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.
Vivian, Birmingham, Alabama
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest,
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NLT
Devi, Singapore
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.
Romans 8:26 NIV
Victoria, Hooksett NH
My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. SOS 6:9 (KJV)
Megan Allen Hillsboro OH
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
â€â€Matthew‬ â€11:28 NIV
“Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and will not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” (Is 12:2) ESV
Melia
Loganville, GA
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14:26 NIV
Michaela
Loganville, GA
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 NIV
Miranda
Loganville, GA
 “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the 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
Davina Denny Novato, CA. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 NIV
Cathy in Keller,TX
For God has said, ” I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 NLT
Emily- Warsaw, In
“Splendor and majesty are before Him; Strength and joy are in His dwelling place.”
1chronicles 16:27
barbara Alewine from Malakoff
Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Niv
Karen Todd, Bech Island, SC
“2 ‡ When you pass through the waters,â€
I will be with you;“and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,â€
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.†”
Isaiah 43:2
Can’t remember posting,
Marie Skipper of Granger, TX for September 15th verse: NIV
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil. 4:6
Terri G, Corinth, TX
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NLT
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
Pam Campbellsburg,In.. John 15;7,8 If you abide in me and my word’s abide in you,you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you.8 By this my Father is glorified,That you bear much fruit,so you will be my disciples. NKJV NSFL
Natalie, Houston
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
â€â€Matthew‬ â€28:19-20‬ â€ESV‬‬
Deonne Collins Hallsville Tx – “For we live by faith, not by sight.” 2Corth 5:7 NIV
Tonya, Searcy, AR
Our children will also serve Him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.
Psalm 22:30
NLT
I tried to get in via October 1st, but it would only show the video there. Okay, I’m memorizing Hebrews 12. “For whom the Lord loveth he chaseneth, and scourge the every son whom he receiveth.” Heb 12.6 KJV
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
â€â€Proverbs‬ â€3:5-6‬ â€NKJV‬‬
LaMonique’ J. Katy, TX “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
â€â€Proverbs‬ â€3:5-6‬ â€NKJV‬‬
” Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, & I will give you rest.” Matt.12:28 NIV
Tonya Thibodeaux – DeQuincy, Louisiana
Matthew 16 : 27 – ” For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.
1 John 5:13
Verse 19 Janice Bells, Orillia, Canada
Galatians 5:22 NIV
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
(couldn’t find the link for verse 19 so I am posting it here)
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng.
Psalm 68:11
Stephanie Murphy, College Station, TX
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Port Lions, Alaska
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowl around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
Lana, Bryant, AR “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
â€â€Hebrews‬ â€12:14‬ â€NIV‬‬
Rebecca Canfield, Nacogdoches, TX
I praise you because (they are) fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. Psalm 139:14
Allison Crook
Albuquerque, NM
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
John 1:12 (NIV)
Christina, Decatur, TX
Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed. Revelations 16:15 NIV
Vikki Stemler, Jeffersonville, IN
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
Isaiah 43:2, NLT
Dripping Springs, Texas
Psalm 7:5
let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it, and let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust.
Sheri New Atlanta, TX
May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things.
Psalm 12:3 NKJV
Heather, Missouri
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and rust destroy, and where thirds break in and steal.”
Matthew 6:19
NIV
Leisa, Sheridan, Indiana
I and the Father are one.”
John 10:30 ESV
Stacy, Ruston, LA
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!
Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Ashley Kurtz, Kingwood,TX
“May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 NLT
Natalie, Frisco,TX
“Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek Him.”
Psalm 105:4 NET
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. Phil1.29-30 ESV
Ginny White, Orofino ID
And my God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NKJV
Sharon Stridde Corpus Christi, TX
Ephesians 6: 12 (NAS)
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.
“He came to his hometown and began teaching them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished……”
Sherry Owensboro, KY
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shooting shadows.
James 1:17 NIV
Kim Davis, Bristol, Tenn.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.(Romans 8:5 NIV)
Angela Dhans
Brooksville, FL
Isaiah 1:18
Come let us discuss this says the Lord though your sins are like scarlet they will be as white as snow though they are as red as Crimson
Nancy. – Redkey, IN
The lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7 NIV