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!
Susan Schulte, Huntsville AL
Psalm 145:18New International Version (NIV)
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
Leslie G -Warner Robins, Ga
2 Chronicles 16:9. “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (NIV)
Rachel Pinard, Suwanee, Georgia. “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 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
La’Tonya Thierry, Brookshire, TX
And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. Luke 1:45 KJV
Hallelujah to The Lamb of God!!!
Marsha, Angleton TX “Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5 NIV84
Dana, Grenada, Mississippi
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
Denise Boling, Paragould, Arkansas “He must become greater and I must become less.” John 3:30
Kendra Chevalier, Lamar, Arkansas
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 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? Matthew 6:25-26 ESV
Forgot bible translation, oops
Kathy Waco Tx Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God. NASB
Melissa Scheiwe, Navarre FL:
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Psalm 37:23-24 NLT
Lily Rhodes, Oklahoma City, OK
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
(Matthew 7:7) NLT
Jenna, Fort Worth, TX
You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you. – Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Sarah S from Indian Trail, NC. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil. 1:6, ESV
Carrie Norris, Goshen, Indiana “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 38 & 39 (NIV)
Megan Nadalet, Redlands, California
“SO whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
Linda Wilson, OFallon, IL.
” 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
Ashley Dill, Johnson City, TX
Acts 18:10 (ERV)
I am with you, and no one will be able to hurt you. Many of my people are in this city.”
Sharon Doney,Massillon Ohio
1John 4:20 NIV
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
Sallee Bonham, Belle, MO
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21 NIV
Gail Peacock, Longview, Texas
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalms 139:23-24 NLT
Robyn Barnes, Orlando, FL
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.”
Nahum 1:7 NIV
Carrie, Clayton, NC
Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.
1 Timothy 4:14-15
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Emily Griffin, Tifton, GA: “For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight,for the Lord will go before you,
and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 52:12 ESV
cassie H in Mechanicsburg, PA
“Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Phil 4:8 NASB
Darla McNamara, Longview, Texas – Job 2:10 NIV “He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?”
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans12:12 ESV
Allison K – Rockledge, FL
“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
Angela, Aurora, NE – “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:5-7 NIV84
Hannah Chatham, Montgomery AL, “Beauty is something internal that can’t be destroyed. Beauty expresses itself in a gentle and quiet attitude which God considers precious.” 1 Peter 3:4 God’s Word Translation
Mitzi Garrett, Bulverde Texas “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22
Kasyn Peacock, Longview, Texas
“This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.”
I John 1:5 NIV
Lei Ann Brown, Princeton, KY. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NASB)
Lisa Reidsema, Tunkhannock, PA
Ps. 62:8 NIV Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour our your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us.
Lauren Matson, Prattville, AL: “But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment.” 1 Timothy 6:6 NASB
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV)
Vivienne B, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Cheryl Luecke Houston,TX
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against on another. Forgive as The Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:13. NIV
Pam Worcester, Glen Elder, Kansas, 1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NIV, 1984) Finally, SISTERS, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
Candra Brasel – Huntsville, AR
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV
Donna, Athens, GA
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV(1984)
Valerie VanDyke, Elkton SD
Search me,O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is amy offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Ps 139:23-24 NIV
Robin Sotomayor, Ceres, Ca
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.
Romams 15:13 NIV
Jeannine Hale
Eagan, MN
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Elizabeth Mitchell, living in Haverhill, England “I am the Vine, you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me (cut off from vital union with Me) you can do nothing.” AMP
1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NET)
With such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
Brandi O’Steen, Spring, TX
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8
Ephesians 5: 16 (NIV)
“…making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Lori, Friendswood, TX