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.
“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Matt. 6:8. (NIV).
Jen Niehus – Peyton, CO “for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:20 ESV
“Your sun will no longer set,
Nor will your moon wane;
For you will have the LORD for an everlasting light,
And the days of your mourning will be over.
Isaiah 60:20
Hello, my name is Lori and I live in Medford Oregon.
“I Am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”
â€â€John‬ â€15:5‬ â€NIV‬‬
When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the Lord, and the Lord will pay you back.
Proverbs 19:17 GNT
Traphill, NC. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:5-7 (NKJV)
Kim S., Nashville, TN:
Teach us to number our days,that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Tessa Oestman, Alliance, NE.
“Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set in keeping Your
decrees
to the very end.” Psalm 119:111-112 (NIV)
Leah Cullen – Ramona, CA
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. – Romans 15:13 (ESV)
Dana
Newnan, GA
“But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.”
â€â€Isaiah‬ â€53:5‬ â€HCSB‬‬
Dawn, Orland Park, IL “May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.” Psalm 119:172 (NIV)
“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24. (NIV).
Karen Cosmano, Vista, CA
“Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 CEV
Cara Gabrielse, Parker, CO, “For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him.” Luke 5:9, NLT
Manassas, Va
Romans 8:18 NIV
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (â€1 Peter‬ â€4‬:â€14-19‬ NIV)
Alison Wagler. Vancouver, Canada. jhn.14.27.nlt “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Diane E., Charleston, IL
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Above all else, guard your heart,
For it is the wellspring of life.
Sharon St. Louis
“If people want to boast, they should boast about this: They should boast that they understand and know me. They should boast that they know and understand that I, the LORD, act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice in the earth and that I desire people to do these things,” says the LORD.”
â€â€Jeremiah‬ â€9:24‬ â€NET‬‬
Commit to the lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3. NIV
Rose Gillespie ~ Hot Springs, AR
“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
(And forgive me my debts, as I forgive my debtors.)
Matthew 6:12 KJV
Pam Mesa, AZ
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Shelly Elston, Portland, OR
“because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
Philippians 1:5 (ESV)
Jules Lane
Foothills of the Rocky Mtns, CO
Still going through Psalm 103…
“But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;” ~Psalm 103:17 (KJV)
Mona Huston, Bossier City, La, “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.” Ephesians‬ â€6:12‬ â€NIV‬‬
Billie, Greenville, KY “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death, He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who, through fear of death, were subject to lifelong slavery.” Hebrews 2:14-15 ESV
Becky Bigbie, Highland Village, Tx
Always keep yourselves United in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:3 NLV
Joan (Coppell, TX): Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
Sharon from Van, TX
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Ps. 119:18 NIV
Sallie Russ, Greenwood, SC
“Is not My word like fire?” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?
Jeremiah 23:29 NASB
Frances, Orange, TX
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him. Psalm 37:23 NIV
Ali C.,-18“A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew‬ â€7:18-20‬ â€ESV‬
Marilyn ~ Seattle, WA
“and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
â€â€Ephesians‬ â€4:24‬ â€NIV‬‬
Lindsay Loper, Chattanooga, TN
“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
Psalm 23:1, NIV
Carol Givens McAlisterville, PA
This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NLT)
Bethany Sullivan from Converse, IN
Psalm 27:4-6
One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek;
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD
And to meditate in His temple.
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
And I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
Psalm 32:7 NIV
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Eph. 4:29 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen
Shannon, Mandeville “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”. 2 Cor. 9:8 TNIV
Amy Andrews, Bellaire, TX
The Lord will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water,
Whose waters do not fail.
Isaiah 58:11. NKJV
Charlene
Alabaster, AL
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Tammy, Deer Park, WA
so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:5 (NIV)
Sacramento,CA
Look to the Lord and his strength
seek his face always. Psalm 105:4
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” â€â€I John‬ â€4:7‬ (â€NKJV‬‬)
Amy Seiford
Buda, TX
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
Immediately he spoke to them and said, Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.
Mark 6:50b
I get afraid of what is unknown to me for the future. This gives me hope & courage to trust in Him.
Regina Orr, Floydada, Texas
” 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
Yael Hernandez New York, NY
Psalm 65:11 NLT
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;even the hard pathways overflow with abundance
“The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.””
â€â€Zephaniah‬ â€3:17‬ â€NKJV‬‬
Cheryl, Harleysville PA For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:14-15 NKJV