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!
Carol from Kansas City, MO
“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 NCV)
Candice from Wallingford, PA
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 HCSB
Sloan Edmond, OK
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those whol isten.
Ephesians 4:29
Denise Dean Midland, TX Isaiah 40:31 NIV
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.
Laura from Gastinia, NC
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! ~Psalm 141:3 ESV
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; & in her tongue is the law of kindness. Proverbs 31:26 KJV
Barb P. Kansas City, Mo.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”
Matt. 6:33 ESV
Proverbs 3:10 (NKJV)
“so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
(It connects with my previous verse from Prov. 3:9.)
Carolyn
Wheaton, IL
So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. (Romans 8:6 NLT)
Michelle, Clayton NC
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 NLT
Hebrews 6:20 – where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedk. NASB
Jeanmarie, Archbald, PA
2 Cor 5:14 – 15
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was reised again. 2 Cor 5:14 – 15 NIV84
Marrie Gardner Cullman, AL
Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
NIV
“He fills my life with good things!” – Psalms 12:9 NIV
Emma Gardner Cullman, AL
Psalm 44:8
In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
NIV
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
Ephesians 1:4 HCSB
But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
Dina from Orlando, Florida — Romans 8:38-39, NIV:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nacogdoches, TX
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Galatians 5:13 (ESV)
Lisa, Abilene TX
1 Cor 10:31(ESV)
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Elgin, IL
“The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.” Deuteronomy 2:7 NIV
Alli
Bloomington, IN
Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
I Peter 4:10
NIV
Joyce Cantrell, Harrisonville, MO You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psam 16:11, NIV
Susan Miles, Jonesboro, Arkansas
Psalm 104:33 NASB
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
Beth Schreiner, Alvaton, KY
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11, HCSB
Yvonne Green, Canton, NC
“Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life.” Proverbs 4:23 ERV
Frances, Hollywood, Florida
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.- 1 peter 5:6 NIV
Straight from biblehub.com:
“tapeinós (“lowly, humble”) means being God-reliant rather than self-reliant – which ironically always exalts a person (brings them true worth, cf. 1 Pet 5:6).”
I already entered a scripture. The one I posted before this one was because it was the spur of the moment and this one was more thought out and blessed my spirit, really wanted to share.
Lori Grundy
Hattiesburg, MS
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm 139:23 NLT
Laura, O’Fallon, Illinois
Romans 8:27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Rachel Penna New York, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34 NKJV
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5. NIV
K Briscoe, Rutledge TN
“So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Acts 5:41 NASB
Rae, Lafayette, IN For as high as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; Psalm 103:11 NKJV
Pflugerville, TX
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
[Galatians 5:22-23] NLT
Ellen, Moneta VA
But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. -Philippians 3:7-8 (NIV,1984)
Vanessa L, McKinney, TX
Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.
Zechariah 4:6 ESV
NKJV Daniel 1:12 Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Kellye , Oklahoma City
Psalm 143:8
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning.
Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You.
Alvin, TX ‘Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.’ Colossians 3:15 NIV
Samantha Arnold, East London, South Africa. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
Donna Ray, Conyers
2 Timothy 4:2. Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince , rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching. NKJ
from Scottsdale, AZ
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
Cheryl-Oregon, WI
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:1-2 NIV
Kim B. in Thatcher, AZ
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. Psalm 103:13 (NIV)
Debbie Williams, Albemarle, NC “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” II Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Paige Lacey Sandersville, GA
Colossians 3:13 “bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” NASB
Kylie, Ozark MO, “What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For you sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:35-37
Dena, Houston, TX
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Revelation1:3 (NASB)
Lisa Tackett
Bethany, OK
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV