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!
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 NIV)
Denise Anderson, Great Bend, KS. “You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you.” Job 22:28 NLT
Pattie B, Orlando, FL – Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. Psalm 50:15 ESV
Valerie F., Warrensburg, MO
“For the Lord God is our sun and shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” Psalm 84:1, NLT
JoleneEdmond OK
Ps 27:13.and 14 I will remain confident in this, I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord. be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Lori Clifton, Las Vegas, New Mexico. “God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.” Galatians 5:22 & 23 CEV
Lauren Hance, New Orleans soon Houston,
If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
2 Corinthians 5:13-15
Dawn Hauppauge NY:
DEUT 30:19 (NIV) This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life so that you and your children may live.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14 ESV)
The Woodlands TX. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me”. Matt 28:18 NIV
Anne Sporrer from Washington, IL
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
John 1: 1-2 NIV
Kay Richmond,Va
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
El corta de mi toda rama que no produce fruto y poda las ramas que si dan fruto, par que den aun mas.(Spanish)
John 15:2 NIV
Rebecca in Durham: “Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and WATCH for FIRE to descend.” Ps. 5:3 (MSG)
Beautiful!!
Christene from London, Canada
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 Thess 5:23-24 NIV
Penni Jones, Kingwood, TX
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
Isaiah 26:4
Trust in The Lord forever for in God we have an everlasting Rock.
Nasb
Terri from Springdale, Ar
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Ephesians 3:17
NLT
Darl, Bakersfield, CA
Hebrews 12:15 “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” NIV
Madison Heights, VA
……..For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7b AMP)
“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
Andree Evansville, IN
“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
Kim, Lakeland, FL – “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
Kelly Meacham Marysville, WA
“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD. NAS
Isaiah 54:17
Shawn from Tampa, FL
“As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right.”
Jeremiah 26:14 NIV
Vicksburg, MS
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
NAS
2 Timothy 1:12 b KJV
For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto him against that day.
Kim Lohman, Hillsboro, IL
1Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Rejoice always,
pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
That you may walk worthy of the Lord fully pleasing, him and being fruitful in every good work increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10 NKJV
Tammy Holley
Sugar Land, TX
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 23:3 ESV
Oops – Typo there!
Should be Isaiah 26:3
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? Micah 6:8 NAS
Debbie Parsons from Eastland, Texas
For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 ESV
Lonoke, Arkansas
Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us; Ephesians 3:20 CEB
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)
Sherry Pearcy
Meeker, OK
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, (Psalm 103:2 ESV)
Brenda Brandt Hudsonville, MI
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Rhonda Anderson, Harlan, IA For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:17 ESV
gina from Johnstown, CO
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails”.
Proverbs 19:21
Sharon Martinez, Raleigh, NC
“Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68-69, ESV
Katie – Johnstown, CO
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Mary from Lexington, KY
There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].
-1 John 4:18 (AMP)
Susan Wimmer, Bristol, WI
Since we live by the Spirit let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 NIV
Shelley from Lebanon, Tennessee
Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
In God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me?
Psalm 56: 3-4
Stephanie, Knoxville, TN
Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
~Ps. 73:25-26
Allie Johnstown, CO
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Cherie Sheldon, Lakeland, FL
Psalm 61:2 (NLT)
From the ends of the earth,
I cry to You for help
when my heart is overwhelmed,
Lead me to the towering rock of safety
Gayla McKinney
Lee’s Summit, Missouri
We were therefore buried with Christ through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Romans 6:4 NIV
Anita Absher Odessa, Tx
The most important one, answered Jesus, is this “hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this; “Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:29-31
Sandy from Anaheim, California
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NKJ