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,