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!
Yvonne
Louisville
1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Sadie
Louisville
Proverbs 1:7 (HCSB)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Sarah–Laurel, MS
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)
Alicia, Edgewater Florida “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.” Romans 12:6-7 NIV
Psalms 121:1-2 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord , the Maker of heaven and earth.
Mary, Hockley, TX. — May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)
Connie McRae from London Ontario
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
“The Roman Road”
Robin Jones from Oklahoma City
“Be joyful in hope,patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Isaiah 14:24 NIV Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.
Laura Wassink, Brantford, Ontario, Canada. “But wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 NIV
Cindy Sansing Brandon MS
And whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: This is the way, walk in it. Isaiah 30:21 HCSB
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Cheryl from Stephenville
Colossians 3:17 (HCSB)
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Ellen Houston, TX
Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will take of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. NAS Matthew 6:34
Karin Peters College Station, Tx
1For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 2 Cor. 4:17 ESV
Angie Call (sorry its so late); Belleville, IL; 2 Tim. 1:7 MSG –
“God doesn’t want us to be shy with our gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.” ^_^
Amber B, Highland Village TX
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. ESV
Ann Jones, West Palm Beach FL. “If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. ” 1 Corinthians 13:1 MSG
A couple of days late! Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom15:13a
Larraine Reeves, Amarillo, TX
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 NIV
Hannah, Roanoke, VA. “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains Me.” Psalm 3:5 (NIV)
Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. KJVLITE
Nicole, Brentwood, CA “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
Tamara Henderson; Gardendale, AL. “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NKJV)
Dena K. from Columbus, OH:
“Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. ” (Psalms 51:11-12 NKJV)
Kim Dodson, San Diego, CA “Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.'” NKJV
”…Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:7 NLT
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 ASV
Julie Walker, Noblesville, IN
James 1:19-20 “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires.” NIV
Hannah Redd, Atlanta
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (ESV)
Diana, Ohio
New American Standard
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
Nicholasville, KY
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Col 3:23-24, NIV84
(There is a 2010 NIV with some word changes, but I still have my old Bible.)
Gretchen from Eau Claire, WI
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. ESV Isaiah 26:3
“…in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 NIV
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 ESV
Cassaundra from Leo, Indiana
Proverbs 12:18
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Ruth, Odin, IL
“But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.”
-Romans 8:10 (NIV84)
Hi Ruth, I see we are in Romans 8….are you working on the whole chapter??? I am…the first 15 verses I did last year, then got side tracked because of some family upheaval…but thanks to a friend, I was challenged to begin again and hope to finish it up this year…blessings, lynn
For whosoever shall call upon the name if the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13 KJV
Lisa, Vero Beach, FL
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 43:5
Cumming, GA Psalm 19:11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. NIV
Ann Roe, Clifton Park
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Mathew 6:34 NIV
o Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name; for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old; faithful and true Isaiah 25: 1 ESV
Atlanta, Ga
Lauren, Nashville, TN
“and I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you. I will take our your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” -Ezekiel 36:26 NLT
My soul yearns for you in the night, in the morning my spirit longs for you. Isaiah 26:9 (NIV)
Grace Sunbury, PA
Ephesians 2:21-22
Lisa DeCarlo, Alpharetta, GA
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. Psalms 25:4,5
Brenna, Chatham, IL “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5, HCSB
Suzanne
Sumrall, MS
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18 ESV)
Sierra, Fairfield, Maine
“You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves, because you were bought by God for a price. So honor God with your bodies.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NCV
Robyn in San Antonio, Texas
“Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.”
Psalms 37:3
NASB