Confirmation

Tonight I sit here wonderstruck at the way God orchestrasts things.  I find it absolutely amazing that God places people in our lives at just the right time.  Tonight, I went to a voice lesson expecting to learn about how to sing better and instead I learned about the heart of God.  (Ok, so I learned how to sing better too.). My voice teacher was trying to help me learn about emotion and give me confidence.  She told me about The battles in the Old Testament and the importance of musicians,  she told about how God had created us (at least some of us) to sing.  She told me about how singing (Praising God) defeats the enemy.  Even in the voice lesson itself, she confirmed some other things that God has been showing me.  Once again, the sacred echo of God's love was heard as I drove home marveling at God's timing and how he orchestrates things so that we hear them at just the right time.  So tonight I go to sleep wonderstruck and at peace.

#livewonderstruck

Emotional

As I drove to work that morning, I was listening to Spanish worship songs, not because I speak Spanish, but because I was supposed to be learning the songs in Spanish.  I wasn't feeling so good and felt very anxious for a number of reasons.  All of a sudden, as I continued down the road, God met me there.  The clouds above me were moving in the most beautiful way,  the wind was moving the clouds quickly across the sky and the sun was just barely peeking through.  I knew at that moment that God was there and I was wonderstruck.  Then the song on the cd (that I didn't know the words for) just struck a note in my heart and I began crying at the beauty and wonder of the Father.  What an amazing experience.  What a way to see God's presence in the everyday.

#livewonderstruck

God is With Me

Frustrated was how I felt as I drove back to the house to pick up the item I forgot.
Angry with myself for forgetting and annoyed that I would now arrive late whenI had tried so hard to be on time.
I only had one thing to remember and I forgot it.

After we ate, we played a simple game.  We had a partner, we answered a question, we switched partners.  The first question we answered was:  I know God is with me when...

My partner said: I know God is with me when He calms me after I forgot to bring the one item we needed and had to go all the way back home for it.  I said: Me Too!  Me Too!

How wonderful it is that God reminds us we're not the only one...even in our mistakes and failures.  Even when we're angry and upset and feeling stupid, God shows up to remind us that we are loved and cared for.

#live wonderstruck

Love

Tonight I am wonderstruck by God's command to love.

This morning our sermon was on John 3:16-17.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

We talked not only about the amazing Love God has for us, but our response to that love.

Then tonight as I got in my car to go get something to eat, the sermon on the radio was on God's command to Love.

John 13:34-35

³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

The preacher talked about what it means to be a disciple.  Then on the way home.  This song came on the radio...and once again I heard the sacred echo of God's Call to Love.

#livewonderstruck

Presence

Today as I was driving home watching the beautiful, bright sun shiny sky, this song came on the radio:

I was Wonderstuck by the words and it totally led me into a time of worship.

Who is like You Lord in all the earth?
Matchless love and beauty endless worth
Nothing in this world can satisfy
Cause Jesus You're the cup that won't run dry

Your presence is heaven to me
Your presence is heaven to me


Treasure of my heart and of my soul
In my weakness You are merciful
Redeemer of my past and present wrong
Holder of my future days to come

Your presence is heaven to me
Your presence is heaven to me
Your presence is heaven to me
Your presence is heaven to me

Oh Jesus Oh Jesus
Your presence is Heaven to me
Oh Jesus Oh Jesus
Your presence is Heaven to me

All my days on earth I will await
The moment that I see You face to face
Nothing in this world can satisfy
Cause Jesus You're the cup that won't run dry

Nothing in this world can satisfy
Jesus You're the cup that won't run dry 

Jesus You're the cup that won't run dry

Oh Jesus oh Jesus
Your presence is heaven to me
Oh Jesus oh Jesus
Your presence is heaven to me

#livewonderstruck

Laws of Nature

Tonight, I stand amazing at God's amazing plan.  I look at how the world works together and wonder how it is that people don't believe in God.  It seems impossible to me that these things were all created by chance.

This evening I watched a documentary on The Star of Bethlehem (Check it our here).  I was totally blown away at the fact that God could have ordained not only the birth of Christ, but his Death from the beginning of time.  I was totally amazed at God's plan.  It completely reminds me that NOTHING is out of His plan.  All of my worries and striving is for nothing in the sight of His awesome scope and power.  He named each of the stars and set them in their place.  NOTHING is out of place.  I definitely needed this reminder and once again I find myself wonderstruck at The work of His hands.

