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!
Margaret, Louisiana: “Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
Kelley, Houston, Texas
The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11 (NKJV)
Lauren sanders, Fultondale, AL
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:10 NIV)
Everything is lawful but not everything is beneficial… So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. I Cor 10:23, 31
Natalie, Jonesboro, AR
Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. Proverbs 8:34
Robin Rennells, Raleigh, NC- “But the Lord said to me: ‘Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you. And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:7-8, NKJV
Cyndi from Sterling, VA
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 (NIV)
Deborah Schlafer in Sugar Land, TX
His power gives us everything we need for life and godliness. 2 Peter l:3
Janine, Kingwood, TX
“Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”
John 16:22 – NIV
Joan Hansen, Ocala, Florida “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4 NIV
Jill Hill, Houston TX – Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth, and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I want all the day long. – Psalm 25:4-5 NASB
Anita Koen, Winterville, NC,
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13 ESV
Hannah Carroll, Waco, TX
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:17 NKJV
Mary Ann, Wilsonville, OR – 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Glynis Cozza, Berthoud, Colorado “To this end I labor, struggling with all HIS energy, which so powerfully works in me.” Colossians 3:29 NIV
Lauren Sampsell, Eagleville, TN “Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love converse a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 NRSV
Deborah, Waco,Texas
“Be joyful always;
Pray continually;
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not put out the Spirits fire.
I Thessalonians 5:16-19 NIV
Michelle Silveous, Colorado Springs, CO
Romans 8:1
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” NIV
Tonya, Searcy, AR
Hebrews 12:11 NCV
“We do not enjoy being disciplined. It is painful at the time, but later, after we have learned from it, we have pewce, because we start living in the right way.”
Emily – Harrisburg, NC
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12
Shannon Greensboro, NC Nehemiah 4:14 NKJV “And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses”
Jody – Springfield, KY – Psalm 3:4 HCSB “Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Beth Mynatt Jacksonville FL
“You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north.”
Deut. 2:3 (NASB)
Laurie, Brentwood TN Psalm 51:10-12 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Ava Casper, Wyoming, Psalm 103:3-4 NIV ’84
Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!
john 8:36 (nlt)
Donna Wittich, Carthage, IL: Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)–Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.
“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
John 14:26
Connie Walker, Houston, TX.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self- control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 HCSB
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsake those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NIV
Kitty Yates Kingwood, TX
Eph. 6:11 (NIV)
Put on the full armor of God, so that you an take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Terri Buckley Houston, TX
“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
Carolyn
Indianapolis, IN
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26 HCSB
Emily- Warsaw, IN
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.
Psalm 118:1 NIV
The Wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please.
James 3:17
Rachel, Fort Wayne, IN “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
Shannon. Chapin, SC
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about what we cannot see. Hebrews 11: 1, NLT
Jackie Roth
Milford, NE
Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Isaiah 55:2 NIV
Heather Papay, Highlands Ranch, CO
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:11
Georgana
Leo, Indiana
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all the the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 ESV
Milwaukee, WI “The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in him, and I am helped: therefore, my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise him.” Psalm 28:7 KJ
Ashley – Stephenville, TX
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:3 NKJV
“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 (1984)
Beth Y, Bristol VA
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Ruth Bartlett,TN Matthew 11:28 KJV Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest
Lauren Fancher, Marble, AR
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:14 NIV
Melissa Fancher, Marble, AR
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 is may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Becky, Houston, TX
There is therefore now no condemnation to us who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV