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!
Sue from Telford, PA
“Therefore, I urge you brothers (& sisters), 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
Pattie Self, San Angelo, TX
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:9 NIV
Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Connie-Dublin, VA
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in They sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14. NIV
Lauretta Market, Flemington, NJ “But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” James 1:25 NIV
Maegan – San Gabriel, CA
1 Peter 5:7 – The Living Bible
Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.
“Jesus Christ IS the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8, NKJV
Katrina Chandler, OK James 1:3-4 ” for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it’s full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” ESV
Auneca from Donalsonville, GA
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
Jennifer – Fort Worth, TX
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph 6:12 NIV
Lauren – Fort Worth, TX
“Well then should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more of his wonderful grace? Of course note! Since we have died to sin how can we continue to live in it.” Romans 6:1-2 NLT
Cathey from Cordova TN 2nd Corinthians 5:17 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Every good and perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV)
Amy, Hampton, TN. Better late than never. I will memorize Romans 8:38.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. Romans 8:38 NLT
Kari Ellis, Bloomington, MN – “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 NRSV
Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:3-4 NKJV
Carolyn, Baton Rouge, LA, 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old one has gone, the new one is here
Nicole Taulman, Windsor, Missouri – “I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory. But you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.” ~ Psalm 44:6-7.
Aimee Beck, Altoona, WI: “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” Proverbs 16:32 NKJV
Jeremiah 29:11 – 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. NIV. Missoula, MT
Kim Cagle: Norman, Oklahoma (posting late because my daughter has been in the hospital for the last week, but wanted to get it in anyway) 😉
Isaiah 61:3 New International Version (NIV)
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
Julie Caudle
Rosenberg, TX
“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 40:31 NIV
Correna, Forney, TX
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 20:11. NIV
Heather Rogers-Bellevue, Michigan
My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.
Psalm 62:1-2 (NASB)
Ofelia – San Angelo, TX
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does. James 1:25
Cheryl Manis – Dandridge TN – Isaiah 49:1b NIV Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.
Parke-MS- James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Cyndi Chappel
Douglasville, GA
Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what you say.”
Exodus 4:11-12 NLT
Lainee, Flagstaff, “And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules”. ESV
Kimberly Mcclure, Palmdale, Ca
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
Lamentations 3:25
Crystal M. Cleveland, TN
He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV
Ana-Maria, Saint Joseph, Missouri, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31
Emily, Bothell WA
But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead–only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved–… Ephesians 2:4-5 The Living Bible
Cindy Walker, Clear Lake area of Houston, TX. “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
Emily F
Logansport, IN
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalms 9:10 NIV
Jeannie Holden Dexter MO,
You Guide me with your counsel and after wards you will take me into glory. Psalm 73:24
Lori from St, Catharines, ON
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 11:19 NIV)
Becky Nelson, Whiteville, NC
But let those rejoice who put their trust in You. Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.
For You,O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield. Psalm 5:11,12 (NKJV)
Rebbeca Barrett, North Brunswick, NJ
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” Psalm 111v10 (ESV)
Ashley Snell, Magnolia, Tx
He must increase, I must decrease.
John 3:30 esv
Wendy-Destin, FL
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6, 7 NIV
Ima Parriott, Springfield,IL
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30 NIV)
Kelley
Atoka, TN
“Set your mind on the things above not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2 (NASB)
R Beasley, Mansfield, Ohio: Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him. 2 Corinthians 2:7-8 NlT
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 HCSB
Jennifer- Whitewright, TX
2 Corinthians 4:10 NLT
“Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.”
Brooke, Atlanta, Ga
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28, NASB
Sara, Middleburg,FL.
Be careful for nothing; but in everything with prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6 KJV
*Sorry for the delay*
John 14:1 NLT
Don’t let your heart be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.
Shelly – Lake Village, Indiana
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV