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!
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” Luke 1:45 NIV.
This’s my third try tonight. Did you know that posts went from about 5:30pm straight to 7:30pm? How did an hour go missing?
Holly, Prairie City, IA
JOHN 15:4 NKJV
ABIDE IN ME, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
Dearest Jan, your written piece was so timely for me! I’m in the summer season (raising kids) and I feel stretched to the max most days; I needed that word. Thank you.
Cathedral City, CA
Psalm 32:8 NIV
I will instruct you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
Julie Bock, Columbia City IN “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7, NLT
Linda Turner, San Diego, CA
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
Hebrews 8:28 HCSB
Karen Beckles, Toronto Canada.
“That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:10 NLT
Teresa, Orange City. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Lesley, Steamboat Springs, CO
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
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.
Angelica Bell, Cary,NC
4Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act. Psalm 37:4-5 ESV
Kathy Price, Fort Smith, AR. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4 NIV
Angie Patterson, Tyler, TX
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10 (NIV)
Angela Dedman, Murfreesboro, TN. “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV
Alicia, Cincinnati,OH, But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT)
Shawna from Longmont, CO
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:39 NIV
Ask, and it will be given to you; see, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who SEEKS finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 NKJV
Celta Moore, Atlanta, GA “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36 NAS
Becky, Vicksburg, MS
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
Cindy M. Montgomery, AL
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Proverbs 14:30 NIV
Kim, Paducah, KY
“We put no obstacle in anyone’s way; so that no fault may be found with our ministry,”
2 Corinthians 6:3, ESV
Joan Bower, Olympia, Washington
Psalm 61:1-3 KJV
Hear my cry O Lord, attend unto my prayer!
From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee!
When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me tot he Rock that is higher than I.
For Thous hast been a shelter for me and a strong tower from the enemy!
Erin, Lolo, MT
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Donna Benjamin, Tuscaloosa, AL.
“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation”. Colossians 1:15 NLT
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
BB Powell, Gilbert, AZ. “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge it’s rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Proverbs 24:3-4
Sharon Parker, Flowery Branch, GA “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
Dee Sewell
New Haven, MO
May the God of all 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
Melissa Martin, Orlando FL – 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.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV
Sarah Oltmans
Byron, Illinois
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-8 ESV
Garland, Texas
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
Isaiah 26:4 ESV
Deborah Welch
Shelbyville, TX
“and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority” Colossians 2:10 NASB
Melissa Kocurek, Houston TX.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27 NLT)
2 Timothy 1:7English Standard Version (ESV)
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Emily, Topeka, Kansas
“The LORD protects you; the LORD is a shelter right by your side.”
Psalm 121:5 (HCSB)
Allison-McDonough, Georgia- “For we are God’s workmanship,created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Michelle Moultrie – Birmingham, AL – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
Canton, GA
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek Me and fine Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Tiffany Jones, Valparaiso,IN
O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name;
For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.
Isaiah 25:1 (NASB)
Connie, Pittsboro,NC
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.
(Ephesians 3:20 NIV)
Little Rock, AR
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV)
Anna McCollister
New Palestine, IN
“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” Psalm 3:3 ESV
Killeen, TX
Mark 7:15 NIV
Nothing outside a man can make him unclean by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean.
Emily, Heath, Ohio.
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NIV
Bobbie Lutz, College Station, TX
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
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.
Danette Morton, Atlanta, GA “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.” Isaiah 50:7 NIV
Tracy, Leland, NC
Jeremiah 33:3. Call to Me, and I will hear you, and show you great and mighty things,which you do not know.
Cindy Cabaniss, Shelby, 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.”
Jeremiah 29:11, NIV
Donna Richmond, Tioga, LA. James 2:17 NIV
[17] In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Patty, Norco, CA 2 Corinthians 12:9 “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.”
Joanne Verzi from Austin, TX: Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” NIV