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!
Jill, Oak Ridge, TN
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Col. 1:9 ESV
Heather, Goodhue, MN
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth,nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
E… Westlake, OH
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. Isaiah 43:19, NIV
Noreen Kyle Cleveland, OH Colossians 3:16(NKJV) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Anissa, Cincinnati, OH
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7(NKJV)
мelιѕѕa, ѕнreveporт, la
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:17-18 NIV)
Kristine Foster, Strongsville, OH “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” Colossians 3:23 NIV
Barb, Independence, MN
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8 ESV
Heidi
Phoenix,AZ
In everything you do, put God first and He will direct you and crown you with success. Proverbs 3:6 Living Bible
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 NAS
Sarah
New Haven Missouri
Tara, Aurora, ON, Canada
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
Ella, Farmington,NM
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and with perseverance produce a crop. Luke 8:15 NIV
Beth Hurst, Ypsilanti, Michigan “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; thought they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18 NIV
New Lenox, IL
“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
Christy Chattom; Jasper, AL Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
“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”. Jeremiah 29:11. NIV
Laura from Aurora,
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
Jen, Cedarburg, WI – “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue” Proverbs 31:26 NIV
Beth Schairer, Lititz, PA
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41.10 NLT
Sheree Brugmann, West Chicago, Illinois. “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.’ The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” Lamentations 3:22-26 ESV
Michele, Towson, Maryland. Blessed is the one “whose delight is in the law of The Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:2-3 NIV
Haley
Russellville, AR
My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! (Psalms 57:7 NLT)
Cherie-Pocatello, ID [God says:] “But forget all that — It is nothing compared to what I am going to do.” (Isaiah 43:18, NLT)
Andrea E. Simi Valley, Ca.
“The Lord will fight for you: you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV
Cheryl, Hillsborough, NC
Hebrews 4:16 NLT
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.
Leigh Ann H
Atlanta GA
Psalm 1:1-2 (NIV)
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers,
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Tilley Hawkins, Franklin, TN. “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” 1 Peter 4:7 (ESV)
Sherree Hunsberger – Lilburn, GA
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul, The testimony of the LORD IS SURE, making wise the simple;”
Psalm 19:7
Shannon Seal, Denham Springs, LA
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. NLT
Aubri Rench, Fort Wayne IN
Romans 15:13
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.
Michelle B. McComb, MS
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Acts 20:24 (NIV)
Rachel, Surprise, AZ:
“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” ~Psalm 42:2 (NIV)
Norma Jean, Medford, OR, “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” II Thessalonians 3:3 NKJV
Alicia, Stockton, CA “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
Emily T, Kansas City, MO
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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. — 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
Raleigh, NC James 1:9-18
Patricia Clevenger, Midland, Texas
Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 KJV
Becky Weber, Ridgeway, SC
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. ” Proverbs 13:12(ESV)
Ebony Robinson, Jackson, MS. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists AND that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Laura, melbourne Florida. Eph 1:4-6 for he chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ in accordance with his pleasure and will. NIV
People can plan what they want to do, but it is the Lord who guides their steps. Proverbs 16:9 ERV
Katie Burke, Tampa, FL
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Acts 20:24 NIV
Debbie Seese, Listie Pa. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV The Lord your God is with you, the mighty warrior who saves. He will take great delight in yiu, in his LOVE he will no longer rebuke you, BUT will rejoice over yiu with singing.
Renee, Calgary, Canada
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matt 6:33 NIV
Kim, Mary Esther, FL
1 Corintios 13:1 RVR1960
Si yo hablase lenguas humanas y angélicas, y no tengo amor, vengo a ser como metal que resuena, o címbalo que retiñe.
1 Corinthians 13:1
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a resounding cymbal.
Rita Martin, Prague, OK, ” And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ–to the glory and praise of God.” Phil. 1:9-11.
Sara, Indiana
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)
Phyllis Twilley, Salisbury, MD
“The LORD gives strength to his people, the LORD blesses his people with peace.”
Psalm 29:11 NIV
Lisa Houser, Las Vegas, NV
Colossians 4:5-6 NLT
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone
Lynda Rickey, Ocala, FL: “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Psalm 139:9-10. NIV