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!
Teresa Y. Callahan,FL
Wives submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:22 NIV
Karen Green, Valrico, Florida
“I greatly rejoice in the Lord, I exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness” Isaiah 61:10a
Lubbock, TX
She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
Proverbs 3:15
Praying for my Lubbock Siestas!
Valerie Mathura, Newnan, Georgia
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Heb 10:35-36 NIV)
Lorna Coonrad, Austin Texas
Jeremiah, 29:13
And ye shall seek me,
And find me, when ye shall search for me
With all your heart.
KJV.
Gail Ouimette, Tumalo, Oregon
Don’t be deceived, my dear 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. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
James 1:16-18
NIV translation
Kathy Springer, Chula Vista, CA: For this is what the LORD says–he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited–he says: “I am the LORD, and there is no other. … Isaiah 45:18 NIV
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NIV
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!”
Psalm 37:7 ESV
Cindy Bradshaw, Murphy North Carolina
“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.” Romans 6:8-10 NIV
Leslie Elliott, Portland, Tennessee
“Trust in the Lord with all your 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 (ESV)
No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord! Romans 8:39 NLT
Jillann Brusstar, King of Prussia, Pa
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. James 5:15
Gilbert, AZ
Psalm 44:3 For they did not take the land by their sword–their arm did not bring them victory–but by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, for you were pleased with them. Psalm 44:3 HCSB
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
Sarah Musser, Nashville, TN. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13 NIV
Alicia Freed, Urbandale IA
“For God has not given us a fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
Raleigh,NC
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
Marissa Hernandez from Houston, TX
“In his hear a man may plan his course, but the Lord will direct his steps” Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
Ashley Coward, Vanceboro, North Carolina
(14)”And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. (15) And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.”
1 John 5:14-15 ESV
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under Heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1(ESV)
Carlsbad, NM
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves & seek my face & turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, & I will forgive their sin & will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
Anna Lynch, Greensboro, NC
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 NIV
Colleen Houger, Creston, WA Romans 8:33 “Who can bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.” NIV
Kathy Porter, Las Cruces, NM
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” -Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Luda Kosenko from Baltimore, MD
John 6: 63 NIV
The Spirit gives life;
the flesh counts for nothing.
The words I have spoken to you
are spirit and they are life.
you are my refuge and my shield. I have put my hope in Your Word.
Psalm 119 v114
Wendy
Harrodsburg, Kentucky
“Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”
Psalm 139:4-6 NIV
Lee Ann Wimer – Norman, OK “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint, and the young men shall utterly fail, 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.” Is. 40_ 29-31 NKJV
Elizabeth Fikes, Cookeville, Tennessee.
“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” Psalm 3:3
Taryn Crabill, Temple, TX. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
Whitney Shoultz (Greenville SC): “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” (Proverbs 31:26 ESV)
Maaike Veerbeek, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, Mijn genade is voor u genoeg, want Mijn Kracht wordt in zwakheid volbracht. 2Kor12:9, HSV
Tanyia from Taylor, Florida: The Lord is my strength an my shield: My heart trusted in Him and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. And with my song I will praise Him. Psalm 28:7 (NIV)
Jenny Reed, Lexington, Ky
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20 NIV)
Ambria Gates, Wiggins, MS “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8 NIV)
Emily Barfell, Indianapolis, Indiana
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Proverbs 31:25-27 TNIV
Lisa Katsiris, Vanscoy SK (Canada) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5 NIRV
Mandy Hale, Bolivar, MO.
“I love you, Lord; you are my strength”
Psalm 18:1
Suzanne Rich, Waxhaw, NC
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
Isaiah 61:10. ESV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3
Grace Donley, Lakeland, Florida
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12:34 KJV
Linda W., Tomball, TX, “May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” Colossians 1:11 ESV
Ephesians 1:17-19New King James Version (NKJV)
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding[a] being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
Alison Greever, Juneau, Alaska
You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 14:14
NIV version
Saralyn Miller, Catlettsburg, Kentucky
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6 NLT
Leslie Kerlick, Hickory NC
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
Psalms 46:5 KJV
Danyelle
Beavercreek, OH
Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong.
Job 6:24 (NIV)
Joanie, Richmond ,Virginia. “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1
NIV
Missy Loudenback, Chicago, IL
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)