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!
Katie, Coventry, UK.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, do that whoever believes in Him may not due but have eternal life.” John 3:16.
Mary Gray, Fieldale, VA. Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Peggy, Gardner, KS
They will fight against you but will not overcome you,
for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 1:19 NIV
Psalms 91:7-8 NIV
7. A thousand may fall at your side, then thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
Aimee Adams – Highland, IN – “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
we demolish arguments and every pretension that set itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captiveevery thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:5
Saint Marys Georgia.
He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NIV
Chapel Hill, NC
Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twisted the words or the righteous. Deut.16:19b NIV
“The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.” Isaiah 50:4 NIV
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Ephesians 1 : 3 NLT
Just started last week so I will memorize 1 scripture each week until I get caught up!
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 NIV
Be Strong and Courageous, Do not be afraid; Do not be Discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go! Joshua 1:9
Beth from Sumter:
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11 ESV)
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth. Colossians 3:2 NASV
I too have just started. I will try to memorize a verse a week to get caught up.
Toni Cassidy from Toney, AL.
“So that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” Titus 2:4-5 NASB
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2
Psalms 91:9-10 NIV
9. If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10. no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-33 NIV
Linda Kelly. Sharon Center, Ohio.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Cor. 4 16-18 NIV
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Mary Gray, Fieldale, VA, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9. NIV
“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.” John 16:33 NIV
Justine Tausch
TX
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 NIV
Above all else, guard your heart for it is the Wellspring of life Prov 4:23
Brandon, FL
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and nd well – balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 AMP
Joan
Springfield VA
When life is heavy and hard to take,
go off by yourself.
Enter the silence.
Bow in prayer.
Don’t ask questions:
Wait for hope to appear.
Don’t run from trouble.
Take if full-face.
The “worst” is never the worst LAM 3:28-30 MSG
“Now to him who is able to do Immeasurably (abundantly) more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,… to Him be glory.”
~ Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
I am playing catch up w/ recording them here on the blog – I do apologize.
Hollie
Granbury, TX
Psalm 139:2 NLT
You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I am far away.
Manhattan, KS
Katie Nash
San Antonio, TX
It [love] does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
I Corinthians 13:5 NIV
Emily Kingsbury, Elkins, AR “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.” Proverbs 31:25 (NRSV)
Linda Kelly, Sharon Center, Ohio
So we do not lose heart though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory belong all comparison as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:16-18 NIV
The Lord will fight for you, you just need to be still. Exodus 14:14
Jessica, Vicksburg, MS, “And this is how we know that He lives in us. We know it by the Spirit He gave us.” I John 3:24 (NIV)
Vicki, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Psalm 51:2-4 NIV
Laurie -Albany, Ga.
“That God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16 NIV
Sharon Modesto, Ca
NIV Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
I no longer see my verse on this date, so here’s what I memorized on this date…
Bethany S. Stephens, Garland, TX
Now listen, daughters, don’t miss a word; forget your country, put your home behind you. Be here – the king is wild for you. Since he’s your lord adore him.
Ps 45:10-11
Matthew 18:3 (NIV) And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Mary Gray, Fieldale, VA. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Kaufman, TX
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. Jeremiah 17:14 (KJV)
So I will sing praise unto thy name forever, that I may daily perform my vows Ps 61:18 NKJ
“for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,”
Michelle Adkins, West Virginia, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
2 Samuel 22:31
God’s way is perfect!
Psalms 91:12-13 NIV
12. They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13. You will tread on the lion and the cobra: you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
Jill Sanders, Leachville, AR
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
~Ephesians 3:18
Linda Kelly, Sharon Center, Ohio
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
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 12:2
Sarah, McKinney, TX
John 1:5 NIV
The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.
Late to the game, but I have my verses! Here’s Verse 1 and 2, I couldn’t post on the first one for some reason
Natalie, Cumberland Gap, TN
Verse 1
Psalms 46:1-2 KJV
God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be remover, and the mountains be carried into the mist of the sea.
Verse 2
Psalms 25: 16-17 KJV
Turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.