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!
Hollie, Catoosa,Ok.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Proverbs 4:26NIV
Romans8:2 ESV “For the law of the Spirit of Life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Betsy Amato Polk City IA
Let you hope make you glad. Be patient in times of trouble and never stop praying. Romans 12.12
Becky, Roswell, GA
“He uncovers the deeps out of darkness and brings deep darkness to light.”
Job 12:22, ESV
Stephanie, Thomasville, GA
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.”
~Romans 12:9 (NLT)
Orillia, Ontario, Canada
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song.”
Psalm 28: 7 HCSB
Jenna Hodgins from Santa Rita, Guam
1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Crystal, Canton MI
Psalm 78:4 NLT
We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.
My daughter, Reese:
Psalm 84:2 NLT
I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.
Stephanie Allen, Fort Worth , TX Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 NIV
Dian Helgerud, Orlando Florida
Behold, I will do a new thing.
It springs up now. Don’t you know it?
I will make away in the wilderness
And streams in the desert
Isaiah 43:19 (web)
Mimi from Snellville, GA – “Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19 HCSB).
Colleen – Phoenix, AZ – No one should see his own good, but the good of the other person. 1 Corinthians (HCSB)
For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes. Jeremiah 31:25 NAS
Erika, Monson MA
Jennifer Walker, Sarver, PA ” Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
Sheila Oakes
Cary, NC
Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
When you come looking for me, you’ll find me.
Jer.29:23 The Message
Tracy Langford, Medicine Lodge, Ks
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Do not be afraid for I am with you. Do not be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
” For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11
Kim Bunting, Colfax, Louisiana. “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV
Laura Gilbert, AZ
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on You.
Isaiah 26:3
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Tess
Cartersville, GA
John 1:5 ESV “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”.
Sarah
McKinney, TX
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:5 NIV
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes through Him. Psalm 62:1 NIV
Kim Cook, Valley, Al. –
How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? – John 5:44 (NIV)
Angie Watson, Greenville, NC – “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)
Sarah K Pannell , Blue Springs,Ms Consider Him who endured such hostility against Himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. Hebrews 12:3 NRSV
Sheri Vreugdenhil, South Bend, IN
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (NIV)
Kathy Emeigh, Bethlehem PA
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 NIV
Judy,Oswego, NY
1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV84
‘Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I WILL NOT be mastered by anything.
“…as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13 NET
Stephanie, Gulf Shores, AL “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33 NLT)
Psalm 10:6 “He says to himself, ‘I will not be moved; Throughout all generations I will not be in adversity.”
Monica Pribe, Blacklick, OH. “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” Romans 8:2 ESV
Crystal, Quispamsis, NB CANADA
“Be content with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never leave you; I will not forsake you” Hebrews 15:5b (ESV)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. Matthew 5:16
“But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh”.
Galatians 5:16 NET
Misha, Joppa, MD
Psalms 29:2
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.1 Corinthians 9:25 ESV
Jeanette St Petersburg FL Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1 NIV
Samantha from Texarkana, AR
In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this day and I too am working.” John 5:17 NIV
Sherry Stewart, Winston-Salem, NC
So then, we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.
Romans 14:19
HCSB
” 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.” 1 Peter 1:18 NIV
Diane, Hanson, MA
Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8 NASB
Michelle Faulkner, Birmingham, AL
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. (Proverbs 16:9 ESV)
Lillian Richardson, Howey in the Hills, Florida “For the LORD gives wisdom. From His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6 NASB
Jessica Jenkins, Indianapolis, “Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another and forgive whatever grievance you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:12-13
Linda Garretson, Corinth, Texas, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6, NASB
Christy, Philadelphia, PA.
When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, I will make myself available to you, says the Lord. Jeremiah 29:13 NET
The Lords Prayer Mathew 6:9-13