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!
Nicole S., Oviedo, FL
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
Shannon Vasquez from Littleton, CO: The LORD will fight for you, you need only to be still. ~Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
Tanya Crouse, Floyd’s Knobs, IN – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16 ESV
Missie,
Marble Falls, TX
“The Lord is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Alaina // Tyler, TX
Exodus 34:6-7 (NIV)
The Lord, The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love to thousands and forgiving wickedness rebellion and sin.
Pamela
Pinehurst NC
He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30
Mobile, AL
Prov 18:6-8
A fool’s lips bring strife,
And his mouth csllg for blows.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
The words of a whisperer are like doing morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of his body. NASB
Staci
Columbus, OH
Psalm 143:10
[esv]
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
on level ground!
God’s law was given so all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
Romans 5:20 NLT
Bobbi Jo O’Neal, Mount Pleasant, SC. “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself”. 1 Cor. 6:19 NIV
Susan Kreider, Bird in Hand, PA, His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
Gale Wilkinson; Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
This is love: not that we love God, but that He loved us and send His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:10 (NIV)
Robin Bennett,New Albany, MS
“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.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Joanna Goforth, Lee’s Summit, MO Habakkuk 3:19, “The Lord GOD is my strength. He makes me like a deer that does not stumble so I can walk on the steep mountains.” (NCV)
Dawn Vaughn, Highlands Ranch, CO
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. (1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV)
Deby Allen New Carlisle, OH
Gal 6:9 let us not to come we re in doing good for the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up, NIV
Julia Eisiminger from Michigan. “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 (NIV)
Lori VanDyke, Dimondale, MI
Proverbs 31:30 NIV
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Casie Gall, Wylie, Tx Give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thess 5:18 NIV
Betty Collins, Biloxi MS. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then the peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. HIs peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6-7 NLT
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 KJV
Sam, Colorado Springs, Co
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13, NIV
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deut. 31:8 Remembering who goes before me provides a sense of security and peace when I’m feeling afraid or rattled.
Leigh Toronto, ON
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
Lamentations 3:22 (ESV)
Ellen, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Als zouden de bergen wijken en de heuvels wankelen, mijn liefde zal nooit meer van jou wijken en mijn vredesverbond is onwankelbaar -zegt de Heer, die zich over je ontfermt.
Jesaja 54:10, NBV
Barb, Urbandale, IA
Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of Your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. Psalm 4:6-7 NIV
Sherry Chong, Orlando,
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:4 NIV
Jennifer Talsma from Stratford, Ontario, Canada;
“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV)
We demolish arguments and every high-mined thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:4b-5 HCSB
Judi, Baton Rouge, LA…”You number my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle; are they not in Your book?” Ps. 56:8 (NKJV)
Lisa Williams from Houston, Texas
So that with a clear conscience and blameless conduct you may learn to value the things that really matter, up to the very day of Christ
Philippians 1:10 NAB
Karen from Norfolk, VA: If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV)
Michelle Lefler, Norman, OK
“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
Laci Gall Wylie,TX This is the day the Lord has made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 NKJV
Deidra Vanderheiden, Wichita, Kansas Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
kelly, Emma (6), Eva Kate (10) Versailles Ky God is our refuge and our strength, ever present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NIV
Pam, Lake Mary, FL…Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Marsha R. Lexington Park, MD
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with the tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
Psalm 150: 3-4 NIV
Wendy, Lakewood, NY
Galatians 6:3 (NIV)
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Brenda Greathouse, Hays, KS “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecc. 3:1 ESV This verse was not my plan, but Jan’s post spoke so directly to me in my struggle to adjust to an empty nest.
Elizabeth Pannell Buford, GA
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
psalm 95:1-2 NKJV
Ann Steiner, Odessa, FL
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Kim, Austin, TX
We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him,
according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 12
NIV
Nancy White from Lee’s Summit, MO
Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer
Romans 12:12 HCSB
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:2 NIV
Amy Adams
Middletown, Delaware
I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Psalms 34:2 (NIV)
Aleah Marsden, Vacaville, CA
My verse from the first round changed the day after I posted it. This is what I ended up memorizing instead (plus my second verse).
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.” The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:21-26ESV
Lauren, Sugar Land, Texas “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes3:1 ESV
Tonya Hamilton, North Richland Hills, Tx – Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)
Nancy Shippy, Tempe, AZ – May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Colossians 1:11