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!
Kandis Nucla, Colorado
1 Peter 1:23 NIV For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
Lana, Bryant, AR
O Lord, You are my God: I will exalt You, I will give thanks to your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. Isaiah 25:1 NASB
Elsie – Scottsbluff, NE
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Show me Your ways, LORD, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are my God my Savior, my hope is in You all day long.
Mary-Katherine, New Albany, OH “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
Jill, Savannah, GA
I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. Psalm 7:17 NASB
Kathy, St.Louis, MO.
” ‘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’84)
For I am convinced that neither death, not life, nor angles, not heavenly rulers, nor things that are present , nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 New English Translation
Karen Laule Queen City, TX.
“O Lord, how great are Your works! Psalms 92-5 New KJV
Mary Reed, Kansas City, MO –
Psalm 139:2 NKJV You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.
Frances, Orange, TX
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6 NLT
Kim Eshelman Lewisburg, PA
1Chronicles 29:11
Yours, O LORD, is is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory,and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the Kingdom, O LORD, and you are exhaulted as head above all.
Gennie. Granbury, TX. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB
Lorie Herinckx, Portland, Oregon. “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11 NIV
Ellijay, GA
Teach me wisdom and knowledge because I trust your commands. Psalm 119:66 NCV
Deb DeMaria, New Hudson MI
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord Himself is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2 NIV
Tammy M-waterford Mi
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.
Proverbs 31:25-26 NIV
Jill Moss, North Scituate, Rhode Island “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19 NKJV
Lucille Goins, New Bloomfield Mo.
Psalm 62:2 NKJV
He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense;
I shall not be greatly moved.
Lynda S. From Brockville, Ontario, Canada
“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.
(Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV)
Genevieve Herndon Colorado Springs, CO
Psalm 25:5 NIV
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Morgan Cooper, Lexington, KY – The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions. Ecclesiastes 7:8-10
Kelly, Sumter, SC
1 John 1:5
This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
Ingrid, Oldfield, MO
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. Psalm 103:6&7 ESV
Ann Lopretto, McKeesport PA “The heart of man plans his course but the Lord determines his steps.” (NIV)
Susan Bostaph, Buffalo, New York “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 ESV
Gina, Upper Hutt, NZ “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:18-21 (NIV)
Rebecca Clutts from Cross Plains, Tn Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Arlas
Artesia, New Mexico
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he flee from you. James 4:7 NIV
Erin Persinger, Lawrence KS. Pslams 51: 10 NIV “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Amy, Albemarle, NC
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.-Hebrews 13:15, NIV
Gina – Harrison, TN
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26 NLT
Leah Eller, San Antonio, Texas. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”. John 10:10 ESV
Jolene Kirchner, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
“to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn” Isaiah 61:2 NIV (memorizing all of Is. 61
Vicki Freels, Rutherfordton NC
“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thess 3:3 NIV
Sherry Awdish, Dolores, CO “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP
Megan, St. Louis:
“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!” Psalm 27:13 (ESV)
Sheridan Langford, louisville KY “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 (ESV)
Lynchburg, VA
Psalm 55:2 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55:2 NLT
Natalie Bullock – Pearl, MS
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 ESV
Tracy from Texas
In the same way, let you rlike shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:15 NIV
Ann Lopretto, McKeesport PA “The heart of man plans his course but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverb 16:9(NIV)
Carolyn, Lakeland, FL
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7 NIV
Being Confident of this very thing that He which hath began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 KJV
Cindi Latson, Madison, MS, “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” I Thess. 5:8 (ESV)
Linda Hansen, Buckeye, AZ, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty”
Jeremiah 15:16 NIV
Shauna, Aurora, NE
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalm 28:7, ESV
Diane Ferrell from Modesto, Ca.
May he give you all the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
Psalms 20:4 NIV
Oops! I forgot to but NKJV.
Jamie Wagner, Billings, MT “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you’.” (Hebrews 13:5; NKJV)
Cindy Peete, Colorado Springs CO
Be still, and know that I am God.I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10 ESV