie gentleman - horrors!]

She smiles when she responds. Actually she more than smiles. She glows.

She has a dream, has had it for years. It sprung up from seeds planted and has grown and developed in unimaginable ways.

Her mission trips have taken her to remote undeveloped areas of the world. And she wondered what she can bring these people whose basic needs of water and food are barely met. Don't you need to feed them before you can share the gospel? Yes. But she discovered something else. Through her dance and the arts, she was able to communicate love, and everyone needs love. Dance and art transcend language barriers. They connect different cultures.

Here is Lauren last year teaching preschoolers in northern Uganda, a region slowly healing after the world's longest civil war: http://tinyurl.com/74dye2r

Lauren's dream, in a nutshell, is creating an Arts Center - a place for students to hang out, learn dance, art, acting, all varied ways of expression. But there's more...

In 2006, a young man named Blake Mycoskie founded a shoe company with a new premise: "With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for one." Blake traveled to Argentina, saw the disease and the dire need for shoes for the children there, and founded a company that would provide a quality product and also meet that need.

Lauren wants a "One for one" program for her future Arts Center with a "sister school" in Africa. Every student here will support a student in Africa. Lauren has the vision. Her studies this year will provide the leadership training she'll need to bring it to fruition.

Our family asks for your prayers as Lauren takes this next step of her life journey. You can follow her throughout at the year at:
Blog: laurenpanzica.wordpress.com
Twitter: twitter.com/laurenpanzica
YouTube: www.youtube.com/LaurenElizabethDance

I'm traveling to Australia with Lauren, spending a few days helping her get established.

My next post is a review of Blake Mycoskie's book Start Something That Matters. As part of the review, I will be giving away 2 copies. It tells the story of TOMS shoes and inspires us all to purse something that matters. Keep tuned!!

Wanna play Hangman?

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:07:00 +0000

In the restaurant last night, I spotted a boy with his new Christmas gift - an ipad. And what was he doing with this valuable gift?

Playing Hangman.

Hangman? - on an iPAD? - really????

As a kid, I played Hangman - using pencil & paper, chalkboard & chalk, dirt & stick.

And here was this 21^st century kid using one of the most powerful devices currently known to man to play the simplest of games.

But could we be doing exactly the same thing with the gifts that God has given us?

He is Emmanuel - God WITH us.

He declares us to be His temple and so His limitless power dwells WITHIN us.

And yet too often we are content to live a limited life.

We are satisfied with less than best.

We play with dirt & sticks when the Power that created the dirt resides inside us.

He calls us to use the gifts He has so freely given for Kingdom work. He wants us to step out of the boat with our eyes fixed securely on the One who keeps us from sinking. He desires to reveal Himself in us and through us. As a believer, His power within us is greater than an ipad or any man-made device. Where we are weak, He is strong.

Rather than settling for mediocrity, I want 2012 to be the year I climb out of my comfort zone. How about you?

ps - If uncertainty is holding you back from serving, and if you live near northern NJ, please join me and my Bible Fellowship class as we embark on a 9 week study "What's So Spiritual About Your Gifts?" by Blackaby. Shoot me an email if you're interested in participating.

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."*

"He Himself is our peace."*

Thank you for partnering with me in this ministry. I pray you've been encouraged with me to sense the eternal amidst the earthly. May your Christmas be blessed with His peace, and may your 2012 be filled with His presence.

Enjoy the lyrics of this powerful song inspired by "The Story" Bible. Make it your prayer. I made it mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsXOP7aQeqQ&feature=related

Make my heart Your Bethlehem ~ Be born in me

*Luke 2:14 & Eph. 2:14

Emmanuel - So are you with Me???

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,

and they will call him Emmanuel"

(which means "God with us").

Matt. 1:22-23

My friend experienced a horrific family tragedy this year. Yet miraculously she glows with the grace of God. When I told her this, she simply shrugged and said, "Apart from Me, you can do nothing. So I'm with Him."

Another friend with ongoing family heartbreak told me about a sermon that spoke to her, "There's a miracle coming out of that mess!" That sermon's title? "Emmanuel, God With Us"

Mary, an unwed pregnant teenager. Her betrothed, Joseph, about to divorce her. An angel appeared assuring him that this miracle Child would fulfill the prophesy that the virgin's child would be named Emmanuel meaning God would be with us.

