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
Dayton, OH.
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,”
2 Timothy 2:24-25 ESV
Theresa Dau, Chesterfield, MO
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Sue from Midland says:
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
Proverbs 10:19 (ESV)
Redfield, AR
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
[12]Â For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,* against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Pattie, Holland,MI
Deuteronomy 13:4 (NLT)
Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.
Kim, Richmond, Tx, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
DeLene from Garland, TX
“Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent-
The Lord detests them both.”
Prov 17:15 NIV
Psalm 25: 4-5 NIV Show me Your ways, O 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.
Cary, NC
Susan, Knoxville, TN
Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Psalm 119:37 NLT
Sabrina, Bryant, AR The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
Jen b, Santa Maria, CA – Psalm 92:8 (NASB) 8 But You, O LORD, are on high forever.
Connie Colston, Waxahachie, TX
whom He poured on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
Titus 3:6 (NIV)
” Pleasant words are a honeycomb. Sweet to the soul and healing to its bones.”
Proverbs 16:24
Mary Saul
Houston, TX
Psalm 25:20 NIV
Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
Butte, MT
A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look and see the reward of the wicked. Psalm 91:7-8 NKJV
“Instead of their shame, my people
Will receive a double portion
And instead of disgrace
They will rejoice in their inheritance;
So they will inherit
A double portion in their land,
And everlasting joy will be theirs.”
Isaiah 61:7 NIV
Linda, Fort Collins, CO
Lisa, Hutchins TX
I Peter 5:8 ESV
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Shelley, Brigham City Utah
Psalm 16:2, ESV
I say to the Lord “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
Linda H., Buckeye, Az
“May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” Psalm 19:14 NLT
Soni in Gulfport:
First Peter 4:10 NRSV (10/15/15)
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.
Isiah 61:3
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.
Amen! Thank you for sharing God’s truth with all of us. This is His will for our life!
For He who is mighty has done great things for me.
Luke 1:49
Brandi Mincey, Hope Mills, NC
Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
NIV
Denisha Bonds, Port St. Lucie, FL: And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
â€â€Hebrews‬ â€11:6‬ â€ESV‬‬
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
Debbie, Atascocita, Texas
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail. Lamentatoins 3:22 (NIV)
These things I have spoke unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In this world ye shall have tribulation: BUT be of good cheer: I have over come the world! John 16:33 NKJ
Andrea Larmer, Hephzibah, GA 30815
“The LORD will protect you from all harm;
He will protect your life.
The LORD will protect your coming and going
both now and forever.”
Psalm 121:7-8 (HCSB)
Valerie, Columbus, GA
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 NLT
Angie Brown, Taylors, SC
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints
Colossians 1: 3-4 (CSB)
Laura Sumpter, Salem OR
Colossians 3:12-13 ESV
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness,
and patience, bearing with one another…
Brandy Trahan
Port Neches, TX
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”
â€â€James‬ â€1:2-3‬ â€NLT‬‬
Lori Collins, Columbus GA
Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. Psalm 48:8 KJV
La Grande, OR
Romans 8:18 NKJV
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Beverly, Lexington, KY
As soon as I pray You answer me; You encourage me by giving me strength. Ps 138:3 NLT
Hear my cry, O God; give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:1-2 NASB
Lisa Zink
Chickasha, OK
9 He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. (â€2 Timothy‬ â€1‬:â€9‬ HCSB)
Karen from Powell, Ohio
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)
Karen Bell
Hendersonville, TN
Unfailing love surrounds those who trust in the Lord. Ps. 32:10 NIV
“Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” Matthew 6:8 KJV
Susan Chung, Long Island, NY
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Cor.10:5 (NIV)
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 1 Cor 13:11 (NIV)
Laurel Montealegre White Pigeon, MI
“From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I” Psalm 61:2 ESV
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1 ESV
Jenny Manis, Granbury, TX, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” Psalms‬ â€119:11‬ â€NKJV‬‬
Lori Haller, Easton MD: Isaiah 65:24 Even before they call, I will answer;while they are still speaking, I will hear. (HCSB)
Vickie Gainous, Cairo, Georgia
And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3 NRSV
Vicki Bolton, Lubbock, TX
Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 HCSB
Jennifer, Fort Worth
“O my soul, you have said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.’” Ps. 16:2 NKJV