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!
Ann, St. Louis, MO
Isaiah 51:3 NIV
The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
Karen – San Diego, CA –
“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.”
Psalm 27:4 NIV
Valarie, Pocatello, Idaho,
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1, NASB
Joyce LaForte, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
“Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13 NASB
Kimberly Atkins, Garland, TX. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? Matthew 6:30 The Message
Amy Culpepper Whitehouse TX Exodus 14:13-14
Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm & you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you only need to be still.”
Angela McGinnis, Brockport, NY. II Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, of love, and of self control.
Brigitte Thomson, Newark,OH
“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Phil.1:6 ESV
Hebrews 13:5-6
For he has said, “I will never fail you nor forsake you. “Hence we can confidently say. “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
Fighting a battle with fear just now. These Scriptures give me so much comfort!
Sarah Jackson, TN
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Addy Cianciotto
Dickinson Tx.
Psalm 145:2
“Every day I will bless you
and praise your name forever and ever.”
Tara Vinson, Clarksville, TN -“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and contagious. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV
Missy Schuetzle, Pierre, SD
God of hope, fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in You, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Colossians 3: 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
Polly from Pa.
2Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Rebecca Sprenger, Marana, AZ
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NLT)
Eileen, Bensalem, PA
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and all your soul, and all your mind, and all your strength.”
Mark 12:29-30
Missy, Lewis Center, OH
“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Peter 5:7
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Eph. 2:10)
Kimberly Parker – Laurel, MS
“In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strenthenedst me with strength in my soul.”
Psalms 138:3 KJV
Kim DeSha, Louisville, KY, The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6, NIV
Denese Monroe Shawnee Oklahoma Philippians 4.3 For I can do everything through Christ who gives me Strength NLT
jenn collins, franklin, nc
1 chronicles 4:10, He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.
Cheryl, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17 NIV)
Cheryl, Denton, TX
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
“We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:18-19 (NIV)
Laurie Jones, Lubbock, Tx.
I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3: 22-23
A man’s heart plans his ways, But the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Tricia Rea, Auburn, AL
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 ESV
Marianne, Manitoba, Canada , 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
Robin, Knoxville, TN John 15:5 NIV
I am the Vine: you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Lindsay McDonald, Casey, IL “…because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:5 ESV)
Hello, my name is Kathy Brooks. I live in New Hampshire.
Job 12:10 (NIV)
“In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
Lesli Westfall, Pearland, Texas, “Cause me to hear you lovingkindness in the morning. For on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to you.” Pslams 143:8 Amplified
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29 ESV)
II Cor 12:9 “And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Darlene Medford, Garner, NC KJV
1 Peter 1:8 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, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Catherine Martin, Fort Wayne, IN
“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
Linda: Reno, NV
Ecclesiastes 5:18 ESV
Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.
Hannah Arnold, Carrollton TX
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:16 NIV)
Misty, Calhoun, GA
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 NIV
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galations 6:9 NKJ
Grace San Antonio, TX
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways submit to Him. and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Jeanne Cummins, Joplin, Mo
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Christi Hudson, Newnan, Georgia
Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG
Julie, Simi Valley, CA: “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ to live.” 1 Thessolonians 5:16-18 (Message)
Gal 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me”.
Amy, Quincy, IL
Correct me, LORD, but only with justice – not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing.
Jeremiah 11: 24, NIV
Shirley Maxwell. Macon, Georgia
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven………Ecc.3:1 NASB