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!
Leigh, Miami, OK
I John 4:7-8 NKJV
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
COURTNEY Atnip, Temecula, CA. Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT)
Kelli, Cary NC
John 14:27 NIV
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Terri, Southaven, MS
Create in me a pure heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. Psalm 31:7
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid nor dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NKJV
Cheryl Hoover, Peninsula, OH
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
1Peter 3:21
and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Kim Clearwater Florida Psalm 34:4-7 NLT
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
Donna Banks from Franklin, TN
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1 ESV
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 NIV
Donna, Plano, TX
But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me. Ps. 13:5-6 NASU
Susan Parsons, Boston, MA
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”
Romans 8:16 ESV
Kathy, Jamesville, NC – There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under Heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (Jan Morton’s blog post of 1/15/15 on this verse spoke deeply to me.)
Hanna Yara, Booker, TX
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 NIV
“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Salt Lake, City
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” John 1:12-13 NIV
Misha McGill, Arroyo Grande, CA
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. 2 Corinthians 1:20a ESV
Karla Tovar, Baldwin Park Ca ” 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 NLT)
Claudia Wadzinski, Franklin. “Friends love through all kinds of weather;and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.” Proverbs 17:17 The Message
Barbara
Midlothian, VA
What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
Romans 8:18
Andrea Thibodeaux, Carencro, LA, “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” (Psalms 143:8 NLT)
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 KJV
Gretchen Malcolm, Westminster, MD
Give the Lord a chance to show you how good He is. Great blessings belong to those who depend on Him. The Lord’s holy people should fear and respect Him. Those who respect Him will always have what they need.
Psalm 34:8-9 ERV
Amy G- Clovis Ca Proverbs 19:11 NLT
Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrong.
Nancy, Holcomb MO,
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
II Corinthians 5:9 NKJV
Hab. 2:3 NAS
For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies to the end and will not lie. Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late.
Amber Little Rock, AR
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!Psalm 141:3(ESV)
Kerry from Houston, TX
“Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor My covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Chastity Charlottesville, Va
For The Joy of the Lord is your Strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 NIV
Denise, Lubbock, TX
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
NLT
Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too. Philippians 2:4
Dianne Green, Jackson TN
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Phil 4:13 ESV
Niv 1th 5:16-18 be joyful always, pray continually,give thanks in all circumstances, for this is gods will for you in Jesus Christ.
Laura S., Salem, OR I Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, preparing your minds for action and being sober minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who calls you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct-since it is written you shall be holy for I am holy.
Ashley Reffit, Garner, NC
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
Cara from Mobile, AL
“For I know the plans I have for you, ” declares The Lord, ” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Jeanne Bergeron, Nederland, Texas.
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Joan, Dousman, WI
He will not allow your foot to slip;
Your Protector will not slumber.
Indeed, the Protector of Israel
Does not slumber or sleep.
Psalm 121:3-4 HCSB
Kim C, Franklinton, Louisiana
“But me He caught-reached all the way from sky to sea; He pulled me out of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning. They hit me when I was down, but God stuck by me. He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved-surprised to be loved!”
Psalm 18:19 MSG
Lori Carbo, Gilbertsville, PA “Search me 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)
God turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs so she could sow fields and plant vineyards that yield a fruitful harvest. Psalm 107:35, 37
Robin ~~ Garland Tx
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Plano –
My verse for Week 2 is:
Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV –
The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Kim, Malvern, AR
Ephesians 2:8
“For by Grace you have been saved through faiFaith, and that not of yourselves, it I’d the gift of God.”
NASB
Rhonda Amstutz, La Feria, Texas
“God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you.” PSALM 51:10 NIV
danae | lafayette, in
“the Lord Himself watches over you! the Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
— psalm 121:5 [nlt]
Bonnie
Pottsville, PA
Psalm 107:27-28 NIV
They reeled and staggered like drunken men;
they were at their wit’s end.
They cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and He brought them out of their distress.
LATE to the party this week!
Laura Beth Harpe
Milledgeville, Georgia
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:13 NASB