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
Lisa, Houston, Texas
If any of is without wisdom, let him ask it from the God who gives generously and ungrudgingly to all, and it will be given him.
James 1:5 (NAB)
Karen Steggerda, Des Moines, IA.
“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7 NIV
Sarah M., Laurel, MS “This is love for God; to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.” 1 John 5:3-4 (NIV)
Oklahoma….My family is from Laurel, MS.
Thank you for such a beautiful post. Right now, my favorite verse: The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart is raised in Him, and I am helped, therefore my heart greatly rejoices and with my song I will praise Him.~Psalm 28:7
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€23:2‬ â€KJV‬‬
Ruth
Belleville, IL
“as it is written, ‘HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.’
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” 2 Cor. 9:9,10 NASB
Psalm 55:22 NIV
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
Paula, Dalhart, TX
“Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
1 Timothy 6:12
rhonda
gilmer
Ephesians 2:13 (NKJV)
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Sara Sanders, Garden City, KS
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,”
â€â€Ephesians‬ â€1:18‬ â€NIV‬‬
We live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
Mary Anne, Austin, Texas
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Philippians 2:1&2
Gail Irwin, Thousand Oaks, CA “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€119:114‬ â€NIV‬‬
Marleeta McAnally, Florence, CO
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;
1 Cor. 13:9 (NASB)
Davina Denny Novato CA I love the Lord, for He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2 NIV
Donna, Ponder, TX, Give all your cares to God, for He cares about you. 1Peter 5:7 NLT
Caroline, Oklahoma
“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” Acts 2:28 (NIV)
Nancy Bradshaw Melbourne, Florida
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Romans 8:26 NIV
Amy Smiley, Williams, AZ
“Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Jan in Fulshear
Prov. 3:5 NLT
Trust in the Lord your God with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, Wisconsin
3 And to 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;, 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.
Sally Heilinger, Port Orchard, WA
The Sprit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from the darkness for the prisoners.
Isaiah 61:1 NIV
Susan L. (Central IL) My life is down in the dust; give me life through Your word. I told You about my life, and You listened to me; teach me Your statutes. (Psalm 119:25-26, HCSB)
Jones Creek, Texas
Those who wait on the Lord
shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings
like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary…
Isaiah 40:31
(NKJV)
Phyllis, Ft. Worth, TX
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”
Psalm 62:5 NLT
May the God of your hope so fill you with joy and peace in believing. Roman 15-13
Gina Rosamond, Ca
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25 NIV
Sonya Ryder, Baton Rouge, Louisiana: “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. .” – Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. -Luke 6:27
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)NIV
Sheryl, PA
From the end of the earth I will call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.
Psalm 61:2-3 (NKJV)
Lori Pannell, Houston, Texas
“Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1
Laura Berg from Carlsbad, CA
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21. NIV
Valarie, Cincinnati “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken” Psalm 62:6 NLT
Ann, D.C.
Luke 6:37-38, NIV
Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.
Hosea 14:36 We will never again say “our gods” to what our hands have made.
I can’t remember if I posted last time! Oh, well, good practice for typing out the memory verse:
Marissa Seattle, WA
Colossians 3:12-15 NET
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, gentleness, humility, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if someone happens to have a complaint against someone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. And to all these virtues, add love, which is the perfect bond. Let the peace of Christ be in control of your heart (for you were in fact called in one body to this peace). And be thankful.
Jane Lakey, Panama City Beach, Fl
1 Colossians 1:18, Holoman CSB
He is also the head of the body, the church;
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
So that He might come to have firstborn in everything.
Cher Goeder, Toledo, OH
Proverbs 16:24 NIV
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
( I couldn’t remember if I posted my Oct 15 post & I know tomorrow our next one is due. Please forgive me if this is a duplicate.)
Vicky, Winchester, Hampshire, England.
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 (NIV)
Julie Grissett
Sugar Land, TX
“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
Nance
Newmarket Ontario Canada
“Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”
Rev 22:1 NLT
Bette from Danville, PA
Psalm 4:8 NIV
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Gina Naperville, IL
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:27
2 Chronicles 20:12 (NLT)
“O our God, We do not what to do, but we are looking to You for help.”
Jenn Loewen
Salem, OR
Psalms 34:8 AMP
“O taste and see that the LORD [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in him.”
Lori McCormick
Shakopee MN
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
â€â€1 John‬ â€1:9‬ â€HCSB‬‬
Abingdon, VA
Ephesians 6:7 HCSB
Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men.
Karen, Flower Mound, TX
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 NIV
Ashley Roth, Peachtree City, Ga.
“And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…” Genesis 50:20 (NAS)