Yes, He came to be our Savior.
Yes, He came to be our example.
Yes, He came to give us life, abundant life.

But, He also came simply to be with us.

To be with us in the tragedy, providing grace and peace through the storm.
To be with us in the joy, multiplying it and giving it meaning.
To experience life with us that we might experience life with Him. Glorious!

Are you with Him?
Ummm, because He said that if you're not, then you're against Him. Ouch!

So if you don't sense that you are WITH Him - seek Him without delay.
Seek Him with your whole heart.
Repent of anything that would hinder His presence in your life.

He came to be with us.
Anything less is less than best.

From Jesus Calling ~
"When you sit quietly with Me, the process I went through is reversed in your experience. As you identify with Me, heaven's vistas open up before you - granting you glimpses of My Glory."

I pray your CHRISTmas is filled with His presence, the greatest present of all!

"He will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace....

Immanuel."

Isaiah 9:6, 7:14

Chanukah Blessings!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Today is the first day of Chanukah which officially began last night at sundown. Chanukah was one of my favorite times growing up.

Playing dreidel games!
Eating potato latkes!
Eight nights of presents!
Lighting the Chanukah candles!

As the eldest child in my family, I lit the menorah candles. First, we lit the tallest candle (the Shamash). Then the Shamash lit the other candles from right to left, lighting one the first night, two the next, and so on for eight nights. As I lit the candles, I said the following prayer:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melech ha'olam

asher, kidishanu b'mitz'votav, v'tzivanu

l'had'lik neir shel Chanukah.

which means

Blessed are you, Lord our God, sovereign of the universe

Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us

to light the lights of Chanukah.

Little did I know that the menorah and its candles were a beautiful reflection of the Light of the world that was to bring me from darkness to light.

Chanukah is often overshadowed by the many Christmas activities. It is not a particularly important Jewish festival, and not mentioned in the Old Testament. Chanukah, the Feast of Dedication is an eight day celebration commemorating the revolt and unlikely victory of the Jewish Maccabbees over the powerful Syrian Greeks who had invaded and oppressed Israel in 167 - 164 BC (the period of time between the Old and New Testaments).

Jesus observed Chanukah (John 10:20-30), and it was during this Feast the Jesus publicly declared Himself the Messiah by proclaiming "I and the Father are One."

Celebrating Chanukah includes the telling of the story of how the Syrian ruler, Antiochus, brutally oppressed the Hebrews, forbidding the practice of Judiasm and desecrating the Temple by sacrificing pigs on the altar. Mattathias and his 5 sons, including Judah (nicknamed Maccabbee, the Hammer), led a rag-tag army in guerilla warfare for 3 years, retreating to the hills after each battle.

Finally, the Jews defeated the mighty Syrian army and returned to Jerusalem to find the Temple all but destroyed and the oil for the lampstand gone, except for a tiny amount enough for one day. The eternal flame of the Temple Menorah, central to Israel's worship, was extinguished. Although it would take eight days for the priests to consecrate more oil, by faith they lit the Menorah. Miraculously, the one day's supply of oil lasted those eight days. Judah Maccabbee declared that these events would be commemorated annually at the Feast of Dedication, the Festival of Lights, Chanukah. A special menorah would be used that had nine candles, rather than the seven branched lampstand in the Temple, one for each of the eight days and one Shamash candle.

The lights of the menorah are symbolic of our relationship with Christ, the Light of the world. The tallest candle is called Shamash which means "Servant." The Servant candle lights the other candles yet loses none of its own light. Likewise, Jesus who "came not to be served, but to serve" (Mk 10:45) imparts His light to us and loses none of His own. He is the Light of the word (Jn 8:12), but He says that WE are the light of the world (Mt. 5:4).

The Temple in Jerusalem no longer stands, but God's Word declares that WE are a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19) and the light of the world. How is our oil burning? Sometimes an oil change is necessary. Or perhaps we are a quart low. Maybe we feel like all we have left is one day's supply. Isn't it reassuring to remember that the Bible teaches that more oil is always available when the undying flame has been ignited in our souls!

