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.
Tracy, Kountze, Texas
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 2 Corinthians 5:9 NKJV
Mandy Helm
College Station, TX
Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:3 NIV
Grand Saline, TX.
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 139: 11-12 NIV
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Angelica (Angel) Chilton, Hillsboro, Texas
“he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3 (NIV)
Karen Mceathron,Oconomowoc Wi
Study this book of instruction continually, Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it..Only then will you prosper and succeed in all that you do.
Joshua 1:8 NLT
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matt 5:6
Melissa J – Houston, TX
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit. And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20
Dian Helgerud in Cocoa Beach
Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll – are they not in your record?
Danielle Rye, Cedar Park, TX
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NKJV
Kathy Rye, Cedar Park, TX
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NKJV
Roanoke, TX
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (â€Matthew‬ â€5‬:â€4-5‬ NIV)
Jennifer Haglund; Story City, IA “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4: 6 (NIV)
Amy
Buda, Texas
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.”
Psalm 65:11 NLT
Dawn Deare Lafayette, LA
Psalm 119:40 ESV
Behold I long for your precepts, in your righteousness give me life.
Jana Stroud, Houston TX
I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears…Psalm 34:4 (NIV)
Michelle,
Bossier City, LA
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Peter 5:7 NIV
Sheri – Portland, Oregon
Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
3 John 8
Stephanie, from Fort Worth, TX:
Isaiah 53:6 ESV
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 ESV
Joshua 1:9
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.
Jennifer B
Lucas, TX
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
James 1:18 NIV
PatWilfong,GreenBankWV.
“Because (she) Loves Me,”
says the Lord,
“I will Rescue (her);
I will Protect (her,)
for (she)
acknowledges my name.”
Psalm 91:14
Keyword Study Bible, NIV.
Cynthia, Russellville, AR
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Nesha Vest – Mechanicsville, VA
‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Holly from Alpharetta, GA
Romans 8: The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so
“Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!”
â€â€Romans‬ â€12:16‬ â€NLT‬‬
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst
Psalm 23:2(KJV)
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
My Kingdom does not belong to this world. John 18:36
Beverly Ely
Cumberland Gap, TN
Psalm 5:1 KJV
Give ear to my words oh Lord consider my meditation
For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Ephesians 2:18 ESV
“The heart of man plans his way but the Lord establishes his step.” Proverbs 16:9 ESV
Of His own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
James 1:18 ESV
Johnine from Anna, Texas
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
Psalm 23:2 NIV
Sara, Greenfield, IN
For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
Malachi 3:6 (ESV)
Erika Powell celebration, fl
2 Corinthians 3:12 ESV
Since we have such a hope we are
Very bold.
Patricia Gandy
Florence
Psalm 103:2(NIV)
Praise the Lord, my soul,and forget not all his benefits
Angie Miller, Macon, MS
Daniel 11:35, NIV
Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh bubbling spring within them giving thm eternal life. John 4:14
anyone who does not honor the son is certainly not honoring the father who sent him. John 5;23
They were terrrified, but he called out to them. Do not be afraid . I am here. John 6:20
Don’t be concerned with perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the son of man can give you….This is the only work God want form you. Believe in the one he sent. John 6:27
I am the bread of life . Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again . Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:35
Inez Barnes
Hamburg Ar
Titus 2 the Message
Guide older women into lives of reverence so they may end us as neither gossips or drunks but models of goodness
Laura
Kyle, Texas
“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” Psalm 23:2
Elaine, New Orleans, LA
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. Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Alyssa Molina, Sealy TX- NIV Psalm 27:7– Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.
September 15
Psalm 25:15 NIV
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
Julie Barnes, Arkansas
For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body
Ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves
To sin– because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
Romans 6:6 NLT
Mei, Easley SC
You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance. Ps 65:11 NIV
Karina
Baton Rouge, La.
“Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness ans speak tenderly to her.” Hosea 2:14 NIV