Lost in Wonder [9781788931502]

Read an interview with Steve Morris here >

Expand the description and scroll down to view the Preach magazine review.

Have you lost your sense of wonder?

In an age of fake news and mistrust of big narratives, the idea that there is a God-given sense of almost childish wonder available is a revolutionary thought. We are still yearning for wonder today, but maybe we are just looking for it in the wrong places. Steve Morris invites us to look again at the world and discover the wonder in the everyday.

Understand why wonder can be a way of life rather than a fleeting feeling and learn how it has the potential to transform our lives, our churches and our communities.

Content benefits:

Revealing God as the author of wonder, Steve Morris explores why the church should have wonderment at its core and ponders the life-changing difference that could make in the world.

• Join Steve Morris on a journey of wonder as he traces God's fingerprints on everything from the vastness of space to a birdsong
• Opens readers to the wonder all around them, both in the large and small things
• Shows that seeing wonder can be a lifestyle change that can transform our lives and how we interact with others
• Reflects on the fact that wonder is at the heart of God, so should be at the heart of the church too
• Helps connect the feeling of awe people experience when appreciating nature to the God who created it
• Ideal for anyone who wants to see beauty and wonder in the world around them
• Perfect for anyone who wants to live a more positive life
• A thought-provoking resource to refresh church life

PREACH REVIEW:

The words on the back cover of the book includes the question ‘Have you lost your sense of wonder?’. Inevitably when faced with such a question our first thoughts return to childhood, and the joy of new discoveries. As we get older, we generally become more blasé about new discoveries, until perhaps grandchildren come along.

Wonder is defined as a sense of amazement when we encounter something remarkable such as the patterns of a snowflake; something beautiful, such as a piece of music or art; or something unfamiliar that we find fascinating.

The 17 short chapters take one on a voyage of (re)discovery, the first chapter sets the tone and draws one into wanting to find out more. So we experience wonder from liminal places and events: the story of a farmer and a donkey, Edward White, biblical stories of wonder include Moses and the burning bush, Ananias and Paul.

Author Steve Morris guides the reader to seek new ways to reawaken or enhance our personal sense of wonder and awe. He encourages us to look for that heart-warming sense of wonder we had as a child, but lost on the way to adulthood.

Each chapter consists of an average of 11 pages of narrative (including scriptural references), followed by one or two questions for discussion, and a short pertinent prayer.

The book can be used for personal study or in Bible study groups where shared experiences will enhance personal experiences.

While reading the book, I was continually drawn back to the title ‘Lost in Wonder’ and was reminded of the last sentence of Wesley’s wonderful hymn ‘Love divine, all loves excelling’ and the connection between the love of God and that which is given to us to use in myriad ways to help us keep the faith.

A question preachers may note comes at the end of chapter 3 ‘Close to Home’. The Study Question says ‘Sometimes a worship service can leave us flat. If we feel that we aren’t finding wonder in a worship service, then perhaps we need to take a step elsewhere and see what we find. Where do most of us feel wonder?’ The obvious question we preachers have to ask ourselves, is do we help or hinder the congregation to find their sense of wonder?

Review by Alan Rashleigh for Preach magazine, Issue 30. 

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AUTHOR: Steve Morris ran a successful brand agency before becoming a vicar. Currently at St Cuthbert's, North Wembley, he has initiated a national campaign to set up memory cafes and also writes for The Spectator, The Oldie, Christian Today and Church of England Newspaper.