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!
Gina Fernandez, Wilson, NC, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21, NIV
Kaylin, Rumford, RI
Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.
1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV
Christina Faulkner, Panama City, FL
Isaiah 30:15
“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” ESV
Pam Sue, Spring, TX
I delight in Your commands, which I love.
Psalm 119:47 HCSB
Sarah Downs, Simms, TX
“…that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
Colossians 1:10 NKJV
Karen Sanders, Burleson, Texas “This is how we know that we love the children of God; by loving God and carrying out His commands.” 1 John 5:2 NIV
Shanna Dorman
Bronte, TX
James 1:4
But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
Heather – Ashland, Ohio – Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Mary from College Station, TX
The. Lord will fulfill his purpose for me, your love, O Lord, endures forever–do not abandon the works of your hands .
Psalm 138:8 NIV
Shelley Mijares, Rogers, AR
” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13 ESV
Psalm 34: 4
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Cindy-Richmond, Texas Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. NIV
Vanessa Dry
McKinney, Texas
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22 NIV
Minneapolis, KS
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)
Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as god through Christ has forgiven you.
Sara Wheeler, Alexandria, 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
Ashlee Wallace – Snow Camp, NC
Psalm 37:7a ESV
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
Donna, Deer Park, TX.
Deuteronomy 6:4&5, NIV
4.Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Vicki, Santa Fe NM
Isa 3: 10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. NIV
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from The Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by The Lord Jesus Christ. That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance and in all knowledge.
1 Cor 1:3-5 KJV
Lori Ledoux, Beaumont, Texas
Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name!
Psalm 103:1(NAB)
Kassie Dulin, Southlake, TX
“I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. (Job 42:2 NKJV)
Janaga Trotter, Denison, TX
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 NIV)
Ruth Dale, Greenwood, MO
“Continue to love each other with true Christian love.” Hebrews 13:1 NLT
Kathy- Murfreesboro,TN
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 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 4:6-7New Living Translation (NLT)
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV “But bless is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always open. It has not worries in a year of drought.” Oh to live without fear.
Katie Keller, Gurnee, IL. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV
“We wait for the new heavens and a new Earth, where righteousness will dwell. ” 2 Peter 3:13 HCSB
Deb Marcus, Iowa
“Keep your life free from love of money and be content with what you have”, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Minneapolis, KS
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25
Kristi, Milton, FL
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” Matthew 5:46, NIV
Anita Lupp. Cincinnati, Ohio John 1:14New International Version (NIV)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Tanya, Raleigh, NC
When he was insulted, he did not reply with insults. When he suffered, he did not threaten revenge. Instead, he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:23 (CEB)
Acts 8:4
They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the Word.
Acts 8:4
Janie Phillips, Indianapolis, IN
Do not gloat over me my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. Micah 7:8. NIV
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. Psalms 25: 4-5. NIV
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NKJV) 8 “And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
Beth Araya – Missoula, Montana
Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55: 22 (NKJV)
Karen, Trenton, OH
Philippians 3:13b-14 HCSB
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
Sherry from Deer Park, Tx
Psalm 19:2 NIV
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge
Deena
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Lois, Southbury, CT
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.
Eph. 4:29 NIV
Michelle Dobson , Anchorage, Alaska.
” as each of you has received a gift, employ it for one another as good trustees of God’s many-sided grace (faithful stewards….). 1Peter 4:10 Amplified
Leslie D. Longview, Texas
Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer,pleading for your children
Lamentations 2:19
Linda Lamont, Oshkosh, Wi
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you may have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33, ESV
Becky, Waukesha WI
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Monica Applegate Amarillo, Texas
2 Samuel 22:33 KJV
God is my strength and power, and he maketh my way perfect.
Psalm 119:2 (NASB)
“How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart.”
Wendy Neal, Colorado Springs, CO
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 (NIV)
Lisa Kirk
Indpls, In
Exodus 12:13
The blood will be a sign for you on yhe houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.