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.
Alice Hinckley, Dallas, TX: “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
I Timothy 6:18-19 NKJV
Lisa Rogers, valley center ks
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”
â€â€Proverbs‬ â€29:25‬ â€NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/pro.29.25.niv
Kate K.
Lafayette, Indiana
“…train yourself to be Godly.”
I Timothy 4:7 NLT
Julie Lohr, Gahanna, OH, Romans 8:15 Net “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” “
Vickie S, Chesapeake, VA: Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. I Timothy 6:18-19 NKJV
Shauna K., River Falls, WI
Philippians 4: 6-7 (NIV): “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
DeAnne, Talmage, KS “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:4 NIV
Sherri Huff, Mechanicsville, VA “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Dawn in Monett, MO
Psalm 63:1
NIV
O God, you are my God. Earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Margie Snyder, Groveland FL
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Lori Collins, Columbus, GA
Psalm 46:5 KJV
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
Justine Crawford, Las Vegas, NV
From the NLT
The LORD is close to all who call on him,
he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
Lisa Walden – Grand Prairie Tx
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Lucille Goins, New Bloomfield, Mo.
Colossians 3:13 NKJV
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Becky, Woodway, TX
“So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death.
But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”
Romans 8:6 NLT
Cindi, Madison, MS
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you. Be sober minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of sufferings are being experienced in your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:6-9 (ESV)
Cheri Bunch, Louisville, Kentucky
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10 (ESV)
Romans 8:18 NKJV
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Vicki Knott, Greenwood, SC
“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2 (NLT)
Margaret, Kingsport, TN
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
â€â€Romans‬ â€8:26‬ â€NLT‬‬
Kathy, Bryant AR:
Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
Psalm 98:8 NIV
Teresa, Chadron, NE
“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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”
â€â€Ephesians‬ â€6:12-13‬ â€ESV‬‬
Rene’ Pingel, Cape Girardeau, MO
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
Cathy – Richmond, VA
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:3-6 NIV ’84
Pam Hendersonville, NC
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever!
Psalm 16:11
(NLT)
Cyndi Patterson, Bloomdale, OH
“Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.”
Proverbs 22:4 NIV
Lisa, Granville, Ohio
Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:13-14 NIV
Missie Ables, Marble Falls TX
“The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.” Proverbs 14:1 ESV
Hebrews 12.4 KJV Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Brenda, Crosby, TX
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. Lamentations 3:22 NIV
Donna, Bakersfield, CA: Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Buffalo, NY
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 63:7. NIV
Jan Cleburne, TX
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalms 23:4 (NKJV)
Jill Greer, Medina, TN:
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
Crystal. Livonia. Michigan.
“There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism”
Ephesians 4:5
KJV
Amy Guth, Canton, MS
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8 NIV
Patty Pierce
Searcy AR
Deut30:6
“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.”
â€â€Deuteronomy‬ â€30:6‬ â€ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/deu.30.6.esv
Claire in Boone, NC
Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
â€â€Psalms‬ â€96:6‬ â€NASB‬‬
Scarlett N., Savannah, GA:
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
(NASB) and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
Roswell, GA
When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, “Can’t you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.” Matthew 26:40-41 (MSG)
Minnetonka, MN
Isaiah 26:12 NIV
Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.
Anne-Marie, Munich – Germany, heb 11.6 (NIV): “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting. Ps. 139:23
Regina Coleman, Salado TX
O God, You are my God;
Early I will seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1 (NKJV)
Allison, Austin
Come and see what God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for his people! Ps 66:5 NLT
Brenda Lenz, Georgetown, Texas – “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” -Romans 15:13 (NASB)
Susan Turner, Shelby, NC
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
â€â€Hebrews‬ â€4:16 NLT
May we all pray audacious prayers.
You are called by name ;you are mine
Isaiah 43:1
Leslie D. Longview, Tx