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!
Lynell Horn, Kirbyville, TX
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 NIV
Philippians 6:10-11, Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand the whiles of the devil
Dawn, Pampa, TX
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
I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for The Lord. Psalm 27:13-14. NIV
And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. Ruth 3:11 NIV.
This is my 1st verse for February, posted a tad late. 🙂
Shelby Shackleford, Hendersonville, TN
Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 1 Cor. 3:7
Tatiana Cavarretta, Boca Raton,
” Help me to be self-controlled and alert. My enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
Robyn of Washington, Indiana
“Blessed is she who has believed that the LORD would fulfill His promises to her.” Luke 1:45 (TNIV)
Annie, Turlock, CA. “Therefore you are to observe the Sabbath, for it is holy to you.” Ex. 37:14. NASB
Patti P, Berkeley Heights, NJ
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 8:12, NIV
Marilyn brown in The Plains, OH, says:
You see, at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Rom 5:8 NIV
Erin Billings, Ames, IA “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9 NASB
Springfield, MO.
Psalms 18:46 ESV
The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,and exalted be the God of my salvation-
Erin Billings, Ames,IA “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4
Erin Billings, Ames, IA ” Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they shall be satisfied.” Matt 5:6 NASB
Susan from Albuquerque
I give them eternal liife, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
John 10:28 (NIV).
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Tucson, AZ
Psalm 27:1 NIV
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Unless Your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts. For by them You have given me life. Psalm 199: 92, 93 This is my first verse. I hope this gets me registered.
Lisa-Fort Worth, Texas
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Psalm 103:8 ESV
Mark 11:24: “For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
1 Samuel 12:24 NIV
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.
Katy, Texas
Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.
Psalm 97:12 (NIV)
Melissa from Houston, TX
I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous. Joshua 1:5-6 NIV
Gigi Parisi Mullica Hill, NJ
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
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.
Karen Lebron
St.Cloud, FL
Jeremiah 17:10 NLT
But, I the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards,
According to what their actions deserve.
Tanya Atwood, Tyler, Texas..
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phiilippians 4:7 NIV
Julie, Floyds Knobs, IN: NIV Ephesians 4:26
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
“Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.”
1 John 2:5 NAB
Houston, Texas
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39
Houston, TX
38.”For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 KJV
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV
Portage, MI “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Taunia Juhasz, Rossville, GA
1Cor. 10:13 HCSB
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.
Virginia Beach, VA
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Marni McKenzie, Batesville, MS, 1 John 3:3 NKJV: “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
Missed the 2/15 date, but am posting my verse today. Hope that’s OK.
Phil.3:13B-14ESV
Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24
Ali springfield MO Psalm 34:19-“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. NKJV
Sykesville, Maryland
John 15:17
“These things I command you, that you love one another.”
Brooke F, Nampa, Idaho
“for our God is a consuming fire.”
-Heb 12.29 ESV (did v28 first go ’round!)
Brentwood, TN
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
Matt 10:19 ESV, “When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.”
Psalm 141:3
McKinney, TX
“O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (NLT)
“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
-Oakdale, California
Julie, Carson City, NV, “my presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 msg
Be sure to fear the Lord and sincerely worship him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.
1 Samuel 12:24
New Living Translation
Nancilea, The Woodlands, TX
They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.”
(Matthew 14:17-18 ESV)
Jacqueline, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
Matteus 6:17
maar als jullie vasten, was dan je gezicht en wrijf je hoofd in met olie, zodat niemand ziet dat je aan het vasten bent, alleen je Vader die in het verborgene ziet, zal je ervoor belonen.
Karen, Stonewall, TX
1 Peter 3:9, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (NIV)