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!
Sandra, Houston, TX.
Eph. 1:4 NKJV
Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.
Angie Keener, Bella Vista, Arkansas
Isaiah 43: 1b-3a NIV
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Hey Angie!
This is my verse for the two weeks too!!! Praying this for you!
Fawnda
Deborah Flora, Sawyer, KS
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear, in the end he will triumph on his foes. Psalm 112:7-8 NIV
Becky Stephens, Morganton, NC “Your words were found and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 ESV
Dana, Ozark, MO
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Psalm 103:2 NIV
Carole (San Antonio, TX)
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)
Pam McDonald Hendersonville, NC
“For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:9 KJV
“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
Amy Spry
Dothan, AL
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
Caresty Carpenter, Madison MS
Psalm 139:17 NIV
How precious are your thoughts of me, O God. They cannot be numbered!
Tshaka,Overijise,Belgium; My apologies here is the
correction to previous entry: Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.
Luke 9:62 NIV
Gina Rosamond, Ca
Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.”
Christy, Cape Girardeau, MO. For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. Colossians 1:9a (HCSB)
Debra McMaster, Houston, TX. “But as for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause.” Job 5:8 (NKJV)
Claypool IN
Isaiah 41:11 All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.
Leilani Esmond, Smyrna,GA
Philippians 4:6 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJ)
Grace Morris, Fort Worth, TX Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” NKJV
Kathleen, Georgetown, Texas
Ephesians 5:2 NIV
and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Holly T, Powell, Wy
“But the Lord has become my fortress,and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.” Psalm 94: 22 (NIV)
Karla Leverett, MA
Set your minds on things that are above,
not on things that are on earth.
Col 3:2 ESV
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ (Matthew 25:45 NIV)
Laura, Jefferson, ME
1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV
(Love) does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
He gave me the strength to get through the treatments for Cancer, and for that I praise God!
Cheryl Moses – Houston, TX
So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. Colossians 1:29 (NLT)
Colossians 1:28, not 29
Lee from IN says; Psalm 91:2 ESV “I will say to the LORD, My refuge and my fortress, My God in whom I trust”
Megan, Goodlettsville, TN
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)
Stephanie
Harrisonburg, LA
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)
Mary, Atlanta, GA – For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
Casey Springer Murray, Ky
Ephesians 3:20 ESV
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think , according to the power at work with in us. To him be glory in the church
And in Christ Jesus throughout all generation’s forever and ever.
Lori Smith, Little Rock Ar
Romans 8:25-26 NIV
But if we HOPE for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness we do not know what we ought to pray for but he Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Elaine Ladich, El Paso, TX
“Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. ” James 1:21-24
I could not divide these verses up, so I will memorize all. 🙂
My verse comes from ESV version.
Sherry, Raleigh,NC “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path”. Psalm 119: 105 NLT
Melissa Weseloh, St.Louis, MO
“The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup,
You hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
Indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”
Psalm 16:5-6 (ESV)
Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:“For Your sake we are killed all day long;We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. NKJV
Tiffany Fang, Evanston, Illinois. “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” Psalm 139:17-18 NLT
Kandi Miller; Colton, SD
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Ennis, Texas
Matthew 25:36, English Standard Version (ESV)
36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’
Yay! Onward…
Elizabeth Bennett, Gainesville, GA – “I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.” – 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 (ESV)
Kari H, Grand Rapids, MI
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV)
Sharon Hamilton, Mactaquac, N.B.
But he said to me,”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Emily Murphy from Petal, MS
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
Donna, Deerfield, IL
“Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find: knock and he door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 NIV
Lori Thompson, McKinney, TX
2 Peter 1:3 NIV
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Megan, Madison, MS “Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.” Psalm 33:22 NLT
Michelle Kukshtel, Warner Robins, GA
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
Coleen Beasecker, Greenville, Ohio
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you!” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Karen from Las Vegas, NV – “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” Ephesians 1:4 NLT
Sarah, Montrose, CO:
Ephesians 6:12-13 (ESV)
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
West Virginia; 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NIV “Everything is permissible” – but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible” – but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.