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!
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Williamston
Wendy L., Lancaster, PA.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Eph. 5:1-2
Susan
Allison Park, PA
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Matt 7:6 (NIV)
Isaiah 6:8
This is my verse because I love traveling and want to know where God Is going to send me
Trina Combs, Fayetteville, AR “Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.” Psalm 37:5-6 (NKJV)
Gloria Huffman, Freeport, FL
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Samantha Zumbro, Golden Colorado
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
John 14:27 NISB
Heather Mills, Bangor, Maine
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9; NASB
Maryse Sturm, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands, Europa.
Elk schepsel in de hemel, op aarde, onder de aarde en in de zee, alles en iedereen hoorde ik zeggen:
“Aan hem die op de troon zit en aan het lam komen de dank, de eer, de lof en de macht toe, tot in eeuwigheid.”
openbaring 5:13. NBV.
Beth Shelton
Canton, Ohio
NIV Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Danielle, Beaver Dam, WI
“Finally, brothers, 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 NIV
Deuteronomy 5:24 (IV)
And ye said, Behold, the Lord our God hath showed us his glory and his greatness and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire; we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.
Michelle Hunter, Grand Haven Michigan
“Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.’
Jeremiah 1:9
Jo Ann, Aston, PA. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5 KJV
I will not forget you
i have you carved in the palm of my hand (a)
Isaiah 49:16
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to Me for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:22
Candy Watson
Amarillo, TX
Megan Bollman, Fargo, ND
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:25-26 NIV
Kim H., McKinney, TX
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 43:19 NIV
Johanna Trask, San Dimas, CA
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Margaret – Salem, VA
Ps 90:17 ESV
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Dora Polk, Matthews Missouri Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of hour mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 2:12 ESV
Stephanie, Dayton, OH
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9-10
Kim Safina, Central Coast California
Let the peace of God rule in our hearts.
Colossians 3:15 NIV
Chelsea from Allen, TX:
“Enjoy serving the Lord, and He will give you what you want. Depend on the Lord; trust Him, and He will take care of you.”
NCV
Hebrews 12:2New American Standard Bible (NASB)
2 [a]fixing our eyes on Jesus, the [b]author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Joy Rener, Austin, TX
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.
Galatians 6:2-6 NKJV
Cara Gabrielse, Parker, Colorado. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. Psalm 145:3, NIV
Caron Ervin, Duncanville, TX
Psalm 16:8 NIV
I keep my eyes ALWAYS on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Diane, Palatine,IL
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'”
Mark 16:15 NIV
Donna Stephens, Wylie, Texas. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
Diane Miller, Cypress, TX
Be completely humble and gentle; Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Lisa Vinson, Abilene TX
“For I know the plans I have for you.” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jer. 29:11 NIV
Carrie Wentzville, Mo.
Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you receive no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy. 1 Peter 2:10 NLT
2 Corinthians 12:9 b Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ May rest upon me. ESV
Ruth, Providence
If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a wrongdoer, or a busybody; yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God. 1Peter 4:14-16 RSV
Debbie Gordon, Severna Park, MD
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
(James 1:2-4 ESV)
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
“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.”
Michele Foster Taylorsville NC
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life : weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5
Kris P., Huntington, IN, Philippians 4:8 (NIV) “Finally, brothers, 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.”
oops…forgot to say it was from Psalm 37: 4-5
Jen, London ON
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Matthew 6:26-27 ESV
Jennifer Henderson, Raleigh, Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. Psalm 118:19, ESV
Fern Massey, Leavenworth, KS. Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; Keep watch over the door of my lips. PSALM 141:3 NIV. Love y’all!
Kelly Bickley — Brunswick, Ohio
Philippians 3:9-11
“I no longer count on my own goodness or my ability to obey God’s law, but I trust Christ to save me. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. As a result, I can really know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.”
Cindy Barnfield, Cypress, TX. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalms 23 KJV
Sarah Stephenson, Auburn, Alabama. “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace & truth… For out of His fullness we have all received one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift upon gift. For while the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:14,16-17 AMP
Vanessa Peavie Pendleton IN No, in all these things we are more than conquerers through him who loved us Romans 8:37 ESV
Deloris S. from Hattiesburg, MS
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour our your hearts to him.” Psalm 62.8, NIV
Amy, Milford, NH
Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”
Sherri Bunch, Concord, NC. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV