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.
Christy Richardson…Portageville MO
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 NIV
Pineville, LA
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Marleeta McAnally, Florence, CO
does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Cor. 13:6-7, NASB
Brooke, Mobile, AL- “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
Nancy Denver
“which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.” Ps 19:5 NIV
Donna Banks, Franklin, TN
“fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Kelley, Houston TX
O Lord, all my longing is before you;
my sighing is not hidden from you. Psalm 38:9 (ESV)
Joelle Abilene, TX
““Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.”
â€â€Isaiah‬ â€45:22‬ â€NIV‬‬
Peggy Hodge, Monroe, LA –
“And the light shines in the arkness, and the darkness id not comprehend it.” John 1:5
Emily In Puyallup, WA
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13, NIV).
Vicksburg, MS
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone , be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
2 Timothy 2:24
NLT
Willa, Rock Springs, Wyoming
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV
Jamie, Dallas, TX. “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage (slavery) again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”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.” Romans 8:15, 18 NKJV
Calgary, Alberta
James 1:3 ESV
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Amalia Smith
Lumberton Tx
Who ever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.
Proverbs 11:27 N.I.V.
Robin, Atlanta GA
For where two or more are gathered in My name, there I am in the middle.
Matthew 18:20 (NIV)
Kelly Parker, Shreveport, La
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 ESV
Cindy B., Smithfield, NC
Whom have I in heaven but you? Earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalms 73:25-26
Diane, Wichita, KS
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 (ESV)
Fran Scott, Stafford TX Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Jeri of Missouri City
1Samuel 12:23 (NIV)
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 ESV
Laura Proctor, Madison, MS:
Ephesians 4:3New International Version (NIV)
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Philippians 4:11 (NIV)
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Submit yourselves, then, to God.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Come near to God and He will come near to you.
James 4: 7-8a NIV
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.”
Lamentations 3:24 NIV
Pat
Crawfordsville, IN
Shonda Vielbig, Ventura, CA I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11 NIV
Linda O’Neill, Elk Grove,CA So sorry to be so late.
“When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€91:15‬ â€NLT‬‬
Sandy – Dodge City, KS
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21(NIV)
Marian Garcia. Springfield, MO
The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you not wishing that any should perish but that all should seek repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 ESV
Deanna Ellis, Lexington, SC
“For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:8 (NIV)
Jewel from Florien: Psalm 91:11-12 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Stephanie, Austin, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26 ESV
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people who live in the light. Colossians 1:11-12 NLT
Beverly – Jackson, TN
“until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure
of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”
-Eph. 4:13 NASB
Sara Wheeler, Alexandria, AL
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:6
NIV
Hendersonville, TN
“He restores my soul. He guides me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even 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.
Psalm 23:3-4
Callie, Nashville, TN: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 ESV
Michele, Columbiana, AL
“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”
Mark 13:33 NKJV
Lacy, Eugene, OR
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a lion lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Vickie Ethington, Chandler, AZ “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”
â€â€Colossians‬ â€4:5-6‬ â€NASB‬‬
chandler, AZ .“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”
â€â€Colossians‬ â€3:12-13‬ â€NASB‬‬
Kristi, Westmont, IL
Colossians 3:18 NLT
You wives must submit to your husbands, as is fitting to those who belong to the Lord.
Forest, VA
“Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in His ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant. For the sake of Your Name, LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.”
–Psalm 25:8-11 (NIV 84)
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not let you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with each temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Carol
Carthage, NY
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
Proverbs 2:4 NIV
Valerie Chamberlain, Austin, Texas. “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Psalm 107:19-20 ESV
“But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” James 1:6-7 NIV
Anissa McGuire Claremore, ok. “Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:12
Sherri Frey, Hagerstown, MD
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither is your ways my ways. Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)