WONDERSTRUCK!

 WONDERSTRUCK . . . on Layton!  

My "Wonderstruck" Companions

Thirty-six years ago I invited Jesus into my life, and my "wonderstruck" journey began.

It began with Bible study. And throughout these years Bible studies became a focal point of my life. Bible studies motivate, convict, direct, comfort, challenge, and inspire me. In God's Word I have come to know this One who is God and loves me gracefully, mercifully, and completely, this One who promises never to leave or forsake me, this One who forgives and saves a sinner like me.

During May and June I joined ladies in our church again to read God's Word through a lovely study called Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God by Margaret Feinberg (Lifeway Press, Nashville, Tennessee).

Margaret defines "wonder" as being awed by the presence and action of God in our daily lives. She encouraged us to live "eyes wide open" to see God's handiwork, His blessings, and His presence. Each day we watched expectantly for God and recorded three wonders in our journals. "Wonders" like the scent of a newborn child, a fading sunset, a word of kindness, the crunch of an almond, or much-needed rain. We were never disappointed.

We found God everywhere, all the time . . . at sunrise and breakfast, in the garden and the workplace, on a train to Indiana, in a school classroom, with an old man and a pre-schooler.

Our experience confirmed Psalm 40:5. "Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare."

We discovered that we live at breakneck speed. We miss the hand of God as surely as a car, hurdling down the highway at 70 mph, misses the delicate beauty of a daisy beside the road. Apply the brakes, open our eyes, wait expectantly, and be surprised by His wonder. These lessons resound in our hearts as we seek to develop the discipline of seeing God.

"There He is . . . in the yellows, purples, pinks of spring flowers! There He is . . . in that unexpected phone call from an old friend! There He is . . .  in the lavish gift of supplies for a missions trip!" We have savored His sweet presence with us, we have recognized His divine handiwork, and we are awed. "Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you - majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" Psalm 17:7.

The youngest member of our Bible study (on his mommy's
lap) left us "wonderstruck."

 This readiness for discovery wets our appetites for a more vibrant intimacy with God. We awake, curious to know Him more. A. W. Tozer's sentiments become our own. "I want the presence of God Himself, or I don't want anything at all to do with religion. I want all that God has or I don't want any."

Thank you, Margaret, for helping us to live "eyes wide open." Thank you, lovely ladies, for your companionship on the journey. Thank you Jesus.

YOU leave me WONDERSTRUCK . . .

on Layton.

A mother-daughter team (first and second on right) study
God's Word and seek Him, together. Beautiful . . . and
Wonderstruck.

This Summer . . . Off Layton!

 Every spring, excitement builds as plans are made for summer trips that will take me figuratively, not literally ... off Layton.

During February to May, letters arrive on Layton from people who desire to serve God somewhere in the world on missions trips during their summer vacations. Some want to "love on" little ones in orphanages; others will dig wells; a few will teach English or the Bible. All of them demonstrate a heart of love for God and people. All are willing to sacrifice their beach and relaxation time to let their faith be set in motion around the world. I'm awed by their love and commitment and eager to jump on their support team.

This summer I'm "traveling" with five of the finest young people I know, my 2013 Heroes of the Faith.

Sarah Allen is currently in China with the
 Yi people.

One of them is Sarah Allen. Her desire is to introduce children to the love of Jesus. She will spend the summer on the streets and in the churches of Philadelphia teaching Good News Clubs with Child Evangelism Fellowship. But before her summer work in Philly begins in late June, this teenager traveled alone to the mountains of western China to work in a school with some of the poorest children of the minority Yi people. For six weeks Sarah is teaching the Bible and English to 150 orphans at the school. Sarah said, "The best occupation in the world is being a fisher of men. I can't wait to see how God's hand will work this summer." What courage and trust in God! Sarah is still in China.

Ben Williams with his grandparents

And then there's Ben. I've known Ben Williams since he was a toddler in our church. Now, his physical stature and his faith and devotion to God are heights for the rest of us to attain. Ben will spend several weeks this summer in Dearborn, Michigan, of all places. Dearborn has a large Muslim population, and Ben will witness to Muslims there. He said that God has confirmed to him in several different ways that he should be part of a group that would break the power of Islam in the world. "Your guess is as good as mine as to what that means!" Ben writes, but his intention is to go into full-time missions in the Middle East when he finishes his education at Liberty University. His desire is to take the transforming love of Jesus to places where that news has not yet been proclaimed.

Jill Hart and Corryn Klien, center,
with Jill's husband and daughter Rachel.

Could a mother and daughter have a better bonding experience than one that will put them in a foreign culture together on the forefront for God? Jill Hart and Corryn Klien, a mother-daughter team, will join a group traveling to China for English camp in mid July. They will teach English everyday for two weeks to middle and high school students. There will be many opportunities to form relationships with Chinese students and witness of Christ's love. Jill said, "One of the coolest parts about being able to travel to China and be a part of this team is...Corryn wants me to go with her! I know that God will use us however He wants. Pray that we will have one-on-one opportunities to share the gospel with some of our new Chinese friends." I taught at English camp in China several times, and I am following these two lovely women every step of the way. I can see the classroom and hear the excited laughter of the students. Perhaps I should have planned to board the jet with Jill and Corryn.

Elisabeth, on the far right, is pictured with
her grandmother, sister, and mother.

And finally, Elisabeth Phillips is another of my Heroes of Faith this summer. Elisabeth just completed ninth grade. She is going with a former teacher to South Africa for the month of July. They will minister at Dayspring Children's Village, a boarding school which provides orphans and other disadvantaged children with a loving home as well as a quality education. Elisabeth writes, "I will be helping the children with school work, teaching them how to read music and play the piano, and showing them God's love."


One of the letters received on Layton said, "I want God's name to be glorified in all that I do. I want to be completely drenched in His presence so that the people I come across will be drawn to His glory. My prayer is that when you read this letter, you will not see me, but Jesus and only Jesus." Dear young ambassadors for Christ, Jesus is seen in you.

Sometimes, the greatest blessing isn't at home, but in some distant and exotic place (even Detroit). . .

off Layton