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
Micah 7:7 (NLT)
As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.
Crystal Parrott-Everett, Ontario, Canada
“He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.” James 1:18 NIV
For he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.
Psalm 24:2 NIV
Dana
Boerne, TX
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.
John 14:1 NIV
Dana
Boerne, TX 78006
Lindsey Fellers, Myrtle Beach, SC
“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:3 NLT
Kelei Liggett. Iowa Park, Texas NIV
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future
“We constantly pray for you that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11 ESV
Vivienne B, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Always be joyful. Never stop praying.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 (NLT)
Rene’, Mineola, TX
Psalm 100:4-5 (NASB)
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlastng And His faithfulness to all generations.”
Karen, Richardson, TX
For GOD is not the author of confusion, but of peace.
NKJV. 1 Corinthians 14:33
Lorri Sapp, Oak Grove, MO “…as you hold out the Word of Life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.”
Diane in Lenexa, KS
Psalm 19:13 NIV
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
Terry in Louisa, VA
Acts 4:12 NIV
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Beth, Concord, NC
He gives strength to the weary
And increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary
And young men stumble and fall.
Isaiah 40:29-30 NIV
Lorri Matthews Phenix City, Al.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.
Philippians 4:12
Mary,New Smyrna Beach, FL
Romans 10:17 NLT
17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the good news about Christ.
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of agentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
1 Peter 3:4 NIV
Kimberly T., Montgomery, AL
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
Sarah Miller, The Colony, Texas, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans‬ â€12:2‬ â€ESV‬‬
Dr. Wilma Ann Arant, Swartz, LA
‘For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. Do we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:27-18 NIV
Your heart will be where your treasure is.
Matthew 6:21
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work is pure and whether it is right Proverbs 20:11KJV
Sharon Gaudet, Rochester, NH: Jeremiah 9:24 ” but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.
Ruth, Odin, IL
“He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all–how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”
-Romans 8:32 (NIV84)
Sheri New Atlanta, TX
Though the Lord is on high yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.
Psalm 138:6 NKJV
Psalm 56:4 NKJV
In God ( I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. what can flesh do to me?
Lora Lovin Osburn
Morristown, TN
“But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.” Psalm 102:27 AMP
Julie Patrick, Florence, SC
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Ps 91:2 KJV
Beverly Welch, Dallas, NC
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Ps 91:2 KJV
Westerville, Ohio
John 8:32 NEV
You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.
Coshocton,Ohio,[NKJV] 1JOHN4:10 In this is love ,not that we loved GOD ,but He loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Joy Lunsford, Troy,AL
Colossians 3:2New International Version (NIV)
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Becca, Monterey CA.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” ~ Philippians 4:4 NIV
Dede Atlantic Beach FL
Psalm 119:40New Living Translation (NLT)
40 I long to obey your commandments!
Renew my life with your goodness.
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) 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 perseverance the race marked out of us.
Rachel, Vancouver, Washington. “but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” James 1:14 (NIV)
Ginny White of Orofino, ID
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Lynne, Jackson, Alabama
“I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.”
Proverbs 8:17 (NKJV)
Tracy, Kountze, Texas
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NKJV
Mandy Helm
College Station, TX
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
Wanda Young
Osborn, Missouri
“O Sovereign LORD!
You have made the heavens and earth by Your great power.
Nothing is too hard for You!
Jeremiah 32:17. (NLT)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing, and perfect will” Romans 12:2(NIV)
LaMonique’ J. Katy, TX “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2 KJV
Lisa, Port Arthur TX (formerly West Columbia)
“For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.”
Psalm 92:4 (NIV)
Megan, Goodlettsville, TN Matthew 28:20 (NIV) “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Cara, Oswego, IL. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
1 Corinthians 13:6 NIV
Stephanie
Pawleys Island, SC
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.
Romans 6:6 (NIV)
Grand Saline, TX
mat.28.5-6.ESV But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
Molly Petrey
Paris, KY
Proverbs 19:20 (NIV)
Listen to advice an accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.