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!
Donna O. Montgomery, AL
Proverbs 3:1-2 NIV My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
Sheila, Edmonton, Alberta Hebrews 13:8 (The Message)
For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.
1 Cor 10:23 NIV
“Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible but not everything is constructive.”
Shari Arkills, Buckeye, AZ “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” 2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV
Jenny, Wichita, KS
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
Sacramento,CA
The Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:8 NIV
Paddy, Plattsburgh NY
I have the SSMT 2015 spiral app on my iPad but do not see how/where I can enter my verses as in a note. Is it just to have quick links to blog posts for days 1 & 15? Any help is welcome. Thank you.
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.
Psalm 103:2 New Living Translation
Shawn, Tega Cay, SC
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 12:2 NIV
Pamela, Kansas City, MO
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. ~ John 15:1-2 (NIV)
Sarah Franke – College Station, TX
Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering – Hebrews 13:3 (NIV)
Matthew 5:3. “Blessed–happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous that is, with life-joy & satisfaction, regardless of their outward conditions-are the poor on spirit..”
Amy from Noble, OK
“My sheep listen to my voice, I know them and they follow me”
John 10:27 (NIV)
Christa from AZ
The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.
– Psalm 29:11 (NLT)
Casey, Henrietta, TX
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 NIV
Angela, Huntington Beach
“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
Romans 13:14 ESV
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Cindy/Midland
Nikki Hyatt, Orlando, FL
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love. 2 John 1:6, NIV
Lindsey Edwards, Hutchinson, KS
1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. (Hebrews 11:1 NLT)
Laurie, Omaha, NE. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3, NIV
Audrea B. Cedartown, Georgia. Truly he is my rock and salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalms 62:6 NIV
John 14:1
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.
Pam T-NC
Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually.
1 Chronicles 16:11 KJV
Paula, Jacksonville, FL Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 KJV
Terry. Winston-Salem, NC
Set a guard,OH LORD, over my mouth and a watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3
Cindy, Fort Worth, TX
The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid. Psalm 27:1 NIV
He has showed you, O man, what is good. What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Michael 6:8 NIV
Leah from Sandersville
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. Psalms 54: 4
Mary Alice Dulweber
Dallas, Tx
Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you;
He will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 55:22 NIV
Sheri, Hummelstown PA
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5 NIV
Eucha, OK
“The same was in the beginning with God.”
John1:2 KJV
And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NASB
Judy, Tyler, Texas. “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV
“Do not conform 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 12:2 NIV
Phyllis- Norwich, CT
If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. John 14:7 NIV
Rebecca, Baltimore, MD
The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory; like Father, like Son. Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. John 1:14 The Message
Robin McCartney
Rockwall, Texas
And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1John 4:21 ESV
KJV. 1John 5:14. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hearth us.”
Kris, Charlotte, NC. “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.” John 14:27 NIV
Mary Beth Shell, Roan Mountain, TN
“Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Virginia Edenfield Rincon Ga. “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV
Annette Gray, Tomball, TX, ‘All of your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.’ Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Ok, I’m late…..
John 10:27-29 NKJV
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
Jeremiah 3:15
“Then I will give you Shepard’s after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding”.
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 NIV
Brandi, Knoxville, TN
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV)
May integrity and uprightness protect me because my hope is in You. Psalm 25:21, NIV
Rebekah Messick Wentzville, MO
You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Psalm 16:11 NASB
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25
Denise Yates in Glenwood, IA
Phil. 4:8. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.