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!
Valarie G., Bristow, VA
Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:37 ESV)
Kelly Collins, Forney, TX “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17 NIV
Jamie, Wichita, KS
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.”
John 15:16-17 NIV
Name: Danielle
City: Evansville
Verse: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NIV
Ashley Henderson, North Little Rock, Arkansas. “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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
Penny – Mansfield, OH
Then he said, “Look I have come to do your will O God, as it is written about me in scriptures.”
Hebrews 10:7 NLT
Lacy, Eugene, OR, ESV
1 Peter 1:3-4
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”
Jenn Kuenzler, waterloo ontario
James 1:16-27 NIV
“Don’t be deceived, my brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows…..”
Cece Bell, Gilbert, AZ
“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
and lead me in the everlasting way.”
Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB)
Karen Banducci, Redmond, OR
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds”
2 Corinthians 10:4
Proverbs 16:24. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and b healing to the bones.
Irene, White Pigeon MI
God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So you should always clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12-17(NCV)
Loke Asing, San Clemente, CA
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Deuteronomy 6:7. ESV
Angelica (Angel) Chilton, Hillsboro, Texas
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse,that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
Leslie Giron from Johnston City, IL
Romans 8:13 NKJV
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.
Lindsay
Bangor, Maine
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
~Job 23:10 (NIV)
Lindsey Buchanan St. Augustine, FL “So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.” Hebrews 12:12-13 NLT
Cynthia Simmons, Mount Vernon NY
“[Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home.” Proverbs 24:27 (AMP)
Dawn, Silver Spring, MD. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.” Psalm 19:1-3 (ESV)
Becky Brittingham, Medway Ohio
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1 (NIV)
Brady Griffith, Moulton, AL “You are a woman God has blessed. You have believed that the Lord would keep his promises to you!” Luke 1:45 NIRV
Suffolk, VA
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippine 2:3 ESV
Philippians 2:3 (I missed the typo, sorry)
Sharon Bolton, Bowling Green, KY,
When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Revelation 8:1 NIV
Wow!!!
Billie Jauss, Naples Florida “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
Susan Aldridge, Glen Allen, VA
“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”
Matt. 6:34 MSG
Cynthia Evans, Massanutten, VA
“One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard; that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.” Psalm 62: 11-12 NIV
Vickie, Pella, Iowa
For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh,the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-comes not from the Father but from the world. 1John 2:16 NIV
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape you worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good will come settle down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)
Mary Moles, Clifton, VA
“Give me understanding and I will obey your law; I will put it into practice with all my heart.” Psalm 119:34 New Living
Allison Parkhurst, Wichita, Kansas. “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4 ESV
Theresia Whitfield, Indianapolis, IN
“For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1:37
Emma Brenneman, Catlett, VA
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Psalm 143:8 KJV
Marie Griffith, Moulton, AL “If our hope in Christ is for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone else in the world.” 1 Corinthians 15:19 NCV
“But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Cor 15:10 NKJ
In honor of my Mom, Grace, whose birthday is tomorrow.
Stacey Mills, Warner Robins, GA
“Do not conform any longer 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 NIV
Amanda Hodge, Sherman, TX
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:29-31 KJV
Jennifer Allison, Norfolk, Virginia
“for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ”
Galatians 3: 27 NIV
Sarah Fox, Springfield, MO
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart’.” 1 Samuel 16:7 HCSB
From Midland, MI
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:1-2
“‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you'”- (Acts 13:41)
Kim Abbott, Mabank, TX
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8 ESV
Angie Quinn..Carterville, IL
“But He answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”‘
Matthew 4:4 ESV
Laura Stovall, DeQuincy, LA
“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 entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8
Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.
Isaiah 43:4 ESV
Cassie Pattillo, Boiling Springs, SC “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)
Carolyn, Maryville, Tn. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jer 29:13 KJV
Susan B., Chapin, SC
Colossians 1:17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (ESV)
Kendra Kennedy, Southlake, TX
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. James 1:6-7 NIV
Rachel, Salem, IN
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow.
Psalms 51:7 NLT
Jennifer, Cypress, TX, “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.” -Romans 8:13 ESV