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!
Michele Lubbock, TX
“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.”
Psalm 86:11 (NIV)
I love this verse! Praying for my Lubbock Siesta’s!
Paula, Aledo Texas I Peter 5:6-7
And God will exalt you in due time if you humble yourselves under His mighty hand by casting all your cares on Him because He cares for you.
Becky Thomas
North Little Rock, AR
NASB version
2nd Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.
Karen Gilstrap, Deer Park, WA “In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and one’s children will have a refuge.” Proverbs 14:26 NRSV
Michele, Lawrenceville, GA
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good ciurage; do not be afraid nor discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go! (NKJV)
Carolyn Wilson Tulsa, OK – 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 NIV
Cindy
Pittsburgh, PA
Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7) (MEV)
Elaine, New Orleans, Louisiana
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV
Mary Beth, St. Louis, MO
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
1 Cor. 6:19-20 ESV
Emily Lawyer, Arlington, VA: “Listen carefully: unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over.” John 12:24 (MSG)
Kem, Memphis
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27 NIV
Lauren, Durham Nc. “who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. for I am persuaded that neither death nor life nor Angels or principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:35,37-39 NIV… whew !
Liz, Bloomfield: “Do everything without complaining or arguing” (Philippians 2:14, NIV ’84).
Cindy, Beaumont, TX. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those who lawless deeds are forgiven, and who sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” Romans 4:5-8 ESV
Sara Beth Terry, Montgomery, Alabama
“He is your constant source of stability;
He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom;
He gives all this to those who fear Him.” Isaiah 33:6 NET
Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me & find me when you search for Me with all your heart.” NAS
Jill Plano, TX
James 1:5 ESV
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Rayna Barker, Laramie, WY
“So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.” – Psalm 63:2, ESV
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 NLT)
Stacey, Republic, MO. “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Michah 7:7 New International Version
Pam in San Diego ” When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned, the flames will note set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43: 2 NIV
Melissa Roehrich
Bismarck, ND
“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 NKJV
Elmwood, Tennessee
“I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.” Philippians 4:13 (GNT)
Tiffany Boles
Wheeling, WV
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26 NIV
Donna Powell, Austin, TX
John 14:1 NIV
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Susan – Mars, Pa
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)
Donna Lindsey, Ozark, MO, “So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” 2 Corinthians 5:9, NIV
Jill Holamon, Early TX
Since you are all set apart by God, made holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Put up with one another. Forgive. Pardon any offenses against one another, as the Lord has pardoned you, because you should act in kind. But above all these, put on love! Love is the perfect tie to bind these together. Let your hearts fall under the rule of the Anointed’s peace (the peace you were called to as one body), and be thankful.
Let the word of the Anointed One richly inhabit your lives. With all wisdom teach, counsel, and instruct one another. Sing the psalms, compose hymns and songs inspired by the Spirit, and keep on singing—sing to God from hearts full and spilling over with thankfulness. Surely, no matter what you are doing (speaking, writing, or working), do it all in the name of Jesus our Master, sending thanks through Him to God our Father.
Colossians 3: 12-17 (VOICE)
Christin; Raleigh, NC; “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 ESV
Barb Franklin, Indiana
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Cor. 10:31 NIV
Natalie, Olympia, WA
Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
2 Corinthians 1:9 NIV
Naomi, Colorado Springs: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
Teri, Lakeway, TX
Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.
Matthew 6:34
New American Standard
Ellainn White, Titusville, FL
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8, HCSB
Merry Ashley, Alameda, CA
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Ps. 126:5 (KJV)
So short it feels like cheating, but an encouraging reminder in tough times.
Conni in Columbia, MD
“I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1 NIV
Wendy Hornback, Windsor CO
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life would lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospels will save it.
Mark 8:34-35 ESV
Lori, Louisville, KY
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place if undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Romans 5:2
Sherilyn, Warsaw, IN
Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:1 NIV
Lori Wagar from Minnesota
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross scorning it’s shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Kelly Menomonie, Wisconsin
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 ESV
Ally McGehee, Houston, TX.
“But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.
I cry aloud to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain.
I lie down and sleep;
I wake again because the Lord sustains me.”
Psalm 3:3-5 HCSB
Kathie Bowman, Mapleton, IL – “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” James 2:15 and 16 (NIV)
Kathy, Knightstown, IN
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomaparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesian 1:17-19a NIV
Carla Seeley, Georgetown, TX, “You know when I sit down and when I rise up, You discern my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139:2 ESV
Debra Coon, Atmore, AL “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass” Psalm 37: 4-5 NKJV
Psalm 23
The entire chapter
sorry I forgot in the King James Version
Naomi, Colorado Springs (disregard prior): “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
Graterford, Pa. “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, Who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15 ESV