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.
Charlotte Brown, Broken Arrow, Ok, Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13. HCSB
Kim Beechem from Idabel, OK:
Romans 5:4-5 (ESV) and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Caitlin, McKinney, TX
So here’s what I think: the best thing you can do right now is finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart’s been in the right place all along. You’ve got what it takes to finish up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can’t. The heart regulates the hands. 2 Corinthians 8: 10-12, MSG
from Union, Maine – I absolutely love this verse and your blog! Hit me hard this morning. I am breaking the rules but on a roll to memorizing Matthew 5 & 6 and wouldn’t have done it without this group. “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Matthew 6:1-4
Shannon Porter, Gipsy, MO Romans 12: 18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. (HCSB) OR If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (NIV) OR If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (KJV) (Can’t decide on which version and I’m just looking at all of them because this verse is really speaking to me right now. Pray I will be peaceable through turmoil, please.)
Cheryl Paganelli, Medford, NJ. “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”
James 1:6 (NIV)
Lisa Atkinson, Chappell Hll, TX
“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 s future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Lori Johnson Auburn, MA For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Carolyn, Maryville,Tn. Psalm 24:8 KJV Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Cedartown, GA
Hebrews 4:12-13NLT
For the Word of God is alive & powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul & spirit, between joint & marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts & desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked & exposed before His eyes & He is the One to whom we are accountable.
THANK GOD, I fall deeper in love with His Word daily!!!
Terri Plumlee, Stamford, Tx
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise of God that is the fruit of lips that continually acknowledge His name. Hebrews 13:15 NIV
Diane, Hemet, CA
My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 ESV
Bobbi Wineberg Lake City, FL “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 (NLT)
Judy Coles Orangeville ON
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
â€â€Hebrews‬ â€4:16‬ â€NIV‬‬
Lynn from Lucas Ks. “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”
â€â€2 Samuel‬ â€22:31‬ â€ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/2sa.22.31.esv
Jodi, Perth Western Australia
These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
John 15:11 NASB
Allison in Fort Worth, TX
For you are great and do marvelous deed;
you alone are God.
Psalm 86:10 (NIV)
Barbara, Lakeland, FL *Continuing the Full Armor of God….
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:13 NIV
Edit….That’s Ephesians 6:12 not 13. 🙂
Beth Bellow, Houston, NIV John 1:16-18
16: From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
17: For the law came through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18: No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.
Terry in Louisa, VA
John 14:6 NIV
Jesus answered,
“I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Cassia, Spring, TX
All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. Ps45:13
Barbara, Medina, Oh
Do not be overcome by evil; but overcome evil with good.
Romans12:21 ESV
Sandy Deming, NM
My soul finds rest in God alone: my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Ps 62:1,2 NIV
Brenda Russell, Hendersonville TN
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Psa 25:4 NIV
Tara, Beech Creek Ky
Matthew 28:19 NIV
[19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Tara, Beech Creek Ky
Matthew 28:19 NIV
[19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Marilyn Brown in The Plains, OH says:
“Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.'”
Heb. 12:28-29 NIV
Michelle V, Hewitt, TX
He poured out his kindness by giving us every kind of wisdom and insight
Ephesians 1:8 GW
April Mozingo Garland, TX “I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.” – Philippians 2:23-24 ESV
Vanessa, Corrales NM
If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idol words, Isaiah 58:13 NIV
Sue Middeldorf – Troy, Michigan – “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:12 (NIV)
not from works, so that no one can boast. Romans 2:9
Well I’m stuck in last months memory verses I guess. It’s Ephesians.
Michelle Rodriguez, Beavercreek, Ohio
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” Colossians 3:19 NIV
April Hughes, Escondido, Ca. “may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth…” Eph 3:18 ESV
Stacy from Hawkinsville, Ga:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (NIV)
Jeanette Plummer from Mesquite, TX:
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ~2 Timothy 2:1
Christy, Cape Girardeau, MO. But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)
jackie siple Rockledge FL
because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
â€â€1 John‬ â€4:4‬B NIV‬‬
Tasha J.
Edmond, OK
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (â€Matthew‬ â€28‬:â€19-20‬ NLT)
Teresa, Walla Walla, Psalm 138:3 NLT “When I pray You answer me; You encourage me by giving me the strength I need.”
Janet Poore, Paola, KS
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 NIV
Juli Garrido, Buenos Aires Argentina
The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord . Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Isa 51.3 NIV
Julie. Webb City, MO
From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17 NLT
Beverly
Midlothian VA
Psalm 143:8 ESV
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go,for to you I lift up my soul.
Lori Haller, Easton MD. “Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” (HCSB)
Melissa Robertson, Sulphur, LA
“…to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Ephesians 4:23-24
Ruthie Farmer
Brentwood TN
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ__by grace you have been saved__
Ephesians 2: 4-5
Connie Rose, Moss Bluff, LA
“…to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Ephesians 4:23-24 (NIV)
The eye is the lamp of the body. Therefore if your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.
Matthew 6:22