When we spot a menorah, let's remember that we have been illuminated by the Shamash, the Servant, and we have an eternal supply of oil to keep the Light of the world burning brightly in our hearts throughout the year.

Thank you Jesus for imparting Your light to us. May we reflect You, bringing light to people still in darkness. Thank you for the miracles 2000 years ago, and the miracles today!!

.

What's The Rush?

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

So they hurried off

and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby,

who was lying in the manger. Luke 2:16

Hurry. It seems that's all we do lately. And so we are encouraged to slow down, be still. I said so myself just a few weeks ago. Shhhh the activity!

And yet there is a time to hurry-
~Zacchaeus, filled with curiosity, hurried ahead to climb a tree so he could see Jesus.
~The father, filled with compassion, ran to welcome his prodigal home.
~Mary and the women, filled with confusion, ran to the disciples - who ran to the empty tomb.
~Philip, filled with the Spirit, ran to the chariot to share the Word with the Ethiopian.

And the shepherds, filled with wonder after their heavenly host encounter, hurried to Bethlehem, ran to see Jesus.

When should we hurry?
~When it is running to Jesus!
~When it is hurrying to show compassion.
~When it is eagerly sharing the Word.

After they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.
Then they returned [to their neighborhood, their work, their environment] glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Solomon said, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." I'm going to boldly add to his list in Eccl. 3:1-8:
There is a time to hurry and a time to be still.
Oh that we would know the difference!

Do you (like me) ever confuse when to be busy and when to be still?
What do you do about it?

Why Is Red The Color Of Christmas?

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:44:00 +0000

I confess - my least favorite color is red.

Years ago, a friend gave me a gift - maroon/reddish sweater. I finally wore it to be nice. That day, everyone asked me if I was sick. "You're a little flushed today, are you ok?" "You look pale today. How are you feeling?" Flushed? Pale? In the same day? Nope, I feel fine - it's just the sweater.

My husband and I were shopping for cars a few years after that. The only car left in the model we wanted was maroon/red. It had all the features. The price was right. But I just couldn't be surrounded by that color, looking sick everywhere I drove. We didn't buy the car.

At Christmas, I tend to decorate in shades of gold, white, and silver adding sprinkles of colors here and there. At Christmas, I tolerate red. Barely.

But today, I embrace RED. I'm grateful for its presence throughout the history of humanity. Watch this video and I think you'll agree. Red is THE color of Christmas, the color of salvation, the color of life!

http://blog.greglaurie.com/?p=5390

http://youtu.be/toE3Vo6BBwk

The Shepherds

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Maude Carolan Pych from my writers group is an extraordinary poet. Today's selection shines a brilliant light on the shepherds, their lifestyle, and the encounter that would forever change their lives, and ours too!

THE SHEPHERDS

Shepherds recline around the fire

Their long day’s work is done

The air is crisp, the sky is clear

they watch the setting sun

The sheep that grazed the fields by day

now safely sleep nearby

Men each take night-watch turns

to watch for wolves and foxes, sly

They eat some fish, some barley bread

drink water from the well

draw woolen blankets ‘round them, snug

they laugh and stories tell

Suddenly the calm is stirred

by singing in the sky

The shepherds lift their drowsy heads

What’s happening and why?

They can’t believe their ears and eyes

for what they hear and see…

a throng of shining faces, wings

snow white and fluttery!

The rugged shepherds tremble

The angels chant, “Do not fear…

We bring you tidings of great joy

all people need to hear

For unto you is born this day

in little Bethlehem—

swaddled in a manger, Christ

The Savior of all men!

Glory to God in the highest!”

sweet angel voices sing

“Peace on earth, goodwill to men”

They proclaim the newborn King!

As the angels take their leave

the men vow in the morn

they’ll go to Bethlehem and seek

The Christ, the newly born

So with the rising of the sun

each with his staff and rod

the shepherds with their sheep set off…

Their quest, the Lamb of God

Arriving at the humble place

the angels sang about

they enter with resounding praise

and hallelujah shouts!

As the shepherds kneel, adoring

a spotless wooly lamb

approaches the lowly manger

and gently nuzzles the I Am

Maude Carolan Pych

This is a selection from Maude's Christmas chapbook, From My Heart to Yours at Christmas…Cookies & Poems. Maude's poems can also be found on her blog.

