Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise

For much of Christian history, pastors not only served as theologians and preachers, but also as poets and hymn writers. They ministered through their preaching and their poetry, their sermons and their songs--laboring to see God''s truth planted not only in people''s minds, but helping it find its way into their hearts and even onto their lips. They viewed such labors as an artistic and devotional tool of catechesis, one that has largely gone missing over the last few generations.But in this new collection of hymns and poems, Justin Wainscott recaptures that rich legacy of pastor-poets, providing God''s people with theology that stirs and sings. Whether his poetry pertains to matters of common grace or saving grace, the mundane or the majestic, he gives readers an opportunity to lose themselves in wonder, love, and praise. And a book like this one couldn''t come at a better time. In this age of distracted reading marked mainly by skimming and scanning, our souls need the kind of slow, deep reading that poetry rewards.""Justin Wainscott is a rarity--a faithful biblical expositor with superb pastoral gifts who is also a skilled poet and an excellent hymn writer. Here we have some of his best work offered to the church and meant to bless the Lord''s people everywhere. A book of spiritual reading for morning and evening in every season of life.""--Timothy George, Founding Dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University and General Editor of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture ""Majestic and meaningful, edifying and enabling, creative and contemplative, the beautiful hymns and poems found in Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise will provide a wonderful resource for followers of Jesus Christ. The hymns and poems connect with key days on the calendar of the church and with the many events and challenges that characterize life. Readers will be encouraged and strengthened in their spiritual journeys as well as in their worship of the one true and living God. Seekers will find a source to guide them to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. The hymns and poems are both artistically inviting and theologically sound, bringing glory to the Trinitarian God. The book is a marvelous worship resource that will without doubt serve as a source of strength, devotion, and enablement for those who take time to reflect on these creative pieces. It is both a joy and a privilege to recommend this work from Justin Wainscott.""--David S. Dockery, President, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School""Justin Wainscott has provided the hymns and poetry our souls can sing as we consider the greatness of our God and are Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise. Writing of spiritual and mundane experiences viewed through the lenses of wonder and love, Wainscott leads us to praise our Triune God from whom all blessings flow with theology that sings. If you want to be ushered in to the sacred place--both corporately and individually--open your heart to this great theo-musicological work.""--Robert Smith Jr., Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School""In days gone by, pastors were quite commonly poets and the authors of many of our great hymns. The loss of poetry among our pastors has been detrimental in many ways. Justin Wainscott, in this wonderful collection of original poems, demonstrates a return to these old paths. Pastors, notice how the careful and beautiful use of words can help you reach the heart. Believers, in general, experience how slowly contemplating these poetic meditations can nurture your soul, lead you in praise, give words for your laments, and generally tune your heart to God. This has been my experience as I have read these poems, and as we have sung many of them in church. I heartily commend this volume to you, confident it will be a blessing.""--Ray Van Neste, Dean of the School of Theology and Missions, Union University ""I love that Justin Wainscott is following in the footsteps of Charles Wesley and John Newt