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!
Kimberly, Fresno, California
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Romans 12:12. ESV
Carolyn, Conroe, TX
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (NASB)
Kay Martin
Tupelo, MS
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched–this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.”
1 John 1:1 (NIV)
10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isiah 41:10 NLV
Connie
Greene IA
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Cor 15:58 (NIV)
Kim E., Bennett, Ia
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. (John 1:16 ESV)
Brooke Carson, Mason Hall, TN
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the WORD of our GOD stands FOREVER.” Isaiah 40:8 NIV
Dale Dyer, Georgetown, OH “for by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:8 ESV
April Anstey, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
We can make our plans; but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all you heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 Cindee Johnson Portageville Mo
Cynda
Newnan, GA
Romans 8:13 ESV
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Elizabeth Brown, Fayetteville AR
Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Brenda Lenz, Georgetown, Texas – “The Lord will work out His plans for my life — for Your faithful love, O’ Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for You made me.” – Psalm 138:8 (NLT)
Allison Whitener, White Post, Virginia
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”
~Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Georganne, Piedmont , OK
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope…
II Thess. 2:16 NIV
Mona, Bossier City, LA, “The Lord will work out his plans for my life — for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” Psalm 138:8 NIV
I listed the wrong version – this is the NLT version not the NIV. Thanks so much.
Debbie Turner Chavers, Murfreesboro,Tennessee
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
KJV
Joyce
Sparta, NJ
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19
Beth Belflower Caddo Mills, TX
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
English Standard Version
I love these verses about comfort. For all that the Bible talks about suffering these verses show us that God doesn’t want us to just “toughen up” in our suffering, but instead He empathizes with us in our suffering. He draws us in to a hug and says, “I’ve been there. I understand.”
Caroline, Athens, GA
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
Melissa Ruth, Houston, 1 Peter 1:14 NLT
So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.
Shelley Candy, Bainbridge, PA
Proverbs 15:22 (NKJV)
“Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established.”
Amanda Keith, Lynchburg VA “He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.” (Isaiah 40:29 NASB)
Cindy Wall, Kernersville NC 27284, Isaiah 42:16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. NIV
Allison from Fort Worth, TX:
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (NIV)
Kelli Gatewood, Avon, Indiana “Moreover, When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them to accept his lot and be happy in his work – This is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart” Ecclesiastes 5:19 & 20 NIV
Wendi Coats, Lubbock, TX: “…I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;…” Isaiah 49: 15-16 NIV
Praying for you my Lubbock Siesta!
Jasmine Baktiar, Lemoore, California
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on it’s stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
Melody Barbour, Florence, KY – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NIV
Mandy T. for Lizard Lick, NC (yes it is a real place). Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” This gives me encouragement when I want to quit. I can not do it all on my own.
Cara Reyes
Dickinson, Tx
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
NIV
Leslie
Mount Vernon, OH
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)
Elaine, Virginia Beach, VA “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Col. 3:16a NKJV
Amanda M. — Redding, Ca
“Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”
— Psalm 119:165, NIV
Pam, Harrisonville, MO
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 NASB
Laura Hagedorn, Rib Mountain, WI, Psalm 63:1-4, O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
Sarah Miller
New Palestine IN
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; (1 Peter 1:15 NIV)
Kim S., Ridgeland, MS
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NKJV)
Joanne Viola, Reading, MA.
“Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promises. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.” (Romans 4:21, NLT)
Deborah, Glasgow, Scotland
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)
Deborah, This is a great verse! I like that it is about fears. We all have fears. Hope all is well in Scotland!
Meredith from Columbus, OH: Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for [them] is that they may be saved. -Romans 10:1 (NIV)
Sarah Sykes, Arkadelphia, AR
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (Colossians 3:12 ESV)
Nancy McLendon, Perry, GA
Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
Hebrews 4:12-13 NRSV
(LOVE JAN MORTON! She’s from my piney woods.)
Ps. 145:20
“The Lord watches over all who love Him” NIV
Mimi Eppler Marble Falls, TX
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved.”
Ephesians 2: 4,5 ESV
Margo, Burlington ON
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:9 NIV
Elaine ~ Powder Springs, GA ~ My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. (Psalm 34:2 ESV)
Amanda Porter. Lubbock, Texas. “Your words are what sustain me; they are food to my hungry soul. They bring joy to my sorrowing heart and delight me. How proud I am to bear your name, O Lord”. -Jeremiah 15:16 (TLB)
Praying for my Lubbock Siesta’s!
Melanie Anderson, Groesbeck, TX
“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 its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NIV (1984)
Rock Springs, Wyoming. “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” ESV