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 Kirby, Plano, TX
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
Gay
Round Rock, Tx
“…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27b NIV
Desiree Reimer, Calgary, Alberta
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Psalm 34:7 ESV
Wendy
Harrodsburg, Kentucky
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
Ephesians 1:15-16 NIV
Jacqui Maudslay, Chester, UK
‘… the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace’
Numbers 6:26
Kathy from Chandler,OK ““Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”
â€â€Romans‬ â€8:18‬ â€NLT‬‬
Joyce Smith, Mount Juliet, TN
Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (â€James‬ â€4‬:â€7-8‬a NASB)
Katy, TX, Romans 8:6, NIV
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 but The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. ESV
Ashley Roth, Peachtree City, Ga.
HE must increase but I must decrease. John 3:30 (NAS)
Nicole//Dallas//Psalm 23:4 NIV
4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Robin from Chambersburg, PA
I would have lost heart, unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Psalm 27:13 (NKJV)
Barbara Ford – Troy, MO
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecc 3:11 (ESV)
Louise from Irvine, CA – 2 Cor. 1:20 – For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ! And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. (NIV)
John 3:30 ERV
He must become more and more important, and I must become less important.
And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NKJV
Becca Williams – Irvine, Ca
“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”
â€â€Isaiah‬ â€61:3‬ â€NIV‬‬
Kim S., Ridgeland, MS —
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
Lindsey Fellers from Myrtle Beach, SC
“This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes” – Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!” James 1:1 NLT
Sandy E; Kansas City, Missouri; “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption into sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father”. ” Romans 8:15. NIV
Susie, Northville, MI
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6 NIV
Rhonda H Wade
Buchanan GA
James 4:7 KJV
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he
will flee from you.
Kelly in south Arkansas
“I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the
LORD sustains me.”
~Psalm 3:5 NIV
Kathy, High Point, NC
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6: 10-11 (ESV)
Barbara Bollman
West Fargo, ND
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62.8 NIV
SSMT # 18 sept 15th
Judy Conn, Ashland KY “God’s love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic,His purpose titanic, His verdicts oceanic. Yet in His largeness nothing gets lost, not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks! How exquisite is your love, O God! How eager we are to run under your wings, to eat our fill at the banquet you spread. As you fill our tankards with Eden spring water. You are a fountain of cascading light, and you open our eyes to light,” Psalms 36:5-9 The Message
Kaylee Taylor; Stephenville, TX
Psalm 119:103 MSG
Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking.
Lisa Parker, Arkansas
“But The Lord is faithful, and He will protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)
Doris, Madison, MS:
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men.
The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7. (KJV)
Royse City, TX
9/15/15 NASB
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
—Psalm 46:1
Sonya Ryder, Baton Rouge, LA: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21(ESV)
Joyce Smith, Mount Juliet, TN
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad. (â€Proverbs‬ â€12‬:â€25‬ NASB)
Tanya, Richland, WA
We have this hope as anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
Hebrews 6:19
Continuing to memorize this scripture passage of hope regarding the covenant.
Patti Hayes, Tampa, Florida
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I call you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
John 15:15 (NKJ)
Bobbie, Litchfield, MN
“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.”
Psalm 119:165 (NKJV)
Rosemary Zook Beaverton Oregon
Psalms 63:7 NIV
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
Hi Lora! I am so glad I know you and met you through this Siesta blog!
Judy, Littleton, NC
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thes 3:3. (NIV)
Sandra. Houston, Tx
Jesus replied: “this is the work (service) that God asks of you, that you believe in the One whom He has sent–that you cleave to, trust, rely on and have faith in His Messenger.”
John 6:28,29 Amplified
Polly from Pa
Romans 6:13,14 NIV
Do not offer the parts of your body to sin,as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Kristy McIntyre, Eugene, OR
2 Timothy 2:13 “If we are faithless, He remains faithful. For, He can’t disown himself.”
Shiffra, Kalamazoo, MI
“Though you have not seen Him, you love him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV)
Kelly Elliott, Jackson, TN.
Psalm 3:3 (KJV)-
“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”
Marissa, Seattle, WA
1 Peter 4:8 NET
“Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins.”
Susan Thomson, Crockett, TX
Hebrews 13:15
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to GOD a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess HIS name.”
Susan Young, Fairhope, AL
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7 (NIV)
North Richland Hills, Texas
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
â€â€Romans‬ â€12:2‬ â€NKJV‬‬
Janessa Ford, Cookeville, TN. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
â€â€1 Peter‬ â€5:7‬, NIV‬‬.
Katie Baine, Clarksville, TN “One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:6 NIV
Shelly and Sienna, Colorado Springs, CO
September 15, 2015
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Ps 46:10 NKJV
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” ~John 13:35 NLT