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
Bethany, Magnolia, TX
“Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.”
James 1:9-11, ESV
Claudia from Edmond, OK
“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.”
Psalm 16:8. NLT
Elizabeth Mitchell living in Haverhill, England- Jeremiah 17:7- “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.” NKJV
Martha Leone Plano, TX
Colossians 3:15
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in
one body. And to be thankful. (ESV)
sarah w, east Liberty, oh
If I flew away beyond the East or lived in the farthest place
In the West, you would be there to lead me, you would be
there to help me.
Psalm 139:9-10
Alyssa Ethington, Chandler, AZ. “each is so close to the next that no air can pass between. They are joined fast to one another; they cling together and cannot be parted.”
Job 41:16-17 NIV
Kabrina Ethington, Chandler, AZ. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
Ephesians 4:29-30 ESV
Heather Wilkinson
Springfield, VA
Eph 1:19-20 (NIV)
and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms
Lucille Goins, New Bloomfield Mo.
Colossians 3:15 NKJV
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Dorelle, Hot Springs, AR, “Search. me oh God and know my heart, test me and see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23-24 (NIV)
Allison Crook
Albuquerque, NM
“And why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
Luke 6:46 (NASB)
Clancie Speck, Elizabethtown, KY “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” Psalm 77:14 NIV (1984)
Miranda
Loganville, GA
But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
Genesis 33:4. NIV
“We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.”
Ephesians 6:11. (NIV)
Chandler, AZ. “Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.”
Isaiah 30:21 NASB
Mildred from Montserrat.
But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge. Psalm 94:22 (KJV)
Linda Proffitt
Louisville, KY
When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:4 ESV
Lynn Bennett, New Smyrna Beach, Fl.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Thess
Matthew 6:34; New Living Translation (NLT)
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Sarah Carroll
Springfield, Ohio
Arlington TX
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You.
Joanna Trauger, Greer, SC
Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:8 NIV
Sheila Oakes
Cary, NC
Romans 8:38 NLT
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow- not even the powers of hell can separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lisa Walden – Grand Prairie Tx
1 Peter 3:15 NIV
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Cris , Virginia Beach VA
The Lord bless you and keep you
Numbers 6:24 NIV
Jaclyn, Houston. “Great is our Lord and Mighty in Power.” Psalm 147:5 NIV
Rachel- Cumming, GA
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chron 16:11
Sheri, Georgetown, TX
Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock. Isaiah 26:4(NASB)
Tina Crouch
Waxahachie, Texas
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
Krista Ripley WV
1 Peter 5:7 kjv casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you
Scarlett, Round Rock, TX
“I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8, NIV)
Denise Korsmo Amarillo, TX “Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through the fire and through the water: but thou broughtest us into a wealthy place.” Psalms 66:12. KJV
Vicki H. Knott, Greenwood, SC
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
Carol Stainbrook, Kimberling City, MO
“Do for others what you would want them to do for you. This is the meaning of the Law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets.” Matthew 7:12 ERV
Pride goes before destruction a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18 NIV
Lesa, Garden City, Kansas
Psalm 141:3 NIV
“Set a guard over my mouth, oh Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
Amy Brown New Palestine, IN
Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! (Psalms 116:2 NLT)
Pam Jackson, Blue Springs, Mo
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:13
Kimberly Orr
Zionsville, Indiana
A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. Proverbs 25:28 NLT
Jen Ferguson, Cedar Park, TX
“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2, NLT
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.”
Romans 5:3 (NLT)
Brenda Crosby, TX
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.”
Lamentations3:24 NIV
Allison Rains Benton, LA
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
~Revelation 1:8~ NIV
Jo, Columbia, Missouri
“Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39 NIV
Becky, Woodway, TX,
“For every child of God defeats this evil world,
and we achieve this victory through our faith.”
1 John 5:4 NLT
Krista Fehr
Chickamauga, GA
Matthew 28:18 NASB
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Jennifer Watson, Ruston, LA:
Isaiah 59:1-2 (NASB): Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.
Candy from St Louis
“This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.””
Ephesians 4:8 NIV
“The one on the throne said, Look I am making everything new.” Rev. 21:5 NIV
Candra Brasel – Huntsville, AR “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10 NKJV
Harmony: Moncton NB, Canada. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
[19] Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; [20] you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.