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.
Susan Smith, Helena, MT
God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
I Cor. 1:9. NIV
Philippians 2:9 (NIV)
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name,
Lynda from Ocala, FL – (NIV) Philippians 4:5 – Let your gentleness be known to all. The Lord is near.
Val Parker Dequincy, La “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
â€â€Colossians‬ â€4:2‬ â€NIV‬‬
kandy hall, Huffman, tx
Romans 8:15 esv
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!”
jordan LaRoche, Kingwood, tx
Romans 8:15 esv
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!”
Cindy Cannon, Brighton, IL
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:34 (NIV)
Karen
New Holland, PA
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
Ephesians 1:3
Laura Hagedorn, Rib Mountain, WI., “He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” Daniel 2:22 NIV
Connie, Iowa,2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort 2 Cor. 1:3 ESV
Gerry Warkentine, Costa Mesa, Ca.
” I live no longer; not I but Christ lives in me and I in him”
Gal 2:20
Terri, Orange TX
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.”
Psalm 65:11 NLT
Janine – Corona, CA
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration. “For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 HCSB
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
And let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; and do confirm for us the work of our hands; yes, confirm the work of our hands. –Psalm 90:17 NASB
Lora, I wasn’t sure who the guest blogger would be this month, but I’ve been praying for you, sweet lady. Thank you for sharing!
Deb in Wayland, Iowa
And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only go yp and not down, if you obey the commandments of the Lord, you God, which I command you today, being careful to do them.
Deuteronomy 28:13 ESV
Eleanor MacKay, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
‘Rejoice always!
Pray constantly.
Give thanks in everything.’
1st Thes. 5:16-18a HCSB
Brady Bradshaw, Cedar Rapids IA. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the Heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 (NIV)
Richmond, TX
Habakkuk 2:14 NIV
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
as the waters cover the sea.”
Debra Taylor, Madison, MS
2 Peter 4:8. “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” NASB
Ephesians 6:15 NASB
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace
Nancy Morford of Ethel MO
..who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:5 NAS
Jamee Miller, Sanford, FL “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11 NIV
Catherine Lesley, Waterdown, Ontario
Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple.
2 Timothy 2:15 (The Message)
Sarah Rumfield
Tomball, TX
When pride comes, then comes disgrace , but with humility comes wisdom
Proverbs 11:2. NIV
Mary – Atlanta, GA, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Col. 2:8 (NIV)
stephanie Hilton, League City TX
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest,
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NLT
Gwyn Cummings, Rowlett, TX
1 John 4:10 NIV
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Julie – Lafayette, LA
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm16;11
Sherry McCurrie
Russellville, AR
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
â€â€Jeremiah‬ â€29:11‬ â€NIV‬‬
Cathy Pernsteiner Clarkston, WA
He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes who were too strong for me. Psalm 18:17 NIV
Val, Aldergrove BC, Canada
2 Timothy 3:16 & 17 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Bonnie, Alexandria, LA
James 4:10 NLT
“Humble yourselves before the Lord,
and He will lift you up in honor.”
Lynne VP Des Moines, Iowa
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.”
Psalm 65:11
NLT
Boaz, AL
James 1:2-3, 5 {NCV} My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticizing you.
Jennifer Z. Greensburg PA
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 NIV
Susan Canham, Bismarck ND
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
– 1 Peter 5:6-7
Trudy Burnett, Middletown, OH
There are six things the LORD hates- no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord among brothers.
Proverbs 6:16-19 NLT
Beth Belflower
Caddo Mills, Texas
Genesis 1:14. And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, ESV
Stillwater, OK: In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety. (â€Psalms‬ â€4‬:â€8‬ NASB)
Tessa from Nacogdoches TX
Psalm 5:3 NKJV
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.
Elizabeth Johnston
Dallas, TX
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
1 John 4:16 ESV
Melissa Teakell
Wichita, KS
For You did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15 NIV84
Ariana McKee, Boise ID. Humble yourself, therefore under Gods mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 NIV
Winder, GA
Colossians 3:18 NASV “Wives, be subject to your husbands as is fitting in the Lord.”
Amanda Gozur, Albuquerque, NM
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians‬ â€4:1‬ â€(NIV‬‬)
Huntsville, TX
For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6 NASB
Elaine ~ Powder Springs, GA ~ The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 ESV
Carol Midland,Texas
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ Ephesians 1:3
Danielle Rye, Cedar Park, TX
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires or your heart.”
Psalm 37:4 NKJV
Kathy King
Woodstock, Ga
Amos 4:13 NLV
He is the One who makes the mountains and the wind.
He makes His thoughts known to man.
He turns the morning into darkness, and walks on the high places of the earth.
The Lord God of All is His Name.