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
Sheree Campbell, Phoenix, AZ
“Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” Colossians 3:12 NIV
Nedra, Blue Springs, MO “Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord” 2 Corinthians 5:6 NASB
Port Lions, Alaska.
Resist him, stand firm in the faith, because you know your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Mandi… Edmond, OK… “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NASB
Tisha
Pilot Mtn, NC
“I love you, O LORD, my strength.” Psalms 18:1 NIV
Chris, Seattle, WA
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Philippians 2:10 NIV
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 ESV
Amy Villa, Auburn, WA
Pam Campbellsburg In.There is no one like the God of Jeshuran (Israel) Who rides the heavens to help you,And in His excellency on the clouds …. Deut..33;26. NKJV NSFL..
Lana, Bryant, AR “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
â€â€Romans‬ â€12:12‬ â€NIV‬‬
Melissa Fancher, Marble, AR –
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:13 – NIV
Lauren Fancher, Marble, AR –
Noah found favor in the eyes of he Lord.
Genesis 6:8 – NIV
Ginny White of Orofino Idaho. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV
Candis Oswalt South Bend IN
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 42:11 KJV
Wendi – Simi Valley, CA
“Peter replied, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 NIV
Julie, Alta Loma
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him (â€Psalm‬ â€37‬:â€23 NIV)
Misti Robinson, from Houston, TX:
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.
Isaiah 43:2a
Rachel Grantham, Raymond, MS
Psalm‬ â€91:1‬–“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (NIV‬‬)
Abby T., Ferndale, WA:
“Love forgets mistakes; nagging about them parts the best of friends.” –Proverbs 17:9
Joan from Dousman, WI
But the Lord is faithful,
and He will strengthen and protect
you from the evil one.
2 Thes 3:3 NIV
Barbara – Atlanta, GA
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:5-7 NIV
Jean, Abilene, TX
…and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
Rev 1:5 NIV
Monica Applegate Amarillo, Texas
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Mark 11:24 KJV
Martha, Georgetown TX, O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust You, my Lord! Psalm 25:1
Tara G.
Sherwood, AR
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transfered us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:11-14 ESV
Leisa, Sheridan, Indiana
John 20:29 ESV
Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Kay Tucker, Elyria, OH
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.” Psalm 28:7 KJV
Joy Thompson, Fort Worth, TX,
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22 ESV
Carolyn, Conroe, TX
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.”
– Philippians 2:3 (NASB)
Janet, Holmes Beach, FL
Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Kathy French, Austin
“I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before Him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. ” Job 5:8-9 NIV 84
Kimber Perrotta
East Hampton, CT
“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” John 15:18-19 NLT
June Greenstreet
Bradford Ontario
“Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.”
â€â€Philippians‬ â€2:27-28‬ â€ESV‬‬
Hi June! I’m Marg Ridpath & I live in Burlington Ontario & just noticed that you’re doing the SSMT challenge!! Are you considering going to the celebration event in Houston Jan15-16, 2016? I want to go & would love to go with a Canadian sister! Praying you might respond to this note & maybe seek the Lord about going together.
Praise the Lord! Marg
P.s. Are you going to see Beth @ the Heshey Center in Mississauga next weekend? If so, please text me (my cell # is 416-452-5169) & maybe we can meet there!
Robin Stancil Scott
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Robin Stancil Scott
Hebrews 12:11 NKJV
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Mary Kay, Redding, CA
Colossians 3:12,13. NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have againat one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Queen City, TX
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
NIV
Elizabeth Johnston
Dallas, TX
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalm 103:2-5
Stephanie B.
Augusta, GA
Romans 8:31-32 (ESV)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Christy from Holland, MI
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Ashley, West Monroe, LA. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”
â€â€Ephesians‬ â€6:10‬ â€ESV‬‬
D’Anna Nowack
New Braunfels, Tx.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
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.”.
Barrett
Plano TX
Songs of Solomon 3:1-3
All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him. I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares. I will search for the one my heart loves. So I looked for him but dd not find him.
NIV
Ruth Baca, Modesto, CA
James 5:16b
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Diane
Mesa, AZ
Through God we shall do valiantly, and it is He who will tread down our adversaries.
Psalm 60:12 NASB
Kimberly Barrett, Camden, Arkansas
Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. Psalm 19:12, 13 NIV
Dianne Andover MN
Psalm 32:10 (NIV)
… the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him.
Sarah, Brookhaven, MS
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day & night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
Joshua 1:8 ESV
Lisa Pauls, Lake Jackson TX
Colossians 3:12 NIV
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. NIV John 14:6