#livewonderstruck

Pixie Dust

Today's Wonderstuck Wednesday Challenge was to pray for Pixie Dust and watch to see how God would answer.  Margaret Feinberg challenged us to ask God to shower you with his grace, favor, and delight. 

As I have reflected throughout the day, I can see that God showered me with just that.  He showed me His love and joy throughout the day.  

• In a good workout this morning.
• With a compliment from my dad.
• With time making cards with Mom.
• Seeing the beauty of God's creation in those cards,
• A sacred echo in the form of a scripture verse.  Psalm 16:11 (It's the third time this week.)
• In the Joy of The Lord.
• In the Presence of God.
• In the beauty of the night sky.
• In the remembered phrase of a speaker saying the words of God: "I LOVE you, I LOVE you, I LOVE you!
• In the words of a song.   
• In the quiet rest of the end of the day.

God's wonder has filled me with Joy, Love, and Peace.

#livewonderstruck

Commandments of Love

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments." - Deuteronomy 7:9

This is the verse that hit me tonight as I read about God's love.  I read through 26 passages in the Bible that highlighted God's love for me.  I came away with two impressions:

1. God chose me. Not because I was anything special, not because I deserved it, not because I did anything....simply because God loved me.
2. My response to His love needs to be to obey His commandments.  And what are His commandments?  To LOVE others.

This soun so simple and yet is so hard.  I am so glad to know that God is faithful and keeps His covenant of love, because otherwise all is lost.

#livewonderstruck

Sunset

Tonight, I saw the most beautiful sunset and I was Wonderstruck at the beauty of God's handiwork.  What a gorgeous way to end the day.

#livewonderstruck

Easter Sightings

This morning in church service we read John 20-21.  I was wonderstruck once again at the way Jesus showed up in the lives of His friends.  I was wonderstruck at the way He personally spoke to each person and gave them just what they needed.  He does the same thing for us.  He provides just what we need when we need it.  He gives us joy, peace, assurance, love, and hope: this Easter and Always.

That first Easter, Jesus showed up!   

And He gave Mary Joy.  

That first Easter, Jesus showed up!

And He gave the disciples Peace.  

That first Easter, Jesus showed up!

And He gave Thomas Assurance.

That first Easter, Jesus showed up!

And He gave Peter Love.

This present Easter, Jesus shows up!

And He gives us Hope.

#livewonderstruck

Wonderstruck Wednesday Challenge Part 2

Here's the Second Half of my List:

1. My family - they have made me into who I am today.
2. My Dad - He didn't have to join our family, but he did.  I know God placed him in my life and I am a stronger person because of it.
3. My Mom - She is my inspiration and my confidant,  I know I can go to her for anything and she is always there for me.
4. The truth of God's Word - there is always the perfect verse at the perfect time.
5. Music - Again God always gives me nuggets of truth in songs that I hear and songs thatI remember.  It's always at just the right time.
6. My Church Family - God has placed me in the Church He wants me to be in. I am able to serve and love others with my unique talents there.  I am sharpened and refined by hose around me.
7. My Bible Study Gang - God is showing us new things every week.  It is a privilege to see God's hand in each of their lives and to see how God is knitting all of us together as Friends.
8. The opportunities for travel - God provides opportunities for me to see the world around me and experience more of Him on each trip I take.
9. My students - I see God's wonder displayed in the lives of my students and their learning each and every day.
10. Nature - I see the wonder of God every time I step outside my door.  All of creation cries His glory.
11. Books - I love to read and it is not uncommon for me to hear the sacred echo of God's teachings in whatever book I have my hands on.
12. God's protection -  I am wounds truck at the ways God has protected me from harm over the years.
13. God's blessings - I see His blessings in my life in small and big ways every day.

