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
Lisa, Mauldin, SC
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV)
Jerrie, Longview, TX
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
All scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
Jane Lakey
Colossians 1:15-16
He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation. For by Him all things were created; things in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers, or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him.
JulieB
Sharpsburg, Ga.
Psalm 143:8
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul.”
Brielle Joy
Loma Linda, CA
Psalm 107: 20-21a
He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
Shannon, Mandeville. Lam. 3:24: “I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'” TNIV
Deb from Aledo, IL
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Katie Houston, TX – “I cry aloud to the Lord; I plead for mercy. I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him.” Psalm 142:1-2 (HCSB)
Emily Tohlen, Kansas City, MO
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
Ellen Kitt, Chester, VA
“Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, ….””
â€â€1 Chronicles‬ â€22:19‬ â€ESV‬‬
Delores O.
Lake Stevens, WA
My health may fail, and my spirit grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.
Psalm 73:26 NLT
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness like the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:3
Kristen Fowler, Marble, NC
I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear Me, so that they will never turn from Me.
Jeremiah 32:40 NIV
Donna R – Burleson Tx. Deuteronomy 29:29 NKJV “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Meredith from Columbus, Ohio: “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.” -Deuteronomy 5:15 (NIV)
Shannon, Shelby, MT
“Worthy are you, our Lord and our 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
Susan Turner, Shelby, North Carolina
“‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’”
â€â€Jeremiah‬ â€33:3‬ â€NIV‬‬ (A promise of restoration)
Marsha R. Lexington Park, MD
God is our refuge and strength,
a tested help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1. Living Bible
Sheryl Potts, Monroe, LA
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 ESV
Linda O’Neill, Elk Grove, CA
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;”
â€â€Proverbs‬ â€3:5‬ â€NKJV‬‬
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” ESV
Debbie, Fort Thomas, KY
Happy is the person who trusts in You, Lord of Hosts!
Psalm 84:12 HCSB
Lora Leftwich, Indian Land SC
Hope- a desire for that which is not seen;
24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
Perseverance- That quality in us that drives us to strive for that which we hope for regardless of the difficulties we face.
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Romans 8:25 NKJV
Carol B., Conyers, GA Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Catherine Lesley – Waterdown, Ontario
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (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
Jan Cleburne, TX “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” Psalm 23:6 (NKJV)
Cheryl – Houston, TX
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
Franklin, TN
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14 NIV
kathy leesville,la Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident. Psalm 27:3 NKJV
Debbie Weaver, Cumming, GA.
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:3-6 NIV
Charlotte, NC
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time.”
1 Peter 5:6 (HCSB)
Lorri Matthews Phenix City, Al.
Psalm 29:11 NIV
The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”
â€â€Proverbs‬ â€3:5‬ â€NLT‬
Providence, RI
Ephesians 5:10 ESV
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Madeleine,Corrales: Then you will inderfstand the fear of the :ord and find knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom Proverbs 2:5-6 Niv
Kim – Columbus nc. 1 Samuel 12:24 ESV
“Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you!”
Kelley, Houston, TX
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,for in you I trust.Make me know the way I should go,for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 (ESV)
Proverbs 3:5,6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all you acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Dee, Prescott AZ
We have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven…
Hebrews 8:1, ESV
Robin Wickman, Merriman, NE – “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
â€â€1 Thessalonians‬ â€5:23-24‬ â€NIV‬‬
Frances, Orange, TX
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
This is a day late due to lots of illness in my house.
Kathy, Easley SC
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 NIV
1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.
Rhonda Rowe, Kingston, OK
““Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you. You will no longer remember the shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood.”
â€â€Isaiah‬ â€54:4‬ â€NLT‬‬
Tonya
Apex, NC
But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6 NASB
Suzy Adams, Wheelersburg, OH – Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. Psalm 36:5 NIV
Michelle C. Chesapeake, VA
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18 (NIV)
Debbie, from Colorado Springs
Romans 2:4 NIV
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
Charlotte Skadal, Houston, Texas
Keeping my eyes on Jesus especially in the middle of a storm!
“And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:26b-27 NASB