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!
Can’t post on the ‘First Verse’ post, so here’s verse 1 and 2.
Janice Tham, Tulsa.
Verse 1
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever. Psalm 111:10 NKJV
Verse 2
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight,” says the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 NKJV
Beverly Cumberland Gap, TN
Couldn’t post on the first verse post, so here is my verse 1 and 2
Verse 1
Ephesians 6:10 (KJV)
Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Verse 2
Ephesians 6:11 (KJV)
Put on the whole armor of God that ye maybe able to stand against the wiles of the Devil.
“whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17 ESV
Nancy Huebner, Spring Hill, TH
“How can I repay the Lord for all His acts of kindness to me? I will celebrate my deliverance, and call on the name of the Lord.” Psalm 116:12-13 NET
“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.” (Psalms 142:3 KJV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6
“Because he love me,” says the Lord’ “I will rescue him: I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” Psalm 91:14
Hilary
Orlando, FL
I am re-posting because I fell behind and am not sure where I left off. Time to pick it back up!
I John 4:2, NIV
This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God
Mary Gray, Fieldale, VA “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.” 1 Timothy 1:12 NIV
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14 ESV)
Joan, La Vernia, Texas
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Cara
Umatilla, FL
Psalm 139:2
You know when I sit and when I rise,
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
Vicki, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Psalm 51:11 NIV
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
Linda Kelly, Sharon Center, Ohio
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Prov. 31:25. NIV
Linda Kelly, Sharon Center, Ohio
Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Ps. 34:5
Kathy, Queen City, Texas, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 KJV
Macie, Queen City Tx
A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 KJV
Dawn Ferguson, Peoria, AZ
“Humble yourselves therefore, under God’s mighty hand,that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you.” 1st Peter 5:6-7. NIV
Pat-Dallas, Tx
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 3:4, NKJV
Keelie Ferguson, Gunter, TX ” for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” Proverbs 3:2
Psalms 91:15-16
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will honor him
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.
Dawn Ferguson Peoria, AZ
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Vicki, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:12
James 4:7 NIV
Submit yourselves, then, to God, Resist the devil, and he will flee from you
Jennifer, Fort Collins, CO
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts. Nor are My ways your ways, says the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8 NKJV
My first verse I memorized when I was in Seventh Grade…
For 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)
Lissa, Greenville, SC
A psalm of David. Let all that I am praise the Lord, with my whole heart I will praise His holy name.
Psalm 103:1
Sherry, Jay, OK
“Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we should also love one another.” 1 John 4:11 NlrV
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear at the future” Prov 31:25 NLT
Linda Kelly, Sharon Center, Ohio
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 1Thess. 3:12 NIV
Linda Kelly. Sharon Center, ohio
May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy I. The presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones. 1Thess. 3:13. NIV
1 John 1:7 KJV
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the bblood of Jeses Christ, his son, cleanseth us from all sin
Catasauqua, PA
1 Samuel 2:2 NLT
No one is holy like the Lord!
There is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God
Debbie in Spanish Fort, Al
Here is my verse 1 since I couldn’t add it under 1:
Let all that you do be done in love. 1Cor 16:14
Here’s my verse 2:
Come near to God and He will come near to you. James 4: 8 NIV
Krista auburndale Florida
Couldn’t post on comment 1 so here are 1 and 2
” I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13 nkjv
” be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
Laura Willard, Cedar Park, TX
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 (NIV)
Debbie LeBlanc, Rockledge, Fl
Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Bonnie O’Shields, Dacusville, SC
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials.
James 1:2 HCSB
1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
The God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,bill Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Pet. 5:10. NIV
Tammie Head, Houston, Texas. “From Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, have been granted a faith just as precious as ours.” 1Peter 1:1, NET
Tammie Head, Houston, TX. “May grace and peace be lavished on you as you grow in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord!” 1 Peter 1:2, NET
I had to post verse 1 on the information post. The january 1st post wouldn’t take it?
Ashley Kurtz, Kingwood, Texas,”You will seek me and find me when you seek me above all else.” Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
James 1:2 Life Application NIV
Melinda ODell Rowlett, Tx
“Accept one another, then just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
Romans 15:7 NLV
Covington, LA
” 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
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness 2Cor 12:9
Rhonda, Kingston, OK:
‘As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Prov. 27:17 (NKJV)
1 Corinthians 13:5-6 KJV
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth,
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.