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!
Tina Belfield from La Plata, MO
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Amanda K. , Bastrop Tx
Colossians 4:2 NIV
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
LOVED this post. It spoke to me. I needed to hear it!
Cathy F from Loxahatchee, Florida
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
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.
Donna from Allen, TX:
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
NKJV
Teri Wymore, Millington, TN
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:26 (NLT)
Vickie Kalinovich
Greenville, SC
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.Psalm 16:8 (NIV)
Karen Roberson, Cullman, AL “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-22 NIV
Katie Fox Nyenga, Uganda
2nd Corinthians 9:10
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
Liz, Round Rock,Texas
“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at Him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.” Mark 6:3-4 NASB
Cecelia Stewart, Tustin CA “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
C. Santiago, Cherry Hill, NJ
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but, what is good for necessary edification, that it may impact grace to the hearers.” NKJV
Robstown, Texas
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice,to love kindness,and to walk humbly with your God
Taylor Collingsworth, Brentwood, TN:
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:17-18 NLT
Linda Montana Ps 91:2 NKJV “I will say of the LORD, ‘HE is my refuge and my fortress; My GOD in HIM I will trust.'”
Christina Beaugh, Baton Rouge, Louisiana- “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.” Psalms 138:8 (NLT)
“She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25 NIV
Michelle Beatty, Mosinee, WI
Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may lived.
Isaiah 55:3 ESV
Romans 8:35-39 NIV
“Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No! In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus or Lord.”
Genia Quinn Madison, MS
Be still and know that I am God. I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. Psalm 46:10 NLT
Kim Foley, Arnold, MD.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Kellie from Peoria AZ
Proverbs 31:10 (ESV)
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
I turned 3 times to this verse today. I have been working diligently on being the Godly wife.
I was put to death on the cross with Christ, and I do not live anymore—it is Christ who lives in me. I still live in my body, but I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself to save me. (Galatians 2:20 NCV)
Liz Millinor
St Johns, FL
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure,
“Children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. ”
Phillipians 2:14-16a
NIV
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. (NIV)
Forgot to put I’m from McKenzie, TN 🙂
108 Mile Ranch, BC “Be careful how you think, your life is shaped by your thoughts.” Proverbs 4:23 GNT
Jessica, Maryville, TN
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19, NIV
Beth, Omaha, NE-Phil. 2:3-4 NIV
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.
Erin Boling- Denison, TX
“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.”
Ephesians 1:11 MSG
Oops!!
The correct reference is Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, (Jude 1:20 NIV)
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
Kelly Watson
Fargo, ND
I call you O God, for you will answer me,give ear to me and hear my prayer.
Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those
Who take refuge in you from their foes. Psalm 17: 6-7 NIV
Kelly Barb, Jefferson City, MO
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
Leslie, Decatur, TX
Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God has appeared with the salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lust and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age.
Donna Mina, Norman, OK
My husband just had nuclear stress test…waiting to hear from him.
Don’t worry about anything;
instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and
thank him for all he has done.
~ Philippians 4:6 NLT~
Leslie Thomas, Lees Summit,Missouri
Be imitators of God,therefore as dearly loved children and live a life of love,just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Jen Massara, Albany, Oregon – Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” -Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)
Emily York, St. Paul, Minnesota
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Andrea Miller, Massillon, OH
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out.”
Romans 11:33 NIV
Jane from Geneseo, Illinois
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 NIV
Jacquie Terada from Mt.Vernon, WA
Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me~a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:7-8 NIV
Chrissy Hilliard, Oswego, IL
“I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14 (ESV)
Esther de Graaf, Nieuwveen, The Netherlands ( Europe ): “En wij weten dat voor wie God liefhebben, voor wie volgens zijn voornemen geroepen zijn, alles bijdraagt aan het goede.” Romeinen 8:28 NBV
Hannah Rodriguez, Dallas, Tx.
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” -Philippians 4:5 (NIV)
Erin George, Columbus, OH
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:5 ESV
Christine Caris, Newfield, NY
“Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”
– Psalm 100:3 (NIV)
Alison Pannell
McComb, MS
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His Word I put my hope.”
Psalm 130:5 (NIV)
Alexis Tena, Salem , OR
“Seek the Lord and His Strength
Seek His face evermore!”
Psalm 105:4 NKJV
Melissa Ballard, Liberty, West Virginia. “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Hilton Head island, SC
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
YIKES!!! NIV
Lea Rhodes, Oklahoma City, OK
“I look up to the mountains — does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth!”
Psalm 121:1-2 (NLT)