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!
Stacey M
Clayton, NC
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)
Martha Roberts, Chattanooga,TN–Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Proverbs4:24ESV
Tina Robinson, Asheville, NC. “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” Luke 6:37 KJV
Donna Graves lebanon indiana
Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of The Lord is risen apon thee. Isaiah 60:1 KJV
Chelsea McNary, Lima, OH
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. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22–25 (NIV)
Andrea Hicks, Fort Worth, TX
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Psalm 103:8 NIV
Dawn Pierce
Warren, MI
Romans 12:2 NIV
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing ofyour mind. Then you wil be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Sophia Niceville, FL– “for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life”. John 3:16 (NIV)
Gretchen:Colorado: Zechariah 4:6 NIV
So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
Jerrianne from Lakewood, CO
“Do not grow weary in doing good for in due season you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up.”
Galations 6:9 NIV
Cait McCoy, Masontown, PA. “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 NIV
Gidget Lentz , Coldwater, Mississippi
“For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 NKJV
Kelly Copelan
Starr,SC
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17 NIV)
Margaret
Lowell,AR
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 ESV)
DeeDee
Phenix City, AL
” In my distress I cried out to the Lord and He heard me; out of the darkness God heard my voice.” Jonah 2:2 NASB
Heather Foley, Rumford, RI
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.
1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV)
Lori: Tremont, IL
Psalm 135:5-7 ESV
For I know that the Lord is great,and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.
Karen from Humble, Texas
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
I John 2:1 NIV
Betsy Riner , Statesboro, GA. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
Allison Huffman-Houston, Tx-
Mark 6:31
Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest (NIV)
Crystal Chappell ~ Wilmington, Illinois ~ Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,and he will make your paths straight.”
Janice Bells, Orillia, Ontario, Canada
January 15, 2015
1 John 3:16 NIV
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down is life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
Laina Humphrey, Astoria, Oregon
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 NIV
Jeanne Kent
Forest, VIrginia
Deuteronomy 30:19-20a NLT
“‘Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him…'”
Gwen of Doylestown, PA
The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. (Psalms 23:1 NLT)
JoAnne Beckner Lake Worth, Florida
“You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
Chris, Thousand Oaks, CA
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah (Psalm 46:1-3 ESV)
Brie. Edmonton, Canada
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 NKJV
Phyllis,Slidell, LA
Psalms 116:2 (NIV)
I will call on him as long as I live.
Kathy Ziegler, Rifle Colorado
Romans 8:3-4 ESV “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
Becky Vassar ~ Woodbury, TN. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Margaret, Tifton, GA: 2 Peter 1:3-5 “As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature. So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better.” (NLT)
Heather
Austin, TX
Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV)
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 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
Kimberly Humphrey, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 KJV
Austin, TX
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29
Ann W. from Mandeville, LA
Psalm 16:11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence. (NLT)
Carrie from Fort McMurray Alberta canada
Isaiah 61:3 NLT
Michelle Wengerd
Winchester, VA
Jeremiah 15:16 NLT
“When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.”
Psalm 119:12-13 “Blessed are You, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of Your mouth.” NASB
Kristie Deane
Fairhope Al
II Tim 2:15 KJV
Study to show thyself approved into God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Becky In Baton Rouge, LA. 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. Ephesians 3:20-21. NIV
Diane Morgan, Mesa, Arizona
we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power
2 Thessalonians 1:11 ESV
“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
Lisa Johnson
Glenville NC
Psalm 18:30 ESV
This God-His way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true;
He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.
Barbie Campbell, Hutchinson Ks
Do not be anxious about anything , but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7, NIV
Heather Garza, Tomball, TX,
“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” Psalm 51:6 ESV
Shannon McGann, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada. “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.” Lamentations 3:22 (NLT)
Patty from Fairfax, VA: What is man that you would make so much of him, that you should set your heart on him. Job 7:17 ESV
Stephanie Tausch Helotes,Tx
As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. ”
Isaiah 66:13
Sharleen says “the Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace”
Psalms 29:11 NKJ