Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015: Verse 2!

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!

 

GaJan-Dec2014
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).

____________

 

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!

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9,367 Responses to “Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015: Verse 2!”

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  1. 4751
    Tracie says:

    Tracie Ashlock, Lubbock Texas

    do not fear, for I am with you,
    do not be afraid, for I am your God;
    I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

    Isaiah 41:10 – NRSV

  2. 4752
    Maiar says:

    Maiar, Saint Paul Park, MN
    “The righteous eat to their hearts content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.” Proverbs 13:25 NIV

  3. 4753
    Kristy says:

    Kristy, Seattle, WA

    I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

    Romans 12:1 ESV

  4. 4754
    Loke Beauregard says:

    Loke Beauregard, Chatsworth, CA
    Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.Psalm 51:10-12 NIV

  5. 4755
    Kristi says:

    Kristi, Bartlesville, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” Titus 2:11-12 NIV

    Thank you Gran Jan!

  6. 4756
    Eunice Rice says:

    Antigo, WI Eph. 4:25 ESV “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”

  7. 4757
    Rachel says:

    Rachel, Plano, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock” (Isaish 26:3-4) ESV

  8. 4758
    Sarah K says:

    Sarah K, Lincoln, NE “Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.” (James 2:2 NIV)

  9. 4759
    Kim Pearson says:

    Kim, Laguna Niguel, CA
    And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. Luke 1:45 ESV

  10. 4760
    Johannah says:

    Johannah, Woodhaven NY
    “I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul”
    Psalms 31:7

  11. 4761
    Margaret Wells says:

    Acts 8:4
    They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the Word.
    Acts 8:4

  12. 4762
    Lisa says:

    Lisa A., Pfafftown, NC “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” I Timothy 4:7-8 NASB

  13. 4763
    Carrie Gill says:

    Carrie Gill, Tyler, TX. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 5:13, NIV

  14. 4764
    Michele Duffy says:

    Michele Duffy, St. Paul MN
    Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men. HCSB

  15. 4765
    Kari Rodgers says:

    Don’t copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
    Romans 12:2 NLT

  16. 4766
    Stacy Buckley says:

    Stacy Buckley
    Greenfield, IN
    Psalm 103:1

    Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!

    ESV

  17. 4767
    Lisa Espinoza says:

    Lisa Espinoza, Colorado
    Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NIV

  18. 4768
    Lori Maasen says:

    Lori Maasen, Dardenne Prairie, Missouri: “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving.” Luke 10:38-40a (ESV)

  19. 4769
    Cindy says:

    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

  20. 4770
    Gwen Sledge says:

    Gwen Sledge – Bowling Green, Ky
    The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have the divine power to demolish strongholds. 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 Cor. 10:4-5 NIV

  21. 4771
    Pam Williams says:

    Pam Williams, Olive Branch, MS
    Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:29 NIV

  22. 4772
    leigh steitz says:

    Leigh steitz, apple valley Ca Romans 12:12 NIV

    “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

  23. 4773
    Lindsey says:

    Lindsey Roberts, Houston TX

    Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV

  24. 4774
    Silvia Ramirez Yukon,OK says:

    God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 
    Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fallinto the heart of the sea. PSALM 46-1-5

  25. 4775
    Tammy (mof2coolkds) says:

    Tammy, Delray Beach, Florida

    And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
    Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

  26. 4776
    Beth Adler says:

    Beth A., Visalia,CA

    For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
    2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

  27. 4777
    Mary Bremer says:

    Mary Bremer, Shreveport, LA

    Isaiah 58:8. Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing shall spring up speedily;
    your righteousness shall go before you;
    the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. ESV

  28. 4778
    Nancy says:

    When you get serious finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be
    Disappointed. Jeremiah 29:13 MSG

  29. 4779
    Joanne Lee says:

    Westerville,Ohio
    Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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. Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV

  30. 4780
    Jennifer Steele says:

    Ephesians 2:8
    For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

  31. 4781
    Holly H says:

    Holly, Frisco, TX
    “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
    Colossians 3:16 ESV

  32. 4782
    Nancy says:

    And God shall wipe away all rears from their eyes; and there shall be no more deaths, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be no more pain; for the former things are passed away.

    Revelation 21:4

  33. 4783
    Renee Claudio says:

    Renee, Florida
    “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

  34. 4784
    Melissa says:

    Melissa, Tyler, TX. “But those who trust 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 faint.” Isaiah 40:31

  35. 4785
    Kristiina Gagner says:

    Kristiina Gagner Keizer, OR
    Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” NIV

  36. 4786
    Donna Stetzer says:

    Donna Stetzer Hendersonville, TN
    “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV

  37. 4787
    k&c's mom says:

    Rayeanne Owen (Round Rock, Texas) “And Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52

  38. 4788
    Malisa Grantham says:

    Malisa Grantham, Tucson, AZ
    Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3 KJV

  39. 4789
    Emily Emberson says:

    Emily Emberson Wichita Ks
    The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

  40. 4790
    Marsha Daniell says:

    Marsha Daniell, Checotah Ok
    1 Co 2:9
    But, as it is written,
    “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
    nor the heart of man imagined,
    what God has prepared for those who love him”—
    ESV

  41. 4791
    Donna says:

    Donna, Raleigh NC.
    For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
    Job 19:25-27, KJV

  42. 4792
    Jessica Davis says:

    Jessica Davis
    Springville, AL

    God’s grace has been given to me. So here is what I say to every one of you. Don’t think of yourself more highly than you should. Be reasonable when you think about yourself. Keep in mind the amount of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3 NIRV

  43. 4793
    Kelsey Long says:

    And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:21 ESV

  44. 4794
    Colleen van Nieuwkerk says:

    Colleen. Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. “I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” Psalm 16:2

  45. 4795
    Susan says:

    Susan, Fort Worth

    Isaiah 55:2 NIV
    [2] Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.

  46. 4796
    Rachel says:

    Rachel Lakewood, WA
    So then,my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; James 1:19 NKJV

  47. 4797
    Anna G says:

    Anna, Houston, TX – “I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love.” Ephesians 4:1-2

  48. 4798
    Brittney Zimprich says:

    Brittney Zimprich, Ellensburg, WA.
    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.
    2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

  49. 4799
    Jenny says:

    Jenny, Houston

    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)

  50. 4800
    k&c's mom says:

    Rayeanne Owen (Round Rock, Texas) “And Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52

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