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).
____________
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!
Debbie New port Richey FL
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand , and it give light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Mathew 5:15-16 NIV
Tillie, Spring Branch, TX
“But He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on Him,
and by His wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5 NIV
Hey Tillie! Glad to see you!
Christy Conway from Holland, Michigan,
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; “For Yah, the Lord is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 NKJV
Stacy. Idaho Falls, ID. Draw close to God and God will draw close to you. James 4:8
Mary K. Tiller, Marshall, TX “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, we do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” hebrews 12:1&2a NIV
Jill Gandy, Waynesboro, Mississippi
Jeremiah 20:9 HCSB If I say, “I won’t mention Him or speak any longer in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones. I become tired of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.
Katie Rodriguez, Brooklyn, NY, “Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” Proverbs 21:9 (TNIV)
Allison from Sugar Land “The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 ESV
Jean Crawford – Boring, OR (NO, its not really boring 🙂
He restores my soul, He guides me in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. (Psalms 23:3)
Meredith Harvie, Houston, TX
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” Psalm 18:32 (NIV)
Thanks Leta for the suggestion!
Marianna Behrends, San Angelo, Texas. “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14 ESV
Kristen Ward: Erie, PA.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6. NIV.
Kayla Caldwell, Plainview, TX
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.”
Zeph. 3:17 NIV
Pam G., Centreville, VA. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28 ESV
Jesus said” Come with me by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest. Matt 6:31
Christa Frye, Lacey WA. “Even to 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.” Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Sylvia: Collinsville, IL
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 desert and streams in the wasteland.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may received mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Amy-Xenia, Oh. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Caitlyn Rhodes from Flower Mound, TX
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)
Lindsay Newman, Prophetstown, IL. ‘The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.’ Psalm 28:7 NIV
1Peter 5:7
“Give all your worries and cares to God,for he cares about you.” NLT
Beatrice Brackin, Chattanooga, TN, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” John 17:24, NIV
Donna, Fredericksburg, Va
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of The Lord because you know that your labor in The Lord is not in vain.
1 Cor 15:58 NASB
Melanie, Winter Springs, Florida- “The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.” Proverbs 15:28 (NIV)
Shaunte Macarages Fayetteville, NC “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 NKJV
Crystal J. from Hattiesburg, MS
Proverbs 29:25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. NLT
Mary
Chandler, OK
But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. Philippians 3:13 NKJV
Matthew 6:33
International Standard Version
But first be concerned about God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be provided for you as well.
Martha, Milan, IN. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 NIV
The grass withers, the flower fades ; but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8 NRSV
Nancy Coffey
Barboursville, WV
“For you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 RSV
Janell Dixon, Virginia Beach, VA “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.”
Psalm 23:1-3, NKJV
Caroline Craig, Colorado. I will take Joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:18
Shirley Hilbert, Spring Hill, TN
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. [Isaiah 49:16 KJV]
Christi Beerley. Denton, Tx. “And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 ESV
Amanda from Burnettsville, IN
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. Romans 12:2 NLT
Susan Record, Chapel Hill NC- ” O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me” Psalm 30:2 NIV
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If any one wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.'” (Matthew 16:24, NASB)
Jenny Cullman,Al. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good:and whoso trusteth in the Lord,happy is he. Proverbs 16:20 KJV
Mallery Manahan, Sabillasville, Maryland. “You changed my sorrow into dancing, you took away my clothes of sadness, and clothed me in happiness.” (Psalms 30:11 New Century Version)
Prescott, AZ
1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”
ESV
Nicole from Missoula
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. (Psalm 143:8 ESV)
Beautiful verse, such music to my soul. Thanks for submitting it.
Abby Horton
Chattanooga, TN
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night, even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
pslam 139.11&12
Nothing can stop God’s plan for your life.Isaiah 14:25 NIV
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
He has shown you, O mortal, 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 6:8 NIV
New Bern NC
My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14
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
Jaime Turner from Nederland, Texas
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” ~Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)