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).
____________
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!
Deuteronomy 30:19 (ESV)
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring might live.”
Sturgis, MI
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.
Psalm 138:8 (NLT)
Julie from Wichita, KS
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is you life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4
Yanzhen Pan, Chapel Hill, NC
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting out, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV
Theresa Jackman, Midlothian, TX “does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil” 1Cor13:5 NKJV
Shannon from Misawa, Japan. Isaiah 48:17 This is what the Lord says- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you where you should go. (NIV)
Noelle McCusker, Evington,Va. “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”–1Timothy 6:8, NIV
“Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” Nkj
Kamea Hope, Ont Canada
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3 NIV
Monique Meadows from Auburn, AL – for the times legalism sneakily moves in:
“Jesus answered: ‘The work of God is this: To believe in the one He has sent.'”John 6:29 NIV
Paige, Holly Bluff, MS. “And He took them [the children up one by one] in His arms and [fervently invoked a] blessing, placing His hands upon them.” (Mark 10:16 AMP)
Liz – Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” ESV
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 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, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:18-19 NIV
Kristi, Elba, Alabama: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2: 8-9 (NIV)
Nicole Collier, Reston, VA
For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self control, and self control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:5-8, ESV
Cindy Kyber from Powdersville, SC
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth that you were taught and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:7 NLT
Joyce, Stigler OK
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 ESV
Bonnie from Republic, MO
Romans 12:2 TLV
Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of G-d-what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Brittany Nashville, GA
3-We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems & trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us to learn to endure. 4-And endurance develops strength of character in us, & character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.
Romans 5:3,4 NLT
North Richland Hills, TX Romans 3:13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
the one who gains understanding. NLT
Linda from King George, Virginia
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
~ Colossians. 4:2. (NIV)
Liz from Hilliard, OH
“that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.”
Ezekiel 11:20 ESV
Marti, Concord, NC: O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. -Psalm 130:7
Lori,Orland Park, Il
Galatians 5:13 NLT
For you have been called to live in freedom-not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in Love.
Karen F., The Woodlands, Tx
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
Meagan Nice from Schwenksville, PA
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.”
Colassians 3:23 NIV
Brenda, Lincoln, NE
Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Trust in the lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Stevie Stevens, Fort Worth, TX
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. — Philippians 4:13
Carol Benjamin, Niles, MI
He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
Psalm 91:15
Jenny, Irvine, CA
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Kim A., Vanceboro, NC
He will feed His flock like a sheapherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.
Isaiah 40:11
“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.”
John 1:16 NIV
Linda Steinacher from Wichita, KS
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 NIV
Sandra Chippewa, Imlay City, MI
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11-12 HCSB
Port Neches, TX
Romans 14:10 (NIV)
“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgement seat.”
Crystal Mann, Greensboro, NC
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Lonnie Hall – Brunswick, GA
James 3:1-2
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. NASB
Tammy from Lexington, KY
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. John 14:12 NIV
Wendy Puckett from Mayfield, Kentucky
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
There is no widsom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
Proverbs 21:30
2 Cor.10:5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God,and take every thought captive to obey Christ. ESV
Lisa – Schererville, Indiana
“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
Kendra from Fort Wayne, IN “But as for me, I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and of your salvation all day long; for I do not know the sum of them. I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone.” Psalm 71:14-16 (NASB)
1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God
Devote yourself to prayer remaining thankful and watchful.
Colosians 2:4 or 4:2 – obviously not memorized yet 🙂
Jenni S, Pittsburgh, PA
Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.
Isaiah 46:4 ESV
Oma Chastka from College Station, Tx.
“This is my command- Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT
Susan from Oak Ridge Tennessee
On that day the Lord their God will save them, as a flock of his people; for like jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land.
Zechariah 9:16
Tricia Simpson. Terrell, Texas
“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”
Proverbs 16:3 NLT
Jennifer – Milford, OH
Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
Psalm 86:11-12 (NIV)