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!
Loren Howell
Montgomery, Alabama
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Vicki Graham, Corinth, TX. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (Colossians 3:12 ESV)
Shelly Hough
Gordon, Texas
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
(Thanks for the encouragement Mrs. Jan!)
Oh I forgot the translation is ESV. 😉
Julie, Alliance, Nebraska “But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.I will sing to the Lord
because he is good to me.” Psalm 13:5-6 NLT
Christy, Granger, IN – “You will guard him and keep him in perfect peace whose mind (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You and hopes confidently in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (AMP)
Sandra Arnold
Paris, Tennessee
“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NASB)
Miriam, Nottingham UK
“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.”
Proverbs 15:17 (ESV)
Lisa Cooper, Fort Worth, Texas – “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge and I will tell of all your deeds.” Psalm 73:28 (NIV)
Trish Derringer, Wetumpka, Alabama – “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” Psalm 84:11 NIV
Royston, Georgia
Hebrews 4:14 NKJV
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confessions.
Kelly H. – Burns, TN – But, I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 NIV
Alana Schmidt, Montreal, Quebec. “But when I am afraid I will trust in You. I will praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God so why should I be afraid?” Psalm 56:3-4, NLT
Kristen, Landisville, Pa
“We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Hebrews 6:11-12
I forgot to put the translation! (NIV)!
Kelley Bendheim, Winston-Salem, NC – “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 NIV
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
NLT
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
heb.4.16.NLT
**i forgot the scripture ref. In my first post!
Doretta, Ada, OK
“I pray that the great God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ may give you the wisdom of His Spirit. Then you will be able to understand the secrets about Him as you know him better.” Eph. 1:17, NLV
Diane Price, Nowata, OK – “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 118:29 NIV
Kathy, Danvers, MA
Job 23:10 NIV
But He knows the way that I take;
when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Jess Magee, Kennesaw,Ga. “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:25-26 ESV
Mechelle Wilson, Shaw, Mississippi – “So do not fear; for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Susan Ogle, Shafter CA
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.
II Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Marsha from Carmel In. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3 NIV)
Orrville, OH
“The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, He saved me.”
Psalm 116:6 NIVi
Jackie Cole, Goreville, Illinois
” . . . for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” ESV
Tymber Morrison, Winston-Salem, NC “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Stephanie Hilton, League City, TX-
“But you, Beloved, building yourselves up in your most Holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” Jude 1:20 (ESV)
Nathalie Van Hoorebeke, Birmingham, Uk
I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.
When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out your true selves, your God-created selves.
Mt 5:44 Msg
Melissa Waters, Murfreesboro, TN
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV)
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred and you are that temple.”
Thank you, Beth, for this wonderful challenge! I greatly needed it, and I’m loving it!!!
Gresham, OR ” “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.”
Psalm 119:33-35 (NASB)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
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
And the Lord answered, can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have indelibly imprinted, tattooed a picture of you on the palm of each of my hands; your walls are continually before me.
Isaiah 49:15-16 (AMP)
Melissa McCarty
Flowood,MS
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 (NKJV)
Stephanie Ritchey, Tupelo, MS – “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take or sit int he company of mockers,” – Psalm 1:1 (NIV)
Marsha from Carmel. In. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3 NIV)
Carrie, Liberty, TX
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
Isaiah 43:18 (NIV)
Mark 11:25 NSV -And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in Heaven may forgive your sins.
Jeri Cook of Missouri City, TX
2 Kings 6:6 (NIV)
The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float.
Elaina Morrison, Chula Vista, CA
“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,”
And I will look up. (Psalm 5:3 NKJV)
Julie Wagner, Nederland,Tx—“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 (esv)
Lori, Hollidaysburg, PA
Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond that is from the evil one. Matthew 5:37 NLT
5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping it will become a place of refreshing springs.The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
Psalm 84:5,6 NLT
Dawn Winslow, Clever, MO
Psalm 90:12 (NLT) “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”
Shannon Hoots Greensboro, NC “Do not let the Book of Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 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 1:8-9 NIV84
Bonnie Jackson from Lockport, IL Romans 15:13 “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.” (NIV)
Linda, Minneapolis, MN “It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray…'” (Luke 11:1 NAS)
Angela, Tulsa, OK
Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11 NIV
Deana Nunn, Wilmer, Al – But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Ruth 1:16 ESV
“…In flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 ESV, Alliance,Nebraska
Jennifer Chandler, Mason Hall, Tn-“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28..NIV