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
Kelly Davis, Danville VA. Joshua 1:9 (B) NIV
Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Mona Huston, Bossier City, LA, Romans 8:26 NIV In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Judy, Panama City, Fl
Ephesians 4:32 ESV
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Kim Joyner; Poplar Bluff, MO. “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NASB)
So the next generation might know them-even the children not yet born-and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Psalm 78:6-7 NLT
Kim Beechem from Idabel, OK:
If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to the need–how can God’s love reside in him? 1 John 3:17 (HCSB)
Kathy – Baton Rouge, LA
“…Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT
Punky Tolson, Dallas, TX “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7, NLT
Rachael from Union, Maine – 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.10 Your kingdom come Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. NKJV Matt 6:9-13
Sandy Bowers, Bryan, Ohio
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3. (NIV)
Psalm 119 verse 40 NET
Look, I long for your precepts
Revive me with Your deliverance!
Ft. Worth, TX
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7
Caitlin, McKinney, TX
When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. 1 Peter 1:7, MSG
Lori Thompson
McKinney, TX
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (â€Psalm‬ â€139‬:â€14‬ NIV)
Teresa, Walla Walla, Proverbs 4:23 NLT “Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.”
Judy Berey, Mandeville, LA Micah 6:8 NASB
“He has told you, O Man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?”
Phyllis Winn
Gilmer, Tx
Psalm 38:22 NIV “Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.”
Brenda Gerber from Grafton, OH
Romans 11:34 (NIV) ” Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”
College Station, Texas
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Laury Pitts from San Clemente, CA: “May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose.” Psalm 20:4 (NKJV)
Terri Plumlee, Stamford, Tx
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. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Deborah Flora
Sawyer, KS
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:11 NIV
Candie – Waterloo, Iowa
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7 (ESV)
Jan Morton “GJ”
Hawkinsville, GA
Psalm 119:147 (NIV)
I rise before dawn
and cry for help;
I have put my hope
in Your Word.
Rhonda Beck. Winston Salem , N.C.
But he said to me,
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
2Corinthians 12:9a (NIV)
Nikki L, Littleton, CO
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 ESV
Lynda S from Brockville, Ontario
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky”
â€â€Philippians‬ â€2:14-15‬ â€NIV‬‬
Sherri Medford, Abilene, Tx
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.
Galatians: 5:22-23 NIV
Sara Martin, Houston, TX: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18, NIV
Deena- Colleyville, TX
Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
I John 2:6 NIV
South Portland, Maine
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm‬ â€63‬:â€7-8‬ (NIV)
Jen Z. Greensburg PA
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5: 1-2 NIV
Vickie Barbee, Poplar Bluff, MO:
“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.” Psalm 150:6 NIV
Karina – thank you for these beautiful words. I so desire to believe the trade is permanent. Blessings to you.
Yvonne Gearing – Kingman, AZ
Make allowances for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 NLT
Carolyn Dover, Ohio
“The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.” NIV
Michelle Baylerian, Greenville, WI
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Proverbs 25:28 ESV
Regina Orr
Floydada, Texas
“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven-for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” ~ Luke 7:47 ESV
Lesley
Steamboat Springs, CO
Psalm 84:12 (NIV)
Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Lisa, Fort Worth, TX
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”
Galatians 6:9, NAS
Krisitnia – Metairie, LA
James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trials, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life”
Terryl Arola, Pine City MN
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of Wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)
Stacey DeYoung-morocco,In.
2 Samuel 7:22 NLT
“How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you! “
Aubrey Eubank Palmetto, GA
He has made everything beautiful in His time. He also has set eternity in His heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
Look at ships too: Though they are large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. James 3:4 NET
Laura, Englewood,
Carol Rice Deer Park, Texas
This is the LORD’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the LORD has made,
let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:23-24 (ESV)
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1 NIV
Abbey Le Roy, Bluefield, West Virginia. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3 (ESV)
Cheri Bunch, Louisville, KY
Romans 12:12 ESV
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Joan Bush (Coppell, TX): Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV