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
Linda Dews, Orrville, OH
“The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple”. Psalm 119:130 NIV
When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell.
Psalm 27:2
NKJV
Stearns KY
Linda Rivet, Bartlesville, OK
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after widows and orphans in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27 (NIV)
Lori Anthony, Pine River, MN
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
Micah 7:7 NIV
Whitney Holder, Wilmington, NC. “For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
â€â€James‬ â€1:7-8‬ â€NKJV‬‬
Jennifer, Brentwood CA. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJ
Edmond,OK,
“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 ESV
Tara-Rockwall, Texas
Show me your ways O Lotd. Teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth for you are the God of my salvation. Psalm 25:4
Beth Reid, London Ontario
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 MSG
“May the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.”
Psalm 90:12 ESV
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Elizabeth Peck, Oak Ridge, TN: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Eph 4:31 NIV 1984
Fort Madison, Iowa “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5
Michaela
Loganville, GA
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can meremmortals do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6 NIV
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV
Carol Peavy, Jena, LA
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7 NIV
Diane E., Charleston IL
Isaiah 46:11 NIV
From the east, I summon a bird of prey,
From a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that will I bring about.
What I have planned, that will I do.
Sandy – Dodge City, KS
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
Psalm 5:3(NIV)
Mary James
Orangeville, Ont, CAN
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight”
â€â€Hebrews‬ â€4:13‬ â€NIV‬‬
Jamie – Paramount, Ca
Matthew 12:21 And his name will be the hope of all the world.” NLV
“God did this this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.” Hebrews 6:18
Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and away for the thunderbolt, Job 38:25 (ESV)
Julie Ratcliff, Texarkana, TX,“From ancient times no one has heard, no one has listened, no eye has seen any God except You, who acts on behalf of the one who waits for Him.”
â€â€Isaiah‬ â€64:4‬ â€HCSB
I hope I’m not to late!
“He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.”
â€â€Colossians‬ â€1:20‬b â€NLT‬‬
Kristel Hines from Russellville AR
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 NIV
Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron one man sharpens another.
I am praying this verse for my college freshman son, that he find like minded friends who will sharpen him. On my knees many times a day for this child.
Marie from Post Falls, Idaho –
“To You, o LORD, I lift up my soul.” – Psalm 25:1 (NKJV)
Brooke Gage, Highlands Ranch CO
Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV) Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live.
Colossians 2:6-7
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
“In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
He is more awesome than all who surround Him.”
Psalm 89:7 NIV
South Bend, IN
“Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€146:1-2‬ â€NASB‬‬
I hope this is still ok. I was unable to get it before today.
Mary Ruth Franklin
Lanexa, VA
1 Chronicles 16:23-25 (NASB)
Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
He also is to be feared above all gods.
Jennie Spearin Granite Bay Ca
“To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be Glorified.” Isaiah 61:3 NKJV
Marcy-Euless. TX
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
” 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.” Mt.12:29,30 NIV
Carol
Carthage, NY
For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6 NIV
Be kind and compassionate to one another,
Forgiving each other,
Just as in Christ God forgives you.
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Kathy, Leamington, Ontario, Canada
“Are they not all ministering spirits (angels)
sent out to serve
for the sake of those
who are to inherit salvation?”
Heb. 1:14
Patti, Tampa, Florida
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverence the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfector of our faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
Karen, Christy, Cheryl A Cord of Three Strands
Jay, OK
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
John 15: 3-4 NIV
Margie, from Camdenton MO: Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV
Patience “better late than never!” Nason, Citrus Heights, CA
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge.”
I John 2:20 HCSB
Jan McClure Lexington,KY
“Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.”
Isaiah 52:13 ESV
Kristi Rogersville,TN
Ephesians 2:8 NASB
For by grace you have been saved through faith and not that of yourselves;it is a gift of God.
Starkville,MS “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” NIV
Rhonda Butler, Jackson, Tennessee, So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Francine Thacker, Burnet, TX
You are my refuge and my shield;
your word is my source of hope.
Psalm119:114
Kerri Eyler, Woodsboro, MD
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. 1Corinthians 2:9 NIV
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
â€â€1 Peter‬ â€2:9‬ â€NIV‬‬
Shannon, Buda, TX
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
Neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8