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!
Turkesshia, Greensboro, NC
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
1 Corinthians 13:4 NLT
Nicole Brinson, Tampa, FL – ‘And he brought us out that he may bring us in, and give to use the land the he promised to give to our fathers’ Deut 6:23
Katie Davison Bradley Beach, NJ
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Belinda, Little Rock, AR
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
James 4:17 NLT
Laura. Minneapolis, MN.
Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!
(Psalm 122:2 ESV)
Jamie, Phoenix AZ: And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. NIV
Kristy Holland, Shelby, NC James 1:9-10 NIV “The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wildflower.”
Jacqueline Davidson,Sarnia ON Canada,
Psalm 25:2 (NIV)
In You I trust, O my God
Do not let me be put to shame,nor let my enemies triumph over me.
Laurel Buwalda, Sioux Falls, SD. “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us and establish the work of our hands for us–yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17 NIV
Terra Haisley, Albany, Indiana: “You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 HCSB
Brandy, Prattville, AL.
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey HIM!” Matthew 8:27 NIV
Brenda, Crosby, Texas – “My determined purpose is that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person.” (AMP)
“Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail and my spirit may grow weak. But God is the strength of my heart. He is mine forever!” Psalm 73:25&26 NLT
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.”
John 14:13 (NIV)
Kimberly Kleimann, Chico, CA – One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
Psalm 27:4
Tanya Beard, Cullman, AL
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline”
~2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.
7 My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. Psalm 62:5-7 NLT
Pat from Jackson, Kentucky Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Eph 4:32 ESV
Janet Saxon – Springfield, MO – He put a child in the middle of the room. Then, cradling the little one in his arms, he said, “Whoever embraces one of these children as I do embraces me, and far more than me — God who sent me.” The Message
Jeni Smith, Winfield, TN
“Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8
Shanae Stoner, CO
“O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.” Psalm 139:1-2 NKJV
Jessica, Hughes Springs, TX
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4 NIV
Jenna McMurphy, New Orleans, LA
Psalm 9:10 “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” {NIV}
Danielle from Cedar Park, TX
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!
Luke 1:45 (NIV)
Natalie Case, Iowa Park, TX
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Val Parker DeQuincy, LA , And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called for his purpose. Romans 8:28 KJV
Marilyn Wright, Snellville, Ga
John 6:29 (NIV)
Jesus answered, ” The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
Felicia G., Hayward, California. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will brings it’s own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” ~Matthew 6:34 NLT
Robin Ivey Meridian, MS “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 KJV
Elisabeth
South Africa
“You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.”
Psalm 139:2
Sheila Richards, Trussville, Alabama.
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16 NIV
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. NIV Hebrews 11:6
Sue Middeldorf – Troy, Michigan
“I lift up my eyes to the hills –
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the
Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2(NIV)
Michelle C., Chesapeake, VA
When I am ready to give up, He knows what I should do.
Psalm 142:3a (GNT)
Melinda Brown, Olive Branch, MS “The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee.” Isaiah 26:3 NAS
Anita Siecker, Purcellville, VA
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
2 Chronicles 16:9a NIV84
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.”
Isaiah 49:15, 16a NKJV
Sharon Wiebe, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada
“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” ~Jeremiah 29:13 (New King James)
Judy Canon, New Braunfels, TX- “Not to us Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Psalm115:1 NIV
Cynthia Jacobsen, Lenexa, KS
Romans 8:2 NLT
“And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”
Peggy, Queen Creek, AZ “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Is 26:3 NIV
Susie Fletcher, Bentonville, AR – “Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, YET, I WILL JOY IN THE LORD; I WILL REJOICE IN THE GOD OF MY SALVATION!” Habakkuk 3: 17-18 (HCSB)
Tessa Oestman, Alliance, Nebraska. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other…” Colossians 3:12 NIV
Glenda Zylinski Pasco WA “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 NIV
Dawn Wells, Fort Worth, TX
“But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.”
Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)
Tessie Mayo, Brownwood, TX
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21 ESV
Tulsa, OK
“And 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)
Laura Lozier, Portersville, PA
Above all, lover each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.
1Peter 4:8
Amy Guth, Canton, Mississippi
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
Deanna Thomason – Oklahoma City, OK “Blessed is she who believed that what the Lord said to her would be accomplished.” Luke 1:45 NIV