Lord Undo Me

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 04:43:00 +0000

Driving home tonight listening to K-LOVE Radio (96.7 in NYC area), I heard the dj (JD Chandler) read the following. You can hear him read it on his webpage: http://www.klove.com/blog/jd/ Scroll down to Oct. 31. It undid me.

"Lord Undo Me"

I don’t really worship these day
I don’t really stand up to praise you with songs
Or prayers or actions
or with anything
I am full of all the right moves
I am full of all the right words
I am full of all the right religion
But it is all just illusion
I am really
Lonely
Lost
Calloused
Jaded
Cynical
Too religious
Too realistic
and well really just to lazy
to worship you anymore
I have lost my first love
I have lost the joy of your presence
But most of all I have lost the fear of your glory

Father I need to see you again
Like Isaiah I want to stand in awe of your glory
To fall down at your feet
To come face to face with your
Perfection,
Radiance,
Goodness,
Holiness,
Awesomeness
I want to stand before you and see you for who you are
and me for who I am
I want to be undone

I want to know me for who I really am
I want to see the depths of my heart
And know that you are the only way
You are the only truth
You are the only life
I want to see me and understand
What it really must have taken for you to
Love me
Care for me
See me
Speak to me
Want me
Communicate with me
Die for me
Die for me
Die for me

Lord, I want to stand in that place where all I can see is your glory
And my sin
Because in that place I can’t help but worship you.
Lord let me come undone
Undo my heart
Lord, undo my heart
break down these walls that I love so much
No, wait don’t,
I’m scared I don’t know if I can handle this
don’t
But I can’t live this way anymore
I can’t stand here in this half-life
this going through the motions life
this not really alive life
Father, I need you so come in and do what you must
Cut out the tumor on my heart
Break down the walls that I love
Lord let me come undone
Undo my heart
let me worship you again

*Blake Williams

.

Is there another story?

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:36:00 +0000

We have a beautiful popup book in our office that depicts the Nativity. One of our patients came in and said she has the same book, but with a "different Christmas story." I was stunned - there's another Christmas story???

Later she recalled, "It's T'was Night Before Christmas." Oh. Ok, there may be other stories that are popular at this time of year. But is there really any other Christmas story besides the one in the Word?

No there isn't.

Sure there are plenty of movies and books about Christmas-time. Poems and prose. Sweet, sentimental stories. Children's cartoons and classic movies. Comedies and dramas. We have our favorites, and new ones are written and released each year. But with rare exception, these are not Christ-mas stories. They are Christmastime stories - seasonal stories that touch our hearts or make us smile.

The real Christmas story is found in 4 chapters of God's Word. The first two chapters in the gospel accounts of Matthew and Luke tell us the enthralling report of the people and events surrounding the birth of the God the Son. We don't need to add anything to the story. In fact, we're commanded not to (Prov. 30:6, Rev. 22:18).

Now there's nothing wrong with most of these Christmas-time stories - unless we mistake them for the true Christ-mas story. And there's nothing wrong with shopping, decorating, baking, and all the other activities we do leading up to December 25th - unless we mistake doing them for celebrating Him.

God chose the simplest, humblest way to usher in the Messiah. He didn't add anything. In fact, He subtracted!
No royal throne for the King. Just a manger filled with hay.
No prestigious entourage - well unless you count the heavenly host filling the night sky ;D

I pray your next two weeks are filled with the real story, adding only that which would enhance your worship rather than distract from it.

What do you think??

Highly Favored

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Today's post comes from my friend Barbara Higby over at The Hope Perspective. Her great insight into Mary's encounter with Gabriel moved me deeply and makes me want to be more like Mary.

"Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Luke 1:28

Mary had plans. She was engaged to be married to an honorable man. Likely, her expectations were to be a faithful wife, a good Jewish mother, and a prudent housewife as a Jehovah worshiping Hebrew woman. Her expectations would be fulfilled, but not as she anticipated. A surprise visit from the angel Gabriel drastically changed the dimension of her dreams. They were no longer confined to the home of a carpenter in Nazareth but took on world shaking significance.

Gabriel presented Mary with the astonishing news that she would be a virgin mother—a mother of God. How could she wrap her mind around such a thought? The child’s conception would be unnatural, miraculous, inexplicable—an immaculate conception. Mary would never be the same; the world would never be the same. The significance of this prediction would change history. She had but one thing asked of her. The only request the angel made was, “Do not be afraid.”

How could this young girl not fear pregnancy? How could she explain a conception that did not take her virginity? How could she marry when pregnant? How could anyone, Joseph included, believe the truth?

But Mary heeded Gabriel's words. She set aside her fears and ten verses later we see this highly favored young woman respond as a humble servant. “I am the Lord’s servant…. May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38).

Lord, Director of history, Ruler of earth, omniscient Father, loving Master, Your plan is always greater, bigger, more complex, farther reaching than we can imagine. Help us to internalize that truth so that we will not fear but, in every situation, say with Mary, “I am the Lord’s servant…. May it be to me as you have said.”

Hallelujah!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Just a little something to get you in the Christmas spirit. Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/LyviyF-N23A

Do You See What I See?

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

It’s funny how two people can look at the same image and see two different things. But once it’s pointed out to you, you can see both!

Today, I’m having a little fun with the popular Christmas carol: Do You See What I See? Once again, I'm over at Laced With Grace. Please click here to read one of my favorite posts from 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/7fw4uea

Shhhh! It's coming!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Shhhh! It’s coming…..

But we have to shhhh or we’ll miss it.

The “coming.”

Advent.

Looking ahead over the next four weeks, the so-called Advent season, what do you see coming? It’s so easy to get swept up in the “what” - the seemingly endless tornado of cooking, decorating, shopping, wrapping, partying – that we miss the “Who”.

To continue reading, click here . Join me over at Laced With Grace today:
http://lacedwithgrace.com/?p=8673

Black Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:18:00 +0000

The term "Black Friday" screams from the TV, newspapers, radio and online. The day after Thanksgiving begins the unofficial "holiday shopping season," the time of year when retailers move from operating "in the red" (at a loss) to "in the black" (at a profit). Stores are now opening at midnight, even 10 pm the night before, offering crazy low prices to lure customers in hoping they'll spend lots of money.

I can't help but think of another "Black Friday," a day when the greatest price was paid for the greatest gift ever given. 2000 years ago, an innocent man gave His life so that others might live. Jesus, God the Son, left His heavenly home, to be born into an ordinary family and live an ordinary life in an ordinary town, until He began His extra-ordinary ministry on earth. For 3 years, He healed the hurting, taught those who would listen, and preached the truth to all. The conclusion of His time on earth was paying the price for the sins of the entire world, past, present, and future, and providing the gift of eternal life to any who receive it.

Now that Thanksgiving Day is over, let's continue to live with thanksgiving in our hearts.

Thank you Lord for paying the debt we owe. Thank you for rising from the dead in victory, giving us the opportunity to live in victory. May we keep You as our focus in the days and weeks to come, and be ever ready to share the real reason for the season.

Thank YOU dear friend!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:01:00 +0000

Dear friends,
Thanksgiving is a time where we stop and do what we should be doing all year - recognizing the blessings that God has shared with us despite our unworthiness.

In addition to my deep gratitude to the Lord, my beloved family, my home and provisions, I'm thankful for YOU. You inspire me to keep going when I don't feel like it. I picture you as I type my posts, and I hope you feel like I'm speaking from the heart. I thank you for signing up by following or subscribing to Eternity Cafe and look forward to sharing with you in the future. As always, I welcome hearing back from you too!

Today, over at Laced With Grace where I am a contributing writer, Laurie has compiled thanks from the team. Stop by and say "hi!"
http://lacedwithgrace.com/holiday/thanksgiving-team/

Blessed Thanksgiving to all! May the good will and thanks felt today carry you through the next month as we enter the whirlwind that the "season" has become.

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.
Ps. 107:1

"The Help" Isn't Just A Movie

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

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

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

Just a few "helpful" verses to bless your day:

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

How has God helped you?

Tell Me About Yourself

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Thanks Jeanette Levellie for sharing this award with me. Jeanette is a gifted writer whose humor devotional book is coming out in April 2012. Look for "Mirth and Worth in the Real Lane" for a certain blessing.

