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!
Anne Dennis, Fort Wayne, Indiana, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.” Psalm 18:16 NIV
Courtney Kelly. Starke, FL
“Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”
Psalm 100:3, NIV
Lindsey Fellers, Myrtle Beach, SC
“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.” (Exodus 14:14 AMP)
Laurie O, Atlanta, GA: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory. (Isaiah 6:3, NIV)
Auburn, Alabama
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV)
Andi, Lincoln NE
“See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19. NIV
Tami Madura, Sumter, SC. “The LORD will work out his plans for my life — for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” Psalm 138:8
NLT
Renea in Howe Texas
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburden.
And I will cause you to rest. (I will ease and relieve and refresh
Your soul)
Missy Smead, Leola, Arkansas
“If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
19 My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight.
James 1:19-20 NLT
Kathi Houtcooper, Phoenix, AZ “The important commandment is this…you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” Mark12:29-30 NLT
Debby – Whitehouse, TX. Fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter 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. (Hebrews 2:12 NIV)
Jennifer Nash, Cookeville, TN “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,” Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Daneen, Olathe KS “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25 NKJV)
Kristen Vick, Columbia, SC
“What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.” – Matthew 10:27 NASB
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
Mary, Frisco, TX – “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galations 1:10 NIV
Kate K., Lafayette, Indiana
“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts…And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15, NLT
Karla – Albuquerque
“Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God.”
Exodus 20:8-10a
Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord.
Renew them in our day, in our time make them known!
Habakkuk 3:2 (NIV)
Lansdale, PA
Genesis 29:20 NIV
“So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.”
Leslie Hudson, Corvallis, OR
I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Psalm 17:8 NLT
Jenny, Tucson,AZ
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Sheena Donley, Lakeland,Fl
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;your love,o Lord, endures forever-do not abandon the works of your hands.Psalms 138:8 NIV
Linda Reuther, McMillan, MI
1 John 3:18 NIV – Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Kate, London, Ontario
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV)
Tiffany Waldrop Corinth, MS For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven Ephesians 3:1 (ESV)
Sue from Midland, TX – You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
Lisa Walton,Port Saint Lucie,Fl. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,today and forever. ” Hebrews 13:8 NIV
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,and acceptable,and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 KJV
Kathy, Middleburg Heights, Ohio. “I do not say that I have received this or have already become perfect. But I keep going on to make that life my own as Christ Jesus made me His own. No, Christian brothers, I do not have that life yet. But I do one thing. I forget everything that is behind me and look forward to that which is ahead of me. My eyes are on the crown. I want to win the race and get the crown of God’s call from heaven through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT)
Lisa Hamilton, Kingsport, TN “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases” Psalm 103:2-3 NIV 84
Erin – Hickory, North Carolina
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 NIV
Mary Ruth Franklin
Lanexa, VA
The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying,
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.
Jeremiah 31:3
NASB
Robyn, Celina, Ohio. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 HCSB
Linda Patterson Wolcottville In
1Thessalonians 5: 16-18. NIV
Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,
this is God’s will for you
Tracey from Shawnee, Kansas
“Arise, cry aloud in the night. At the beginning of the night watches; pour out your heart like water before the LORD; Lift up your hands to Him for the life of your children who are faint from hunger at the head of every street.” Lamentations 2:19 (NASB)
John 8:32
You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. Niv
Shonna Massey, Coweta, Ok: Ephesians 2:10 NLT ” For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ, Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Rene Adee, Canyon, Texas “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 ASV
Joni from Johnston, Iowa. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27 NIV)
Caitlyn Howell, Corbin, Ky. “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” -Romans 13:10 NIV
Sharon Bowie, St. Louis
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
Lisa S.
Kinston NC
Ephesians 2:10 ESV
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Gayle Truitt LaGrange,GA
Ephesians 3:16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.NLT
Based on what I am learning in Love God Greatly Bible study Made for Community.
Emily C., Castle Pines, Colorado. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV
Suzette NeSmith, Franklinton, Louisiana, To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens: KJV Thank you, this was very much needed!!!!
Marsha Galyardt – Everett, WA
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 3.33 NIV
Kathy Patterson San Jon NM
Colossians 3:16-17
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in wisdom, singing psalms,hymns and spiritual songs with thanksgiving in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving praise to God the Father through him.