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!
Lucinda Bomberger
Watsontown, PA
Psalm 139:13-14 ESV
“For you formed my inward parts;you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works, my soul knows it very well.”
Amy, Hobe Sound ,FL
“But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.”
Psalms 59:16 ESV
Sandy, Dodge City, KS
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Becky, Choctaw, OK
John 11:25
“Jesus said to her: ‘I AM the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”
Daphne, AL
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Phil 2:1-2 NIV
Robin Spaan, Orange City, Iowa Psalm 18:1; 19:1 “I Love You O LORD, my strength” “The heavens are telling the Glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His Hands.” Psalm 18:1; 19:1 NAS
Lisa Pauls
Lake Jackson, TX
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV
Donna Hertzog,Mertztown,Pa.
I leave the gift of peace with you – My peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but My perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts-instead be courageous!
The Passion Translation
Ashleigh. Mooresville NC Psalm 34:8. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalms 34:8 ESV
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Charlotte, Seymour, Trxas. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 NIV
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Julie, Cincinnati Ohio
Search me, O God, and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 NKJV
Marianne Dublado, Houston, Texas
Micah 7:18-19
Who is a God like you, removing iniquity and passing over rebellion for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not hold in to His anger forever, because He delights in faithful love. He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Corinth, TX: “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7
Bernadette, Mtn Home, AR. “If I am sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection. Because you’ve always stood up for me, I’m free to run and play.” Psalm 63:6-7. The Message
Lindsay from Florence, SC
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)
Gina Lockridge from Gadsden
2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God. KJV
Cathy, Greensboro, GA
For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:17 NKJV
Arlington,TX
1Corinthians 13:4 MSG
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut.
Love doesn’t have a swelled head.
Hayley Warren, Seymour, TX
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it? So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by my works. You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that – and tremble with fear. (James 2:14-19 NET)
Gail, Atascadero, CA
Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1Thessalonians 5:17-18
Misty Brown, Newnan, Georgia
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Jenny Tanner, Texas, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12 NIV)
Cathy, Rhinebeck NY
Now to him who is able to do more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Tammy, Lubbock TX
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NIV
“But Jesus turned around and when He saw her He said, ‘Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was made well from that hour.” Matthew 9:22
Frances Selner from Fort Worth, Tx:
Psalm 37:3-4
“Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” NIV
Colossians 3:2 NIV
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Cindy M
Lusby, Maryland
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
John 4:24 ESV
Mitzi from Brandon, MS
Live as children of the Light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases The Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV
“Blessed is she who has believed that what The Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” Luke 1:45 NIV
Belinda Johnson, Menard Texas
Erica, Houston, TX
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other. 1 Thess. 3:12, NIV
Psalms 119:104 KGV
Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate ever false way.
Ephesians.3:20. NLT
” now all glory to God, who is able,through his Mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think…”
Lebanon, ohio
For we walk by faith, not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7 nkjv
Judy Libby, Cleveland, Ohio.
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
(Ephesians 3:20–21, ESV)
Jetta Morse, Owensboro, KY “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV
Kristy, Birchwood, TN
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NLT
Laura from Nacogdoches, Texas
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
you will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on YOU because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Pam Pruett, Clarksville,Arkansas “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, Isaiah 61:1
June Waltenberger, Elburn, IL. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6-7 NIV
Matthew 12:36 – “I tell you this: on the day of judgment people will be called to account for every careless word they ever said.” (Voice)
Kimberly Bruneel, Stockton, CA Psalm 16:5-6
Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
Holman
Prairie Grove, Arkansas
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10, HCSB
Stephanie Frakes, Abilene, TX
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Romans 8:24-25, niv
Susan S. , Madison,MS
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
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 43:18-19, NIV
Cozy, Fair Grove, MO
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:34 KJV