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!
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
Jennifer May, Deepstep, GA
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 KJV
“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.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
Lillian Anderson, Florence, KY
2 Corinthians 12:9-10New International Version (NIV)
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Amanda, Monona, WI. “Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” -Matthew 6:10, NIV
Rebecca Oliver Mobile Alabama O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:1-2 NIV
Shanda, York, PA:”5Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but a emptied Himself , taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5-7). NASB
Harriett, St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, The one who gets wisdom LOVES life. The one who cherishes UNDERSTANDING will soon prosper. Proverbs 19:8 NIV
Patti Levi – Blue Ridge, TX
If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on my own authority. John 7: 17 (NKJV)
Jennifer Riddle- Augusta, GA
Isaiah 43:19- See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Cris Obrien ,Virginia Beach VA Psalm 46:10 Stop your striving and recognize that I am God (NET)
Stephanie Solomon, Morgantown, WV
Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:45 NIV)>
Ashley Davis- Atlanta, Georgia “”For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering,” (Romans 8:3a NIV)
Maggie, Tacoma, WA
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Downtown Tonya Brown, Watauga, Tx:
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)
Laurel ~ Houston, TX “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NIV)
Amy T., York, PA. “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139:2 NIV
Marti, Tucson, AZ “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
John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” NIV
Lyric – Garner, NC
By day the Lord directs his love,
at night His song is with me –
a prayer to the God of my life. Ps 42:8 NIV
Amy, Fifty Lakes, MN. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
Lisa, Newark DE
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence.
2 Peter 1:3 ESV
Beverly Rogers, Baskin, Louisiana. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. NLT
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9. VIV
Patty, Peoria, AZ- Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, will keep me safe. Psalm 4:8.
Melissa Sullivan
Mendenhall Mississippi
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
Ashley Wheelon, Charleston, SC. “I pour out my complaints before Him and tell Him all my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, You alone know the way I should turn.” Psalm 142:2-3b NLT
Linda O’Neill–Elk Grove, CA
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. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
Kymberleigh, Southaven, MS “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NASB
Gabriella S, Harleysville, PA.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Romans 11:6 (NIV)
Claire, Boone, NC
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29: 11-13 NIV
Kim Peterson, Vista, CA. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 NIV
Kristin Blatz, Kettering, OH
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Leah Harvey, Alexandria, VA
“Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].”
Hebrews 4:16 AMP
Alissa; Lexington, SC:
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Melanie Grant – Clayton, NC
“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
Cherie, Poulsbo Washington-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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen Ephesians 3:20-21
Deborah, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under Heaven.
– Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)
Kim Gareiss, Columbia City, Indiana, You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13.
Mickie, Arab, AL. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV
Susan, Memphis, TN. ‘For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 1:6, NASB)
Allison Brown, Hickory, NC “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 NIV
Carol, Highlands, NC
James 1:12 ESV
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.
Evan, Charlotte, NC. “Do not be confirmed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 (HCSB)
Joni Smith – Lincolnton, NC.
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 40:31 NIV
Mission Viejo, Ca
God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us.
Ephesians 3:20 NIrV
Heidi Elk river, Minnesota.
A worthy wife is a crown for her husband,
but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.
(Proverbs 12:4 NLT)
Tammy Daniel
Atoka, OK
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Aubrey Palmetto, GA
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 NIV
Love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Barbara Miller, Antioch,CA
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25 NIV