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!
I am Bethany Sullivan from Converse, IN. My verse is John 15:1&2 from the NASB.
” I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes it so it may bear more fruit.
“The Lord is good – indeed, he is a fortress in time of distress, and he protects those who seek refuge in him.”
Nahum 1:7 NET
Susan Magaña, El Paso TX
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Ephesians 3:16-17 NLT
But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 KJV
LuAnn Fischer, Winfield, IA Ps 119:15 NLT I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.
Linda, Anson, Texas “For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Abbey, Waco. “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
Marisa, Hightstown, NJ
“Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? and why are you so disquieted within me?
Put your trust in God; for I will yet give thanks to him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.” (Psalm 42:5-6 – from the Anglican Chant Psalter)
My presence will go with you and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14 NIV
JulieAnn, Waconia, MN. “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2Timothy 1:7 ESV
Andrea, Richmond, TX Numbers 6:24-26 NASB
The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’
Olalla, WA
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
ESV
Shonda Vielbig, Ventura, CA That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:10 NIV
Sherrie Bell, San Antonio, TX
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God”
Ephesians 2:8 NKJV
Mary, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
JennyT – Midland, TX
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12 ESV)
Caroline Young, Houston, TX
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
Murray, KY
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
Conroe, Tx…Psalm 51:6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. NIV
1/15/15: Matt. 6:33
But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Kitty Schlosser, Zamora, CA – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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 40:29-31 NIV
Cathy Griffis, Portland, Oregon; 1 Cor 1:8-9
“He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
My 1st post was 1Cor 1:7 says “we do not lack any spiritual gifts…
And it’s ok to eagerly wait for our Lord”. Therefore we have a promise from
Him and will be blameless in the end for not believing in ourselves enough, because we are
not suppose to know all, but to know Him [prayer, read, reach out] who wants us in fellowship with his Son Jesus! Hallelujah. Amen, Siestas!!!
I love Jesus but have so much to learn and this blog will be
the best support I have to look forward to. Thank you Lord!
Brenda
Lake Stevens, WA
Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.
Psalms 37:5
Amberley ~ Pasco, WA
~~ For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. ~~
2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV
Rebecca Sansing, Bay City, TX
“5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6 which has come to you, just as in all the world it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8 and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.” Colossians 1:5-8 (New American Standard)
Leigh
Cypress, TX
Isaiah 43:1b NIV
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine.
Misty Watt, Amarillo, TX
Psalm 145:17 HCSB
“The Lord is righteous in all His ways and gracious in all His acts.”
Rebecca, Eagle Point Oregon- “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32 NIV
Brittany, Tacoma, WA
I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man. (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 ESV)
Jocelyn Swanson, Rockton, Illinois. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but Jen who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16, ESV
Amy, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
If You, Lord, should keep account of and treat [us according to our] sins, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You [just what man needs], that You may be reverently feared and worshiped. (Psalm 130:3-4 AMP)
Crissy Wright, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Becky, Alberta, Canada. Through the heartfelt mercies of our God, God’s sunrise will break in upon us,
Shining on those in the darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death,
Then showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace. Luke 1:78-79, The Message
Liz Klein, Costa Mesa, CA, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NASB
Angela Riley, Las Vegas
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NIV
Of weet u niet dat uw lichaam een tempel is van de Heilige Geest, die in u woont en die u ontvangen hebt van god, en weet u niet dat u niet van uzelf bent? U bent gekocht en betaald, dus bewijs god eer met uw lichaam.
1 Kor. 6
Alisa Phillips – Doha, Qatar (Texas native)
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-12 NASB
Kristine from Welland, ON
“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. ”
Matthew 5:4 MSG
Stephanie Teahn, Lafayette, Oregon:
Our hope comes from God. May He fill you with joy and peace because of your trust in Him. May your hope grow stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13, NLV
Hanneke, Ridderkerk, the Netherlands
“De Heer is niet traag met het nakomen van Zijn belofte, zoals sommigen menen; Hij heeft juist geduld met u, omdat hij wil dat iedereen tot inkeer komt en niet verloren gaat”
2 Petrus 3:9
Mildred Chalmers, St Peters, Montserrat
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.1 John 5:14,15 KJV
Hi Mildred,
A scripture I have pushed back in my memory banks. I will read chapter 5 in 1 John today. I was inspired to find Montserrat, as i enjoy geography. I was not familiar with Montserrat’s location either. I read that it is very small, only 9 miles long and that a volcano erupted 20 years ago. Many people had to flee. I pray for your island in God’s name, Amen.
All scripture is given by inspiration of 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
Rita, Lexington, SC
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Proverbs 12: 25 NIV
“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up”
“I will say of the LORD, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God;
On Him I lean and rely
And in Him I (confidently) TRUST.”
Psalm 91:2 Amp.
Sandra TenHarmsel, Holland, MI
“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
Lisa, Granville, Ohio
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”
Matthew 13:28-29 NIV
Beth, DyersburgTN
Because He turned His ear to me I will call upon Him as long as I live. Psalm 116:2 NIV
“My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me.”
Jeremiah 17:7