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.
Dawn Moore Conway, AR
Deut 6:6 HCSB
These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.
Ruth Kitchener, ON
This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17 (NIV)
Laura Stevens
El Paso, TX
Psalm 65:11 NLT
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Kay Tucker Elyria, OH
“For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death.” KJV Psalm 48:14
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 ESV. Lorrie, Rutledge GA
Dee Dee Fernandina Beach, Florida
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
I picked that verse, too Dee Dee! Did you hear Beth on Saturday??
Ella Fullerton, St. Augustine, FL
“Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
â€â€1 Peter‬ â€3:4‬ â€NIV‬‬
Clearwater, FL
You crown the year with your good blessings, and you leave abundance in your wake.
Psalm 65:11 NET
Carla Kaney, Adel, Iowa “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 (NIV)
Ashley Reed, Cedar Park, TX – “So then, my brothers, you are dearly loved and longed for—my joy and crown. In this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.  I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord.  Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life.  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” ~Phil. 4:1-5 (HCSB)
Anna, Little Elm, TX
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall again into fear; rather, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Romans 8:15 (TLV)
Stephanie Marchbanks, Ennis, TX. Continuing to learn Isaiah 53:
Isaiah 53:11 English Standard Version (ESV)
11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see[a] and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
Julie Fawcett, Round Rock, Tx- ” maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed” Isaiah 56:1 NIV
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1Cor. 9: 24 NKJ
Psalm 40:3; New Living Translation (NLT)
3 He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the LORD.
Sarah Carroll, Springfield, Ohio
Shan Copeland Salina, KS
“Everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
1 Corinthians 9:25-26 NIV
Norma Jean – Medford, OR
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you.
John 13:34 NKJV
Kris Morrissey, Omaha, NE
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
Isaiah 58:9 (NIV)
Rosalye
Vicksburg MS
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
Even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11
NLT
Norman, Oklahoma
Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world.
John 17:24
KJV
Psalm 94:18-19 (NASB)
18 If I should say, “My foot has slipped,”
Your lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up.
19 When my anxious thoughts [a]multiply within me,
Your consolations delight my soul.
Col 2:6-7 NASB
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the LORD, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”
Robin Ivey, Meridian, MS
“Whenever you are able, do good to people who need help.”
Proverbs 3:27
New Century Version
Crystal in Castle Pines, CO
Psalm 65:11 NLT
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
Even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Natalie Macek, from Damascus, MD: “And he said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD'” (Job 1:21, NKJV).
Christy Jones, Summit, MS; “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 and sonship. And by him we cry “Abba Father”.” Romans 8:15 NIV
Melissa; Little Rock Air Force Base.
“casting all your anxieties on Him for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 ESV
Pamela Shaw, Bangor, Northern Ireland
‘I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?’ Psalm 121:1 (NIV)
Sarah Stephenson, Auburn, University; “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Galatians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Gigi Parisi
Mullica Hill NJ
I will make an everlasting covenant with them; I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.
Jeremiah 32:40 NIV
Cheryl Cannon, Concord, NC
“Righteousness is available because
I go to the Father,
and you will see me no more.”
John 16.10 NLT
Franklin, TN
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us for our sins and purify from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV
Jerrie – Longview, TX
John 4:23 – (NIV)
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
Jana, Altus, OK
Acts 4:29, NIV
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”
Linda Jewell
Sedona, AZ
2 Timothy 1:9 NKJV
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
Sarah, Christina and Esther May; Wenatchee
“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.
James 5:7 NIV
Shannon, Shelby, MT
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”
Colossians 3:23 ESV
Lesa
Garden City, Kansas
Romans 8:18. NIV
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Karlys, La Place, LA
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Colossians 3:18 ESV
Dianne Detrick – Magnolia TX
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Cindy-Richmond, Tx. Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV) I lift my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Stephanie, Irvine, CA
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8, NIV)
Shannon Davidson, San Juan Capistrano, CA“They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more.”
â€â€Jeremiah‬ â€31:12‬ â€ESV‬‬
Leah Eller, San Antonio Texas – “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Philippians 4:12 ESV
Ann, Washington D.C. (usually St. Louis)
Psalm 43:3a, NKJV
“O send out your light and your truth, let them lead me.”
Terri Mann Garland,Ut
Casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you
1 Peter 5:7 ESV
Jackie, Noblesville, IN
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
Romans 8:18 NLT
Audacity to believe!
Ana from Dayton, TX
Proverbs 16:15 (ESV)
In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
Anna, Tx
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7 ESV
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 145:18