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!
Vickie.Houston Tx. It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
(Psalms 18:32 NIV)
Emily Mechanicsville, VA
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
Becca — Nacogdoches, TX
Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool. Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise. Ecclesiastes 7:8-10 NLT
Laurie Colebank from Shelbyville, KY
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Michelle Murray, Paris, TN Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
God is my Rock and my Salvation. Every circumstance and situation is in His hands, and I fully trust in Him to see me through it!
Pam McKenzie Lake Mary, Florida. “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NIV
Robbie Owens
Corpus Christi, Tx
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.”
Jessica Walter, Farmington Hills, MI
He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” Luke 18:27 NLT
“For the word of God will never fail” Luke 1:37 NLT
Laura Hall – Kyle, Texas
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalms 147:3 ESV)
Lindsey Ingram
Monroe, LA
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
Ecc. 3:1, ESV
Jennifer S , Harleysville, PA
“He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
Psalm 62:2 NIV
Jessica
Brandon, MS
The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.
Exodus 14:14 (NLT)
Christine Worley, Greenville, SC
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
Jennifer – Story City, IA “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
Sheri, Morrisville, MO
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,your sins like the morning mist.Return to me,for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22 NIV
Beth Kilgore, Moorpark, CA “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, & I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11 :28 – 30
Lauren W. Austin, TX “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Deborah E. Bell, Bridge ton, New Jersey
9. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Colossian 3:9-11 KJV
Haley Carter from Meridianville, AL. My new verse is 1Peter 4:7-11(ESV)
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7-11 ESV)
Morgan, Raleigh, NC, ” The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8 ESV)
Sarah Barker, Greensboro, NC
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
James 1:3 NLT
Michelle Bentham – Granbury, TX
“I relish everything you’ve told me of life, I won’t forget a word of it.” Psalm 119:16 (MSG)
“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ He said, ‘Why did you doubt?'” Matthew 14:30,31 NIV
Leah, Jonesboro, Arkansas
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.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Rhonda Gross, Rosemount, MN “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 (ESV)
Jessica, Gadsden,AL. For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor, a lifetime. Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning. Psalm 30:5 HCS
Kim Bainbridge, GA For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11 NIV
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)
Kristin, Benbrook Tx
Kathy, Farmington, NM 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 entrust my life. Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
It is for freedom that Christ has set me free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourself be burdened by a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 NIV
“And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.” (Matt. 13:58, NET)
Kristen Keeling from Covington, Georgia
“One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”
Psalm 62:11-12a (NIV)
Jan Cleburne, Texas “Train up a child in the way he should go,and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)
Kim from Fairfax, VA
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2–3 (NIV84)
Denise Testerman, Norman, Oklahoma, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8, NLT
Rachel, Waldorf Maryland
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(NASB)
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:his heart is fixed, trusting in Jehovah. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his adversaries Psalm112 7-8
Tessa Pierce Nacogdoches TX
Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation , so that you may know Him better.
Jennifer, Shelburn IN
“Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not mastered by anything” 1 Corinthians 6:12
Laureen Plageman, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23 ESV)
“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13, NASB
Maggie P. Eldon, Iowa. “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.
Tiffany, Greensboro, North Carolina, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV
Gwyn. Rowlett, TX. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecc 3:1 KJV. It just happens that our ladies’ ministry retreat coming up early next month is themed “A Season of Change.” Jan’s words seem scripted just for me/us. Thanks.
Malaena from Lynchburg, VA 1 Peter 2:11 “Dear friends, I warn you as temporary residents and foreigners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.” NLT
Cristy,Prattville, Al Psalm 119:114. You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. (NIV)
Tiffany-Alexandria, VA. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Jessica Porche, Dover, TN
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”
1 Corinthians2:9
Julie
Ft. Wayne
” I have chosen you and have not rejected you
So do not fear, for I am with you
Do not be dismayed for I am your God.
Is 41:9-10 NIV