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!
Tammy M. Hays, NC “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
Lenaira Day, Kansas City, MO
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 NIV
1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers. ESV
Kirsten, Boones Mill, VA. “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you.” Joshua 1:5 NIV
Robin, Columbia SC
“Create in me a Pure Heart, O God,
And Renew a Steadfast Spirit within me”
Psalm 51:10
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15 -16 ESV
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 NIV
Lauren Bartell, Atlanta GA
Oh that we, may know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of the dawn or the coming rains in early spring. Hosea 6:3 (NLT)
Stacey,Tomball, 1 Peter2:4-6 NIV For is it written in scripture: See I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone and he who trust in him will never be put to shame. Now to you who believe this stone is precious, but to those who do not believe the stone the builders rejected has become the capstone. A stone that causes men to stumble, a rock that makes them fall. They stumble because they disobey the message which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Melissa
Midlothian, VA
1 Corinthians 5:8New International Version (NIV)
8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Annette from Carmel Indiana
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, (Psalm 1:1 NIV)
For I know the plans that I have for you, declares The Lord, plans for welfare and not calamity, to gove you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Donise, Longmont, CO You will keep in perfect peace her (him) whose mind is steadfast because she (he) trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Jan,
Thank you for this wonderful, wonderful essay about Jesus and the seasons! I’m transitioning from autumn to winter (turned 64 on Christmas day!) and I’m cherishing every day!
I am new to Beth’s blog, but not new to Beth’s ministry. I’ve been changed by doing her studies with other women, and I’ve watched her on Wednesday’s With Beth for years. I had the privilege of hearing Beth quote a whole chapter from the Bible at a women’s conference at Gateway Church (my home church!). Powerful!! Ever since I quoted Jesus Wept and God is love when I was a toddler, I’ve loved God’s word and am so thankful that it got hidden in my heart at an early age.
Blessings!! I’m so happy to be a part of this!! Now if I can just figure out how to register, I’ll join SSMT officially… (I’ve got my Spiral and I posted Verse 2 yesterday.)
Terri Hardy from Indio, CA
All Scripture is given by inspiration by God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy. 3:16-17 NKJV
Jessica Klepac :: NYC :: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 :: ESV
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Bonnie Janus, Clarks Summit, PA: 2 Cor. 2:16 English Standard Version
“to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?”
Amy McFarland from Bloomington, IL
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 ESV
Molly Longo, Lititz, PA
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
Shelley from San Angelo, TX
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
Psalm 100:2 NASB
Heather Lopez from Lindale, GA
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 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. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 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, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:3-9 NIV
Allison Skinner, Greer, SC- Instead you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 1 Pete 3:15-16 NLT
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. Romans 1:18
Esther Porter, Shelby, NC: “Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
Linda N, Efland, NC – Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5: 1-5 ESV
“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)
Becky
TN
Mandy-Temple, Texas
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV)
Jen from Northumberland, PA
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Pam Nelson, Brighton, CO
Isaiah 32:17, HCSB
The result of righteousness will be peace, the effect of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.
Erin, Joplin, MO
“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else just as ours does for you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12, NIV
Lauren, Columbia, SC. ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25, ESV
Gigi west Milton, Ohio
Psalm 41:10 ESV
Feat not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Counting on My God!
Amy, Brentwood, TN
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 NIV
Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
judy from Kalamazoo Michigan
James 4:7 Submit yourselves to the Lord, resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Kari Turner
Charlottesville, VA
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17 ESV)
Sarah Lewis, West Point, GA…”Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 ESV
Sarah (Brookhaven, MS)
Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Thorp, Wisconsin
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV
“He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken”. Psalm 62:2 NIV
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKV
Judy, Lancaster, PA
“He lets me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams.” Ps 23.2 nlt
Missy, Arkadelphia, AR
Many are the plans in man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Old Bridge New Jersey
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand
And say to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
Amy Ramsey, Flowood MS,
Let your gentleness be known to all men, the Lord is at hand.
Philippians 4:5
Jessica, Clarksburg, WV. “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.” -Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 NIV
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Cor. 3:18 NIV
Rebecca Jamerson, Hallsville, TX
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:35-36, ESV
Emma Jamerson,
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Psalm 19:1, KJV
Robin, Atlanta, GA
Jesus through You alone
I have enough
Humility
Gentleness and
Patience
to bear with those around me in love
Ephesians 4:2 NIV