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!
11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 NIV
Shanna Roldan Pueblo,Co
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, Before you were born i set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)
Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10
Rebecca C, Toledo, OH
Blessed be the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped; therefore my heart exults and with my song I shall thank Him.
Psalm 28:6,7 (NASB)
“Do not conform 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 12:2N (NIV)
For God so loved He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 NJKV
Jesus wept. John 11:35 NJKV
Kaitlyn from Tampa, FL (forgot to post last time!)
Ecclesiastes 9:10, NIV
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning, nor knowledge, nor wisdom.”
God can do anything, you know–far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!
Ephesians 3:20
The Message
Karee, Alvin, TX. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastical 3:1 NIV
.een kostbare have is het deel van de vlijtige.’ Spreuken 12:27
Nicole, Ruston, LA – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil 4:6 (NIV)
Tessa Clark, Jefferson City, MO “Know this my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20 ESV
Meekel Langford Monterey, Tn For you have delivered my soul from death, indeed my feet from stumbling, so that I may walk before God in the light of the living. Psalms 56:13 NASB
“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 NKJV
Judy Schultz, Fort Worth, TX:
He said, “This is the message from the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Your help will not come from your own strength and power. No, your help will come from my Spirit.’ This is what the Lord All-Powerful says.”
Zechariah 4:6 (ERV)
Carmen, Eau Claire, WI
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man should not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
Matthew 4:4 NIV
Sharon Krall, Lititz PA
Jeremiah 29:14 ESV
I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
Robyn Lawing, Texarkana TX
Proverbs 31:27 NKJV
“She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Moriah, Washington, IL (for 1/15/15)
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me–just as the Father knows me and I know the Father–and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15 NIV
Christy
Fayetteville, AR
Psalm 139:8,10
NIV
“If I make my bed on the depths, You are there. Yes, even there your right hand will hold me fast.”
Barbara LaBrier, Dayton Ohio
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NASB
Kerrie Wilson, Jonesboro, AR. “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34 ESV
Beth (St. Petersburg, FL)
Phil. 4:7 “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ” (NKJV)
Dianne Jones, Fairfield, CA – Nahum 1:7 NIV
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.
April Jackson, Lagrange, Georgia. “Each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.” Romans 14:12-13 NLT
Tracy (White lake,Mi) If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].1 John 1:9(AMP)
Mariah Badura, Flowery Branch, GA Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. KJV
Charlottesville, VA
Isaiah 40:31
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.
NIV
Patsy Black, Valdosta, GA –
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
Psalm 46:10 New Living Translation (NLT)
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
-1 John 4:16
2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. ESV
Heather Southammavong from Jacksonville, FL: Psalm 23: 4-6 (NASB)
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Codie, Loudon, NH
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13, NLT
(Sorry if this is a re-post… I went looking for my comment from Jan 15, and after searching 1000 of them, decided to just re-post)
Traci
Spring, Tx
Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Psalm 86:11 NIV
Emily, Derby KS
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Maryanne Svoboda, Houston Texas
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.”
Romans 10:9-10
John 15:7 NASB
“If you abide in ME and MY words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
True believers obey the Lord’s commands submitting to HIS Word. Because of their commitment to HIS Word and devotion to HIS WILL, thus their prayers are fruitful, which puts God’s glory on display as HE answers.
Katie from Easley, SC: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:37 KJV
Debbie Hendrix
Houston, TX
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”
Psalm 143:8 NIV
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Chandler,OK
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Kristin Evans, Durban, South Africa
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
Houston, TX “I love you Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18 1-2
Gigi Parisi Mullica Hill NJ
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. Isaiah 64:4 NIV
Atlanta, Tx.
Luke 23:34 KJV
“Then Jesus said, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
NIV PROVERBS 18:7 A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth strengthening those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”
Stacy Fountain
Kate Fountain
Mary Dean Fountain
Bess Fountain
Dothan, Alabama
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice- the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”
Romans 12:1 , NLT
1 John 2:1-2 NIV
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.