What Does Abundant Life Mean to You?

What Does Abundant Life Mean to You?

One of Many Abandoned Churches

He was rugged looking: skinny, tattered clothes, stringy hair, and a scruffy beard. Perched like a pigeon on the edge of the pew, he was soaking up every word the pastor said.

After the service, I met Joe; the most well-scrubbed shabby person I ever knew. In the same way that his appearance spoke volumes of his prior lifestyle, his firm handshake and broadening smile warmed my heart.

“…I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b Joe clearly had met Jesus personally. He was saved, rescued, and turned around leaving drugs and old cronies in the dust as he made his way to God’s house. He understood abundant life more than most.

Some would say the abandoned church building, the aging well-known pastor/musician and his wife, and Joe have seen better days. Perhaps, but I’m not so sure. There was joy here, pure joy. New life in Jesus spilled out all over the place as the tiny congregation lifted their voices to their Lord. Abundant JOY. Abundant PEACE. Abundant COMFORT. Abundant ACCEPTANCE. “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine…!” Hungry souls had found peace and rest; they knew what they had in Jesus.

Click here to enjoy some of that preacher’s original music.

In this tiny town in SW Missouri, an aging preacher/musician and his wife have opened an abandoned church building to the “least of these”. Addicts and alcoholics and the down and out are finding love and compassion, healing, and restoration, one weary soul at a time. New Life! Abundant Life. Not on things, bank accounts, prestige, but simply based on the overpowering soul-saving Love of Jesus.

My heart longs for that newness of life; that joy unspeakable and full of glory!  I pray for that for my family, our churches, our pastors, and our congregations. Holy Spirit, fall fresh on us. Take away the worldly view of the abundant life we have come to rely on; to desire; to work to attain. Renew in us a right spirit.

My challenge this week for each of us is to check out our own “Abundant Life”. Lord, teach us to be grateful for what we have; for our families; our friends; our home; our jobs. Grant us opportunities to share Jesus with those who have no hope. Life without Jesus offers nothing. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me.

Hugs,

 

 

This Beautiful Bouquet and I Share a Common Need

This Beautiful Bouquet and I Share a Common Need

Fragrant Flowers from My Gardens

A cool breeze swept across the fragrant blooms and filled my world with joy as I gathered this beautiful bouquet from my gardens.

Finally, for a few moments at least, much-needed peace and contentment refreshed my weary soul.

The last nine months seem like a bad dream. However, this is not a dream, this is reality. I did not choose this solo flight, and I do not like it.

Prayer support from coast to coast keeps me afloat. Yet I question myself as I face unfamiliar duties with vehicles and home. Every day I climb a new mountain.

God has provided great leaders to fill hubby’s positions; I am so thankful. Yet, every turn to release more of the ministries is a reminder of twenty one years of serving together.

Well, back to the bouquet and our common need. The beautiful bouquet is actually not yet a bouquet. It is individual flowers tucked carefully into the honeysuckle vine on my fence. Absolutely breathtaking, right? But this beauty is fleeting; to thrive my bouquet needs water.

Water? Water! You know where I am going, don’t you? That is what I need as well. Fresh Living Water that flows from the heart of God. Let this song speak to your heart and be refreshed.

I am thankful and blessed to have a Heavenly Father Who knows my needs and supplies generously. He does not push Himself on me, but when I cry out; He is waiting to give me that fresh, Living Water; cool my spirit. Replenish my dry land.

I desperately need time with Jesus, soaking in His Living Water.

Before you go away, let me tell you how Living Water is refreshing my soul and putting my daily life in perspective.

#1 My beloved Russell is Home with the Father, healed and happy.

#2 I have health, home, food, family, friends, and freedoms. I have good vehicles and for a while at least, gas money! (Sorry, that just slipped in!)

#3 I have the opportunity to pray for and support those who have lost s spouse, family member, child, or health. I have a ministry He has for me to do.

Refresh yourself with that Living Water each day and let’s bloom for our Savior where He has planted us.

Hugs,

How has Jesus met you this week? Let me hear your story.

Praise or Peril? Choose Wisely

There are ducks on my pond! What a sight!

Wait! Wait! I DON’T HAVE A POND! Oh, mercy me!

As heavy rains flooded our walnut grove and the valley below, the bridge over our ‘dry’ creek quickly disappeared beneath the waters.

Expensive plants and costly labor for our flower gardens would come to naught as the rain continued for days. I had a choice, choose praise or peril. Will I complain or learn to praise God in ALL things?

As the water slowly receded, God sent beautiful ducks to remind me of His ultimate care. I am amazed at His creation. I realize I can mourn over loss or choose to enjoy what He sends my way.

Click here for a message from Billy Graham on being thankful in all things.

I praised God that my home is on the hill and not submerged. Again, I thanked Him that my country road was not yet underwater and prayed for friends daily driving miles out of the way to avoid flooded highways.

As another storm approached, I gathered the few remaining iris from my yard for a local coffee shop. God’s splendor needs to be enjoyed by more than me. As I praised God for His provision, I asked Him to bless each person working or dining there. God is teaching me to turn my perils into praises.

Today I prayed for friends in the draught-stricken, wind-torn west. I prayed for the firefighters, homeowners, and neighbors trying to contain vicious wildfires with no end in sight. I asked God to forgive me for complaining about the rains. (I wished I could share some!)

This week I have cried much. I miss my hubby, my cousin, my brother, and so many others. Now, as I relaunch My Mother My Child, I miss Mother. How I wish she could see how God is using “our” book to help and encourage others.

Peril can hold me or I can choose praise. I am thankful for each of their lives and the memories of happy times. I choose to pray for those I personally know who lost loved ones this very week from age 5-91, often through tragedy. I praise God for His Spirit, asking him to comfort the families.

John Ortberg has said: “What repeatedly enters your mind occupies your mind, eventually shapes your mind, and will ultimately express itself in what you do and who you become.”

Wow! I choose to be a praiser instead of a prune!

Our world around us is changing. Everyday! Not always for the good. Never, ever forget we serve our God who never changes. I pray today He will help you turn your perils into praises.

From Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd … He restores my soul.

Hugs,

Thanks for leaving a comment. How can I pray for you?