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!
Carolyn, Dallas, TX
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV
Monica
Cheyenne, WY
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:12 NIV
Brandi M., Hope Mills, NC
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Proverbs 18:10 NKJV
Kaye , Hamburg,AR
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV)
Jackson, TN
Proverbs 31:30-31 ESV
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Heather, Leawood, Kansas. Ecclesiastes 3:1: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” (King James Version – because I have to have the familiar language on this one.)
Fenton, Ashburn, VA “Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matt. 10:31 NKJV
Rene’ Pingel, Cape Girardeau, MO
“And the peace of God that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NIV
Taylor from Houston, TX
“The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever more.”
Psalm 121:5-8 (ESV)
linda, colorado springs.
i say to the lord, “you are my lord; apart from you i have no good thing.” psalm 16:2 (niv)
Leigh Hamilton Fincastle, VA
Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. Isaiah 50:7 NIV
Katie
Birmingham, Alabama
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter 3:9
Kelly Morency, Sevierville, TN
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3 NLT
Myriam \ Rock Hill, SC
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” ESV
Kimberly Waller, Moultrie, GA
Isaiah 46:4 Even in your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (NIV)
Jen Sabad, Westminster, MD
“So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship.” Romans 12:1 (NCV)
Gina, Waynesville, NC
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)
Morgan Myers from Chandler, OK
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 NKJV
Tanis, Cranbrook
And he said to man,‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” Job 28:28 ESV
Susan – Stateville, NC
He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord is faithful. 1 Cor, 1:8,9 (NAS)
Diana and Linnea, Waconia, MN
“Bless the LORD, oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” Psalm 103:2 ESV
Laurel, Waconia, MN
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7 NIV
1Tim. 6:18 “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” NIV
Romans 12:3 (NIV): For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Psalm 90:14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. NIV
Abigail, Lincoln, NE
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” – Ecclesiastes 5:10 (niv)
Kristi Sullins, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)
When you go through deep waters I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
Pam from Roswell, GA: “I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears”
Psalm 34:4 HCSB
1 John 2:20,21 ESV
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
Catherine lopez, spring, texas
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 ESV
Robin Corman, Colorado Springs, CO, Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed by the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Dorie, Hillsboro, KS
2 Corinthians 3:18 “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord -who is the Spirit- makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.”
Connie Capps, Pine Level, NC
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of God stands Forever!!
Isaiah 40:8 NIV
Francine Thacker, Burnet, Texas
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. NIV
Sheri
Georgetown, TX
1 Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.(NASB)
Mary-Columbia, SC- “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.”–Psalm 145:8(NIV)
Christina Coquille, Or
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness; to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love. (2 Peter 1:5-7 NET)
Laura ~ Plainfield, IN
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
Psalm 116:5 NIV
Collierville Tn
Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and our strength. An ever present help in trouble,therefore
we will not be fear. Though the earth gives way and the mountains fall in the heart of the sea. Though the waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
NIV
Autumn, Lubbock, TX
1 Peter 5:10 “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (ESV)
Yay! Lubbock Siesta! Praying for you!
Sierra, Wyoming, MI.
For the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” – Ephesians 5:14 NLT
Denise Korsmo. Dumas, Tx
Behold, I will do a new thing: now it shall spring forth: shall ye know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19 KJV
Amy Coltrane
Tulsa, OK
Acts 17:24-25 NKJV
God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and Earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath and all things.
Karin van Marken, Toronto,Canada
“do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the Law, Christ died for nothing.”
Galatians 2:21 NIV
Kathy, Madison, CT
Psalm 27:11 (NASB)
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
Nicky Cook, Texas
Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Cheryl Morris, Oklahoma City, OK “Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”” Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV
Robyn Wong, Roswell, GA. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil.4:13 NASB
Nan, La Vernia, Texas
“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and obey His commands, let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer Your servant is praying before you day and night…” Nehemiah 1:5-6 NIV
Jennifer Egbert, Emporia KS “Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”” Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV