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.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.”
â€â€2 Timothy‬ â€1:7‬ â€AMP‬‬
Linda Smith, The Woodlands, TX
2Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Connie Colston Waxahachie, TX
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
Titus 3:4 NIV
You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.
John 8:32 (NRSV)
Jen – Albany, OR
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. -Matthew 6:34 MSG
Brenna Rosetti Wiggins,MS
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
â€â€Matthew‬ â€5:16‬ â€NIV‬‬
Selena Rosetti, wiggins,ms 2 Corinthians 12: 9a But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (NIV)
Kris Braun, Shakopee, MN
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 NIV
2 Samuel 7:28 (ESV)
Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.
kelly from Spanish Fort, AL
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13 NIV
Heather R – Boulder, CO
The nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising. Is 60:13 ESV
“Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. NIV
Sherron Watkins, Houston, Texas
“It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His tender compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.”
â€â€Lamentations‬ â€3:22-23‬ â€AMP‬‬
Charmaine, Miami, FL — “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV
Pam from White Oak MO ” if my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways;then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ” 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
Paula Weatherly
Huffman, TX
I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4 (NASB)
Lauren Warner, Austin TX ” For in Christ, all the fullness of the Diety lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. Colossians 2:9-10 NIV
Susan, Andover, KS;
“When (I) was dead in (my) sins and in the uncircumcision of (my) flesh, God made (me) alive with Christ. He forgave ALL (my) sins,…” Colossians 2:13 (NIV) – #4 the audacity to forgive and live fogiven – amen!
Elaine, New Orleans, Louisiana
“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind then around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 3:3 (NASB)
Kitty from Bend, Oregon
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder! Write them deep within your heart! Proverbs 3:3 NLT
Karla Fort Bridger, WY
James 1:6 NIV
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Patricia from Richmond Texas
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.
ESV Rev.21:23
Laura Grassi, Denver, CO
Psalm 103:1-4 (ESV)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
Sue, Duncanville, TX
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 2 Cor. 4:17 (ESV)
Stephanie from Houston, TX: “ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
Patti Egbert, Brush Prairie, WA
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest,
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NLT
Lynn Watson Hurst TX
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
Caroline Baze, Yukon, OK
“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.”
Romans 8:16-17 (NIV)
Leslie Brown, Denver, CO
Psalm 62: 5-6 NLT
5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.
Karen-Greer, SC: “You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 (NLT)
Diana Scott, Romulus MI
Psalm 119:114 NLT
You are my refuge and my shield; Your Word is my source of hope.
“You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” –Dueteronomy 30:20 NLT
Jessica Sanders, Broken Arrow, OK.
He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 NIV
Suzanne
Tenaha, TX
Colossians 3:23 NIV ’84
Whatever you do,
Work at it with all your heart,
As working for The Lord. Col. 3:23
Karen A, from Minot, ND
I’m combining 6 verses I have previously memorized, to learn as a group. Ephesians 3:16-21 NLT and NIV 1984
Tilley Hawkins, Franklin, TN
“The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.”
Psalm 91:14 (NLT)
Jennie Spearin Granite Bay CA
“You crown the year with a Bountiful harvest, even the hard Pathways overflow with Abundance”
Psalm 65:11 NLT
Lisa P., Las Vegas, NV 2 Corinthians 9:8-9 (RSV)
8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures for ever.”
Karen, Trenton, OH
“You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied. You will praise the name of Yahweh your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. My people will never again be put to shame.”
â€â€Joel‬ â€2:26‬ â€HCSB
Molly Overland Park, KS “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. ” Psalms 56:8-9 ESV
Samantha Zumbro, Golden, CO
Romans 5:3-4 (ESV)
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope”
Kelli Hall ~ Sherwood, Oregon
“The Lord upholds all who fall, and lifts up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:14 (NIV)
Cheryl, Roswell, NM
“The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him.” Lamentations 3:25 (NLT)
Jamie McClary Columbus OH
You make known to me the path of life;
in Your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Ps 16:11
Janeth O’Dell, Neoga, IL,
“which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,” Ephesians 1:20 (NIV)
Holly Tabor, Nixa, Missouri
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NKJV
Belen, San Juan Capistrano, Ca.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
Psalm 23:1 (NIV)
Amy Toney, Houston TX:
The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name”. (Psalm 91:14 NLT)
Pam Bryant – Kountze, Tx.
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of his heart. Proverbs 20:27 NKJV
Lenora Grayson, Nixa, Missouri.
“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.”
â€â€1 John‬ â€5:21‬ â€NLT