Lora Lovin Osburn

Scripture Memory Team 2026 – Verse 4

Lora — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:56:02 +0000

Happy April! Happy Scripture Memory Team Day! And blessed week of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus!!!

He is risen, friends!

I’m calling this verse the *no one* and the *no other* verse. Acts 4:12 is all about salvation. I think it’s a perfect verse for this Easter season. Jesus was born to die on the cross and be raised from the grave, that we might be saved and live eternally with Him.

Salvation is in, and by, Jesus alone.

“Salvation is found IN no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind BY which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12
(emphasis mine)

If you have any questions about salvation, or being saved, I would love to have a conversation with you.

Feel free to screenshot the April verse and memorize with me!

#Scripture #ScriptureMemory #Jesus#Easter #Salvation

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Scripture Memory Team 2026 – Verse 3

Lora — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 16:35:47 +0000

Happy March! And Happy Scripture Memory Team day! I’m full of anticipation about the good the Lord is doing in my life.

I’m also in the thick of having the opportunity to put the rubber to the road with this month’s verse, James 1:19.

We’re all included in the “Everyone” James is talking to; but I only have agency over me, so I’m taking note when he says to be:

Quick to listen

Slow to speak

Slow to be become angry

Friends, sometimes I get the “Quick & the Slow” switched. The stoplight in my mind blips, and you know, in a snap, I can be quick to speak and slow to listen …. I’m not the only one that happens to, right?

It’s so easy to nod your head when the pastor is preaching it from the pulpit; but, it becomes harder when the reality of the road smacks.

All right, I’ll stop talking in car generalities and say it: when people do people things. Yes, we are all just people doing people things. And, If I may shift back to the driving theme: People are driving the cars on the road of life. And sometimes it can feel like you are sideswiped by people and the best response in the moment seems to be quick to speak your mind. But according to the Truth of the Word, I need to put on the brakes when it comes to speaking and becoming angry and give the green light to my two listening ears.

Oh such a timely verse for me. It makes me think of something as I heard as a child: You have two eyes, two ears, and one mouth. Yes, ma’am.

Yes, Lord.

As March marches in, Lord, help me, help us, to apply the truth of James 1:19, even when it’s tough and the road seems curvy and rough.

#Scripture #ScriptureMemoryTeam #March #TheQuickAndTheSlow #OhWeHaveAWayToGo

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Scripture Memory Team 2026 – Verse 2

Lora — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 09:22:54 +0000

Happy February! And Happy Scripture Memory Team day!

I had the sweetest experience of being sung to that goes hand-in-hand with this month’s verse, so here is my love song story:

When I woke up, on the jukebox in my mind, a song dropped from my memories of being a child in the country church where my mom and dad would take us when we visited family here in the mountains. As clear as a bell, I heard my Aunt Marie’s strong alto voice singing “I have returned to the God of my father.” She sang several verses including the one that says, “I have returned to the God of my mother.” As I went through the day, I kept pushing the replay on the internal storage carousel of my aunt singing till I finally I reached out to her with a message about the song. She called me back that evening and read the words to me that she had found on music in her piano bench and ended up singing the song as I just cried and cried.

It wasn’t even Valentine’s Day; but I got the most heartfelt rendition of a love song sang to me as if I were the only one in the booth beside the jukebox. Except, I was a young girl in that country church near the creek where my father was baptized, hearing her distinct voice reverberating and resounding off the hewn pews and creaking floor.

She shared that she and Uncle Bill and Susan use to sing this song together. Said she didn’t have all the verses – because I’d asked specifically about the one about returning to the God of my mother. She said if I could give her some time that she would find it for me and that she may even have a cassette tape. She then asked me if I wanted her to sing it again and me, awash in tears, I declined because she had not felt well and had been to the doctor that day and she replied something along the lines of this month’s Scripture memory verse and though her flesh may be feeble, her intent to bless me was strong. And without skipping a beat, she lovingly replied, “Well, let me sing the one verse to you about the God of my mother.”

And she sang, again.

More tears flowing freely. She stopped once and said she didn’t remember the words, hummed and picked back up with “He’s Jesus to me, eternal deity, praise His name, I have returned.”

The singing ministered to me in such a beautiful way. From a young girl in a country church, to a woman in the middle of life, blessed by an alto aunt whose God is the strength of her heart. Valentine’s Day came early and it didn’t include flowers and chocolates; but a song.

Is it a love song or a love story – either way God gets the glory. Hallelujah. And amen.

Feel free to screenshot Psalm 73:26 and memorize with me!

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Scripture Memory Team 2026 – Verse 1

Lora — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 15:44:58 +0000

Happy New Year and Happy Scripture Memory Team day! When I received this month’s Dwell Differently memory verse, it was like receiving a beautifully wrapped present from my own personal shopper. Now, I don’t have a personal shopper; but I just want to let you know it’s how personally and tenderly Jesus met me with a timely word to tuck in my heart.

I had been discouraged.

