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
Doris, Madison, MS:
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:6 (KJV)
Tina Dill Clovis, NM
Psalms 5:3 (NIV)
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Debra, Zachary, LA
“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10
Nanette, Saint Cloud, FL
I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.
Psalm 34: 4 & 7 NKJV
Tangila, Pearland TX
The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. (Psalm 91:14 NLT)
“Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” Revelation 1:3 NIV
“Receive instruction and lay up His words in your heart.” Job 22:22 ESV
Callie, Nashville, TN: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Ephesians 6:10 NASB
Toni Sidler, Argyle, TX
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad. Proverbs 12:25, NASB
Kim Kobayashi
Monroe, WA
Psalm 100:4 ESV
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!Give thanks to Him; bless his name!
Ginger K. ~ Shelby Twp., MI ~ II Timothy 4:6 (NIV) ~ “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.”
Helen Roseberry, Riverside, CA
From passage Eph. 4:17-32
“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
Ephesians 4:25 (NIV)
Claudia Teixeira from Sugar Land, Texas
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Shelly and Sienna Busby- Colorado Springs, CO
October 15,2015
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-7, ESV
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God , my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18: 2. NASV
Margie, San Angelo Texas
Proverbs 3:11 NIV
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
â€â€2 Peter‬ â€1:3‬ â€ESV
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence
‬‬
Luanne Neely, Marshall, TX: 2 Corinthians 4:18:
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal. NIV
Matthew 6:20 NIV
Your kingdom come, your will be done in earth as it is in heaven.
Carolyn Medlin
Oceanside Ca
I will praise you O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.
Psalm 86:12 NIV
Jessica Sanders, Broken Arrow, OK.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Julie, Gresham, OR
“The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory.” Psalm 118:14 (NLT)
Cheryl Swanson – Tulsa, Oklahoma
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
(Psalm 32:8 – NIV)
Diane in Lenexa,
Psalm 19:12 NIV
Who can decern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Trudy Burnett, Middletown, OH
O God, listen to my cry!
Hear my prayer!
Psalm 61:1 NLT
Phyllis, Irvine, CA
“Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8 (NASB)
Julie, Prescott, AZ
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV
Nancy Huebner, Spring Hill, TN
“Surely Your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalm 23:6
Fawnda Dooley Denton,TX
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
1 Peter 5:8 NKJV
Robin Byrd Columbia, SC
“The name of the Lord is a
Strong Tower; the righteous
runs into it and is safe”
Proverbs 18:10. NAS
I Peter 5:7 (NLT)
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Amy Hawk, Hood River, OR
“To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness” planted by God to display his glory.” Isaiah 61:3, The Message
Rom 3:23 (Amp)
since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God,
Arlene C. Georgetown, Texas : For God has not given us the Spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind. 2nd Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Richmond, TX
Psalm 90:14 NIV
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Donna,Houston,TX
“Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face continuously.”
1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV
Proverbs 4:26 (NIV)
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
Barbara Slaven
Loudon, Tennessee
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved
Romans 10:9 NIV
Daniel 2:21 (NIV)
He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
Clear Lake area of Houston, TX
Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ~ Ephesians 6:13 (NIV 1984)
Sherron Watkins, Houston, Tx
“Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]. I Peter 4:8 Amplified
Christina Fort Worth
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. (â€Proverbs‬ â€21‬:â€5‬ NIV)
Carrie Gill, Tyler, TX. Have I not commanded you be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will go with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:8. NIV
Susan, Andover, KS,
“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13 & 14 (NIV)
Carol in Salem, OR
He made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. Psalm 146:6 NLT
Sherri, Albuquerque, NM “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” Romans 8:26 NLT
Lori~Mountain View, WY
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Matthew 7:1 – NIV
Bobbie, Litchfield, MN
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
Charlotte Heisel, Modesto CA
Psalms 91:12 (NLT)
They will hold you up with their hands
So you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
Maui, HI on vacation!
Psalm 116:8
For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
My eyes from tears,
My feet from stumbling.