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
Dawn, Pottsville, AR, The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)
Reanna, Cypress, CA
Phillipians 4:8 — “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.”
Kathy from Chandler,OK “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”
â€â€Romans‬ â€8:11‬ â€NLT‬‬
Tammy from White House, TN
This is my command- be strong and courageous!
Do no be afraid or discouraged.
For the Lord your God is with you wherever
You go.
Joshua 1:9 NLT
Fargo, ND
Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Ephesians 6:13 MSG
Patti Egbert, Brush Prairie, WA
Psalm 1:4 (ESV) “He is like a tree firmly planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all he does he prospers.”
Psalm 34: 19-20 NASB
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20Â He keeps all his bones,
Not one of them is broken.
Syneva Mullins, Topeka, KS
Chaundel Holladay, Lake Forest
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest,
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NLT
Becky, Vicksburg, MS
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. Psalm 145:16 NIV.
Regina Coleman, Salado TX
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
3John 4 (NIV)
Lisa Jensen, Lyman, WY
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my hear be pleasing in your sight o Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
Kathy
Albuquerque, NM
Colossians 4:5-6 NIV
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Beth Smyth, Perth, Western Australia
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (HCSB)
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed,”O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servants eyes, and he looked around and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:16-17. NIV
Sandy Fry, Bowie, MD
“I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
â€â€Psalms‬ â€18:1-2‬ â€KJV‬‬
Audrey, Ohio
1 Chronicles 29:13 TNIV
“Now, our God, we give You thanks and praise Your glorious name.”
Colleen, Orlando FL.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Cathy- Birmingham
Proverbs 28:26 NIV
He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
Heidi Cahill, DeLand, FL: ” For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ” Ephesians 6:12, NIV
Michelle Johnson, Hart, MI
Oh God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1 NASB
Carol, Keller, TX
Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Proverbs 30:5 NKJV
Susan Knowles, Bradenton, FL
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to Your unfailing love;
according to Your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Psalm 51:1
Jennifer, Tomball, TX “Trust in God at all times, O people; pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8
Sherry Page
Elizabeth, CO
Proverbs 3:5-7
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and
lean not on your own understanding; in all
your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make
your paths straight. Do not be wise in your
own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
Let us lift our heart and hands to Gid in heaven. Lam 3:41 NKJ
Judy, Satellite Beach, FL
Now all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep all his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NIV)
Ann, SC
But because of His great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved.
Eph 2:4-5 NIV
Carolyn O., Cypress, Tx
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
Psalm 62:1 NIV
Karen Coppley Clemmons NC Psalm 135:3 ESV
Praise the Lord for The Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant!
Mary Beth, St. Louis, MO
“This God—his way is perfect;
the word of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 18:30 (ESV)
Susan, Houston, John 13:34,35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” NASB
Michele, Columbiana, AL
“You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.”
Psalm 139:5 NKJV
Vicki C., Lenexa, KS
Isaiah 43:18,19 ESV
Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
Behind led I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Behold….not behind led…silly autocorrect
Laura H, Bryan TX. Luke 1:45 NIV. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!
Rolanda Hairston Ft. Worth, TX
“Seek the kingdom of God above all else and he will give you everything you need.” Luke 12:31 NLT
Teresa Wilson. Starkville, MS.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore, I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name”.
Psalm 91: 14
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” -Isaiah 53:5
Denise Wilkin
The Woodlands, Texas
Psalm 5:12
For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous, with favor You will surround him as with a shield.
NKJV
Jennifer Tunstall, Pasadena, TX
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me…And i too will love them and show myself to them.”
John 14:21
Ellen, Amersfoort, the Netherlands
Maar u bent van Christus en Christus is van God.
1 Korintiërs 3:23 (NBV)
MB, Cypress,TX
When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
Psalm 32:3 NIV
Kelli Hall ~ Sherwood, Oregon
Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we DO NOT LOSE HEART.
2 Corinthians 4:1 (NIV)
Linda, Johnstown, Pa.
“The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until the daylight has come.”
Proverbs 4:18 (GNT)
Melia
Loganville, GA
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
Matthew 24:4-5 NIV
Vivian, Birmingham, Alabama
Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT
Kathy, Austin Col.4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful
Alicia Stewart (Loveland, CO)
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33 | NIV
Jenny Schultz, Valrico FL:
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
Brandon, MS
Colossians 4:2 ESV
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.