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!
Psalm 56:11 NLT
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into His glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
Kelli, Spokane, WA
Galations 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
I am sorry I am so late. As a homeschooling Mama of twins sometimes life gets away from me. 🙂
Karina
Baton Rouge, La.
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!”
Luke 1:45 NIV
Kim Cliatt, Loganville, GA
“LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup, you have made my lot secure.”
Psalm 16:5 (NIV)
Lynn Ferguson
Enka, North Carolina
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness, therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
NIV
Philippians 4:13
For I can do everything through Christ, Who gives me strength.
Amy Beam, Fort Wayne, IN
Galatians 5:14-15 NLT For the whole law can be summed up in this one command:”Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another; watch out! Beware of destroying one another.
Marty, Crossville, TN
constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; (1 Thessalonians 1:3,4 NASB)
Jennifer, Gainesville, GA
For the Word of God is quick, and powerful , and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts an intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 KJV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7 ESV)
Praying with thanksgiving and in return having my heart and mind guarded IN CHRIST by the peace of God. I am ready for 2015!
Better late than never! 🙂
Melandie, Raleigh, NC
John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” NIV
Elisabeth
Lake in the Hills, Illinois
“For God gave us a spirit, not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7, ESV.
Mindy B, Gloster, LA
Jeremiah 17:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
Angela
Jefferson City, MO
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Psalm 150:6 (NIV)
Jennifer, New Boston,TX
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 NASB
Lisa Brown
Mineral Wells, WV
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment .
John 7:24
All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. (Proverbs 16:2 NIV)
Shellee Austin, Kent Lakes,NY “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 NIV
Becky, from central PA, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind, and with all your strength” Mark 12:30 NIV
Psalm 17:28 NIV, i think
For thou wilt save the humble people but wilt bring down the eyes of the proud.
Peggy, Clermont, Florida “…Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of Hosts” (Zechariah 4:6 NASB)
Amy, Everett WA
“A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:4 (AMP)
Amy, Arlington, VA, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.” Psalms 37:23 NLT
Dawn, Statham GA ” Everything is possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23
Morgantown, IN
“¹He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. ²I will say to the Lord, “My refugee and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV)
(I know this is 2 verses. I memorized v. 1 last year and like to review verses when I memorize the following verse.)
Brittany Powell
Jayess, Ms
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 KJV
Raquel Davis
Monticello, Ms
Romans 8: 35-37 KJV
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Patricia Gandy
Florence, MS
Philippians 4:13 NIV)
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Maddy Clemens, Los Angeles, CA
Be silent before The Lord, all humanity, for He is springing into action from His holy dwelling. Zechariah 2:13
Debbie Stovall in Gardendale, AL
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:13 New International Version
“I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His suffering, becoming like Him in His death” Philippians 3:10a
“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 29:11 NIV
Teresa, Austin, TX
Galatians 5:25 ESV
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Tina Davis – Htown, TX
“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Psalm 56:4 HCSB
Kimberley Pool, Conroe TX
Psalms 118:1 KJV
O give thanks unto the Lord ; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Cheryl, from brisbane says;
“You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with JOY in your presence” Acts 2:28 NIV
Nikki, Wichita, KS
“Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].” James 4:10 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Monroe, Louisiana
“Trust in the Lord and do good
Dwell in the land & feed on his faithfulness
Delight yourself also in the Lord
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 37:3-4 NIV
Leak Kirksey, Camden, AR
“And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all Your heart. “Jeremiah 29:13
Andrea Pitts, Powell, Tennessee
1 Samuel 15:29 NIV “He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”
Caroline Baze, Broken Arrow, OK
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 29:11
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:1
Erin, Chippewa Falls WI
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
Psalm 139:1 NIV
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,and I will give you rest. 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. ” – Matt 11:28-30 NIV
Catherine S. ~ Grants Pass, OR
“If the Lord delights in a man’s way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” Psalm 37: 23-24 (NIV)
Kathi Spartanburg, SC
1 O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water. Psalm 63:1
Janelle Hartsfield, Irving TX
“Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV)
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV