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.
Michelle K, New Baltimore, MI:
but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NRSV
Wendy Tunison Caldwell, Idaho
13) Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teachings about righteousness. 14) But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good and evil.
Hebrews 5:13-14 NIV
Kem Green, Des Moines, IA
“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening,”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€92:1-2‬ â€NLT
Esther 4 :14
“Perhaps you were born for such a time as this!!”
God has us right where He wants us! In every situation in every circumstance, we were born for this in Christian Jesus!
I live in Broken Arrow too!!
Sally Bradford Mayfield, KY
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12, NIV
Kathy Darnell, Princeton TX.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord,
for this is right.
Ephesians 6:1 NIV
Jeanette Dahm. Lake Oswego, Oregon. Phil. 3:12. NIV. Not that I have already obtained all this or have already been made perfect , but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
SHARON, Little Rock. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1 John 22:2
Vickie Barbee, Poplar Bluff, MO:
Look to the LORD and HIS strength; seek HIS face always.
Psalm 105:4 NIV
Lesley, Oceanside, CA
“In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you;
your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.”
Isaiah 26:8, ESV
You can make this choice by loving The Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life. Deut 30:20 NLT
Diana, Indianapolis, Romans 8:15 NIV
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 to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.”
Marsha, Angleton TX, “Be joyful always; pray continually; “. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 (NIV84)
Susie, Harrisburg, PA
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him. ~ 1 John 5:14-15 NIV
Paula Rutherford, Decatur, Tx (continuing to memorize Philippians) Philippians 4:17-18 KJV
“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.”
Lori Anthony, Pine River, MN
“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? ” Psalm 42:2 NIV84
Lynn, Lake Villa, IL
Ephesians 2:18 NLT
Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ Jesus has done for us.
Cris
Virginia Beach , VA
In the morning O Lord you hear my voice , in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3 NIV
Rose K., Oneida, TN –
“O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”
Isaiah 25:1 (KJV)
Lynette, Nashville, TN
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (â€Proverbs‬ â€4‬:â€23‬ ESV)
Sierra. Wyoming, MI.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. â€â€
John‬ â€15:12‬ â€NIV‬‬
Kathy, Austin James 1:6
Let her ask in faith, with no doubting,
for she who doubts is like a wave of the seas driven and tossed by the wind.
Renee, Rockford, MI
For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.
Psalm 32:7 (NLT)
Arlene C. from Georgetown, TX says: The WORD of God is living and active. Hebrews 4:12a ASV
Kathy Land, Shattuck, OK
Psalm 145:17 “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.”
Liz Allen–Wooster, OH
“…that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”
-Romans 8:21, ESV
Faith from Coeur d’Alene, ID
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 NKJV
Tammy Martinez, Burleson, TX
“The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.”
Psalm 16:4-5 (ESV)
Cindy Matter
North Potomac, MD
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.Proverbs 3:3 NIV
Sheryl, PA
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5::23-24 NIV
Merced, CA
“Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.”
Proverbs 17:19 (NIV)
Psalm 25:1 In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.
Marsha Middleton Lees Summit MO
and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. Ephesians 2:16-17 NKJ
Christy Chattom; Jasper, Alabama
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest. even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NLT
Kelly B. Spokane, WA. Proverbs 29:18 NKJV. “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.”
Sarah Ungerer, queer taro, Mexico
When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.
Proverbs 10:25
Gail-Tyler, TX
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 NKJV
For God did not give us a spirit o timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self discipline. 1Timothy 1:7
Michelle, Houston, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Mary Goins, Bluford, IL
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.”
â€â€1 Peter‬ â€3:18‬ â€NIV‬‬
Rachelle, cedar park, tx: give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
Michelle, Warner Robins, GA
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NLT
Margaret Neil, Jackson, TN
Psalm 139:24
Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. NLT
Leverett, MA
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Colossians 3:18
I love the verse given by Lora Osburn and I would like to claim this as my memory verse. It is such a rich picture of our Heavenly Father and Savior.
Psalm 65:11 NIV – You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance.
Yates Center, KS
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10 ESV
Brittney Zimprich Spokane, WA
He will provide for those who grieve in Zion–to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness 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.
Isaiah 61:3 NIV
Lisa from Cibolo, TX
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB)
Debbie, Lancaster, TX
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12
Terry, Odess, FL
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34, NIV