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!
Frederika E Myles, Spring Hill,TN, Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10 (NIV)
Joelle Abilene, TX
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you
with power through his Spirit in your inner being
(Ephesians 3:16 NIV)
Denise Engberg ~Bloomington MN
Eph. 4:32 NIV
Be kind to one another tenderhearted forgiving one another
as God in Christ forgave you.
“I keep asking that God of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the glorious Father may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Eph. 1:17 ESV
I Peter 1:5 (NIV): (you) who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Helena from Paradise PA
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. ~~ Psalm 139:23 (NIV)
Sarah, Christina and Esther May; Wenatchee, WA
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:8 NIV
Maggie, Atlanta, GA
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Callie, Franklin, TN “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 NASB
Rebekah Patin, Groves, Texas. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV
Kim Freeman, Fort Worth, Tx
Mark 5:35-36 NIV
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of the synagogue ruler. (Jairus). Your daughter is dead they said. “why bother the teacher anymore?”
Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid, just believe
Joyce Morton, Wadsworth Ohio- After your season of suffering God in all His grace will restore confirm, strengthen and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10 ESV
Tracy, Kountze, Tx.
For the Lord will be your confidence
And will keep your foot from being caught.
Proverbs 3:26 NASB
Stacey- Omaha, NE
Galatians 6:9 NIV – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Emily – age 14
Revelation 21:23 NLT – “And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.”
Ally – age 12
Proverbs 1:23 NLT – “Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.”
Smiling at these 3 and the ages. 🙂
Kathy Jackson, Memphis, Tennessee “For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16 ESV
Adrienne, Valdosta, GA
“Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.”
Jonah 2:8 NIV
Stephanie Glynn, Lawrenceburg, IN “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 NIV
Melissa Seidler, Salem, OR
Psalm 119:81
“I desperately long for Your deliverance. I find hope in Your Word.” (NET)
Marge Turner-Chili, WI-
Psalm 16:11 NIV
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Kim from Euless, TX
Psalm 1:2 NIV
But whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.
Aloha Bishop, Keller Texas,
“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.”
Jeremiah 33:14 NIV
Tshaka,Overijse,Belgium; Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.
Luke 9:62 NIV
Brain moved faster than my fingers, forgot a word.
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:62 NIV
Lanae Boyd, Jefferson City, TN
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21 ASV)
Ann Seaney, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4 NIV
Mauri Sparks, Queen City, TX
(I will be memorizing the second half of this passage. The first half was for Jan. 1’s verse.)
4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.”… 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone…. 10 and the breath came into them, and they lived… (Ezekiel 37:4-5, 7 & 10 ESV)
Cheryl Grubbs, Warner Robins GA
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Philippians 2:3 NKJV
January 15, 2015 @ 6:50am
Nevertheless, let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Ephesians 5:33 NKJ
Emma Andreasen-Stephens – Elk Grove, CA:
“Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; Help us to spend them as we should.”
Psalm 90:12 TLB
Karen, Urbandale, IA. “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.” New American Standard Bible
Tracy Moore, Katy, TX
Psalm 138:8 (NLT)
The Lord will work out His plans for my life — for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
Erica, Lancaster, PA
John 15:2 (NIV)
“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it be even more fruitful.”
Rachelle MacIver, Fresno, CA. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; Do not be discouraged, For the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9. NIV
Sarah from Nixa, Missouri.
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.psalm 135:3 new king james version.
karen, Cheney, WA
“God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given us.” Romans 5:5 (NIV)
2 Corinthians 7:1
“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
Debbie – Lombard, IL Romans 12:12 ESV – “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Angie Hill, Jasper, Alabama
“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Psalm 9:10
Missy S, Chapel Hill, NC
“They shall spring up among the grass
like willows by flowing streams.
This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s,’
another will call on the name of Jacob,
and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’
and name himself by the name of Israel.” ~ Isaiah 44:4-5 (ESV)
Missy…..so thrilled to see you at this again! Perhaps we’ll see each other next January!
Hey Ginger!! Great to see you too! I got off of Facebook awhile back, so I don’t get the change to stay caught up with the Siestas as much. May just have to get back on it here soon. I sure hope my mom and I can’t make it next January!! Hope you are well!!
Tami Jones, Fall City, WA “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.” HCSB
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV)
Ops I forgot to add I’m Lori Smith from Medford Oregon
My name is Lori Smith TOO and I have already planned to use this scripture next time. So when scrolling through to make sure mine had posted, I saw this and thought it was me!! HAHA! I posted 2 min later than you! Crazy!!
I think that is so funny
LeEllen, Nashville, TN
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1, ESV
Peggy, Yorktown VA
Matt 5:6-10
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful,for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Amy Brown
New Palestine, IN
“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” -Psalm 46:1 NLT
Ginger S. Lowe, Wetumpka, AL: “So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” Gal. 4:7 ESV
Clare Bellini, Buckinghamshire, UK
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA “God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my life.” Psalm 54:4 HCSB
AShley Marathonm WI.
Galatians 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of out Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the World. NIV
Robbie C., Bay Minette, AL. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” NASB
Renee Kennesaw,GA “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,the hopper, the destroyer,and the cutter,my great army,which I sent among you.” Joel 2:25 ESV
Yvonne Gearing, Kingman, AZ
Philippians 4:19 New Living Translation (NLT)
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.