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!
Rana, Lovington, New Mexico. “All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.” -Psalm 25:10 NIV
Leesa Wilson Temple Texas
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer anad supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to everyone
Philippians 4:6 ESV
Guinevere, South Bend, IN – “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Kayla, Bismarck ND
“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.” 2 Samuel 22:31 NIV
Kim from Springfield, IL
Psalm 51:12 (NET)
Let me again experience the joy of your deliverance! Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey!
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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
Soozi, Lexington, KY. Colossians 1:10 (ESV)…so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Edna, Columbus, OH:
For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:3-4, NASB
Angela Wagner, Pittsburgh Pa
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he is like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1: 22-25 ESV
Christina
Brady tx
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovinglindness toward those who fear Him. Psalm 103:11. NASB
Sandy, Brookshire,Texas… “Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight in yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalms 37:3&4 NASB
Melissa Droegemueller, San Antonio, TX
By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
Exodus 13:21 NIV
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3
Marg Crozier Yeosu S. Korea. Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. Isaiah 26:8 NIV
Romans 8:37
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
Sharon Mills
Henderson, NV
2 COR 3-5
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Katie, Mount Dora, FL
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:2 NIV
Hillary Humberson, Castle Rock, Colorado. “Hear O Israel, The Lord our God, The Lord is one. Love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 22:37 NIV
Shirley pumphrey green ohio
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, and your life is hidden with CHRIST in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Col. 3: 1-4
jana, Altus, OK
Psalm 71:17-18, ESV
“O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.”
Allison Walton. Charlotte, NC
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. (1 Peter 1:6 NLT)
Oneida, TN
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17 KJV
Cyndi Coleman, Pascagoula, MS:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)
Kelly Watson. Duncan, SC “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” – 1 John 2:17 (NIV)
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV
Kimberly Meadows, Beachburg ON Canada
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice”
Ephesians 4:31 NIV
Psalm 99:5 (NIV)
Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; He is holy.
Stesha Clayburgh, Las Cruces NM
“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40: 31 (ESV)
Corpus Christi, TX
“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”
Proverbs 15:1 NLT
Jeannette, PA
He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice and to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with our God? ESV
Gabriela chicas ,Jacksonville
January 15
The Lord our God will fight for you. Just be still.
(Exodus 14:14)
Colleen, Lyndonville, NY
His dominion is an eternal dominion, his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
Daniel 4:34 NIV
Donene, El Paso, TX.
“Therefore let us not pass judgement on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” (Romans 14:13 ESV)
Susan. Jasper, TN. But now The Lord who made you, O Jacob, and He who made you, O Israel, says, “Do not be afraid. For I have bought you and made you free. I have called you by name. You are Mine!” Isaiah 43:1 (NLV)
Ella Sumter, SC
Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. Colossians 4:6 MSG
Niki, West Liberty KY, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NKJV
“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
Sarah Putnam – Greensboro, NC. “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139:2 (NIV)
Kim Davis – Bristol, Tenn. – Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. – Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Cameryn Coleman, Pascagoula, ms (age 12 – doing this with my mom)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”John 3:16 NIV
Barbie Gore, Lubbock, TX
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” -1Peter 2:9 NIV
So glad we have our Lubbock Siesta’s posting! Praying for you!
Sharon Cox, Aransas Pass, Texas
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34-18 NIV
Meredith Peterson, Douglasville, GA. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Amber Ball, Nicholasville, KY. “If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 TLB
DeeDee. Katy, Tx.
James 4:10 ESV
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
Kelly Killebrew, Lexington, MS. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Whitney Holder, Wilmington, NC, “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8 NASB)
Ashland, OH
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
Amy Libdan, Westminster, MD “For the word of the Lord is right and true He is faithful in all he does.” Psalm 33:4 NIV
Lisa – Robertsdale, AL – “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NIV