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!
Joy, Corbin, KY. “For the Lord sees not as man sees, man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7b ESV
Brandi Hunter, Memphis, TN.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1:16 NASB
Ana French, Broken Arrow, OK
Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:6 (NASB)
Nancy Israel, Jackson MO “we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 NKJV.
Blaire, Bloomfield Twp, MI
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 01 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
Ellie Clark
Nashville,TN
“Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.” –Psalm 63:3-4 ESV
Joan Wetzel, New Orleans, Louisiana
“When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, ‘”Then who can be saved?”‘, And looking at them Jesus said to them, ‘”With people, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”‘
Matthew 19:25,26 NASB
Moncton, NB- Canada
“The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.”
Proverbs 39:15 MSG
James 4:8 ESV
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Pennie, Lincoln, NE
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.”
2 Corinthians 4:8,9 NIV
Regina Sparkman Royse City 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 a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 Living Bible
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
Kat, Edmonton, AB Canada
Windham NH
isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine’ for thy light is come, and the glory of jehovah is risen upon thee.
Samantha, Bentonville, AR
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. ” (Matthew 17:19-20 NIV)
Lasaundra Bies, Poulsbo WA Matthew 5:1-4 (ESV)
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Joleen Klingler Bluffton Ohio
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)
Alissa Jansen – Knoxville, TN
He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath. Prophesy, son of man. Tell the breath, ‘God, the Master, says, Come from the four winds. Come, breath. Breathe on these slain bodies. Breathe life!’” So I prophesied, just as he commanded me. The breath entered them and they came alive! They stood up on their feet, a huge army. ~Ezekiel 37:9-10 MSG
Jenny- Shelby Township, MI
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish every argument and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of Christ and we TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST. II Cor. 10:4-6 NIV
Jessica, Broken Arrow, OK
For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day. Habakkuk 2:3 AMP
Heather Owens – Mt. Vernon, IL
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”
1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 NIV
Kaitlin T., Manchester, MI
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Matthew 5:6 (NIV)
Donna Marina, Ca
9 But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV
Megan JOY Burdzy – Calgary, Alberta Canada – But I trust you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times/future are in Your hands; deliver/rescue me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me/hunt me down relentlessly. – Psalm 31:14-15 – (NIV/NLT)
Lynn, Ventura, CA
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col. 3:12 NIV
Christine, Encinitas CA
The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. – Psalm 27:1-2 NIV
Courtney Rohloff, Morris, MN
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Faye Hyatt, Deming, NM
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 NAS
Paulet Duck
Riverside WA
Romans 8: 32-39 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.”
Sarah, Troy, KS – Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” NIV
Kimberly Orr
Zionsville, Indiana
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
I Corinthians 10:31 ESV
“…Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.” Isaiah 49:23 NIV
Hevila V Rickner, Silver Springs, NV:
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”-Ephesians 3:20 NLT
Kellie Goedken, Sheldon, IA
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and thoughts than your ways.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
Krista Beach; Byron Center, MI
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” -psalm 23:6 ESV
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:2-8, NASB)
Heather from NYC,
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Pam S., Ladoga, IN
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. 1 Thess. 4:11 NLT
Sarina Grasham Houston, TX
(thank you Jan–I needed that today- momma with 2 babies 8 mon. And 7 weeks)
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
Kim of Fishers, IN “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Nancy Kane, Chattanooga, TN “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Kristin, San Marcos, CA “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24 (NIV)
Linsey, New Haven, CT
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV):
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Norfolk, VA
Hebrews 12:2
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfect or of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
NIV
Janet Pollard – Wagoner, OK
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Col. 3:12-13 NIV
Meagan st augustine-psalm 13:5-6 expanded version
I ·trust [have confidence] in your ·love [loyalty; covenant love]. My heart ·is happy [rejoices] because ·you saved me [of your victory/salvation]. I sing to the LORD because he has ·taken care of [been good to] me.
Kelli Holland, Lafayette IN
Ephesians 3.17b-19 NIV
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
John 8:31-32 NIV
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said,
“If you hold to my teaching , you are really my disciples.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Vicky, Winchester, Hampshire, England
“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 NIV
Huntsville, AL
“For by grace you are saved by faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation – created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-9 HCSB