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
Julie
Madison, GA
I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; Their faces are never covered with shame.
Psalm 34:4-5 NIV
Beth Hurst, Ypsilanti, MI
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 NIV
Rachel H., North Alabama,
“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
â€â€Acts‬ â€4:31‬ â€ESV‬‬
“Praise the LORD, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€103:20‬ â€NLT‬‬
You know my folly, O God;My guilt is not hidden from you.
Psalm 69:5 NIV
Heather Smith
Nashville, TN
(Using personal pronouns so I can declare it)
“I will have no fear of bad news;
my heart is steadfast, trusting the Lord.
My heart is secure, I will have no fear;
in the end, I will look in triumph on my foes.”
– Psalm 112:7-8 NIV
Kimberly Moore, Austin Texas
Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform to the pattern of this world. But the transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is. His good and perfect will.
San Antonio, TX
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. Psalm 23:1, HCSB
“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him.”
Psalm 37:23
Susan, St Pete, Florida
“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him.” Psalm 37:23 NIV
(much better)
Kelly, Missouri City , TX ” I wait for the Lord , my soul waits and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchman wait for the morning, more than watchman wait for the morning.
Psalm 130:5 NIV
O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you; to do what is right, to love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Psalm 5:3 NIV
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning, I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Nancy English, Laramie, Wyoming
I am the Lord and I do not change;
Malachi 3:6
WAYNE, PA
“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and make him their hope & confidence. They are like trees planted along the riverbed with roots that run deep in the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried about long months of drought. Their leaves stay green and they never stop producing fruit.” Jer 17:7-8 NLT
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put into practice. And the peace of God will be with you.” Philip. 4:9 NIV
M.H., San Mateo, CA
“The LORD is my portion, ” says my soul,
“Therefore I have hope in Him. ”
Lamentations 3:24
NASB
Gail Hinshaw, Summerville, OR
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night,
Psalm 92:1-2. NKJV
Jo Ellen Chance, Shawnee, Ks
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. – John 14:25. ESV
Michelle Wynne, Spokane, WA
Oct 1…And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 ESV
Oct 15…And he believed the LORD, and He counted it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6 ESV
From the end of the earth will I cry out to Thee when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to The Rock that is higher than I. Ps 61:2 KJ21
Gloria Huffman
Freeport, FL
In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:6 NIV
Mark 7:20 NIV
He went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean’.”
Alexandria, La 71303
“Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.” (Proverbs‬ â€23‬:â€12‬ ESV)
Shelly Albertville MN
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.
Ruthie, San Antonio, Tx : ” Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” Psalm 139: 23-24 NIV
Carrie Guion, Wentzville, Mo.
I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
Kelly from Spanish Fort, Alabama
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” Proverbs 4:23, NIV
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
â€â€Philippians‬ â€4:6‬ â€NASB‬‬
Nikki Gack, Park Rapids, MN
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psalm 23:2 KJV
Jen Pond, Iron River, MI
Psalm 86:5-7 NLT
O LORD, You are so good,
so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love
for all who ask for Your help.
Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD,
hear my urgent cry.
I will call to You
whenever I am in trouble,
and You will answer me.
Psalm 52:8 NIV
But I am like an olive tree
Flourishing in the house of God
I trust in God’s unfailing love
Forever and ever.
Lisa Parker Arkansas Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Liz Scherer
Fort Worth, TX
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.””
â€â€Zephaniah‬ â€3:17‬ â€NIV‬‬
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27 (NIV)
“With respect to your former lifestyle, you are to lay aside the old self corrupted by its deceitful desires, be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self- — created to be like God in true righteousness & holiness.” Eph 4:22-24 TLV
Karen Anderson Minot ND
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy,the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion,looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.” 1 Peter 5:8-9
Leigh Clemmons, Shorter, Alabama: So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. Lamentations 3:26 NLT
Benton, AR
“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.”
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
2 Cor 1:8 NIV
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.
Lindsey in Houston TX
Karen-Greer,SC: “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)
Pam G., Centreville, VA
Jeremiah 32:27 NIV
I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
Elaine ~ Powder Springs, GA ~ He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken.”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€34:20‬ â€MSG‬‬
Kaye from Hamburg,AR
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”Â
1 Cor. 4:33 (NKJV)
Amanda Porter. Kansas City, Missouri. “Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs.” -Zephaniah 3:17 (MSG)
Pam Williams, Olive Branch, MS
Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.
Philippians 4:7 CEV
Brenda, Byhalia, MS
Ephesians 2:10 NIV “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Valerie Maddox – Humble, Texas
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm‬ â€51:17‬ â€ESV‬‬
Cindy Cannon, Brighton,IL
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not board, it is not proud.
I Cor. 13:4 (NIV)
Eugene, OR
“You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.” NKJV James 4:2