Sometimes it feels like the speed of change is surpassing the speed of sound. The explosion of change in technology, communication, and the world is booming all around.
In the midst of the noise, I find myself anchoring myself to the ancient truths found in the person of Jesus of Christ.
I’m not alone.
Millions upon millions of others have answered the call the follow Jesus. Despite the booming, noisy changes all around, they continue following, obeying, and responding Jesus.
Day after day.
Week after week.
Month after month.
Year after year.
Until they’ve followed Jesus for a lifetime. These are my heroes.
Sometimes people ask me what’s the greatest joy about spending time on the road and traveling to different churches, conferences, and retreats. I often say that going someplace is new is always a great gift, but going back is even better.
Because the second and third and fourth time, we get to share our ongoing story of what Christ is doing in our life and more importantly, hear and listen to others.
We get to share the journey of following Jesus—the highs and lows and unexpected blows—together.
And as we share our stories, we get breathtaking, wondrous glimpses of God.
We see the wonder of God’s faithfulness, goodness, love, and tender care on display in flesh and blood. That which we read in the Scriptures is embodied in these courageous men and women’s lives. And their stories strengthen my faith.
Stories of pastors who continue to serve congregations faithfully despite unprecedented hardships.
Stories of leaders who are willing to pour out their lives to better a community.
Stories of men and women who are sharing the wonderful news of Jesus in their workplaces.
Stories of people giving sacrificially to care for those who have less.
Stories of individuals giving voice to those who have no voice.
Stories of dads and moms who are not just caring for their own kids but so many kids in their neighborhoods.
Day after day.
Week after week.
Month after month.
Year after year.
Listening to their stories leaves me wonderstruck.
May we be people who follow Jesus not just for today or tomorrow but for a lifetime—and share our stories with each other.
***
This week, were giving away 3 copies of Unlost by Michael Hidalgo.
Michael, his wife and three children live in Denver, Colorado. He is the Lead Pastor of Denver Community Church. Michael writes frequently for Relevant Magazine and God’s Politics Blog.
Michael spent years wandering away from following Jesus.
But quickly realized that the more he wandered, the more lost he became.
Something inside of him could not let go of the idea that maybe if he did turn toward home God would run to him. Michael opened himself to the idea of grace, and it all made sense.
(RSS Subscribers: Click here to view the video).
To win, leave a comment on the original blog post at MargaretFeinberg.com. The three winners will be selected and announced on Wednesday.
Congratulations to the winners: LeAnne, J Short, Linda
Who’s story has allowed you to #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK recently?
*Original photo found here
Good morning,
I don’t have a specific story but lots of little miracles which are really big miracles if you consider them more deeply.
Thanks for featuring this interesting story.
Blessings,
Janis
I am blessed to witness God’s work on a regular basis as I see members of the comunity recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body due to problems with drugs and alcohol. It’s amazing how quickly their lives improve when the surrender to the fact that the stuff has them licked and they become open to the fact that God can work miracles in their lives if they only turn their will and lives over to Him.
Thank you for this reminder Margaret, that growing older is indeed a gift, and as I approach another birthday this week, that although my looks and body have been changed by time, I am most pleased that my heart and my attitudes are being changed by The One who loves me the most! May He continue to change me from the inside out:))
Blessings to you xx
Congratulations, Linda! You’ve been selected as a winner! Please send your mailing address to carrie@margaretfeinberg.com.
Linda,
Enjoy the book … and may you rest in the knowledge that God will never stop pursuing you!
– Michael Hidalgo
I work in a skilled nursing unit with individuals with dementia. Few things pierce my heart more deeply than the delight and sadness of deeply faithful spouses.
Congratulations! You’ve been selected as a winner! Please send your mailing address to carrie@margaretfeinberg.com.
I hope you enjoy the book. May you find it both encouraging, and uplifting for your hear and soul. Be well!
– Michal Hidalgo
I love spending time with the elderly people in our church! I love hugging them too. Also in Titus it says the older women will teach the younger women. I could write a book about my own story which isn’t finished yet 😉 The Lord told me once to share a message with someone older than I and he said to them “age gracefully”. It’s funny I will turn 40 this year and I plan to celebrate it and I’m excited! I have found the silver lining and I mean it’s not grey hair it’s wisdom highlights! I truly believe though in The Lord and ministering you never retire from that it is a lifelong journey! I love hearing others’ stories too.
Really needed to hear that Word today. Struggling with the passing of time.
Congratulations, LeAnne! You’ve been selected as a winner! Please send your mailing address to carrie@margaretfeinberg.com.
LeAnne,
Congrats on winning the book. My hope is that it’s message will find you, speak to you and remind you all shall be well.
Grace + Peace,
Michael Hidalgo
I just read RICH IN LOVE by Irene and Domingo Garcia. They have adopted and fostered many children, some from horrific backgrounds. I was wonder struck by their love, faith and honesty.
There are so many! The founders of our church have inspired me greatly as they walked through much persecution from within the church when they chose to follow Jesus whole-heartedly. The fruit from so, so many years ago is still there and now amazing things are happening in our body because of their faithfulness.
Some of my favorite stories were sad, even horrific stories that my great Uncle Jack told me about being there in WW2 to liberate the concentration camps at Buchenwald, Treblinka, and Bergen-Belsen. The pictures he took with his small brownie camera, which was considered contraband, proved his stories true, horrific but true. There was proof in those pictures but there was proof in his face and the tone of his voice as he talked about it. I considered him a hero because for all the horror surrounding those places, he & his fellow soldiers brought hope to those who were alive & he represented rescue & renewal to me in those stories. I thank God that He let Uncle Jack live to an old age so he could share these things with me & I will never forget, neither will my children or grandchildren, because I have told them & will tell them. Great blog Margaret.
Such a good reminder to be found faithful!
Blessings!
Thanks for the reminder that when we feel like we’re running round in circles all we have to do is be still and know that Jesus knows right where we are.
Getting older is a blessing because there is so much to do to serve God, I will be 79 in July, and I ask God to give me a little longer to serve him, because I want to pray and encourage others, and discover little gems to share what I learn about the scriptures, and in the books I read. I am reading HUNGRY FOR GOD, and telling others about how it is possible for an old gal to grow spiritually and inch a little closer to God, and love him even more.
Since I have realized that I, indeed, am growing older, I’m having a very difficult time living Wonderstruck. Thoughts of ruin continue to dog my tracks. Not a happy camper just now.
I love that Jesus always meets us where we’re at.