At the end of the year when leaving my doctor’s office, I asked her what I could do to expedite my healing journey. To sum it up she said I was doing great and to keep doing what I was doing. My drive-through mentality did not want that answer. I wanted to order feeling like I felt before the virus at the menu board then pick up my healed self at the next window and be on my way.

I told the Salesman I walked out of the doctor’s office to my car and stood there and cried in the late December chill. I cried because it had been so long since I felt like the butterfly the Salesman had always used to describe me. When I shared with him how discouraged I was, he was a cheerleader – much like my doctor – and encouraged me in the progress that I’ve made.

The healing path that the Lord has me on has been way longer than I would desire for it to be.

Anyone else?

Maybe you’re on a health journey too, or maybe it’s relationship struggles, family issues, grief, work, or finances.

I’m so thankful we have the gift of the truth of Deuteronomy 31:8 – God is always ahead of us. He’s always with us. God will never leave nor forsake us. Glory! He is so good!

So when fear or discouragement knock – and they will – we can remind them of the Truth. I don’t feel shame in being totally honest with the Lord and crying it out in an open parking lot with Him. He already knew how I felt anyway. He created my emotions. He allows me to process them and draws me back into alignment with the Truth. Hallelujah!

I am so thankful to be memorizing Deuteronomy 31:8 this new year. It feels very personal to me.

#ScriptureMemory

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Scripture Memory Team 2025 – Verse 12

Lora — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:22:48 +0000

Happy December, friends! And happy Scripture Memory Day! Woohoo! We have made it to the month we celebrate our Savior’s glorious birth!

The Light of the world has come!

Glory! Hallelujah!

Join in memorizing the Truth of God’s Word. Isaiah 9:2 is our 12th verse:

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

Glory! That is the best news!

Makes me think of these song lyrics:

“I was a seeker for light in a dark world

I looked for truth but settled for lies

I had been blinded, I couldn’t see

‘Til the star in Bethlehem’s sky opened my eyes!

I have seen the Light shining in the darkness

Bursting through the shadows, delivering the dawn

I have seen the Light whose holy name is Jesus

His kingdom is forever, He reigns on Heaven’s throne

There in a manger, an innocent baby

Who could believe that He was the One

I can believe it, I know it’s true

He changed my life, He is the Light, and He is God’s Son!

I have seen the Light shining in the darkness

Bursting through the shadows, delivering the dawn

I have seen the Light whose holy name is Jesus

His kingdom is forever, He reigns on Heaven’s throne

We must tell the world what we’ve seen today in Bethlehem

He is the promised King, we bow down and worship Him

We will worship Christ, the King

I have seen the Light shining in the darkness

Bursting through the shadows, delivering the dawn

I have seen the Light whose holy name is Jesus

His kingdom is forever, He reigns on Heaven’s throne

I have seen the light of Jesus

I have seen the light

I have seen the light of the Lord”

Songwriters: Robert Sterling / Chris Machen

Let’s finish the year strong!

#Scripture #ScriptureMemory #Light #Jesus #Christmas #DwellDifferently

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If you can only plant one tree

Lora — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:21:18 +0000

If you can only plant one tree, please let it be the glorious ginkgo. And to all my friends who like to take pictures in the lovely golden carpet beneath her majestic limbs, grab your cameras and come on.

#HerLeavesFlutterDownLikeConfettiFromHeaven #TheWholeEarthIsFullOfGodsGlory #IBelieveThisTreeWasPlantedForMe #GodsGloryInAndThruItISee #Ginkgo #GinkgoBiloba #GoldenGlory #TheCreatorsStory #Leaves #Yellow #OutdoorShagCarpet #IHeartIt

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Scripture Memory Team 2025 – Verse 11

Lora — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 20:00:50 +0000

Happy November, friends! Traditionally in November, I write daily in my gratitude journal; but this year, I’m doing what I’m calling “Pinecones & Praise” – little did I know that it would tie into this month’s Scripture memory verse.

I’ve been thinking about Hurricane Helene and the wild adventure I experienced the day she blew through. I’ll never forget the unction that moved me when looking out the kitchen window and seeing one of our 65 foot white pines leaning toward the garage. How I ran in my heels to click the garage door opener and get the salesman‘s car keys and move his car safely out of the garage. Or the praise that came out of my mouth as I got out of his car and then videoed the tree falling on the garage. If you want to read the full story, check out my blog post entitled Altar of the uprooted pine.

Fast forward to my current early morning routine of picking up walnuts that have fallen in the yard. A few weeks ago I noticed pinecones were very thick on the ground underneath the biggest pine we have – the one that held onto the 65’ pine that eventually fell. I had a thought to keep the pine cones. Being faithful to the little voice that guides me, I started to pick them up and with each one, thank the Lord for some aspect regarding the hurricane:

His saving grace protected me.

He had an even bigger pine that held the 65’ till she fell.

We have a rebuilt garage.

The Salesman‘s car is still jetting around.

