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.
Noel Carlton, Clarksburg MD
Revelation 7:3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” (NIV)
Jill Miller; Akron, IN “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19-20 NIV
Sandra
Wichita Falls, TX
And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Mat 6:7 ESV
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”” â€â€Joshua‬ â€1:9‬ â€NIV‬‬
Cherri, Smyrna, GA: “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV
Tina, New Hope, MN
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8 NIV
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23,24
Kristie, Montgomery, TX: “being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,”. Colossians 1:11 NIV
Tami, Louisiana
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:16, NIV)
Watch the way you talk. Let everything you say be good and helpful. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Ephesians 4:29 The Message and NLT combined.
Kimberly Orr~Zionsville, Indiana
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
â€â€Isaiah‬ â€5:20‬ â€NKJV‬‬
http://bible.com/114/isa.5.20.nkjv
Tiffany, Mobeetie TX. My little children, let us not love in word or tongue, but in deed and truth. 1 John 3:18 NKJV
Anita – Justin, TX
1 Chronicles 29:12
“Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. ”
1 Chronicles 29:12 (ESV)
Susan Clements, Seale, AL
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time”
1 Peter 5:6 NIV
Laura Sumpter-Salem,OR Luke 11:34-35 Your eye is the lamp of your
body. When your eye is healthy your whole body is full of light, but when
it is bad your whole body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest
the light in you be darkness.
Holly H., Frisco, TX
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV
Nikki R., Alexandria,LA
Psalm 69:17 (NIV) “Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly for I am in trouble.”
which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war? Job 38:23 ESV
Teresa, Austin, TX
Psalm 42:5 NASB
Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of his presence.
Amy, Murfreesboro,TN
To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
Isaiah 61:2, NIV
Kelly, Auburn, AL – Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 NIV
Margie, Camdenton MO: There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 ESV
Carrie, St. Paul, MN
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.
Psalm 27:3b (NRSV)
Rebecca, Murfreesboro, TN.
” if my people who are called by my name 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 heal their land. ”
2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
Diane, Flagstaff, Arizona
“And He put all things under His feet; and Him to be head over all things to the church.” Ephesians 1:22 NKJV
Shelley, Brigham City, Utah
John 6:37 ESV
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
Iris Stinson
Carlisle PA
6 Let the words you speak always be full of grace. Learn how to make your words what people want to hear. Then you will know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 NIRV
This verse confuses me..words what people want to hear…That seems to be a contradiction – a Dr may have to tell someone they HAVE cancer so no one wants to hear that, telling someone your marriage to a man is just fine when you are a man about to embark on a life of abomination. I thought that we are to speak the truth in all and every season? Is that not right? Help someone Beth!!!
Linda Patterson
Wolcottville IN
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed,we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
2 Corinthians 5:1. NIV
Imelda Hunt, Toledo, OH
Psalms 44:3
We didn’t fight for this land;
we didn’t work for it—it was a gift!
You gave it, smiling as you gave it,
delighting as you gave it. (MSG)
krystal ward
dallas, texas
every word of God is flawless;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
proverbs 30:5 NIV
Missy B, Fuquay Varina, NC
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22, NIV)
Jenni, Elk Grove, CA, For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Luke 8:17 (NAB)
Debbie Levin
Cannon Falls MN
“But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Acts 2:21 NLT
Psalm 51:10 ESV
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
martha loyd
houston, tx
Karin – Toronto,Canada
“Even youths grow tires and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but for those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
IS 40:31 (NIV)
Sandi Bentz, Anchorage, Alaska
Psalm 137:18 (NIV)
Were I to count them they would outnumber the grains of the sand–
When I awake, I am still with You.
Hap 🙂 in Heath OH
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17 NIV
But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV
Morgan, Arlington VA
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons. HE sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. HE reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.”
Daniel 2:20-22 (NIV)
Martha, Brentwood, TN
Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NASB
Mischia
Foothills of North Carolina
“Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard.”
1 John 2:7
Hebrews 12:15 New International Version (NIV)
15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Monica Applegate Amarillo Texas
Even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Romans 4:17 KJV
Romans 8:26: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” Psalm 81:10 NIV
Ally, Houston, TX
“Everything exposed by the light is made clear, for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you.”
Ephesians 5:13-14 HCSB
Micah 6:8 NIV
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.
Janet P, College Station
James 1:5 (NKJV)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Ashley G.
Royal Oak, MI
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
-1 Timothy 4:12 ESV
Alison Sparre, Sacramento, CA
John 15:16 (NASB)
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you should go and
bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in
My name, He may give to you.”