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!
Amanda, Fort Payne, AL
“I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phillipans 1:6 HCSB
Moreen, Sydney Australia
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (John 10:3 NIV)
Tara, Tinley Park, IL. “Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?” Mark 8:18 ESV
Pam Wolpert, Canadian Lakes,MI
But when he(Peter) saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
IMMEDIATELY Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.
Mt 14:30-31 (NIV)
Dede Mitchell Jacksonville FL
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
4 So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed.
Genesis 12:1-4a NLT
Christi Schulman, Knoxville, TN. “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Who for the joy set out for Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NET
Renee Hui, Vancouver, British Columbia
Ezekiel 11:19 “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” NIV 84
Charlene Morgan–Lincoln City, Oregon “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” 1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV
Debbie. Portland, TX. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; (1 Cor. 6:19 NIV)
Misty Schoephoerster, Abilene, TX. “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
Liza, Monmouth Junction, NJ. “The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (NIV)
Bev Brandon, Austin Texas. “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:14 ESV
Kitty Bennett, Bend, Oregon
Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Margie Willis, Misawa, Japan “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2
Sandy, Elba, AL
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight.
O LORD, my rock and redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 ESV
Kira Gamble Scottsboro, AL
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
I chose you before I formed you in the womb, I set you apart before you we’re born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5 (HCSB)
Ann Medford, Sunset, TX Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish it’s work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to you. But when you ask you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1: 3-6 NIV
Christy from Lafayette, GA
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
I Peter 4:8-9
Melinda. Wichita, KS. For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control. 2 Tim 1:7
“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day”. Psalms 46:5 NIV
Jessie Myers, Kokomo, IN The whole earth is full of His glory. Isaiah 6:3 NKJV
Gabby Lampron, Fleetwood, PA ” A friend is loyal, and a brother is born to help in a time of need”
Proverbs 17:17 NLT
Katie from The Woodlands, TX: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Kim Williams, Colmesneil, Texas. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Brenda, Bullhead City, AZ Isaiah 58:13 NIV
“if you keep your feet from breakin the Sabbath and from doing AS YOU PLEASE on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way, and not doing as you please or speaking idle words” (i’ll do verse 14 next month)
Malorie Elrod- Sharpsburg Ga- At all times, pray by the power of the spirit. Pray all kinds of prayers. Be watchful, so that you can pray. Always keep on praying for all of God’s people. Ephesians 6:18 NIRV
Kim Bulles, Yorktown, VA “Commit your way to The Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:5 ESV
Linda, Holtville, CA
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear & trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)
Andrea S. Fairfield CA – in late summer
Hebrews 6:18-19 Msg
We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God . . .
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 NIV
Heather, Polkton, NC, Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sins of my soul? He has showed you, O man, 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 6:7-8 NIV
Nina. Waukesha, WI
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 ESV
Heather Lampron, Fleetwood, PA ” I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart. I will tell of all your wonders.”
Psalm 9:1 NIV
Kim Kennedy, Columbus, IN, Romans 6:12 KJV
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Allison Ashton – Houston, Texas
“I will worship toward they holy temple and praise thy name for they lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou has magnifiied they word above all thy name.” Psalm 138:2 KJV
Kelly, Yorktown, VA,
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:20 ESV)
Kolette Kramer Denbigh, ND John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” ESV
Jodi, McAllen, TX
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 ESV
Jennifer Pipes from Russellville, Arkansas
Psalms 19:14 NLT
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O lord , my rock and my redeemer.
Terri Adamec, Houston TX, You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Karen T, Greensboro, NC. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. (Hebrews 11:33-34 NLT)
Melanie, Shawnee,Ok – “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:7 NISB
Isabella. Wichita, KS. ” I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Philippians 4:12 ESV
Sandy Winslow, Santa Clarita, California. “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29 NASB)
Candice Mears, Annapolis, MD. “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NIV
Sherri Medford, Abilene, Tx — Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish
one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 NIV
Annalette, Perth, Australia.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17 NKJV
“He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!” Psalm 113:9 ESV
Kelli, Nashville, TN