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!
Jennifer, Topeka, Kansas
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NAS
Anna Claire S. Madison,MS
But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.
Jeremiah 17:7, NLT
Kathleen, Shenandoah TX Keep you lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV
For I know the plans I have for you, “declares The Lord,” plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Katarina, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NASB
April Buck, Yuba City, California
Galatians 5:16 NIRV
So I say, live by the Holy Spirit’s power. Then you will not do what your sinful nature wants you to do.
Kelly Parker, Shreveport, La
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28, NIV
Karen-Greer, SC: “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.” Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
Carol ~ Webb City, MO
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3 (NIV)
Micki, Prairie Village,KS
Consider it pure joy my brothers (and sisters) whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3. NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything , by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Katie
Marble Falls, TX
“All the earth shall worship You, and sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name. Selah”
Psalm 66:4 NKJV
Beautiful post Jan!
Kelly Snodgrass
Rogersville, TN
1Peter 4:7-8 ESV
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Luke 1:37 “For nothing is impossible with God” NIV
Cheya, Houston, TX.
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1 ESV
Gina, Olathe KS
Philippians 4:6-7 NAS
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication and thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard our hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Diane, Wedgefield, SC, Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints, Psalm 116:15 (NIV 1984)
M’Lissa, Keller, TX
2 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV)
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
Kari, Wheaton, IL. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
Sheryl, Taft, CA
I’m going with Jan’s verse this time. Ecc 3:1
Beth C., Huntsville, AL
They rejoice in your name all day long, they celebrate your righteousness.
Psalm 89:16 NIV
Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Proverbs 4:26 ESV
Maggie L. Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” esv
Lanette V from Woodstock, NY
1Cor 2.9 NLT
As it is written
No eye has seen
No ear has heard
No mind has perceived
What God has planned for those that love Him!
Lori Wilbanks, Taylor, TX
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience and God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted he will show you a way out so that you can endure. So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. 1 Corinthians 10:13-14 NLT
D’Anna Nowack – this year is all about transformation
Kilgore, Texas
2 Cor. 3:18
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lotd, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plsns to give you hope and a future. NIV. Jeremiah 29:11
Sheri from Fort Worth.
2 Tim 1:6 ESV For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control (sound mind KJV 🙂
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalms 126:3 (NIV)
Mary
Woodway, Tx
“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”
Psalm 37:5 (NLT)
Kennesaw, GA
Your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God. You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies. I Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
CindyHelen
Ashland, OH
Romans 5:1 ESV
All praise and honor to Him who has saved us, as we celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary today, thank You, Jesus!
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ps141:3 NIV
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Wanda Young
Osborn, Missouri
Jesus looked at them and said,
“With man this is impossible,
but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26 (NIV)
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I will say it again– rejoice! let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell Gid what you need, and thank him for what he has done.
Oops! forgot!
Philippians 4:4-6 NLT
Karen B. Oklahoma City “I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word. Psalms 130:5 HCSB
Salvation in found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to me by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 (NIV)
Kelli, Spokane, Washington
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20 NKJV Study Bible
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven Ecc 3:1
Moose Jaw, Sk. Canada
Krista McPeek, Sardis, Ohio
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things of the earth.” (Colossians 3:2)ESV
Roswell, GA Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. (NKJV)
Gretchen, Lexington, KY
But now O Jacob listen to The Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
Leona, Fort Langley, BC – “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” Romans 5: 1- 2 NIV
Robyn Stokes, Burleson, TX
Ephesians 5:2 …live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. NIV
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.
Psalm 105:4 NIV
Joel 2:12-13 NIV
““Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”
Gina, Manitowoc, WI
Psalm 90:16 (NLT)
” Let us, Your servants, see You work again; let our children see Your glory.”
Amy Young, Midlothian VA
Then you shall call and the Lord will answer, you shall cry and he will say, “Here I am”
Isaiah 58:9 ESV
Nancy, St. Augustine, Florida
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24, NIV)
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God; in Him I will trust.
Psalms 92:2
KJV