You're Never Too Old

“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.

Let Me Introduce You ~ and Blog Hop

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:

A Celebration Contest and Giveaway!!

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!

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

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 ;)

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?

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!

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!

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

News from Susan

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

Will the real miracle please stand up!

I'm sharing this re-run first because it refers to She Speaks, the conference in Charlotte, NC that I'm returning to next week. Last time, I was on the speaker track, this time I'm pursuing the writer's track.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Miracle on the Hudson

I'm sure you heard about the "splash crash" of US Airways flight 1549 to Charlotte, NC yesterday. Taking off, a flock of geese were caught in the engines, and the plane went down in the Hudson River. Thankfully, the pilot's skillful maneuvering averted greater disaster, and the quick response by ferry and boat operators helped to rescue the passengers. The newscasts cited people testifying that, during this ordeal, many prayers were uttered throughout the cabin. Some, maybe many, of these prayers were spoken by people by who have never prayed before, but this desperate situation brought them to their knees. An old saying goes, "Nothing improves your prayer life like big trouble!" And, unfortunately, that is true. We often amble through life without any communication with the One who gave us life. That is - until trouble hits.
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The real miracle here, I think, is not so much that people were spared death. The miracle is prayer itself. That the Creator of the entire universe would deem to hear our feeble cries for help is amazing. That He who set stars and planets into orbits is concerned with our baby's fever, our financial woes, our relationship problems, even our parking spaces! (Don't even tell me you've never prayed for a parking spot!) He is intimately aquainted with all our ways, and He greatly desires to spend time with us as a mother loves to spend time with her child. What if we never heard from our child unless he or she was in trouble? Wouldn't that be so sad? We love to celebrate their joys, their sorrows and their everyday experiences. And so does our heavenly Father. It's not that He doesn't know about what's happening. It's about relationship! He wants to hear about it from us, and prayer will build that relationship on our part. It will help us to know Him better the more we speak with Him.

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Miracle in Charlotte

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When I heard that the plane was destined for Charlotte, I felt the impact profoundly. Charlotte holds a very special place in my heart, having visited there last June for what has become a turning point of my life. I plan to share more on this in the future, but God's miracles were present at the She Speaks conference in Charlotte. The fact that I was even there was a miracle in itself. It was a conference for speakers and writers and women in Christian ministry. I have kept secret a desire to write a book for about 8 years when I found myself at this con ference. At the end of the first day, I cried myself to sleep, "There is NO way that I am up to this task." My thoughts as I drifted off to sleep were that I would pay attention to the sessions the next day and glean what I could from the various speakers, but forget about my book dream. When I woke up the following morning, a single thought pushed through the haze. "Do not bury your talent. " I had one talent, and I did NOT want to be compared to the wicked and lazy servant who buried his one talent rather than invest it. I didn't give this much more thought, but my spirit felt lighter as I made my way to the sessions that day. The first speaker shared an uplifting devotion, and then I proceeded to a session I had previously selected called "Pathway to Publication." This presentation was a nuts & bolts, point by point, systematic discussion about pursuing publication. Since I had decided that I wasn't going to pursue publication, I wondered what I was doing there. Near the end of the session, the speaker said, "Now, don't forget. You have to give an account to God. Do not bury your talent." She continued on with her factual helpful information, but sitting there, I could barely breathe. Did I hear correctly? Indeed I did. Later on, we spoke and she (again very matter-of-factly) repeated, "Yes, you have to give an account... Do not bury your talent." This was a confirmation to me to do what I believe God has called me to do.
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I purchased a keychain in Charlotte Airport waiting for my delayed flight back to NY. It is a daily reminder to me that God works even in the smallest details of my life.
There were many other doors that opened in 2008, but I share this one today because it confirms the miracle that our all-knowing, all-powerful God cares about our concerns, no matter how tiny they seem in comparison to His vastness, and He wants us to share our burdens with Him. He desires relationship with us, and to me, that's a miracle!!

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Miracle at your place
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Prayer ought not to be a laundry list of requests to God. It's not even just pleasant conversation with God. I am reminded of what Corrie ten Boom shared in "The Hiding Place". She was being taken out of her barrack at the concentration camp by Nazi guards. Her friend ran past her and whispered, "I'm storming the gates of heaven for you." That's what prayer is - entering a spiritual dimension where God dwells. And we're invited!

My friend, Lisa, sent me an email that said: "Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says, "Oh no, she's awake!"
Susan

News

Friends,

I have some good news and some perhaps less than good news for those who have been a reader for a while.

The good news:

I have been awarded a scholarship to attend the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference the first week in August. I will have many opportunities to learn and grow as a writer, and also to meet with industry professionals who might (hopefully) be interested in my work. This is one more door that God has opened before me, and I am walking through!

The less than good news:

It was most unexpected, and although I am thrilled, I confess, I'm concerned. It comes at a somewhat inconvenient time. I am attending the She Speaks women's conference the weekend before, and our family vacation is also at that time. The time crunch to prepare for both conferences and vacation means that something else has to give.

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So I've decided that for July and maybe early August, I need to pause in writing for this blog. But I still want to be sharing with you, so I will be scheduling some of my older favorite posts. Since there are some new readers out there, they'll be new to you. And for my faithful "old" friends, please consider these as "summer re-runs"! I know sometimes, I need to hear things a second time anyway.

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I promise to update you with news from the conferences, and I covet your prayers for these meetings. It's exciting and a little scary at the same time, a whole new chapter of my life. I thank you for walking on this journey with me.

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Most of all, I pray God's will is done, that I will sense His will and be obedient to it, that I will be able to fulfill His calling, and He be glorified in and through me.

And I pray that for you, my friend, as well.

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As it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Cor. 2:9

"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. 3:20-22

Susan