#livewonderstruck

Wonderstruck Wednesday Challenge

Today, Margaret Feinberg challenged us to jot down 25 ways we've seen God's wonder in our life.  So, here goes:

1. My birth - I should have died, but God breathed His life into me.
2. My salvation - I accepted Christ at the age of 3 and was baptised at the age of 6.
3. My calling - God has placed me in my career.  He knew exactly what I was suited for and steered me in that direction.
4. My work with special needs kids - If I had never gone to work at Camp Hope, I never would have found my love for students with special needs.
5. My education - my entire Master's (except my first and last class) was paid for because if  being in the "right place at the right time"
6. My current location - of all the places in the world that I could be, God pulled my heart strings and brought me here.  I was so sure that this was where I was to be, that I didn't even question it.
7. My current job - when I came to the end of my rope and gave up on teaching, without so much as breathing a word to anyone, I was offered my current position and it has turned out to be the best thing ever.
8. The opportunity to go to Space Camp (several years ago) - this was a life long dream of mine and it was awesome that I got to attend this free week long experience.
9. The night sky - I know, the challenge was to tell how God has worked in my life, but the truth is - every time I look up at the night sky, I can't help but be wonderstruck at the awesome Glory of God the Father and His amazing love for me.
10. The Active, Living Word of God - recently I have found myself wonderstruck at the ways that God has been speaking to me through His Word.
11. The Sacred Echos in my life - the Biblical truths that God keeps showing me over and over, in my quiet time, in Bible Study, in Church Service, in Sunday School, in conversations ith others, and even on TV.
12. The ways God chooses to use me - just today I had a conversation with a friend and I spoke openly about a subject, only to have my friend say....I'm so glad to hear you say it that way.  I knew at that moment it was God speaking through me and not my own words.

I know this is only half the list.  I will write the other half tomorrow as it's past my bedtime.  Good Night.  Blessings and Sweet Dreams.

#livewonderstuck

Finality

Tonight we practiced "The Word was God" in choir.  It is a beautiful rendition of John 1:1. (Listen to it here). The first night we practiced this song, my choir director caused me to be wonderstruck by the symbolism in the piece.  The ending words are:  "And the Word was...God."  Our director proceeded to tell us that the ending chord was not (as it is in most pieces) a finality chord.  The reason that it isn't is because "God does not end".  I still get chills when I think about it.  Such an amazing display of who God is.

#livewonderstruck

Sunrises and Joy

This morning on the way to work I saw the most beautiful sunrise.  It was just there as I came over the hill.  The sun shining through the clouds.  After the dismal rain yesterday, the sun was a stunning site.  Today I am filled with such an appreciation for the way God provides for me and gives me moments of joy:

• A stunning sunrise
• A laughter filled lunch
• A precocious student
• An unexpected hug
• A well taught class
• An unexpected compliment

Once again I am wonderstruck at the way that God chooses to show Himself in my life every day.

#livewonderstruck

Jesus Showed Up

Today, I am wonderstruck at the power of God.  I am amazed that when we look for Him, He shows up.  Today He showed up and it was awe-inspiring.

In Church Service this morning, He showed up....and I cried at the thought of His sacrifice.
In Sunday School, He showed up and I saw Palm Sunday in a new light.
At our play tonight, He showed up and made His presence known.

The trial of Jesus was seen in a different way and I pray that people were left with a new understanding.  I pray that others saw what I've been seeing for the last several weeks as I focused on what really happened that night.  As I realized anew what Jesus really went through for me.  As I realized anew what His sacrifice meant.

Thank you, Lord, for showing up.

#livewonderstruck

The Echo of Forgiveness

This morning, God spoke to me by showing me the sacred echo of forgiveness.  He once again took me to a place where Christ the Forgiver showed up.  I saw again His forgiveness on the cross, and I was amazed.  Even now, as I watch Ben Hur, I am stuck by the words of Jesus that echo throughout the movie "Father forgive them for they know not what they do".  The third time in four days, that God spoke these exact words.  His echo of forgiveness speaks directly to my heart and I am wonderstruck at the way that Jesus speaks.

#livewonderstruck

The Hand of God

Today was hard...Today I had to choose joy...I had to search for wonder...but God showed up.

It's amazing how you see the Hand of God when you're looking for it.  It's easy to miss, but He's always there.  Just ask Him to show you:

In a joyful morning ride to work with a song or two to sing.
In a lesson well taught and good grades proved.
In the compliment of an administrator.
In the hug of a child.
In the wisdom of a friend (even if you don't like the suggestion).
In a handwritten note.
In a request granted.
In the perfect song at the perfect time.
In a prayer that feels as if it came from heaven itself.
In the quiet peace and ensuing rest.

