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!
Kaylyn, Coppell, TX: “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” ( ! Thess. 1:3, NIV)
Lisa A, Frisco, TX
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15 NIV)
Jennifer, Center Point, IA
“Finally, brothers, 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” Phil 4:8 NIV
Kendra A. , Houston, “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Luke 6:36 (ESV)
Alana Greenwich
Minden, LA
Psalms 40:8 (NIV)
“I desire to do your will, my God;your law is within my heart.”
Jill, Silsbee, TX
“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”
Luke 11:23 NKJV
Tammy Skogen, Greeley, CO, Ephesians 1:19 “and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength,” NIV
Lori-Anne, Exeter, CA Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
Sharon, New Zealand, “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath” Proverbs 15:1
Kira Lee, Pittsburgh, PA.
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8 (ESV).
I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in Him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from me (cut off from vital union with me) can do nothing. John 15:5 AMP
Beckie Potterfield, Florence,SC
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Renee Miracle – Westfield, IN
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the LORD is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
Lana from Mishawaka, IN
Psalm 8:1
O Lord,our Lord,how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
Matthew 15:11
“….What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” NIV
Jennifer Lasater, Knoxville TN/Naples FL: “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1(ESV)
I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
Psalm 13:6
NIV
Gina Higgins, Bulverde, Texas. “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.” Philippians 4:17 NKJV
I cannot remember if I posted on 1/15 or not, so to be safe I am posting today.
But the fruit of the Spirit is joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live with the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25, HCSB
Monica, Salem OR
“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 NIV
Christy Reeves, Spokane, Wa
because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2
The Lord you God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness;’He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
“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 40:31 NIV
Courtney from College Station, Texas:
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 NIV
Ephesian 2:10 NRSV
“For we are what he has made us, created in Christ jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.”
from Pearland, Texas:
Genesis 8:1, “But God remembered Noah . . .”
Genesis 19:29, ” . . . God remembered Abraham
Genesis 30:22, “Then God remembered Rachel . . .”
Exodus 2:24, “So God heard their groaning and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
NASB
Becky Bigbie, Highland Village, Tx.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore I will hope in him!” Lamentations 3:24. NLT
Tonya (and six-year-old daughter) from Monroe, LA: “Do everything without comlaining or arguing.” Philippians 2:14
Christine from Nashville, TN
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Paula, OKC, OK: And He said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord–that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding. Job 28:28 NIV
Lisa Rivers Sandersville, Ga. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. NIV
Nicole Earls, Forks, WA
“Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether is applies to you.”
James 4:11, NLT
My sincere apologies for the late post. We were away on vacation and did not have internet access. I am home now and hoping that it’s not too late to share my 2nd verse …
Annie Johnson Ontario, CANADA – Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. – Psalm 84:12 (ESV)
never too late to memorize, sister. Welcome!
Tammy, Deer Park, WA
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
James 3:9-10 NIV
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:5
Darcy Best, Cypress, Texas. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Mary Anne Kent, Austin, Texas-I thank my God in all my remembrance ot you-Philippians 1:3 ESV
Valerie
Lubbock, TX
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you – they are full of the Spirit and life.”
John 6:63 (NIV)
Sorry, I forgot to post my passage.
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
John 6:68-69 NIV
Carrie Hammons – Arlington, TX – “So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that JOY.” John 16:22, NLT
Gay Idle, Fernley, NV
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:3 ESV
Greenville, SC
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 ESV
Vicky Dennis – Burnsville, MN
“I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not repaid to me. He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.” Job 33:27-28 ESV
January 15, 2015
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11
Angela, Warsaw, IN
“The Lord replied, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.'” Exodus 33:19 (NLT)
Morgan LaBelle, TX
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV
Cindy
Flemingsburg, KY
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
Colossians 3:15 NIV
Sandy Costello, Oak Grove, LA
For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. Psalm 31:3 KJV