Here's the rules of the award - I need to share 7 things about me, and then pass this award along to 5 other bloggers who will do the same, and so on and so on ;D

Jeanette's challenge is to share the "messy" and not just "cutesy little tidbits."

So here goes:

1. I don't drink coffee. Gasp! Yes, most unusual I know. Especially since my blog header shows two lovely ladies enjoying their coffee at a place called Eternity Cafe. I do love coffee dates with friends, but I just enjoy some other beverage while I enjoy their company.

2. I may not look it, but I am the pickiest eater alive. For example, I order a Greek salad without cucumbers, onions, or olives. And I can do without the anchovies and peppers, but I am willing to pick those out, whereas the cukes, etc. leave their taste on the lettuce. My mom says I place my food order in a restaurant like this scene in When Harry Met Sally:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnlm2e3EN78

3. I am a procrastinating perfectionist. Mostly procrastinating. I found I can live with clutter or unfinished projects if I keep the future perfection firmly in my mind. And yet I'm conflicted about this. Hmmm, I might be slightly schizophrenic too.

4. My favorite ice cream is Haagen-Dazs. I don't eat any other brand of ice cream (see #2), so I buy other brands for my family to enjoy and then I'm not tempted! I don't like anything frozen in my ice cream such as nuts or chips. Must be smooth, and my favorite ice cream flavor is - coffee. Very weird since I don't drink coffee (#1).

5. I'm beginning to think schizophrenic people are very interesting.

6. I am a reformed disco dancer. Now a big fan of classic rock - especially my husband's Solid Rock Band.

7. I love football. Especially the NY Giants! But I'll root for the Jets too. I like the baseball Mets, but I'll root for the Yankees too. Some (like my son) find this impossible to do. It's either one or the other. But I guess it's easy for schizophrenics like me.

8. I would much rather hear about you than talk about me.

So - would you share with me an interesting tidbit about yourself? I want to know more about you, what you like or dislike, something funny or not. What makes you tick?

And I'm passing this award on to these 5 excellent bloggers:

Sonya Lee Thompson

Robin Prater

Eileen Astels

Susan Reinhardt

Lynn Mosher

Get Rid Of It - For Real

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:25:00 +0000

I was so proud of myself.

I've been digging, sorting, and clearing out stuff.

I bagged it, washed it, and carted it to the car to be donated to Ditto, the "upscale resale thrift shop" that raises funds for my kids' alma mater.

Felt like a real accomplishment.

The problem is Ditto's hours of operation aren't in sync with my hours of operation ;D I can't seem to get there before closing time.

And so I have been driving around with my discarded stuff for a week. I went through it - did the inventory. I identified and separated it. I even moved it. But I haven't really gotten rid of it. I plan to, but it's still there hanging around. Moving around. I stopped short yesterday to avoid a car that ran a stop sign, and heard a symphony of shuffles as the stuff in back slid toward the front.

In order for me to actually get rid of this stuff, I have to make a change. I need to change my habits and rearrange my schedule. I have to move out of my comfort zone.

I have some other stuff I'd like to get rid of. Fear, anger, resentment, jealousy. I have done some soul-searching. Taken inventory. Identified what needs to be addressed. Felt some pride and a sense of accomplishment in that.

But that stuff is still hanging around. An unwelcome remark or a difficult situation becomes like that car running a stop sign bringing all that stuff toward the front, a symphony of emotions sliding around my interior. So how do I actually get rid of it - for real?

Paul says, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." But he doesn't leave it at that.
He continues with, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." (Eph. 4:31-32)

James instructs us, "Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent"
And like Paul he goes on, "and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, .. Do what it says." (James 1:21-22)

To get rid of these unwanted emotions and behaviors, I need to move beyond identifying them. I need to replace them with desired behaviors. Clearing out the old creates a void and the old will slide right back in if there isn't something already in its place.

Replace resentment and anger with forgiveness.
Replace doing evil with doing what the Word says.

Then I'll be getting rid of it - for real!

How about you? Do you have unwanted stuff hanging around? How can you clear it out? For real? Let's talk about it.

What Not To Wear

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0000

My 9 year old self LOVED to dress up!

It’s October 31^st and millions of people will spend billions of dollars to eat candy and dress up as someone (or something) else today. It may be fun to dress up as someone else for an event. But what about when we habitually wear an invisible mask to hide who we really are, when we pretend to be someone we’re not.

To read more, click over to Laced With Grace. And please leave me a comment. You know I love to hear from you!

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To Speak or Not To Speak....

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:25:00 +0000

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you are just not sure whether to speak or not to speak? That is the question!

When I used to commute to NYC on the train, sometimes for no particular reason I found myself aware of a particular person in the crowd. I wasn't sure if God wanted me to speak with that person. I'd get all clammy and nervous just thinking about it.

Other times, in the middle of a conversation, I'd wonder if the time was right to share, if the person was open, if I could or should speak up.

So I memorized two Scripture verses to lead me when this situation arises:

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Col. 4:6

- and -

Even a fool when he keeps silent is considered wise. Prov. 17:28

(like another well-known quote: "Better to be silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." lol)

If I sense someone in the crowd, or find myself engaged in conversation unsure what to say, I pray an instant little prayer asking God to reveal His will. One of the two scripture verses will come to mind, and I respond with a second prayer accordingly.

This works well two ways. I know what to do and I have confidence about it.

If it is the Colossians verse, I ask the Lord for the gracefilled words to share. And I'm able to speak with the confidence that comes from knowing that I'm in His will.
If the Proverbs verse appears in my mind, I send up a prayer FOR that person but keep my thoughts to myself with the confidence that it's A-OK to keep silent at this time.

Recently read on facebook:

Knowing when to be silent is as important as knowing what to say.

These two Scriptures verses hidden in my heart help me know when to be silent or what to say.

Have you been in this situation? I hope this tip helps you! If so, let me know ;D

Does this make sense?

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:44:00 +0000

Jericho -

I've heard and read the story countless times. Therefore, I assumed that there'd be no new information for me here. I knew God could make anything meaningful of course, but I didn't count on learning any new factual information about Jericho. Well, never assume....

Maybe you already knew this, but I didn't.

In our Sunday service, Pastor Mike shared that Jericho had not one but two walls surrounding it - an inner wall and an outer wall. I never knew that. [More about the walls: http://www.israel-a-history-of.com/walls-of-jericho.html]

And it turns out that when the Israelites famously blew their trumpets and shouted their cries to tumble the wall, the inner wall crumbled onto the outer wall creating a ramp for the Israelites to enter. Their greatest obstacle became their stepping stone to victory. The greatest obstacle you face will become your stepping stone to victory.

Up until that point God provided for the Israelites. The day that they camped before Jericho was the last day that God provided manna for them (Joshua 5:12) Now God was requiring them to step out in faith. Faith requires us to do the unusual to bring about what God wants.

Before He gave them their marching instructions, He told them that He GAVE them "Jericho, its king, and all its mighty warriors." The enemy was already defeated! (Joshua 6:2) We also fight a defeated foe. They had to go through the battle, and we do too. But we fight from victory that is assured.

Why did God have such an unusual plan for the conquest of Jericho? Perhaps it was to prove to them that HE was their deliverer, not their weapons or military expertise, not their skills or talents. Or maybe it was a test to see if they would follow His strange instructions completely. Not that He needed to see if they would pass the test - they needed to know that they could be obedient.

Jericho was considered invincible and that was the first thing on God's agenda for Israel to conquer. Its defeat showed them (and us!) that it is God who is invincible.

Do you have an impossible obstacle? Take comfort from the words of Rahab - the prostitute and the only one (and her family) saved from Jericho because she was faithful to our Lord and sheltered the spies. "For the LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below." (Joshua 2:11)

Please let me know how I can pray for you.
"The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it." 1 Thess. 5:24

What is RELIGION anyway?

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 04:43:00 +0000

When my son was little, he found a crayfish in the nearby Glen. He and my husband set up a fish tank abode, and Sebastian lived with us for many years. Not exactly the most cuddly pet, but the very low maintenance was a plus!!

One day, I looked in the tank and darn near fainted. There were two Sebastians! Exactly the same 4 inch size! How on earth????

A closer look revealed that one was merely the shell of the other. It seems Sebastian molted – he shed one complete perfectly shaped “skin.” What looked like two identical living crayfish was in reality one living crayfish and one imposter, a mere specter of the real thing.