I thank God for the simple pleasure of being able to pick up pinecones. For the gift of remembering how he brought us through a frightening time. I thank Him that the damage left by the winds have brought about songs of praise. Though these pinecones are little, they are tangible reminders from a mighty GOD that provided a massive tree that held up the leaning pine that contributed to me being alive to rejoice in the LORD today.

May His name be praised.

Every pine cone I pick up will be a gift of praise from me. I placed them around the topiaries that flank our back door and echo Habakkuk 3:18: “Yet, I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

Let’s memorize Truth together so that when the storms do come, yet, we will praise Him. #Scripture #ScriptureMemory

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Scripture Memory Team 2025 – Verse 10

Lora — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 12:50:16 +0000

Happy October! And happy Scripture, Memory Team Day!

I’d been thinking about how much I enjoyed working puzzles as a child and decided to order one since the only one in the house is an Alice in Wonderland from my mother’s childhood. I ordered Renoir’s Chrysanthemums – you probably are not surprised I selected a floral. I am having so much fun doing this puzzle! It started out on one table in the living room and even though I measured, the table was too small for the puzzle and all the pieces that *need* to go outside the border while working. I ever-so-carefully moved it to a bigger table I found at a thrift store. Every spare moment I am drawn like a magnet to my puzzle table. The moments usually don’t come till the days work is done – and then I feel like I need one of those helmets that workers wear in a mine that has a headlamp on the front to see better! I have moved the table all over the living room – under the main light in the center after moving the one lamp that was beside the Salesman’s recliner wasn’t enough light, I brought in a pharmacy lamp from my desk that I now move around the table. Still feel like I need a headlamp though. The Salesman has laughed at my set up – except for the time when the table was in the main walkway because I thought the best light was there. I’m sure he’s going to buy me a headlamp.

Anyway, it would have been wonderful to have it completed so I could share the full picture of the colorful Chrysanthemums with you; but at the time of this writing – turns out my incomplete picture goes hand-in-hand with this months Scripture memory team verse:

2 Corinthians 5:7

“For we live by faith, not by sight.”

As a visual learner, I best understand information by seeing it; but life sometimes feels like this puzzle. You plan and measure and it all looks good; but what you are doing and seeing just isn’t going to work and you have to start over and exercise your faith. You search and search for the right light because you think if you could just see better – an overhead light, a table lamp, a pharmacy lamp, a headlamp – or new glasses – when you need eyes of faith to be focused beyond the here and now to God and His kingdom.

This verse encourages me to trust in God’s way, His Word, & will, even when I can’t fully see, or understand, the whole picture. I need not be puzzled in the unknown or unseen nature of God‘s plan. I choose faith, and not fear, to lead my heart and life.

By faith, I trust that His plans and promises are perfect.

#Scripture #ScriptureMemory #JoinTheTeamAndMemorizeTheWord #NoTryouts #EveryoneIsWelcomeOnTheTeam

#FaithOverSight #InGodsKingdomIsRight

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First red leaves of the season

Lora — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 16:16:04 +0000

There’s something about the first red leaves of the season.

#TheGloryOfTheLordIsAllAround

#FindingBeautyInEveryFaceAndPlace

#Fall #RedLeaves #ISeeYouLord #RedeemedByTheBloodOfTheLamb

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Scripture Memory Team 2025 – Verse 9

Lora — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 17:56:24 +0000

Happy September, friends! And happy Scripture Memory Team Day! I was a bit sentimental when I found out the Scripture verse this month because it’s the first verse I ever remember committing to memory some 50 – give or take – years ago.

“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.” Romans 8:28

Granted, I memorized it in the KJV, and it will probably forever be implanted in my gray matter that way; but we can learn new things, right? My flesh can even rear up about a Bible verse and tell me with hands on hips that I already know that verse. I’ve learned in the school room of life, I can also tell my flesh to sit down in the back and be quiet. My spirit is going to be strong in the KJV and the NIV. And, who knows if someday I’ll be on Jeopardy and *need to know* the NIV version. Now I know that may never – probably not – happen; but the spirit in me is teaching my flesh a lesson or two.

I was reminded this morning when reading Matthew 4 that Satan used Scripture to tempt Jesus and Jesus responded back with Scripture. The enemy of our souls knows that The Word is powerful. I’m bulking up on two versions of Romans 8:28. Instead of two languages, I’ll have two versions of this verse. It may never secure a Jeopardy win for me; but it will help me to remember my Purpose amidst the Problems of life. The Promise of Romans 8:28 is what I will hold fast to in the waiting: in the healing season that’s taking much longer than expected, in the loss of my brother and ensuing sorrow, in the laziness, defeat, failures, and the disappointments of life – ALL things work together for good. His word says it, I’m believing it, and no matter if it’s the KJV or the NIV, all means ALL and my God is faithful and true. I’m believing He’s gonna work it all together for good. I don’t know how He’s gonna do it or when is He’s going to do it; but I am strengthening my spirit and believing that He will. His words are faithful and true, to me and to you.

Feel free to screenshot this graphic of Romans 8:28 and memorize with me.

#Scripture #ScriptureMemoryTeam

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