Greetings Siestas and a hug to each of you! What a joy and honor it is to share here. Outside my dear family, there is no other group that I have enjoyed doing life with as much as with friends from this dear community. My name is Lora Lovin Osburn, and I live in Tennessee. I have been married to my husband Gary for 26 years and we have two lovely daughters. Our oldest, Audra Elizabeth, was married last year, and Victoria, our youngest, is studying pre-law. I enjoy the beauty of GOD’s creation, architecture, art, lamp lights, gardening, earrings, poetry and walking with my family and Lilly Belle (our 12 year old Maltese). Some of my best days are Sundays at my church with my family seated nearby, serving on the prayer team, and worshiping and applying the word with them.
We have had a year full of major life events including our youngest going to college, my invalid father moving in with us, our oldest getting married. There were numerous hospital trips, then selling our home, and moving to a new town. Many times the circumstances within the major events made me think that a hidden camera must be following me around! Life just seemed crazy at times. Though I would not have chosen the events of the last year to be knitted so closely together, I can say that my faith is stronger, my family is closer, my friends are dearer, and my sweet Jesus seems even nearer. The abundance GOD allowed me to experience through this year is why every phrase in this verse just lept off the page and into my heart:
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest,
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NLT
“You crown the year”
I see GOD giving a crown at the beginning of the year. I cannot imagine any reality TV show that would start the season by announcing the winner or giving the prize at the beginning. Although it would seem to make for a lackluster, anti-climatic season to know in advance who wins; I feel like GOD has done that with us. Why would HE, who holds the highest rank and title, give a reward of victory, before the season begins? Because HE loves us and is for us! This is going to be a glorious year! I believe that every day of the year is encircled with a diadem from HIM.
“With a bountiful harvest”
Growing up working in our family garden, I thought that my dad had planted to feed an army, and not just for our family, because of the abundance; but Dad was able to give generously of the harvest, and I see our heavenly Father doing the same. When I see HIS overflowing cart of good gifts for us, I can’t help but think that this verse applies to us not only as individuals but also to the church. HIS Word also confirms that the harvest is great in the world. In spite of what we are going through ourselves, there is kingdom work to do! Let’s be active in picking up a basket and harvesting the fields where GOD has placed us so that many souls will be added to HIS kingdom. May we witness an outpouring of HIS SPIRIT on all people and may many lives be impacted by and for the Kingdom of GOD.
“Even the hard pathways”
If I had the choice of “two roads diverged”, I would certainly choose the one that resembles a flowery Monet painting, not a hard pathway. Who would choose a hard pathway? But, that aptly describes my last year. The example JESUS gives when faced with difficulty encourages me. JESUS submitted HIS will to GOD at the cross and wore a crown of thorns. GOD did get the glory with JESUS, and I pray HE does from our GOD-ordained steps.
“Overflow with abundance”
When the children were little we’d take walks to the park, and our youngest would stop and pick up rocks along the way. She wasn’t mining gems; but she was finding delight in the daily, ordinary pathway. Sometimes I just want my path to be easy like the walk to the park; but GOD has crowned the year with so much of HIM, so much of HIS glory, that even the hard, the difficult, the part that I think I’d rather not have, overflows with abundance. Even though we may be walking in a busy season, through a complex or challenging situation, or facing intense personal concerns, truth states that hard pathways overflow with abundance. I love that this is present tense! Hallelujah!!! I need that on my pathway today! How amazing is our GOD!!! There is such a sense of celebration here because HE can be seen, felt, experienced, and praised even during difficult days! Glory to HIS Name!
Let us offer thanksgiving, sing, dance and praise:
GOD pours out abundance on our hard pathways!
Believing that many souls will be harvested and saved,
And at the outpouring of GOD’s Spirit, may we be amazed!
I’m living in and looking for HIS overflowing abundance,
So thankful for this year and GOD’s crowning circumference.
Psalm 131:2 ESV But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Sunny, Las Vegas, NV
Kristen Schwark, Indianapolis, IN
Therefore I say to you this: Her many sins have been forgiven, for she loved much Luke 7:47 a
Lori, Friendswood,TX
Psalm 145: 14 (HCSB)
The LORD helps all who fall; He raises up all who are oppressed.
Cheryl Swanson – Tulsa, OK
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:14 – NIV)
Laura Stiehl from Bedford, TX
For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
– 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NET)
“For if these qualities are yours & are increasing,
they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” II Peter 1:8
Diane Ellison from Littleton, CO
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
1 Corinthians 13:6 NIV
Francine Thacker, Burnet, Tx
In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. Jeremiah 1:5 ESV
Col. 1:17, NIV:
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Brooke Rosetti, Wiggins, MS
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
â€â€Ephesians‬ â€2:10‬ â€NIV‬‬
Elizabeth Hughes, Berrien Springs, MI, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15ESV.)
Debra
Baraboo, Wisconsin
“You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
Nancy Dal Pian, Port Charlotte, FL
Psalm 86:11-12 NIV
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.
Tyra Sias – Atlanta, GA
For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14 NIV
Jerri Hadley, Wimberley TX, “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3 NIV
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Beth Bell. Cartersville, Ga
“See, my God has come to save me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; He has given me victory.” Isaiah 12:2 NLT
D’Anna Nowack
New Braunfels, Tx.
We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
1 John 4:16 NASB
Angie
Albertville AL
Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. Col 3:20 NASB
Karen Coppley Clemmons NC
James 1:22 ESV
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Barbara Slaven
Loudon, Tennessee
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 NIV
Libby Noland, Clinton, MO
Psalm 63:7 NIV
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
Terri Assael, State College, PA
For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you, against your enemies to give you victory.
Deuteronomy 20:4 NIV
Kim Kobayashi
Monroe Washington
Psalm 100:2 ESV
Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Kathi Crowder from Yorktown, Virginia: “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8
If you really keep the royal law found in scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For He Who said, “Do not commit adultery” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement! James 2:8-13 old NIV Jennifer Mosher in Canfield, OH
Deena, Colleyville, TX
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Stacey B., Fayetteville, GA
“My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.”
Psalm 89:34 (KJV)
Lee Ann Wimer, Norman, OK
“And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:22-23 NKJV
Diane, Harker Heights, TX: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV
Judy, Bayport, NY
Isaiah 53:6
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each one of us has turned to his
own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Suzanne Kragt
Eden Prairie, MN
“You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.”
â€â€Colossians‬ â€3:7‬ â€NIV‬‬
Phillipians 2:13
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.
Christy, Granger, IN “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 (NKJV)
“I can do everything through him who gives me stength.” Philippians 4:13 NIV
Mary Joy, Dayton, OH.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ â€4:7‬ â€(NIV‬‬).
In Orange Park, FLORIDA
for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:20
Deana Johnson from Visalia, California: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” Luke 12:34 NIV
Tarsha, St. Petersburg, FL”…..to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens, who thunders with mighty voice” Psalms 68:33
Susan Chung, Long Island, NY
1Peter 5:6-7 (NASB)
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Suzanne Bailey, Harrisville, RI
“If service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;” Romans 12:7 esv — part of a series
Palm Harbor, FL
PSALM 139:4-6 (NIV)
Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Anne Boone,Chesterfield, MI I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Angie Shockneys Lafayette, IN
1 Corinthians 9:25 NIV
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever
“…and to provide for those who grieve in Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting for the Lord
for the display of His splendor.”
Isaiah 61:3 NIV
Linda, Fort Collins, CO
Kathie-Alburtis, Pa. Psalms 37:5- Commit your way to the Lord; trust also in Him , and He will bring it to pass. NKJV
Heidi, Daphne, AL
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9 – KJV)
Anne Roline Morristown, TN
“You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”
Psalm 18:28 NIV
Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
For You, Lord, rescued me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling.
I will walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
Ps. 116:7-9
Krista Winchester, VA
Delores Perley, El Cajon, CA
I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalms 16:8 NASB