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
Libby
Eutawville, SC
Matthew 28:20 ESV
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
“What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every GOD -direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward him Makes it.”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€18:30‬ â€MSG‬‬
Kenosha Wisconsin
Acts 4:12
There is salvation in no one else. God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)
Patti, Brentwood TN
Romans 6:20 ESV
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regards to righteousness.
Susan-Statesville, NC
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
Matt. 11:28-30 (The Message)
Sherrie Lynn, Collierville, TN.
The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him.” (â€John‬ â€14‬:â€21‬ HCSB)
Mary Lynn, Hudson, Ohio: For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will rise, says the Lord, I will set him in the safety for which he yearns. Psalms 12:5
Kristie, Montgomery, TX: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Mary Fadel Cordova, MD
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€127:3‬ â€ESV‬‬
Clearwater,FL
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within them
John7:38NIV
Barbara Smith, San Antonio, TX
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1Peter 1:3
Psalm 33:17 NIV
A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.
Lori Kodak, TN
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matt 5:6 KJV
Christy, St. Clements, Ontario, Canada
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work in us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Alice from Ooltewah,TN. “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 (me).” Ephesians 3:20
Stephanie, Alexandria, VA. “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” I Peter 5:9 ESV
Sherry Stewart, Winston-Salem, NC
But when you pray, go into your private room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:6
HCSB
Peggy Hale
Mauriceville, Texas
Completing Psalm 103
verse 22: Praise the Lord all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, O my soul!
Joan, New Windsor, Md
10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:10-11 NIV
Tasha J., Edmond, OK
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
(Rom 12:12 MEV)
Marsha, Angleton TX “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Matthew 7:1 (NIV84)
Danyelle
Beavercreek, OH
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
Lamentations‬ â€3‬:â€22-24‬ (NIV)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
…Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103: 2, 5 NKJV
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. –John 16:33 NASB
Karina, I didn’t know who the guest blogger would be for Oct., but I’ve been praying for you. God bless you.
Keron, Boise, ID
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 ESV
” Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
(â€â€Deuteronomy‬ â€7:9‬ â€NIV)
DeAnne, Talmage, KS “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 NIV
Jessica Lance, Shelby, NC. “The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” Exodus 15:2 ESV
Dacia Edmonson, Bullard, Texas
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Pam-Kountze,Tx
The Lord is high above all the nations, His glory above the heavens. Psalm 113:4 NKJV
Valerie Finch, Warrensburg, MO
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant.
1 Corinthians 13:1-4
Deborah, Hartsville, SC; “And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, ‘To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.'” Rev. 5:13 NASB
James 1:3 (NKJV)
knowing that the testing of your patience produces patience
Forest, VA
“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in you. Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles!”
–Psalm 25:16-22
Kendra from Fort Wayne, IN “Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, …” Romans 4:23-24 NASB
Jana, Quitaque, Texas
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1:26-27
Paula, Maine
3 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
Proverbs 19:23 NIV
Kim Bunting, Colfax LA
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 NIV
Sharon from Van TX
My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.
Psalm 119:20 NIV
Linda Hall, Salem, VA. “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 right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Mary, Frisco TX “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
â€â€John‬ â€14:6‬ â€ESV‬‬
Rockford, Il Mat the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace. NLT 6:24-26
Cindi Latson, Madison, MS
“Bless the Lord, O, my. Soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the Eagles.” Psalm 103:2-5 (ESV)
Dyersburg, TN ” Jeremiah 31:25 For I SATISFY the weary ones and REFRESH everyone who languishes” NAS
Susan from Midland says:
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
Ashley Reed, Cedar Park, TX – “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.” Phil. 4:10-14 HCSB (Continuing to memorize the letter of Philippians)
Judy of Marietta,GA: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 NIV
Sue from Midland says:
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace…
Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)
Sue from Midland says:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)