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 Sonderby, San Clemente, CA
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”
Ephesians 3:16-17 NLT
Molly P., Portland, OR “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17, NIV
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12 NIV
Bellingham, WA
(The church) “Which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.”
Eph. 1:23
Sherie
The Woodlands, TX
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him. ”
Psalm 62:5 NIV
Anne Eppright: Round Rock, TX
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said,
‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
John 7:38 ESV
Moreen,Sydney, Australia
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Philippians 3:12, NIV
Keri Lee Robbins, Las Vegas, NV
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
John 15:11-12 NKJV
Katie Nicholls ~ Tuscon, AZ
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30 ESV
Adina , Pittsburgh PA
Who invoke You deceitfully. Your enemies swear by You falsely .
Psalm 139:20 HCSB
“But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” –Isaiah 43:1&2 NIV
Sharon Lee, Riverside, Ca.
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18. NIV
Anne Chen, Cerritos , CA “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7 NIV
Sarah, Lincoln, NE “Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?” (James 2:21 NIV)
Kristen, Paramount, CA
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:8 ESV
LeAnn. Spring, TX
” being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
Pam – Mesa, AZ
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9a NIV
Rising Sun In
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6 – 4:7 NLT)
Kathi Crowder from Yorktown, Virginia: “Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.” Psalm 32:10
Laura, Iowa City, IA
“For you shall go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Is 55:12
Mary , Lilburn GA. Jer 31:25 I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint . NIV
Kathy Kaherl, Burlington, CT
“I the Lord search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct,
according to what their deeds deserve.”
Jeremiah 17:10 (NIV)
oops- I was half asleep – this is already one of my memory verses this year. Instead, I will memorize:
Psalm 18:30 (NIV)
As for God, his way is perfect:
the Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
Laurie, Atlanta, GA
by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:14 ESV
Gaye, Traphill, NC. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way that I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Heather, Louisville, KY
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Timothy 4:16 NIV
Carol Bowen, Highlands, NC
Psalm 119:133. NIV
“Direct my footsteps according to Your Word; let no sin rule over me.”
Dallas, GA
“Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.”
Hebrews 12:17 NIV
Olda, Huntsville.
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11 (ESV)
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our war are not of the flesh but have DIVINE power to destroy strongholds.”
2 Corinthians 5: 3-4 NLT
Valerie
Clinton, Me
“…you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” -Daniel 2:23b (NIV)
Beth, Concord, NC
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
The Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
And his understanding no one can fathom.
Isaiah 40:28 NIV
Jill, Clearwater , FL
But no man can tame the tongue . It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:8 NIV
Hannah, Akron, OH
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 NET
Lori Johnson Auburn, MA Jeremiah 1:5 a Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,before you were born I set you apart
2 Corinthians 5: 6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. ESV
Carrie Lyons, Homer Glen, IL
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 my rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Sunni Sutphin Mt Airy NC 2 Timothy 3:17 NIV so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Tanya, Raleigh, NC
“I will meditate on your precepts.” Psalm 119:15
Woodburn, IN
Psalm 143:8 ( NLT) Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You.
Linda- Xenia, Ohio
Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV)
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
Carole from Kingwood “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
Isaiah 55:12 NIV
Louisville, KY
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” NIV
Palm Harbor, FL
Habakkuk 2:1-2 (NIV)
I will climb up to my watch tower and stand guard at my post. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint. Then the Lord said to me “Write down what I reveal to you so that you may read it at a glance.”
Kim Cook – Valley, Al
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Romans 8:6 NIV
Samantha from Texarkana, AR
Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.
Psalm 108:6, NIV
Andrea, Milton, FL (formerly Havelock, NC)
“Show me how you work, God; School me in your ways. Take me by the hand;
Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren’t you?”
Psalm 25:4-5, MSG paraphrase
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)
Sandy, Brookshire, Texas Col 3:17 ” Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to Him to God the Father.” NASB
Stacy B. Detroit Michigan
As for God his way is perfect, the Lords word is flawless, he shields all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30 (niv)
Debbie, Orlando
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
“Come to me all 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.”