Hey Siestas!!! I barely have words to express how much of an honor it is for me to share with y’all. I absolutely adore Mama Beth and the community that she has cultivated here on the interwebs!
My name is Karina Allen. I am 35 and from New Orleans, LA but have lived in Baton Rouge since 1998. Much of my time here is spent at the gym, babysitting or at my local church, Healing Place. I am involved in a myriad of ministries and outreaches. I am on the worship team, a leader for High School girls, active in our women’s ministry, nursery registration team volunteer, a part of young adult ministry, and a teacher for our kids’ dance ministry. I also help with our inner city outreaches and to bring awareness to human trafficking through Trafficking Hope Inc. I taught preschool for about 10 years but I knew that that wasn’t the call of God on my life. I am a freelance writer and editor. I’m a contributor for Incourage as well as a few other sites. I am working on my certification to be a Life Coach. I long to speak, hope, truth, life, encouragement and purpose into the souls of women. My dream is for each woman to fully walk out their identity in Christ in the specific calling that He has for each of their lives.
“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.” Isaiah 61:3 NIV
Really, the whole of Isaiah 61 is incredible! It is all about the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord and what His anointing empowers us to have and to be. I don’t know about you, but most days I don’t feel empowered. I feel a bit defeated by life, others and even myself. But that is not God’s will for my life or for yours. His desire is for His Spirit to come alive in us, to overflow and impact those around us.
Recently, I was at my friend Elizabeth’s house working on some writing projects. She has this gorgeous black and white photo hanging of an oak tree from New Orleans’ City Park. And verse 3 of Isaiah 61 was beautifully written underneath it. My gaze repeatedly returned to that photo and that verse much of the night. It’s as though the Lord was trying to get my attention. I knew that this needed to be a verse that I committed to memory and needed to become embedded within my very marrow.
1.) God wants to trade the pain we acquire from this world with His good and perfect gifts. Before sin entered the world, mourning and despair were never even a concern. The world has been bombarded with evil and suffering. People cause harm and bad things happen. But God wants us to know that even in the midst of tragedy, we can experience His peace, comfort and even joy.
2.) Through the trading process, God’s dream is for us to become oaks of righteousness. Now, this may not seem like something we would want to be described as, but it should be. Oak trees are remarkable! They are strong, tough and extremely resilient. They have roots that reach down deep into the earth. When we exchange our hurt with the Lord’s goodness, this is the outcome. We dig deep into His Word and discover His promises for us. We stand firm on that foundation and the storms of life are unable to shake us. We allow Him to be the lifter of our heads and fill us with His hope. We become confident that He will work all things together for good to those of us that love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
3.) As we grow to be oaks of righteousness, we turn into a display of the Lord’s splendor. On display for all to see…that is an intimidating thought. Don’t let it be. People watch us. They watch how we live and what we say if we profess Christ. They watch how we respond in both good and bad seasons. That’s okay. As we are conformed to the image of Christ, others take notice and eventually desire to know why our lives are different. That is often how the Father draws hearts to Himself.
My Sister…
Beauty, joy and praise await you.
Deep roots are calling out to you.
His splendor is ready to be displayed through you.
For His Name and His Renown,
Karina Allen
Psalm 37:4 ESV
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of the your heart.
Jennifer B
Lucas, TX
because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:20 NIV
Kirby Ray from Parsons, KS. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17 NIV
Jill Smith, Eugene, OR
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
PatWilfong,GreenBankWV.
(3) Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(8) Blessed are the pure in heart,:
for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:3,8.
Holy Bible, KJV.
Cynthia, Russellville, AR
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. ”
1 Peter 5:7
Nesha Vest- Mechanicsville, VA
‘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.’
Matt 11:29 NIV
Holly from Alpharetta, GA
Romans 8:9 NIV You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you
“Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.”
â€â€Romans‬ â€12:17
“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
â€â€Romans‬ â€12:18‬ â€NLT‬‬
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst, MS
Psalm 23:4(KJV)
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!
Psalms 139:17-18 NLT
http://bible.com/116/psa.139.17-18.NLT
Roanoke, TX
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
â€â€Matthew‬ â€5:7‬ â€NIV‬‬
Marilyn Gillis, Florence, AL
Ephesians 6:14 NIV
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth
buckled around your waist, with the
breastplate of righteousness in place,
Marilyn Gillis, Florence, AL
Ephesians 6:15 NIV
and with your feet fitted with the readiness
that comes from the gospel of peace.
Marilyn Gillis, Florence, AL
Ephesians 6:16 NIV
In addition to all this, take up the shield
of faith, with which you can extinguish
All the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Marilyn Gillis, Florence, AL
Ephesians 6:17 NIV
Take the helmet of salvation and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the Word
of God.
Marilyn Gillis, Florence, Al
Ephesians 6:18 NIV
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions
with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always
keep on praying for all the saints.
Christy, Conifer, Colorado
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Philemon 1:6 NIV1984
Morgan Roberts
Brandon, MS
“So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD.” Lamentations 3:26 NLT
Anna, Little Elm, TX
He chose us in the Messiah before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before Him in love.
Ephesians 1:4 (TLV)
Jana Stroud, Houston TX
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed…Matthew 2:10 (NIV)
Natalie Ely
Cumberland Gap, TN
1 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our Father
Beverly Ely
Cumberland Gap, TN
Psalm 9:1 KJV
I will praise thee Oh Lord with my whole heart I will show forth all thy marvelous works
“The Lord is my strength & my shield; in Him my heart trusts and I am helped, my heart exults and with my song I give thanks to Hi.” Ps. 28:7
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone,
Ephesians 2:20
for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:20 ESV
Johnine from Anna, Texas
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
Sara, Greenfield, IN
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.
Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)
Erika Powell, celebration fl
The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 ESV
Patricia Gandy
Florence
Psalm 103:4 (NIV)
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
Angie Miller, Macon, MS
Psalm 91:1, NLT
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Inez Barnes
Hamburg Ar
Job 1:21 NKJV
The LORD gives and the LORD has taken away blessed be the name of the LORD
Laura
Kyle, Texas
“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 staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 ESV
Elaine, New Orleans, LA
For God did not give you a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:17 NIV
Alyssa Molina, Sealy TX- NIV Psalm 27:9– Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.
October 1
Psalm 25:16 NIV
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
Shonda Vielbig, Ventura, CA For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Tim 1:7 NIV
Julie Barnes, Arkansas
I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge
And every kind of discernment so that you can determine what
Really matters and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ.
Philippians 1:9-10 NIV
Mei, Easley SC
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me. Ps 119:30 ESV
Karina
Baton Rouge, La.
“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.” Isaiah 61:3 NIV
Stephanie, Queen City, Tx
6) “Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
Luke 6:36 (NKJV)
Linda in Chester, VA
“Help me guard my words whenever I say something.”
Psalm 141:3 (CEV)
Gwen M – Longview Tx
James 3:6New International Version (NIV)
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Esther Mancia -Little Elm TX –
Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Melissa E
Anna, Tx
” He put a new song in my mouth a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, put their trust in the Lord.”
Psalm 40:3 ESV