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!
Nancy Easter, Springfield Missouri
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:4-5 NIV
I memorized my first scripture but failed to post it…
Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NKJV)… Then you will call on Me, and go and pray to Me and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
My 2nd scripture is Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV… Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do no know.
Laura Hubbard, Apopka, FL “God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Christ Jesus. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.” Ephesians 1:5, NLT
Jill Erickson- Findlay, Ohio
Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:6, NIV
Sheli Hedlund, Blaine MN
Remain in me as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4. (NIV)
Angela
Clarksville, TN
The LORD will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. Psalms 138:8 NLT
Amy Jones, Fort Worth, Texas
“Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
Deborah Boutwell, Bon Aqua, TN: Is anything impossible for the Lord? At the appointed time I will come back to you, and in about a year she will have a son. Genesis 18:14 HCSB
Ashlynne Reynolds; New Waverly, TX;
Matthew 5;16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven” (NKJV).
Lorraine Johnson, Ketchikan Alaska
“Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” John 13:1 NASP
Holly Apex, NC Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
For the Word of the Lord is upright, And all His work is done in faithfulness. Psalm 33:4 ESV
Amanda Reynolds; New Wavery, TX;
Psalm 103:17 “But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children” (NLT).
Carlie in Henderson, NV-
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Nedrea Haley Hoover, Alabama
Hear my prayer, O God, listen to the words of my mouth.
Psalm 54:2 NIV
Joshua 1:9 NIV
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.
Becky Gilbert Shavertown pa
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psalm 119:105 NIV)
Carlene, Beaumont, Texas.
“For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Carlene, Romans 7:18, NIV
Leann Chambers, Athens, Louisiana
Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. Psalm 16:1 KJV
Karen Kaiser, Fort Dodge, IA. “Neither height not 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.” Romans 8:30 NIV.
Jill, Colorado Springs
you make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore
Psalms 16:11
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 Sarah Cawley, Plymouth, Maine
John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house is many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am,there you will be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.
KJV
Shari Dickie, El Dorado Hills, Ca
I the Lord your God hold your right hand and say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.”
Isaiah 41:3 NIV
Gabriela Chicas , Jacksonville
Psalm 119:103
How sweet are your words to my taste ,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Deborah Meabon, Warren, PA
“Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you.”
John 15:15b-16a, NIV
Sandy Truett, St. Marys, Georgia
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.
Mary Agius
Colorado Springs, CO
“But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself so that I may finish my race with joy and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Acts 20:24 NKJV
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. Psalms 139:2 ESV
Trina Aker, Venice, FL James 1:2-4 NIV
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Christy, Karen, Cheryl, A Cord of Three Strands
Jay, OK
You are the light of the world – like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5: 14-16 NLT
Catherine Munson, San Marcos CA:
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James v4, NIV
DeLand, Florida
John 11:26 NIV
and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Monica Kumar, Malvern, PA
They will have no fear of bad news;their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7 (NIV)
Lisa Forsyth,IL
“He is the one who sends His promise throughout the earth. His word travels with great speed. ”
Psalm 147:15 GWT
Jen Humphrey, Round Rock, TX
2 Thessalonians 1:11 NIV
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
Sandy Truett, St Marys, Georgia
I am just starting so I am posting for the 1st and the 15th. I posted one but am reposting as I did not put the chapter, verse and version.
1st – 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
2nd – In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10 NIV
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory.
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
Jamye Williams of Camden AR
January 18, 2015
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6-7 NASB
Windsor, CO,
” Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NLT
“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.” Duet. 7:9 ESV
Suzanne Hart. Murphy TX
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. Psalms 18:1-2 (NLT
SueB, Michigan
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 | King James Version
Yaneli, Houston, TX
Psalms 16:1 HCBS
Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You.
Brenda, Denton, TX “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8
Jeni Coppage, Waverly, GA –
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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 minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4: 6-7
Kara, Overland Park, KS
“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Leslie, Alpharetta, GA
Romans 15:13
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.