Thank you Lord for being there with me today.  Thank you for the promise that you will always be there.  Thank you for showing your hand in my every day happenings.  Thank you for reminding me to "choose joy".  Thank you for providing that joy. Amen.

#livewonderstruck

Forgiveness

He was betrayed by those he loved.
He was abused.
He was falsely accused.
He was lied about to his face.
He was hurt.

He could have ran.
He could have fought.
He could have yelled.
He could have rained down fire from heaven.

Yet...
He remained silent.
He didn't meet anger with anger.
He chose to follow a path of love.
He chose to FORGIVE.

Tonight, I am wonderstruck by the forgiveness of Jesus.  In the face of all He went through, the abuse, the lies, the betrayal...He chose to forgive.  He didn't have to, but one of His final words was "Father forgive them, they know not what they do."  He forgave...and he still forgives.

When I chose to take the gifts that God has given me and squander them...He forgives.
When I lie to His face...He forgives.
When I reject Him...He forgives.
When I betray Him...He forgives.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us 

and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

- 1 John 4:10

#livewonderstruck

The Little Things

Today, God gave me little things that showed his love:

• The surprise swirly pattern at the bottom of my mug.
• Having my weekly Bible Verse be from the same book of the Bible as the story I had just read.
• Finding the new contact that I dropped on the floor: without having to search for it.
• Praying, and then putting the contact in the first time I tried.
• Leaving for work only a few minutes behind after feeling like I would most assuredly be late.
• Getting to work on time, knowing I would be late.
• See the student make the connection even I didn't think of.
• Being given a breakfast sandwich that I wasn't expecting.
• Realizing I have less paperwork to do then I thought I did.
• Ranting and raving as I drove down the road, only to be stopped in my tracks by the SUN pouring down through the clouds.  (I didn't stop the car, just paused, put a smile on my face, and laughed.)

How is it that even as I am feeling unnerved, God shows up and reminds me that He's still there and He's still in charge and there is always something to be wonderstruck at, if I'll stop thinking about me and start thinking about Him.

#livewonderstruck

Nothing to Say

As I drove to work under the heavy fog coverage, I popped an old CD into the car. Pretty soon, I became amazed by the words in the chorus of an Andrew Peterson song:

And I don't believe that I believed
In You as deeply as today
I reckon what I'm saying is
There's nothing more
Nothing more to say

And the mountains sing Your glory hallelujah
The canyons echo sweet amazing grace
My spirit sails
The mighty gales are bellowing
Your name
And I've got nothing to say
No, I've got nothing to say

I realized, that even in the morning fog, that God was still there, just beyond the clouds. His glory was still present and His beauty was there if I just slowed down and opened my eyes.

#livewonderstruck

Perfect Timing

Today I was wonderstruck by God's perfect timing.  Last week, I finished a course that will allow me to be a Trainer of Trainers in reading.  This morning, I was teaching a strategy on vocabulary that I learned while teaching the course last week.  The lesson went extremely well.  The students were engaged and making real world connections.  I know that when I ask tomorrow and the next day and the next, that they will know the meanings of the words we studied today.

At first I thought of the wonder of God in the learning of the children, but truthfully, that wasn't where God wanted to leave it.  Two hours later, my administrator was discussing the fact that we as a school needed to work on, guess what...teaching vocabulary.  I will be training our teachers next week, and not only do I know how to teach vocabulary now, I also have real examples from the classroom to share.  It couldn't have come together any better.  I am definitely amazed at the way God chose to work.  

Two weeks ago, I would have told you that vocabulary was my weakest area in teaching reading, now it's not my strongest, but I have a passion for teaching vocabulary that I didn't have before.  I know it's a little thing, but I can truly see God's hand at work. 

#livewonderstruck

The Beginning

As I begin this journey, I suppose I should explain exactly why I decided to start this blog.  I have blogged before, but don't consider myself a writer.  After a while, I got bored with writing and just quit.

This weekend, I felt as though I came to a crossroads in my spiritual journey.  I was challenged by a book I began reading to look for the "Wonder of God" in the everyday.  I realized that if I begin looking, I will begin seeing God's handiwork and I decided I wanted to keep a journal of what I was seeing, experiencing, and learning.  I will not promise to write every day, but I promise to be on the look out for ways in which I can and will live "wonderstruck".  And I promise to share them so that you, the reader, can be wonderstruck with me as well.

#LIVEWONDERSTRUCK