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
Marilyn — Seattle, WA
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,”
â€â€Ephesians‬ â€4:26‬ â€NIV‬‬
Cassie Oring, Murfreesboro, TN. “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” â€â€2 Timothy‬ â€1:7‬ â€ESV‬‬
Debbie Fitzpatrick, Bossier City, LA
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end. Lamentations 3:22 ESV
Kim, Amherst, Ohio
Prov. 31:28 NIV
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
From Tishomingo, OK
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)
Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
And HE will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3
NIV
Jann Sanicola Holtsville, New York
Psalm 63:4-5 NIV
“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”
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Barbara Ford – Troy, MO
“The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”
Proverbs 15:29 NIV
Laura, Minneapolis, MN.
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.
(Ephesians 1:17 ESV)
Kem Green, Des Moines, IA
We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€10‬:â€4 NLT)
April Hughes, Escondido, Ca.”Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20 ESV
Kay Martin
Tupelo, MS
In Him was life and that life was the light of man. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”
John 1:4-5 NIV
Jennifer, Topeka, Kansas
So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6 NET
“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;”
I Corinthians 6:19 NIV
Janene Ford, Henley, MO
“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:38 NKJV
Sheilah – Melbourne, FL
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Dee Dee Fernandina Beach, Florida
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 11:28-29 ESV
Yael Hernandez New York, NY
Isaiah 35:4 NASB
Say to those with anxious heart, take courage, fear not. Behold your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, But He will save you.
Praise Jesus! He will come…
(On my Mom’s birthday!)
Sue From Wolfoboro, NH;
“He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart.” Psalm 28:9
Emily C, Bothell, WA
Romans 5:5 NIV
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Linda Gammon, Blue Springs, MO
Colossians 1:13 NKJV
13. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love
Mary Beth – Hudsonville, MI
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Romans 8:18 NLT
Denise from Winfield, MO
James 1:4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (NIV)
Laura, Cleveland, OH. “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” â€â€Isaiah‬ â€30:15‬ â€NIV‬‬
Casey Hale, Roanoke, Texas
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!”
Psalm 139:23 – ESV
Kristie Lovely, Van Alstyne, TX
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” Romans 12:16 ESV
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26 HCSB
Sharon, St. Louis
“Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.”
â€â€Philippians‬ â€4:6‬ â€NET
Christy Jones, Summit, MS; “But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.” Psalm 3:3 NIV
Alison Wagler, Vancouver, BC. Eph 5:1 NASB Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
Brenda Zabriskie from Lindon, Utah
TITUS 3:5
he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own MERCY, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the HOLY SPIRIT.
Tshaka; Belgium; Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NLT
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
Let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the crown of salvation.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 NLT
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV
Carol O from Oak Park, CA
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Anna from Indiana:
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:25-26 (NIV)
Shana, Milton, FL
Psalm 37:7 (NLT)
Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
Diana Scott, Romulus, MI
Psalm 46:1 KJV – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Elaine Brady, Jefferson, GA
And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love
2 Peter 1:7, NIV
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth–to every nation, tribe, language and people.
Revelation 14:6 NIV
Dawn Atwood, Colleyville, TX
Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Psalm 119:35, NIV
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth–to every tribe, nation, language and people.
Revelation 14:6
Leah Cullen – Ramona, CA
“In all he does he is faithful and just; all his commands are dependable. They last for all time; they were given in truth and righteousness. He set his people free and made an eternal covenant with them. Holy and mighty is he!”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€111:7-9‬ â€GNTD‬‬
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 ESV
“Count al joy my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4. (ESV)
Cindy Beam
Rogers, AR
“For we know in part and we prophesy on part,’ 1 Corinthians 13:9 (NIV)
Janet, Sylacauga, AL
“Make Your ways known to me, Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€25:4-5‬ â€HCSB‬‬
Kristen Johnstone, Boulder, CO
Galatians 5:1 NIV “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Melissa Robertson, Sulphur, LA
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV)