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!
Hannah West
Boulder, Colorado
“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” Ezra 7:10 NKJV
Pam Rose, Mentor on the Lake, OH
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:13 (ESV)
One of my favorite verses Pam! My girlfriends and I use Armored Sisters as an endearment and reminder of Whose we are!
Tammy Bass, Boiling Springs, NC Psalm 68:35 NIV
You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God! Psalm 68:35 NIV
Trisha, Allen, TX,
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,” Romans 8:16 ESV.
Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
do not be afraid, do not be discouraged,
For the Lord your God is with you
wherever you go
Joshua 1:9
NIV
Romona, Rosewood Heights
Be joyful always, pray continually,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Awesome timely word Jan! Thank You!
I will teach all your children and they will enjoy great peace.
Isaiah 54:13 NLT
Missy Lonergan
Humble, Texas
“This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galations 5:16 KJV
Kristen Amensen, Liberty, MO
You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.
Mark 8:33b NIV
Cheryl, Joplin, Mo
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30, NIV
Khakki-Nashville, TN-Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. NKJV
Lauren, Rockledge FL
Psalm 18:30 NIV
“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.”
🙂
Love is patient, love is kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand it’s own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NLT
Theresa
Lufkin, Texas
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
ASV
Sarah Fanning, Kingwood, TX; Trust the LORD, and do good things. Live in the land and practice being faithful. Be happy with the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Entrust your ways to the LORD. Trust Him, and He will act (on your behalf). Psalm 37:3-5 GWT
Restore to me the Joy of your Salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Psalm 51:12 NIV
Faithfully asking the Lord to bring Joy into my life, no matter my circumstances.
April Jones, Springfield, IL
He holds succes in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.
Proverbs 2:7
NIV
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 NIV
Christine, Bozeman, MT
“Imitate God in everything you do because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. Eph 5:1,2 NLT
Emily G
Gaffney, SC
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.”
1 Peter 2:21 NKJV
Amy, Pleasanton CA: For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. ESV
Misty Tafao from Edmond, OK
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT
Yael – NY, NY
Restore to me the Joy of your Salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Psalm 51:12 NIV
Forgot to add name and city
Keely, Denton TX
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)
Michaela Langlais from Elk River, MN Philippians 1:9-10 New International Version (NIV)
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
Barb, Bolivar, MO
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15, NIV
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 NLT
Danielle Pleasant, Pinewood SC
1 John 2:6 (NKJV)
He who says he abides in him ought himself also to walk just as he walked.
Melva Melendez, San Diego, CA
And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
Romans 13:11 NIV
Revelation 21:2 I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. HCSB
Denise T, Edmonton, Alberta
For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Ps. 108:4 NASB
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Theresa
Lufkin, Texas
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me!
Phillippians4:13
ASC
Kathy Rupp
Chattanooga, TN
Psalm 119:34 The Message.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me-my whole live one long obedient response.
Katie Efird, Salisbury NC
“Love it patient and kind; love does not envy or boast, it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
1 Cor. 13:4-7, ESV
Debbie Weaver, Cumming, GA.
It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, Oh Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Psalm 92:1-2 NIV
Here is my verse:
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Psalm 46:1
Tracy from Holland, MI Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)
But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Krista Fehr, Chickamauga, GA “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue” Proverbs 31:26 ESV
Gloria, Cypress, TX
“because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:3 NIV
Lori from Bossier City, La
Colossians 3:23 KJV
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
“Be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other as God in Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
Stacey Peebles. Decatur, AL
Jennifer K
Asheboro, NC
“But now, this is what the Lord says-
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1 NIV
Susan Lawrence (central IL) Accept anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about doubtful issues. (Romans 14:1, HCSB)
Christina Carlos
Summerville, SC
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
I Corinthians 13:6,7
NIV
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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 Cor 4:16-18
Lou, Jenison MI For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities– all things have been created through Him and for Him. Col. 1:16 NASB
Michelle Davis, Pascagoula, MS “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 ESV
Tyler Tx “But to all who received Him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe upon His name” John 1:12
Rebecca Copico, Monticello, AR
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NIV)