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!
Ally Turner, Detroit, Michigan
Psalm 138:2-3 (NIV) I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.
Nancy, Newport News, VA
He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Prov. 2:7-8 NIV
Janelle – Atlanta, GA: “Brothers and Sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true, honorable, right, pure, beautiful and respected.” Philippians 4:8 NCV
Vicki Bolton, Lubbock, TX
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 HCSB
YAY! Praying for my Lubbock Siestas!
Julie Webb City, MO
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Gretchen, Gahanna, Ohio– Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess His name. And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifice God is pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16 NIV
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
Cody, Houston, TX
“On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem,
‘Fear not, O Zion;
Let not your hands grow weak.
The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty One who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you by His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing.'”
Zephaniah 3:16-17, ESV
Another Siesta Cody/ie in the world who loves the LORD!!! Beautiful verse!!!
My son, do walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path. For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to make blood. Proverbs 1:15,16 NKJV
Blessings!
Ravonne McCray, Little River, TX
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.James 1:19-20 ESV
Amy–St. Pete, FL
Psalm 138:8a NRSV
“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me…”
Jessica Dias San Diego, CA
Psalm 19:14 NLV
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Judy Teague, Anna, Texas ~ “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.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Andrea, Tulsa. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21, NIV
LeAnn Nichols; Spring, Texas
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24
Felicia Bess, Richmond, TX
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 40:31 KJV
Joan, Portage, MI
“I will instruct you & teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
Psalm 32:8NIV
emi, white house, tn: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18 ESV (autumn is my current season)
Galatians 6:10New International Version (NIV)
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Cheri Bunch, Louisville, KY. Micah 7:18 ESV 18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.
Fran, Stedman, NC
Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:6 NLT
Sherri in Boise Idaho
Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26 MOD (Modern English Version)
Andrea Brandhorst from Van Alstyne, TX:
I chose this scripture because Beth and Travis say it with such conviction in Travis’ song “I am Persuaded” (Jesus Saves album), and it compels me to pray for persecuted Christians everywhere. Also, it brings me such joy to hear it!
35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 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 8:35, 37-39 NIV
Melinda Wommack, Atlanta, Texas
“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”
1 John 3:1 NASB
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 KJV
Eileen, Lancaster, PA
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.
But even if he does not, we want you to know, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
Dan 3: 17-18 NIV
Laura Grassi, Denver, CO
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:12-13 ESV
Rhonda Davis, Huntsville, TN
And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
-Romans 12:2 KJV
Jennifer Matteson, DeKalb, TX, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (ESV)
Sarah M., St. Louis, MO
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Colossians 3:16-17 NKJV
Jennifer Foust, West Memphis, AR.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 ESV
Codie Chevalier, Loudon, NH
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13, NLT
Cari
Alexandria, LA
It was because the Lord loved you and because of his fidelity to the oath he had sworn to your ancestors, that the Lord brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. – Deuteronomy 7:8
Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Lori Keeton, Sheppard AFB, Texas – “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in our sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Ali Brown, Fort Worth, TX
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NAS
Rita, Cambridge, England
So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right and trust your lives to the God who created you for He will never fail you. 1 Peter 4:19 (NLT)
Colossians 3:13. NIV Study Bible
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Rosa, Cane Ridge, TN
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27 (NKJV)
Susan Smith, Helena, MT. 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. Col. 3:17
Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (NIV)
Stephanie from Houston, TX: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up”. Galatians 6:9
Shawna Jones, Carthage, Ms 39051
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
Heather Johnson, Minneapolis, MN “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10, NIV
Marian Garcia, Springfield, MO
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up
anger. Proverbs 15:1. NIV
Emily Menard {New Orleans, LA} “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7 ESV
Jeannie Patz, Coleman, Wisconsin
” 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 in the Son of God , who loved me and gave himself for me. ”
Galatians 2:20 NIV
Deborah Kilgore, Carlsbad, NM, Hebrews 2:1 ESV Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
Ruth-Anne Lynch, Garvagh, N.Ireland
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