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!
Annika Testerman, Norman, Oklahoma, “All right, put on your glory and splendor, and honor your majesty.”
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever, Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21. ESV
Tara
Canton, GA
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. I John 4:4 (NIV)
Sharon, Illinois Philippians 4:5. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Children are a gift of the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward…
How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
Psalm 127:3,5a (NASB)
Tricia, Meridian, MS
Nixa, Mo “Mankind, he has told you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 HCSB
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
James 1:19
NIV
Sherri Huff – Mechanicsville, VA. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Kim, Gaithersburg MD Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12 – NIV)
Dianne Shelton – Middletown, MD
“Be Joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer” Romans 12:12 NIV
Karissa, Martinsburg, WV. (saw this one from another siesta’s 1/1 post and loved it) Luke 1:45 NIV “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”
Diane Ellison Littleton, CO
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NLT
Jan Witt, Rockwall, TX
Psalm 139:23-24. ESV
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Maino , Texas
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 ESV
Sharon Long, Belvedere Island, GA
But now says the Lord,your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name ; you are mine!” Isaiah 43:1
Erin DiMenna, Alexandria VA. “Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24 NLT
Megan, Salisbury MD. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10 ESV
Christina Cole, Irvine, CA “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1Thessalonians 1:3 NIV
Yes! I found it! We can do this!
Emily Johnson, maumelle, Arkansas.
May to Hod of hope fill you all with joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 NIV
Pam Tucker. Fairhope, AL
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 ESV
3270 Saratoga Avenue
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Romans 5:3 KJV
Charlotte, Hernando, MS, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV
Dionne-Florida. “I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me. I am ready for anything and equal to anything though Him who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency.” Philippians 4:13 AMP
Julie, Lafayette, LA. “Rejoice 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
Rachel Huff Mechanicsville, VA. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV
Tammy- Choudrant, LA-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
Nancy Parks, Houston, TX
“The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:39 (NIV)
Cindy; Columbia, MO
“Brothers (sisters), I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.” (Phil. 3:13 ESV)
Becky, Plainfield, IN. “I am praying to You because I know You will answer, o God. Bend down and listen as I pray.” Psalms 17:6 (NLT)
Angela Cornelius-Tahlequah,Ok
Joshua 24:15-“But as for me and my house, we will serve The Lord.” KJV
Angela; Jackson MO. “And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him and reflect his glory even more.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Kirkwood, NY – Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. (Ephesians 5:17-19 NLT)
Victoria Veirs Leander Texas
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing; forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. Philippines 3:13 NLT
Psalm 16:11 ESV You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
colossians 1:15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything and is supreme over all creation.
Do not tremble.Do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No there is no other Rock; I know not one. Isaiah 44:8
Alyssa Taylor, Columbus, MS:
And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.
Proverbs 8:32 NLT
Tilda, Pittsburgh, Pa. “I shiver in awe before you; your decisions leave me speechless with reverence.” Psalm 119:120 The Message
Kimberly Gholson, Waurika, OK. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Diane Enloe, Dothan, AL
“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
Desiray Pool, Boerne Texas
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or send in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Phil 4:8-9 NIV
Cherene Patty, Coppell, TX
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path.” Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Carrie Romero, La Grange, Missouri
“Praise the LORD, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.”
Psalm 103:1 NIV
Cindy Dowden, La Grande, Oregon
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a sprit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. NKJ
Cindy Woodhouse, Orlando, FL
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NIV
Metamora, IL
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
Sue G Rockford,Il How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. 1John 3:1 NIV
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV
Anne Meester, Clear Lake Iowa “Do not try to combine faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, our glory, with the worship of men’s social status.” James 2:1 (NICNT)