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!
Charlotte
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
“Create in me a pure heart, O Lord, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Nicole From Auburn, WA
Psalm 5:3 NIV
“In the morning, Oh Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”
Kristi from Anchorage, Alaska
My scripture for March 15 is Colossians 1:9 NIV:
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
Cathi Lucas, Newark, 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
Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. NLT Proverbs 10:19
In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:3. (NKJV)
Mona – Rome, GA
“from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” (Ephesians 3:15 NIV)
Psalms 91-5-6
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Danielle, Garden City, KS
There is no one holy like the Lord, there is no one besides you, there is no rock like our God.
1 Samuel 2:2 NIV
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. Mark12:30 NRSV
Gigi Parisi
Mullica Hill NJ
Job 23:12 NIV
I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.
Nellie Ratliff, Fort Worth, Texas. “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication…” Ephesians 6:16-18 ESV
Trudi Hollis-Enge, Colorado Springs, CO
II Corinthians 4:8-9 (NKJV)
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-
Pat Shake, Danville, IL
1 Corinthians 13: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. NIV
Becky Weber. Ridgeway, SC.
Romans 12:12 (ESV)
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Open my eyes that I may see the wonderful things in your law. Ps 119:18 NIV
Kyleene Anderson, Yucaipa CA, Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
Mary Gray, Fieldale, VA “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV
Rosella huntington,wv Do not be conformed to this age but be transformed by renewing of your mind so thatyou may disecrn what is good, pleasing and perfect will of God. Romand 12:3 hcsm
Jenny Manis, Glen Rose, TX, The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24 NIV)
Tajuana ~ Texas
Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise
but as wise,
Ephesians 5:15 NIV
Jenni Thomas
Tionesta, PA
1 John 1:9 NIV
If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
What does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Romans 4:6
NIV
Peggy
Gardner, KS
“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.”
Deut. 31:6 (NIV)
Dianne Clifton from Kingwood TX
Psalm 3:3 “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” NIV
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Heb 11:1 NIV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. 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
Psalm 95:1
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Ruth, Austin, Texas
“because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
James 1:3
NIV
Cynthia Roberts, Lynchburg, VA
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Who should I send? Who will go for us? I said, Here I am, send me!” – Isaiah 6:8 (NKJV)
Emily Byrd from Monroe, LA:
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.
Genesis 28:15 NASB
Tami K. Hastings, Albuquerque, NM
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. Proverbs 3:7 NIV
Emily, Pittsburgh, PA.
Proverbs 16:9. In his heart a man plans his course, but The Lord determines his steps.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25
Lori K., Leander, TX “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV
Arlene C. from Georgetown, Texas: The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.
Psalm 23:1 HCSB
Ashley from San Antonio, TX
No power in the sky above or in the earth below—-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:39, NLT
Krystal McKinney – Keller, TX
For whom the son sets free, is free indeed. – John 8:36 (NIV)
Rita – Stigler, OK
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our lord. KJV
Anna Yancey Fort Collins, CO
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3 ESV
Linda Kelly, Sharon Center, Ohio
Now may the God. Of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom. 15:13 NIV
Sarah Grant, Durham, Ontario Canada
“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NASB)
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
Trust in The Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Kandace Blowey – Houston, TX
Let your gentleness be evident to all, the Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:5-6 NIV
Vicki, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Psalm 51:1 ESV
Nicole Turley, Muskogee, OK; “May the Lord of peace himself give you His peace at all times, and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Nicoke Turley, Muskogee, OK; ” May the Lord of peace himself give you His peace at all times, and in every situation.” 2Thessalonians 3:16
Brenda Rowland, Mint Hill,NC
John 15:5 NKJV. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Donalee Cushman, Houston, TX
“Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
John 21:16
Tigi Montgomery Village MD
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your request to God.