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!
Cathy Stephens, Lebanon, OH
“You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.”
Psalm 139:2 NLT
Kim from Wadena, MN
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11 NIV)
The Lord is my shepard, I shall not want.
Psalms23:1
Danelle, Lamar MO
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and sel-control.
2Timothy 1:7 ESV
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” -Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
Anna, Bloomington, IN: …if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. -2Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Logan Beasley Milan TN. “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer” Romans 12:12 KJV
Nancy Dal Pian, Port Charlotte, FL — For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV
Jackie Watson, Marietta, Ga.
“Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths.” Psalm 25.4 NKJV
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
KJ, Newcastle, WY
Romans 8:3-4 (NIV)
For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Pam, Kansas City, MO – Psalm 67:3-5 ESV: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
Angie from Robinson,Illinois
Understand this my dear brothers and sisters:
you must all be quick to listen, slow to speak,
and slow to get angry. NLT James 1:19
James 1:17 NIV
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
“Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” Psalm 34:5 (ESV)
whoops! I forgot my info:
Allison, Santa Maria, CA
Dorelle Hogan, Hot Springs, AR, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
Iowa, just started Breaking Free, so ‘The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners’, (Isaiah 61:1 NIV)
Kiva
Irvine, CA
“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.” Romans 15:13 NKJV
Mary Beth, Wake Forest, NC
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
Lori W. , Ft. Walton Beach, FL
Psalm 28:7 (KJV)
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil. Proverbs 4:27 NRSV
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. ” Isaiah. 26:3 NKJ
Indianapolis, IN
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV)
Ruth, Kitchener, ON
Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. Psalm 127:1 (NIV)
Jaime Cornelius
Tyler, Texas
“Create in me a pure heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me.Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV)
Jennifer Hart, Tyler, Texas
1 Cor 16:13-14 (MSG)
Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.
Stacy Mc….Southaven, MS
Remove far from me falsehood and lies; Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is needful for me.
Proverbs 30:8 ASV
Glenda Robinson, Ocoee, FL. “Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.” 1 Timothy 4:8 NLT
Julie,Texarkana,TX., “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV)
Elisabeth Walker Sheridan, Wyoming “If you look wholeheartedly, you will find me”. Jeremiah29:13 NLT
Cherry, Friendswood, TX
“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:2-3
oops…ESV
Kathy, Albion, IN
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Heather Evans, Bryan, TX “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day is approaching. Hebrews 10:24,25 NIV
1 Corinthians 10:31 N.I.V. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it ALL for the glory of God!
Sara/Binghamton NY/ Phil 4:6 (NIV)/ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night. Joshua 1:8 NKJV
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT
Pam Hunt, Glendale, CA – “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.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. John 4:23
Alisha, Hoschton, GA
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 ESV
Hannah, Fuquay, NC
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4, NIV
Colossians 3:23-24 KJV
23. and whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men: 24. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Sherrie Byrd, Florence, SC
Search me,God,and know my heart;test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the everlasting.
Psalms 139:23-24
Julia, Whidbey Island, WA:” The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 ESV
Rebekah, Wichita, KS
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” -Jeremiah 29:7 ESV
Shawna, Bates City, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God -this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1 NIV84
Joni Johnson, Lintlaw, Sk, Canada
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
Rachel McManus– Montgomery, Tx ** Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;** Philippians 2:3 NASB
Sylvie, from Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.