Hey, everybody! You are in the exact right place to submit your Verse 2!
This is such a fun first for SSMT! Remember in the SSMT informational post when I told that, while I’ll still be doing all the SSMT posts on the 1st of every month, the one on every 15th would be written by various sisters in our blog community? Welcome to the first one! It took me about 5 seconds to decide who we should ask to kick off our SSMT guest posts. My beloved friend, Jan Morton, has been an active member of this community from its inception. I fell in love with her by watching her interact with countless women in the comment line, ministering to them and encouraging them and mothering them and making them laugh. And through that connection, we became personal friends. Our SSMT guest bloggers throughout 2015 will be from various age groups but this one happens to be right at my age and in a very similar season in her personal life and serving life. Those of you who have been around a while know that Jan Morton became so dearly loved in this community that we early on named her the “Mayor of Siestaville.” So, without further hesitation, please grant me the honor of introducing you to one of the mightiest women in the faith that I know. Jan, we are so honored to have you host us today! Thank you for investing in us!
Happy 2015 Siestas! This is such a privilege for me to share with our SSMT. I adore this community! My name is Jan Morton. I’m a pastor’s wife from Georgia. [I am also “GJ” for Gran Jan/Georgia Jan.] I’ve been married to my husband Gary for 37 years. Only 20 years old when we got married¸ we were way too young but who knew? ☺ We have two grown married sons, two sweet daughters-in-love, and 5 delightful grandchildren ages 6, 4 ½ , 4 ½, 2 ½, and 17 months – Gran Jan’s JOY! I love gardening, singing in choir/praise team, reading, quilting, and serving in the women’s ministry of my church. I work in our local school system (26 years now) as the Administrative Assistant to our Superintendent. A new ministry I’m involved in at my church is called Taste & See, a mentoring, encouragement time for women. Cooking and conversation! We get in the kitchen and wonderful things happen. Isn’t the kitchen a great place to gather? It is at the Morton home!
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
The word says: For everything [it says everything], there is a season and a time for every matter/purpose/activity under heaven. Everything – the entirety of; a great deal, especially of something very important, EVERYTHING!
God has been drawing me to the theme of seasons, and that is what I want to share with you today. All of life relates to seasons. The beauty found in the four seasons of a calendar year to the seasons of our lives. I’m in the season of life known as the empty nest. Just me and my man like when we had “only just begun.” I’m loving this season, especially being a grandmother. Looking back as a 57 year old woman can do…I can truthfully say I’ve learned in every season of my life. I pray to grow old gracefully and stay relevant and young at heart.
What is your season of womanhood right now? Are you in SPRING – a young woman in school or just beginning a career or education or newly married? How about SUMMER – in the “zone” raising children or building a career or marriage? Maybe you’re in AUTUMN – children grown, and you may be looking toward retirement? Or perhaps you find yourself in WINTER – your senior years as a woman, perhaps a widow, reflecting on past seasons and all that God has brought you through.
WHEREVER YOU ARE, BE ALL THERE. This is what God is showing me because in the busyness of life I can easily lose focus. Don’t be longing for another season and miss what’s going on around you now. This deception is one of the biggest lies of the enemy of our souls; the distraction and discontentment with where we are today. Embrace your season: SEASON – SAVOR EVERY AVAILABLE SENT OPPORTUNITY NOW! Some are more enjoyable than others, sure they are! Just as changes in seasons bring mosquitoes in summer or storms in winter, there are extremes in our lives. Some of you empty nesters may suddenly find yourself caring for both your grandchildren and aging parents. Some of you young women may be longing for marriage. Some of you stay at home moms or single moms may have to go into the workforce for a season to pay the bills. If our entire lives were one continuous season we wouldn’t have the changes we desperately need to help us grow. As much as I love to garden, if every day were spring or summer, I wouldn’t have autumn to harvest, or winter to dream and plan.
This old gal has learned some things in 57 years of seasons:
• Our constant, never-changing, faithful Lord Jesus is with us in every SEASON, in everything.
• Sometimes seasons overlap – in fact, several might descend on you at once. Sometimes joy and sorrow meet in a season.
• You may think springtime has come, but unseasonal cold snaps may occur and you better be ready. Memorizing God’s Word is a lifeline.
• Ask God to give you a strong focus in your season today and receive it as the gift it is, embracing the wonder. God will provide your daily bread.
“Which is the happiest season of life?” was asked of an older woman. She replied: “When spring comes, and the flower buds are breaking through I think, ‘How beautiful is spring.’ And then when summer comes and covers the trees with heavy foliage and singing birds are among the branches, I think, ‘How beautiful is summer.’ When autumn arrives with golden fruit, and the leaves bear the gorgeous colors, I think, ‘How beautiful is autumn.’ And then comes winter, and there is neither foliage nor fruit, and I look up through the leafless branches as I never could until now, and see the stars shining in God’s home.
Embrace whatever season you are in now. RIGHT NOW. Don’t long for another season. I know the days may be long, but at my age, the years seem so short. So wherever you are, be all there. Because of Jesus, one day we will be “SEASONED TO PERFECTION” and live with Christ for eternity. Let’s get there one day at a time and savor our seasons as God wills. Because He has made everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
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OK, ladies! It’s me, Beth, again. Submit your second verses! Remember to limit your comments to these 5 pieces of information:
Name, city, verse, reference (where it is found) and translation.
