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.
Leslie
Rochester, MN
“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.”
Psalm 63:6 NIV
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 NRSV
Vickie Gainous, Cairo, Georgia
Cheryl – Houston, Tx
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
Psalm 37:6 (ESV)
Adria A. Jackson TN
I expect your help, for You have promised it!
Psalm 119:81 (LB)
Chaundel Holladay, Lake Forest, CA
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Galatians 6:4-5 (MSG)
Jane Lakey, Panama City Beach, Fl.
Colossians 1:10-12, NIV
10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light
Proverbs 15:15 NIV
[15] All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Kristen Fowler, Marble, NC
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
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!”
Romans 8:15 ESV
Debbie
Portland, OR
Linda Wright, Sugar Land, Texas
“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:12
NIV
Dee, Prescott, AZ
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. Hebrews 1:3a, ESV
Martie Carter, Belton, Texas
For I was hungry and you gave me to something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison, and you visited me.
Matthew 25:35-36 NIV
Joanna Trauger, Greer, SC
When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to deliver you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a dessert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst. I clothe the heavens with darknes and make sackcloth its covering.
Isaiah 50:2-3 NIV
Luanne Neely, Marshall, TX:
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16, NIV
Pamela Guins, Taylorsville, NC
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2(NIV)
Kim R. In St. Charles,IL
Matthew 5:15
Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it give the light into all that are in the house.
Matthew 5:15 (KJV)
Eva, Knoxville, TN – I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. Ecclesiastes 3:12 NIV
Carol B., Conyers, GA rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
Romans 12:12 (NASB)
Patti, Clemmons,NC
“For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 NLT
Dawn, Pottsville, Arkansas The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
Susan, Overland Park, KS
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” Jas. 3:17
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.
Rom. 8:15 ESV.
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19 NIV
Karen Bell
Hendersonville, TN
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!”
Romans 8:15 ESV
Kathleen Partin Saint Joseph. Michigan
1peter 5:6
So humble yourself under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
NLT
Fay, Springfield, MO
Isaiah 30:21 NLT
Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
I Peter 5:7 NIV
Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.
Kathryn, Oceanside, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV
Pamela, Hendersonville, TN
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a arvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Suzy Adams, Wheelersburg, OH – Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1
God is faithful who has called you into fellowship with His son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Cor. 1:9 NIV
Mary McKinley Scottsboro, AL.
Jeremiah 29:11 New Living Translation
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope
Ellen from Bad Axe Michigan
Ps 33:22 NLT
Let your unfailing love surround us Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
tallahassee fl.
Exodus 14:14. Nasb
The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.
Melanie Miller, Armuchee, GA
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
James 5:13 NKJV
Linda G. Crawfordsville, Indiana
Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom deck himself with a garland,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
(NASB)
sarah w. East Liberty
This is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.
1 John 5:4.
Lisa H, Round Rock, TX
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Angie Hill, Jasper, Alabama
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us.”
Psalm 67:1 NIV
Sherry – Raleigh, NC
11.For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12.And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.
13. While we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
Titus 2: 11-13
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19, NIV)
Amy from Everett, WA
Trust in the LORD forever,
For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.
Isaiah 26:4 (NKJV)
Sandra, Springville, Al
Do not worry about anything, but with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.
Phillipians 4:7
Kerry from Houston, TX
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 NASB
Chris
Canton, NC
“For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the coming glory that will be revealed to us.”
Romans 8:18 (NET Bible)
Jen from Round Rock, TX
Acts 17:26 (NIV) From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
Heather Morgan
Joel 2:12-13 NLT
That is why the LORD says, “Turn to me now, while there is still time. Give me your HEARTS. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in grief, but tear your HEARTS instead.” Return to the LORD your God, for He is merciful, and compassionate, slow to anger and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.
Deborah Harney, Columbia City, IN, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Barbara Severns, Eagle, Idaho
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Epesians 6:12&13 NASB
Jana Stroud, Houston TX
Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you…1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)