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 I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not worth complaining with the glory that is to be revealed to us! Romans 8:18
John 14:27 (ESV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Pat Rickman, Escondido, CA
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts before Him.
God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 HCSB
Katie Dallas, TX – “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart, I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1 (NIV)
O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.” (ESV)
Daniel 9:19
Karen Laughlin, Deweyville, TX
I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.
(Psalms 9:1, NIV
Lancaster,CA
Colossians 2:10 NIV 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;
Charlotte Heisel, Modesto CA
Psalms 91:10 (NLT)
No evil will conquer you;
No plague will come near your home.
Andrea Cox, Howe, TX
2 Corinthians 3:11 NIV
For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.
Tracey Boynton, Kingsburg CA
2 Thessalonians 3:13
And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is right.
Sharon Lee, Riverside, Ca.
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. I Thessalonians 4:16,17.
Deena Wahl, Lumberton, TX
“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ””
Isaiah 12:2 NKJV
Bonnie Mink Hendersonville, TN He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29 NIV
Plano, Tx “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Santa Clarita, CA: “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,and the man became a living creature”, Gen 2:7 NIV
Misty Weare, Alliance, NE 69301
Jeremiah 32:39, ES
I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.
Emily, Loveland, CO – “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” I John 5:14 (NASB)
Deb, Loveland, CO – “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it,
Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV)
Carol in Salem, Oregon
So each new generation should set it hope anew on God,
not forgetting His glorious miracles and obeying His commands. Psalm 78:7 NLT
Kristel from Russellville
Loving God means keeping his commandments,and really,that isn’t difficult. 1 John 5:3 NLT
Kelly Sonderby
San Clemente, CA
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.”
Joshua 1:7 NLT
“A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.”
Proverbs 14:1 NLT
Corpus Christi, TX:
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” Luke 10:41-42
Wendy Houston, Rocklin CA
Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12 NIV
Gabriella Houston, Rocklin CA
Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12 NIV
Jamie Raborn from Ooltewah, TN
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
[11] 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.
[12] Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
[13] You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Laura, Greenbrier, AR “As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.” 2 Corinthians 6:1 NIV
“Even if our conscience condemns us, that God is greater than our conscience, and He knows all things.” I John 3:20 HCSB
Christa, Denver, CO
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest,
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NLT
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord,
“My refuge and my fortress,
my God in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:1-2 ESV
Kristen, Paramount, CA
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1 ESV
Janice MacNealy of Bethesda, Ohio…
2 Samuel 24:25 (NASB)
The Lord was moved by prayer for the land.
He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor & protection.- Psalm 91:4 NLT
Patti Knobbe from West Point, NE
“Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” Joshua 3:5 (NIV)
Antoinette Krietemeijer, Hoofddorp,the Netherlands (Europe)
.. en hoe overweldigend groot de krachtige werking van Gods macht is voor ons die geloven.
Die macht was ook werkzaam in Christus toen God Hem opwekte uit de dood…. Efeziërs 1:19-20 (NBV)
Elizabeth Mitchell- living in Haverhill, England- Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” NKJV
mh, San Mateo, CA
And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Deuteronomy 30:6
ESV
Kimyetta H. Jonesboro, GA
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Bette from Danville,PA
Ps. 65:11 NLT
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Walker, LA
The Lord said, “Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you wonderful and marvelous things that you know nothing about.”
Jeremiah 33:3 GNT
Cristy-Monroe, Ohio
Let us test and examine our ways and return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven.
Lamentations 3:40-41 ESV
Jana Fields, Wills Point, Tx
Colossians 4:1 KJV
Masters give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that he also have a master in Heaven.
Jennifer Henderson, Raleigh, NC
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
(Psalm 34 ESV)
Kathleen D.
Bernardsville, NJ
Titus 2:13 NIV
…while we wait for the blessed hope,the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ….
Colleen, Orlando, Florida
Am I now trying to get people to think well of me? Or do I want God to think well of me? Am I trying to please people? If I were, I would not be serving Christ. Gal. 1:10
Heather Louisville, KY
“Let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet and your face is lovely.”
Song of Solomon 2:14 NRSV
Deltona, Fl 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 ESV “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Kathy Kaherl Burlington, CT
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:5
Harmony, Moncton, NB, Canada. Acts 17:28a NIV
[28] ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’
Debbie, from Orlando
Ephesians 6:16
” in addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”