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!
Berrien Springs, MI
1 Corinthians 13:2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (ESV)
Lori Sadler from Mayo, Florida. “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27: 13-14 NASB
Emily G. from Houston, TX
“but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Proverbs 1:33 NIV
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32 NLT
Tammy, Folsom, California
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for enough.” Matthew 6:34 NLT
Amy Peterson, Fort Worth, TX “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippines 4:8
Kathryn, Atlanta, GA: ““For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. – Psalm 120:1 (NIV)
Kathy Pearl, Griffin, Georgia
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6 NIV)
Chris Robertson from Fort Wayne, IN
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
Proverbs 13:3 New Living Translation
January 1st Scripture: Becky Orin, Sugar Land, Texas “Behold, I am doing a new thing, now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert”. Isaiah 43:19 ESV
Keri Lynn, Macon, GA
Psalm 34:17-18 “The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all of their troubles. He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” NIV
Heidi Nielsen, Stow, MA. “When the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines; when the olive trees do not produce, and the fields yield no crops; when the sheep disappear from the pen and there are no cattle in the stalls, I will rejoice because of the Lord, I will be happy because of the God who delivers me.” Habakkuk 3: 17-18 NET
Britt Felix, Tucson, AZ
Psalm 33:4-5
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
Amber Baird, Vicksburg, MI. “Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Phillipians 2:4 NIV
Anna Brewer, Nacogdoches TX
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (ESV)
Tara Milligan, Stigler, OK. “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NIV
“Have I not command you? Be strong and and courageous. Don’t be afraid; Do not be discouraged; for The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Ashley Williams, macungie pa
Allison L., Tulsa, OK
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. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:6-11, ESV
Ivy Morrison
Dayton TX
“And mark that you do this with humility and discipline – not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.”
Ephesians 4:2-3 MSG
Laura Ellis Upton, KY John 3:16 NKJV For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Debbie from Benicia, California
“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statues, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” Ezekiel 36:27 NASB
And this is the testimony that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. I John 5:11-13 (ESV)
Hutchins Tx
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
Hebrews 13:2 NKJV
Julie Lynchburg Va
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died to this life and your real life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3
Kendra from Safford AZ Psalm 119:133 NIV Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
Debbie Fasano Quincy IL
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10, ESV
Linda, Indio, CA
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the LORD
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. Luke 6: 35, 36 NLT
Sara DeMoss, Cleveland OH. Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” NIV
Mary Lou from Buffalo, NY, James 1:2-4 NKJ. My brethren, count it all JOY when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Judy, South Bend, IN: NIV. Proverbs 14:1 “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”
Christy Barber, Muleshoe, TX. “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into this world, and we cannot take anything out of this world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” I Timothy 6:6-8
ESV!
Jane, Houston, TX
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Psalm 100:2 NIV
Vicki C., Lenexa, KS
Exodus 14:14 ESV
The Lord will fight for you, and you only have to be silent.
Crystal Laiben, Cape Girardeau MO
Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.
Psalm 9:10 NLT
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19 NLT)
Mary Newberry, New Smyrna Beach, Fl
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Lauren Brown, Bowling Green KY
“And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.”
Deuteronomy 28:2 (ESV)
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoice that; and with my song will I praise him.
Thalia, Kansas “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Psalm 118:5-6 ESV
Donna, Guelph, Ontario (Canada)
Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
Psalm 55:22 NASB
Canal Winchester, Ohio, “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Col. 4:6 NASB
Karen Moore, Lubbock, Tx. Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
Praying for our Lubbock Siestas!
Sarah Campbell, Greenville, MS. “Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:25-26 HCSB
Barbara Willis, Murfreesboro, TN
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9. NKJV
This verse really speaks to me as this is my season! 🙂 I think I found my next verse
Conyers, GA
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be glorified together.”
Romans 8:17 KJV
Tammy Ellis, Oneida,TN. KJV. Psalms 51:10. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.