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!
Dana O’Keefe, Pace, Florida
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46-1 NIV
Janey Palmer, Naples, FL. “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV
Hi Janey, I especially liked the verse you’ve chosen. I think the closer we start drawing to God the harder Satan starts coming after us. Thank you for your verse! Another verse I found was Zechariah 4:6 “not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts” (NKJV)
Kimberly
Kasana, Uganda (signing in from Fort Wayne, IN)
Lamentations 3:23-24 ESV
“they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion.” says my soul, there I will hope in Him.”
Melissa Davidson, St. Louis MO “A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.” Proverbs 14:1 NLT
Deanna, Harwood, Maryland. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3 NIV
Carrie, Pueblo CO
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confidant! Rely on the Lord!
Psalms 27:14 (NET)
April Butcher, Boone, NC
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past! See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and springs in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18, 19 NIV
Jana Sandoval; Atlanta, GA; “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (ESV)
Erin, Lexington, KY
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV
2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Gen 1:2
Angelina Eger, Capistrano Beach CA
“He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly” (Proverbs 14:29). NAS
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. Ps. 119:11 – 12 (NLT)
Allison Dupre, Alberta, Canada
[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:7
Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 37:3-4, ESV
Lisa Oden
Little Rock, AR
Stephanie
Winder, GA
Daniel 2:20 ESV
Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom
belong wisdom and might.
Heb. 11:11 (NIV): By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
I’m late (again!).
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:4-5 NIV
Jen Iwanski, Eaton, OH
Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.”
Kim McCulley knoxville tn I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. (KJV)
Stephanie S. from Huntsville, AL “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5, ESV
Sherry, Oceana, WV. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8. NLTy
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst, MS
Matthew 6:33 ESV
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 NIV
Rhonda Wilmore, Staunton, VA
Isaiah 54:17 ESV
no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”
Ande, Bedford, TX
“That I may know Him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like Him in his death…”
Philippians 3:10, ESV
Courtney Kraemer, Houma, LA
Acknowledge that Yahweh is God. He made us, and we are His- His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Psalm 100:3, HCSB
You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:2-3 NIV
Loretta Dettmer
Diamond, OH
1 Thes 5:24 “the one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”
For January 01, 2015 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
For January 15, 2015 “Now all things are from God who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ Jesus, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJV
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes from Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God”
Phillipians 1:9-11 NIV
Nan Vroman, Buffalo, NY ‘ “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; 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. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ‘ Joshua 1:8-9, TNIV
Karen F. Houston, TX
“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
Beth has been my mentor for about 4 years or more.
I have her passion for Christ.
I love learning and growing from her Bible Studies.
I have prayed for His Story to become my story.
He gave me a story, which led to me becoming founder and author of PRAY MOHR (my maiden name, my roots:) and that is where I share my story and pray for people! It has been such a blessing, but I could not have done it without Beth, her Ministry and our Blessed Savior.❤️
Romans 8:28
PRAY MOHR,
Sheila Mohr Forster
Strasburg, PA
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. NIV 🙂
Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.
Anna Rostock, Boise, Idaho
1 John 4:21 NKJV “And tgis commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also”
Kelly Womack
Fort Smith, AR
” I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”
Galations 5:16
HCSB
Tracy De La Huerta
Hesperia, Ca.
You are my refuge and my strength, ever present in our times of
trouble. Psalm 46:1
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Tammy Laffitte
Alexander, NC
Stacy Rummel, Edmond, OK
1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love. (ESV)
Because I can’t see my way out of this…
To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God’s approval. It is by faith that we understand that the universe was created by God’s word, so that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen.
Hebrews 11:1-3 GNB
Dana Johnson, Waterfod Wi, “Make every effort to live in peace with eveyone, and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” Heb 12:14 NIV
Jennie Franksville, WI
But Lord, you are my shield, my wonderful God who gives me courage. I will pray to the Lord, and he will answer me from his holy mountain. I can lie down and go to sleep, and I will wake up again, because the Lord gives me strength.
Psalms 3: 3-5 NCV
Jennie Wright, Bossier City, Louisiana: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV
Angela -Dallas Center, Iowa
“The Lord of heaven’s armies is here among us. The God of Israel is our fortress.” Psalm 46:7 NLT
“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
James 1:17 NLT
Rachel, Atlanta, GA
Lindsey from Temecula, CA
For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. Romans 14:7, 8 and 13 (NLT)
Vickie Wheelis, Ruston, LA
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for The Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
Asheboro, NC
For which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:20kjv
Cheryl, Austin
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2 (NASB)