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.
Erin Hall, Magnolia, TX, “but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2 Timothy 1:10 NIV)
“for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. ” Ephesians 2:8
Sarah, Lincoln, NE, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder.” (James 2:19 NIV)
“Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.” 1Peter 5:7 NIV
Judy, Satellite Beach, FL
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1Peter 5:7 (NIV)
“II Cor 12:9 “And HE said to me, “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”
Dianne in Andover MN
Isaiah 26:4 (AMP)
So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him)
forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock, (the Rock of Ages)
Riche In Irving, TX Psalm 91:14 NIV
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.”
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, Wisconsin
Romans 5:5 [AMP]
Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Emily Lawyer
Arlington, VA
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18
Sheryl Rocky Mount NC lsa 46:4 NIV “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He Who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Ephesians 5:15
Be very careful,then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise
Romans 8:18 For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the coming flory that will be revealed in us. Ceffie in WV
Sally Heilinger, Port Orchard, WA
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Sandra Smallwood, Anchorage, Alaska
Romans 12:9, NLT
Don’t just pretend to lover others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
Angela Dhans, Brooksville, Florida
Isaiah 53:4-5 (the voice)
Yet it was our suffering He carried, our pain and distress are sick to the Soulness. we just figured that God had rejected Him that God was the reason He hurt so badly. That He was hurt because of us, He suffered so. Our wrong doing wounded and crushed Him. He endured the breaking that made us whol. The injuries He suffered became our healing.
Terri, Cadillac, MI
17) “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 KJV
18) “Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner.” Lamentations 2:19 NIV
Cara, Oswego, IL. “Love is patient, love is kind. It dues not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV
Jennifer Brosdahl, Menahga, MN (God’s Country 😉
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of POWER, of LOVE & of SELF-DISCIPLINE.” (emphasis, mine)
2 Timothy 1:17
NIV
Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
Psalm 141:3 NIV
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord
Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Dawn Moore Buford,GA
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Romans 12:1 NIV
As for me and my house
We will serve the Lord
Joshua 24:15 (NIV)
Shantha, Li cold, RI
Cris – New Lenox, IL
“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalm 23:6 NIV
Naomi – Colorado Springs – “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything” 2 Corinthians 6:10 NIV
Mindy Habelt, Williamson, Georgia
Colossians 3:12(NIV)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Connie, London, UK
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)
Donna, Ponder, TX I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. Psalm 30:1 NLT
You are my refuge and my shield; Your word is my source of hope.
Psalm 119:114 NLT
April Moriarty Seymour, TN
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,”
1 Peter 5:6 ESV
Chris, Seattle, WA
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!”
And let him who hears say, “Come!”
Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
Revelation 22:17 NIV
Leviticus 19:18 NIV
“Do not seek revenge or bear grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”
Debbie Turner Chavers,Tennessee
So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. Deuteronomy 32:12
KJV
Tanya, from Lorton, VA,
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Charlotte, Jacksonville, FL. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29 NASB
Margo, Burlington ON
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Gwen McVey, Longview, Tx -Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 ESV
Sarah, Montrose, CO:
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
Jodi, Sweetwater, TN – She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26 NIV
Vancouver, Wa
“God be gracious to us and bless us and cause His face to shine upon us – that Your way may be known upon the earth, Your salvation among all the peoples. Let the peoples praise You o God; let all the peoples praise You. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy.”
PS 67:1,2
Jami Carey, Fishers, IN
“Is not my word like fire”, declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”
Jeremiah 23:29 NIV
Ruth
Belleville, IL
2 Corinthians 9:6,7 NIV
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Kassi Rushing – Ridgeland, MS -“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)
Arlington, TX
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (AKJV)
Marilyn, Dearborn,MO.
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Ephesians 6:17 ESV
Sara Morris Alpharetta, GA
“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Matthew 7:5 NIV
kathy white, Modesto Ca
“To Him who sits on the throne and to the LAMB
be Praise and Honor and Glory and Power forever and ever ”
Rev 5:13
Debra, Zachary, LA
“But when He, the Spirit of trugh comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13 NIV
Dee Shera – Jacksonville, Florida
James 1:5 (NIV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Mildred from Montserrat.
1 Peter 4:19(NET) So then let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator as they do good.