Today, my friend Marja’s blogpost, reminded me of this episode of our family history. She wrote about religion, and her aversion to using the word “religious.” That is until she looked up the word in her Penguin English dictionary.

[Rilijon] n. belief in and worship of God or gods; specified system of theology ritual and morality based on this; outlook and way of life based on this…

Way of life → It’s not the system or the theory or the rituals that the key. It’s the way of life. Marja said, religion “is not a bad word if we allow it to jump off the page and become alive, if we choose it as a way of life.”

James says “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (Jms 1:27)

Marja noted the two principles here:

- benevolent love for people in need

- a holy life

How often do we mis-use that word religion? People who consider themselves religious often miss its true meaning if their ways of life are just ritual and no relationship with the One they purport to worship. They go through the motions and, like the empty shed Sebastian, they look like the real thing but are missing the life inside. Similar to the Pharisees whom Jesus called “white washed tombs” who look righteous and pure on the outside, but inside are filled with dead men’s bones.

As a reaction, you, like me, may be quick to say “It’s not about religion. It’s about relationship.” The truth is – if it’s about relationship, we will demonstrate our relationship with our pure religion. James talks about worthless religion (1:26) and faith without works being dead (2:14-26).

Paul tells us that we were made as His masterpiece and are saved by faith alone, but that we were made to do good works that he prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:8-10).

The conclusion – it’s not what we do that saves us. But it’s what we do and how we do it that demonstrates to others the love of the One who saved us. Our religion a byproduct of our “way of life.” An empty shell of a religion cannot impart life into another. Only the one who has received the Lifegiver can.

Marja wonders “how difficult we have made ‘our’ religion sometimes…”

Me too.

How about you?

Popularity - American Idol Style

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Panzica - EternityCafe) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:16:00 +0000

Check out the kid in the "parachute pant" - the so-called "white MC Hammer" - dancing with his sister in this clip from Fox

News:

http://tinyurl.com/3ffvgsf

And they got a huge write up in the Bergen Record:

http://tinyurl.com/3u33j3a

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

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

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

And they got the golden ticket! Not to Hollywood yet, but to come back 2 days later for Rounds 2 and 3.

And my mommy radar went into overdrive.

Sure it was great fun. But what about the bigger picture:

- What about their plans? College and beyond.
More importantly:

- What about their character? The pull of celebrity? The innate insatiable desire to be popular? .

"Popular" from the Broadway show "Wicked'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsKH2tqoFJ8

On Friday, Rick Warren tweeted the following:

"Believe me: popularity is an insidious force that will destroy your character unless you deal ruthlessly with it before God."

I immediately texted that to my kids. Thanks Pastor Rick!

Oh, what is it about celebrity that is so attractive? Is it wanting people to like us? Wanting to be popular? If so, then American Idol is the right name for that show, and for the culture that adores it. An idol is "1. an image or representation of a god used as on object of worship. 2. someone who is adored blindly and excessively." In other words, an idol is anything that replaces God in our worship. When we want to be liked by people more than we care about what God thinks of us, we are in idol worship. And we must deal with it ruthlessly.

I admit I want people to like me. I don't like it if I think they don't or if I feel left out. And there's nothing wrong with wanting to connect with others. The problem is when the desire to be liked causes us to compromise, or causes us to neglect our relationship with God in some way.

When Jesus walked the earth, some people liked Him and some didn't. And if not everyone liked Him, why would we expect everyone to like us? Jesus said just the opposite would be true.

"Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Mk 13:13

"Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude and insult you and reject your name, because of the Son of Man." Lk 6:22

"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you." Lk 6:27

"Everyone will hate you because of Me." Lk 21:17

Jesus loved everyone no matter how they felt about Him. He empowers us to do the same.

So what happened with the kids on Saturday? Well, they got a second golden ticket which took them to Round 3 and another audition, this time before the Executive Producers. That didn't go as well. They were told that their song was not an allowed song (copyright issues we're guessing) so they had a just few minutes to prepare another song. And in the end, they were told to strengthen their vocals and maybe audition for So You Think You Can Dance.

Not really a surprise. Going in, AJ's ultimate hope was just to meet Steven Tyler. They got a lot farther than they expected. Must have been their winning personalities.

Then again, maybe it was just the pants.