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).
____________
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!
Jeremiah 29:11-12 (AMP)
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
12 Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.
Heidi Troyer, Sugarcreek, Ohio
“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary;they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 ESV
Jamie Chandler, Scottdale, GA “How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:12-14 NLV
Psalm 31:5 ESV
Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, fatihful God.
Sarah, Colorado Springs, CO
Mark 3:10 NIV
For he had healed so many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch his robe.
Godwin, NC – Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV) Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Rhonda Anderson, Indiana
Colossians 4:6 NIV
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 NIV
Kimberly in Dallas, TX
“You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.”
Proverbs 19:21 NLT
Mei, Easley, SC
I have asked one thing from the LORD; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the LORD and seeking Him in His temple. Psalm 27:4 HCSB
Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 HCSB
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24, NKJV
Megan Passarella, Waupaca, WI
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 new wayin the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 NLT
Karen, Minneapolis, MN.
Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. 2 Wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:1-2, HCSB
Janette Winship St Petersburg, FL
Exodus 14: 13-14 “…Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance The Lord will bring you today…The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still. NIV
Carrie Starr, Rochester, NY
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20
Lisa Vaughn, Ripley, WV
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
Colossians 3:23 NIV
Kristine Foster, Strongsville, OH
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
Colossians 3:23 NIV
Beth R
Liberty Lake, Wa
Philippians 4:5
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.
ESV
Beth, Huntsville, AL
“May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” 2 Thess 1:2
Kathy, Tucson, AZ
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
Kathy in Tucson, AZ
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
Medford, OR
Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him.
Isaiah 30:18 NASB
For though we live in the world, we do not wag war as the world does. 2 Corinthians 10:3 NIV
Olivia McGowan – Flower Mound, TX
Deut 31:6 NIV 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 or forsake you.
Katrina, AL:
Isaiah 41:10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand. NIV
Jennifer Clark, Norman, OK
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, (Romans 15:5 NIV)
Ann, Cataula, GA
Cease to dwell on days gone by and to brood over past history. Here and now I will do a new thing; this moment it will break from the bud. Can you not perceive it? I will make a way even through the wilderness and paths in the barren desert…
Ana, Tampa FL
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know”
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
John 6:29(NIV)
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.”
Stacy Johnson
Costa Mesa, Ca
So that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. Phil 1:10 NIV
Rosie County Durham UK
If any man thirst,let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:37b -38 KJV)
Hanover, PA
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
I Corinthians 1:18 ESV
Fran-Eufaula, Ok
“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 6:8 NIV
Cara Kriz Tampa Florida
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Chester, VA
Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Angie. Chillicothe, MO. “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22. NIV.
Terri Lopez, Cedar Grove, WI. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Carly Zeltwanger (Carmel, Indiana)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” –Romans 12:9-11
Jan Tyler, Olney, Texas
And the peace of god, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NIV
Linda Kelly, Sharon Center, Ohio “I will not die but live and declare what the Lord has done.” Ps. 118:17 NIV
Carmen, Summersville, WV “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of flesh.” Galatians 5:16 NIV
And now these three things remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13. NIV
Clay Center, KS Ephesians 5:8 (ESV) “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light.”
Amy Hartsfield, Calhoun, GA. “I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 The Living Bible
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 KJV
“A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 KJV
Cheryl Gahm, Houston, Texas
One thing have i asked of the LORD, that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple.
Psalm 27:4 ESV
Ruth Stephens, Austin, Texas
” because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”-James 1:3 NIV
Sue, Big Rapids, MI Ps 19: 7 NASB
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul, the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.