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!
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:28 NIV
Johannah, Alexandria, LA
“Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” Psalms 119:89 NKJV
Winters, TX. “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
Heather, Brandon, MS
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV)
Rachel J, Wichita, KS
His secret purpose framed from the very beginning is to bring us to our full glory. 1 Cor 2:7 (NEB)
Katie, Madison, WI
“He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – – how will he not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32 NIV
Rachel Leslie, Edmond, OK:
Philippians 4:7:
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
NIV
Kim -Cullman
Kind words are like honey – Sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24 NLT
Shelley Bywater, Brigham City, Utah
Hosea 10:12, ESV
Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
Matthew 7:7-8New International Version (NIV)
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Wendy. Oklahoma City.
Hebrews 12:2
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
NIV
Philippians 3:14 NIV
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Joy, Bryant, AR
“And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgement. Show mercy still to others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.” (Jude 22,23) NLT
Sherrie Lynn, Collierville, TN.
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” Proverbs 27:12 NIV
Patricia Kelly, Van Alstyne TX
But if we walk in light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7
Becky Baskin, San Antonio, TX. Matthew 6:25 “therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”
Ps.86:11 (NIV)
Teach me your way,Lord, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness;
Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Suzanne Hickey, Houston TX. “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5
NIV
Brielle Smith, Denver, CO
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:9, ESV
Allie, Minneapolis
Lord, when doubts fill my mind when my heart is in turmoil, quiet my soul and give me renewed hope and cheer! Psalm 94:19
Emily K.
Billings,MT
“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalms 18:1-2 (ESV)
Lynn, Cedarville, Ohio
Ecc. 3:1 NIV
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
Cristy- Monroe, Ohio
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
New Living Translation
Dawn, Mt. Olive, NC
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.”-Job 19:25 NIV
Kathleen Stone, Douglasville GA
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
Philippians 4:5. NIV
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2. ESV
Jeana
Shallowater, Texas
The words of the wreckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise bring healing.
Prices 12:18, NIV
Erin Beakley – Dallas, TX
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8 – NIV
Alice’ H., Pineville, LA — Know this, my beloved brothers (sistahs!!!): let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20 (ESV)
” People can make all kinds of plans, but only the Lord’s plans will happen.”- Proverbs 19:21
Harrisonburg,La. Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat.the fruit thereof. KJV. I guess according to this lady I am in the winter of my life because my husband died during surgery making me a “young”widow. I don’t feel like rejoicing in my widowhood. I was enjoying the autumn, when he was taken from me at the ripe old age of 55. So do I now have winter for the next 30 or 40 or more years of my life? I did not like this analogy because I am not in the natural progression of seasons. I am a year into widowhood when my husband didn’t get to see a child married or graduate from college or have grandchildren. I am doing this alone in this winter season.
Andrea,
God bless you and strengthen you in this difficult season.
“And surely, I am with you always.” MT 28:20. You are not alone.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lisa G, Brandon FL, 2 corinthians 10:5
5 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.
“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
Bowling Green, KY But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV)
Freida, Chatham, La “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Debbie Berman from Boyd, TX “Do you not know? Have you not heard? Yahweh is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never grows faint or weary; there is no limit to His understanding”.
Isaiah 40:28 HCSB
April Lopez, BonneyLake,Wa
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. John 14:1 NIV
Emmilianna Ferreria, BonneyLake,Wa
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 ESV
Aava Ferreria, BonneyLake,WA
Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19 NASB
Elisha Joy
Billings, MT
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalms 1:6 (ESV)
Anna Joy Ada, OK
There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel- that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 NKJV
Fran Baldwin, Eufaula, Ok
Isaiah 40:31; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ( NIV)
Julie, Kingsport, TN
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
“There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under the heavens”
Jan, in London at the moment..
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8 NIV)
Philippians 2:13-15 NIV
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.
Kristen, Apache junction Az
Psalms 40:1 HCSB
I waited patiently for the Lord , and He turned to me and heard my cry for help.
Janice Meyer – Euless, Texas. No unbelief made him waver considering the promise of God, but he grew in his faith as he gave glory to God. Romans 4:20 ESV
Lorie McFee, Weaverville, NC
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
Brenda, Wheeling, WV, Genesis 18:14 NIV “Is anything too hard for the LORD?”
Tanya Rathmann, Sierra Vista, AZ
It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Eph. 1:11 MSG
Heather G. Fredericksburg, VA
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 niv