Here’s mine!
Beth Moore, Houston, Texas. “In Him the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21-22 ESV
I love you guys!
Susan Sampson, Friendswood TX, NIV psalm 37:8 refrain from anger and turn away from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil
Sarah Ensor, Bracknell, UK
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God.”
Luke 1v35 (NASB)
Ephesians 4:30 NET
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.awn Dorr Mi
Dawn Dorr Mi
Ephesians 4:30 NET
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30 NIV
Cherry Buie, Conway, AR
I will extol You, my God, O King, And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Psalm 145: 1-2 NASB
Trenton,MI
The Lord is near to all who call on Him. To all who call on Him in truth. Psalm 145:18
Michelle Ulsan, South Korea “for everything has been created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thorns or dominions of rulers or authorities, all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Eph 1:16 HCSB
JaneS, St. Louis, MO
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4:16 ESV
Linda Cheney Wa. Zephaniah 3:17NIV
The Lord your God is with you,he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you,he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoyce over you with singing.
Christi Brotherton – Fallbrook, Ca.
Ps. 23: 1-6 NIV
The Lord is my shepherd , I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, 3 He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and
love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of The Lord forever.
Amy Gwartney Buundo,Buikwe, Uganda
He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. Dt. 8:3 (NAS)
Sandra Kent, Gwinn MI
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 NIV
Amman, Jordan. “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” (Luke 7:47 NKJV)
Antoinette Krietemeijer, Hoofddorp, the Netherlands(Europe)
Vertrouw op de Heer met heel je hart,
steun niet op je eigen inzicht.
Denk aan Hem bij alles wat je doet,
dan baant Hij voor jou de weg. Spreuken 3:5,6 (NBV)
Wahiawa, HI, NIV
Psalm 1:1
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers…
Susan Whitaker, Piscataway, NJ
“Praise be to the naem of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Daniel 2:20 & 21 NIV
Mieneke, Nijkerk, the Netherlands
Lead me, o Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face.
psalm 5:8. AMP.
Kristi Bracelin, West Des Moines, IA
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you; do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Kathy/Modesto, California
” FOR YOU, O LORD WILL BLESS THE RIGHTEOUS
WITH FAVOR YOU WILL SURROUND LANCE AS WITH A SHIELD”
PSALM 5:12 NKJ
trisha : ) Delleker, Ca. The Lord is my light and salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1. NIV
Cathy, Medfield, MA
Habakkuk 1:2 (NLT) How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, But you do not come to save.
Colleen, Cape Town, South Africa
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
Psalm 118:6, ESV
Amy from Shorewood IL
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)
Shaila – Syracuse In. Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength!” Ephesians 6:10 (CJB)
Anna, Roseville, CA. “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” Psalms 121:1-2 NASB
Peg Suveg, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: “Paul, Silas, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.” I Thessalonians 1:1 NIV
Joanne, Durham, NC
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart;test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting. NIV
Shawndra Jones
Fayetteville, AR
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
1 Peter 5:7 New Living Translation
Walker, LA
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. (Psalm 105:4 NIV)
Lisa L
Claremore, OK
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. (Psalms 19:14 NASB)
Megan, Sydney, Australia
Sow righteousness for yourselves
and reap faithful love;
break up your unplowed ground.
It is time to seek the Lord
until He comes and sends righteousness
on you like the rain.
Hosea 10:12 (HCSB)
S.W. Ranches, Fl
Philippians 4:7; And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. NKJV
Brittany Valentin
Bryan,tx / san antonio, tx
“Behold, i will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert”
-Isaiah 43:19 KJV
“Praise the name of God forever and ever,
for he has all wisdom and power.
21. He controls the course of world events;
he removes kings and sets up other kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the scholars.
NLT Daniel 2:20-21
Pamela Shaw, Bangor, Northern Ireland.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
Elizabethtown, KY “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that break a rock in pieces?” Jer. 23:29, NIV
Michelle S, San Jose, CA
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
NIV
Journey-Pilot Point, Tx
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” -Matthew 7:7
Anne Chen, Cerritos, CA “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12;2 NKJV
Lori Johnson Auburn, MA You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace,for it is trusting in You. Isaiah 26:3 HCSB
Mary in Pelham, NH
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or con ceit. But in low lines of mind let each esteem others better than the self. NKJ Ephesians 4:3
Shari Steilacoom, WA
‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ (Jeremiah 33:3 NASB)
Melisse, Slippery Rock, PA
Ephesians 5:4 NLT
Obscene stories, foolish talk, and course jokes – these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
Peggy Andress, Allegany, NY “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Melody McGregor. Harrison, Oh
Isaiah 40:30-31
“Though youths grow weary, and vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain knew strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.
Heather, Louisville, KY
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:2 (NIV84)
Kristi – Clovis, Ca.
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him”.
Lamentations 3:21-24
Kristen from Hide-a-way Hills, OH “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 ESV)
Karyn, Elberfeld,IN. I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His Word I do hope. Psalm 130:5 (NASB)