Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015: Verse 2!

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!

 

GaJan-Dec2014
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).

____________

 

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!

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9,367 Responses to “Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015: Verse 2!”

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Comments:

  1. 8251
    Janice Lisle says:

    Janice Lisle, Martinez,Ca
    Behold, I will do a new thing,Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert
    Isaiah 43:19 NKJV

  2. 8252
    Sande Wilkie says:

    Sande Wilkie, Martinez, Ca
    Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth;
    Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness
    And rivers in the desert.

  3. 8253
    Toni D Wilson says:

    ToniD Wilson. Ft Worth,Tx.
    Matthew 11:29 (Msg) Matthew 11:29 (MSG)
    29 “Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.”

  4. 8254
    Patti says:

    Exodus 16:4 ESV
    Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.

  5. 8255
    Kayla says:

    Kayla, Alexandria, Louisiana

    “The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:10 ESV

  6. 8256
    Anna Scantlan says:

    Anna Scantlan, Sullivan, MO
    For Jan. 15, 2015

    But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
    leet them sing for joy,
    and spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may exult in you.

    Psalm 5:11 ESV

  7. 8257
    Jaye Marie Graham says:

    Jaye Marie Graham, Quitman, Texas, “Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I cried My foot is slipping, your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your joy brought consolation to my soul.”. Psalm 94:17-20

  8. 8258
    Sherry Cunnigham says:

    Sherry, Perry, GA
    What then shall we say to these things?
    If God is for us, who can be against us?
    Romans 8:31 NKJV

  9. 8259
    Stacey Flores says:

    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
    Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

  10. 8260
    Casey Yeadon says:

    Casey, Cheney, WA “I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 NIV

  11. 8261
    ROMANA says:

    Romana, Drachten, The Netherlands

    Ik gebied je dus: wees vastberaden en standvastig, laat je door niets weerhouden of ontmoedigen, want waar je ook gaat, de Heer, je God, staat je bij. Jozua 1:9 (NBV)

    • 8261.1
      anna says:

      Romana, your entry caught my eye because of the language difference…so I looked up the verse….who knew God would speak to me through a verse written in a language I don’t speak or understand. Thank you so much

  12. 8262
    Sarah-Elaine Jarrett says:

    Sarah-Elaine Jarrett, Huntington, WV

    “6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

    Philippians 4:6-7 KJV

  13. 8263
    Nancy R says:

    Nancy, Columbus OH, For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Ephesians 5:8 NIV

  14. 8264
    Candy Dodd says:

    Candy, Fort Worth

    The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬ NIV

  15. 8265
    Allison Logan says:

    Allison Logan, Southlake TX,

    You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 GNT

  16. 8266
    Angie says:

    Angie, Charlotte, NC

    Psalm 147:11, “but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.”

  17. 8267
    Brandy says:

    Brandy, Sutherlin Oregon. Romans 5:2 NLT
    “Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of high privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”

  18. 8268
    Jenni Banicki says:

    Jenni Banicki – Elk Grove, CA “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11 (ESV)

  19. 8269
    Shanen says:

    Shanen Pankrez, Grapevine, Texas. “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:6-7 NIV

  20. 8270
    Cathy H. says:

    Lancaster, CA

    “I was young and now am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely…”

    Psalm 37:25,26a (NIV)

  21. 8271
    Amanda B. says:

    Knoxville, TN

    “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT

  22. 8272
    Susan Kuruvilla says:

    Susan Kuruvilla, Katy TX. “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 ESV

  23. 8273
    Kim Robinson says:

    Gaylord, MI
    “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
    Matthew 23:12 NASB

  24. 8274
    Jessica Josephson says:

    If God is for us,who can be against us?
    Romans 8:31

  25. 8275

    Tabitha Whitacre, Louisville, KY

    “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your heart as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”

    Ephesians 5:25 NLT

  26. 8276
    Audrey Whitacre says:

    Audrey Whitacre, Louisville, KY

    “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your heart as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”

    Ephesians 5:25 NLT

  27. 8277
    DLynn Miracle says:

    DLynn; Argyle, TX
    Job 42:1-3; NIV
    Then Job replied to the Lord:
    2 “I know that you can do all things;
    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
    3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
    Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me to know.

  28. 8278
    Marion says:

    Royse City, TX

    Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV

    “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.”

  29. 8279
    Erica says:

    The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. – Exodus 14:14, NIV

  30. 8280
    Cindy Childers says:

    Cindy, Wilton, England
    “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor.” 1 Peter 5:6 NLT

  31. 8281
    Tamzin Cook says:

    Tamzin, Auckland, New Zealand

    I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
    Romans 1:16 NIV

  32. 8282
    Connie Hardy says:

    Connie Hardy, Durham, NC “And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. NIV

  33. 8283
    Francine Goldberg says:

    Francine, Orillia, Ont, Canada
    John 6:40 NIV
    For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day.

  34. 8284
    Kaarin says:

    Kaarin from Washington

    Psalm 107:2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble.

  35. 8285
    Amy Anders says:

    Amy Anders…Avon, Indiana

    Daniel 1:12. NIV
    Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetable to eat and water to drink.

  36. 8286
    Robin says:

    Robin in Snohomish, WA
    They will stand firm like a flourishing tree planted by God’s design. Ps 1:3 the voice

  37. 8287
    Terri Shellenbarger says:

    Hale, Michigan
    “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 KJV

  38. 8288
    Lynn Minter says:

    Lynn Minter, Williamsville, NY: “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” Psalm 138:8 KJV

  39. 8289
    Allyaggie says:

    Allyson
    League City TX
    1John 1:6-7 ESV
    “If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

  40. 8290
    Betty Stephens says:

    Betty Stephens, Austin, Texas You Know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:2 NIV

  41. 8291
    Kari Steward says:

    Kari Steward, Meadowlakes, Texas

    In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

    John 1:4-5 NIV

  42. 8292
    Marilyn says:

    Marilyn Shuart, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada ” ‘No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgement you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from me’ says the Lord.” NKJV

  43. 8293

    You are my refuge and my shield;
    your word is my source of hope.
    Psalms 119:114 (NLT)

  44. 8294
    Victoria says:

    Victoria

    Hooksett, NH

    “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” Jeremiah 17:7 KJV

  45. 8295
    Adriana Baker says:

    Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV

  46. 8296
    Tracy Underwood says:

    Tracy, Kinston NC

    Proverbs 3: 5-6 ESV

    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

  47. 8297
    Julie says:

    Julie, Spfld, IL

    He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
    Psalm 40:2-3

  48. 8298
    Laura says:

    Laura | San Jose, CA
    “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 ESV

  49. 8299
    Angie Perkins says:

    Angie Perkins, Springville, AL

    Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
    1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭58‬ NIV

  50. 8300
    Janna Johnson says:

    Janna Johnson, Lehigh Acres FL.- And I will be a wall of fire to her all around declares the Lord, I will be a glory in her midst. Zechariah 2:5. I know this is about Jeruselam, but it really spoke to me as a reminder that when we are at our weakest, God is at his strongest and is fighting on our side.

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