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!
Ann, Springboro, Ohio “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for The Lord and not for men” Colossians 3:23. ESV
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 NIV
Emily, Bay Village, OH
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)
Kerry Babb, Houston, TX
“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” Luke 8:15 (NIV)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2
Be more like Christ!!Transform my thinking to know more of His will and less of mine!
Angie Jimenez, Avilla, IN
“I will speak with the voice of thanks, and tell do all Your great works”
Psalm 26:7 NLV
Poorna Diaz, Reston, Virginia. “When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn’t just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions. You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!—taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble” 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 MSG
Shelly Elston, Portland, Oregon
“If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.”
John 3:17 (The MESSAGE Bible)
Laura Rodriguez, Cullman, Alabama
Hebrews 12:3 ESV
Consider him who endure from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Dianne J, Andover MN
2 Thessalonians 3:5 NIV
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
Lisa Tereshko, Greensburg,PA
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:5-6 (RSV)
Madelin Butler, Thousand Oaks, CA
John 17:20-21 Message
I’m praying not only for them
But also for those who will believe in me
Because of them and their witness about me.
The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
Lisa Griffin, Lincoln City, Oregon:
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 ESV
Sonja Vander Meulen, Colorado Springs, CO Heb.4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Mary Goins, Bluford, Illinois
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV)
Sara, Hillsboro, KS
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.
II Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Rhonda Nelson Grapevine, Texas “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philipians 1:6 MEV
Judy, Kansas City, My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (New Living Translation)
PS 103 1-3 (KJV) BLESS THE LORD O MY SOUL AND ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME BLESS HIS HOLY NAME. BLESS THE LORD O MY SOUL AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS. WHO FORGIVETH ALL THINE INQUITIES; WHO HEALTH ALL THY DISEASES.
Hailey Boone, Wilmington, NC. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…
I Corinthians 13:4-8, NIV
Christine, Pittsburgh,PA
Proverbs 31:26 NLT
“When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.”
Faye Waraksa, Franklin, TN. Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 HCSB
Helen Henderson, Tombstone, AZ
What is man that You take thought of him. And the Son of Man that You care for him?
Ps. 8:4 NASB
Cordova, Tennessee
And they sang in a mighty Coris:
Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessings. Revelation 5:12 NLT
Clancie Speck, Elizabethtown, KY. “I will sing to the LORD, for He has been good to me.” Psalm 13:6 NIV (1984)
Ericka Eggemeyer, St. Louis, MO–May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
Colossians 1:11-12
Kaycee Dotson Clinton Township, MI
Psalm 121:1-2
1.I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2. My help cometh from The Lord, which made Heaven and Earth.
Kara Davis
Tulsa, Oklahoma
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
Hebrews 6:19, NLT
Kristin, Yorktown VA
Verse 2 of John 5:37-40 “You do not have His Word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.” (NASB)
1 Thessalonians- NIV
11-12
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you to
so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Toronto, ON
Sara Langone, Santa Fe, NM ” All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
Rebecca, Murfreesboro Tn,
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
This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. I John 4:10, NLT
Shelagh, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Romans 4:20 “His faith did not leave him, and he did not doubt God’s promise; his faith filled him with power, and he gave praise to God”
Kathleen in Texas; Romans 8:19 NIV
For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Deborah, Hartsville, SC; “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.: Philippians 4:8 NASB
Sandra, Rock Hill, SC
Be joyful always, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Marcy Stearns, Redmond Oregon
My soul, praise the Lord and all that is within me, praise His holy name. My soul, praise the Lord and do not forget all his benefits. PS 103:1-2 HSCB
JOYce Partridge, Leola, AR.
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Job 8:21 NIV
Madelaine Priest, Conway, AR
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
-Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
Lancaster Ohio
Isaiah 55:6 ESV
Seek the LORD while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.
Liz Allen, Wooster, OH
“I will sing of steadfast love and justice;
to you, O LORD, I will make music.”
-Psalm 101:1, ESV
Kelli McLean ~ Kalispell, MT
“But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.” ~ Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
Isaiah 41:10, NKJV
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Chelle Felan, Humble, Texas
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.
Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)
Jen Allen, Broomfield, CO. “For we live by faith, not by sight.”, 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.2 Cor 4:16-18 NIV
Stephanie Robertson, Billings, Montana: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NLT
Kim L., Colonial Heights, Virginia
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 (ESV)
Mallory, Fort Smith, AR
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV