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
Shonda Vielbig, Ventura, CA For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2Tim 1:7 NIV
Sandy Hartley, Clatskanie, OR (knowing we get to see our babies again…!!)
2 Samuel 12:23 But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? ~ I will go to him ~ but he will not return to me. (NIV)
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him/her show by good conduct that his/her works are done in the meekness of wisdom. James 3:13 NKJV
Lisa Jones, St. Louis, Mo.
He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Job 8:21 NLT
Angelica (Angel) Chilton, Hillsboro, Texas
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalm 23:5 (NIV)
Ashley, Kingwood, TX, “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” Psalm 143:8 NLT
Natalie, Frisco,TX, “The Lord your God is in your midst, he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you! He renews you by His love, he shouts for joy over you!” Zephaniah 3;17 NET
Jackie Brantley Rockledge, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever.”
â€â€1 Chronicles‬ â€16:34‬ â€HCSB‬‬
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Submit yourselves therefore to God , resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7
“Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads and look; and ask for the eternal paths, where the good, old way is; then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it! ”
â€â€Jeremiah‬ â€6:16‬ â€AMP‬‬
Romans 3:10 ERV
As the scriptures say, there is no one doing what is right, not even one.
Philippians 4.8 NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.
Nicole, Brentwood, CA
“But Jesus told him “No! The Scriptures say: People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
(Matthew 4:4)NLT
Jana Stroud, Houston TX
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 (NIV)
Karen Laughlin, Deweyville, TX
If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Romans 12:20-21 NIV)
Gigi Parisi
Mullica Hill NJ
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Melissa Teakell, Wichita, KS
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.
Proverbs 17:28 NIV84
Charlotte Heisel, Modesto,CA
Psalms 91:14 (NLT)
The LORD says “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
Kirsten Pierce, Boones Mill, VA. “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13, NIV.
I have to be about my Father’s affairs. Luke 2:49
Proverbs 3:4
Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.
Melissa J – Houston, TX
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Laura Proctor, Madison, MS.
I Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.
NIV
Winder, GA Colossians 3:22 NASB “Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.” (Thinking about employees and employers.)
Lynn Greene, Shelby, NC 1 Cor. 12:7 ESV
“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
Diane Currie Schertz Texas
Philippians 1:6 NIV
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus
Danielle Rye, Cedar Park, TX
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath, do not fret it only causes harm. Psalm 37:8
Kathy Rye, Cedar Park, TX
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath, do not fret it only causes harm. Psalm 37:8
Ginny White of Orofino, ID
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable. If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV.
Lisa Jones, St. Louis, Mo.
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Sarah from Pasadena, TX
If I go up to the heavens, You are there.
If I make my bed in the depths, You are there.
Psalm 139:8 NIV
(I couldn’t remember if I actually posted…)
Jennifer Haglund; Story City, IA
“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” – Matthew 6:8 (NIV)
Prov 3:34 (ISV) – He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble.
Shelley from San Angelo
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Acts 2:21 NIV
Amy
Buda, Texas
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.”
1 Chronicles 16:8 NIV
Nicole
Auburn, WA
” 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
Dawn Deare Lafayette, LA
Psalm 119:42 ESV
Then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me for I trust in your word.
Dana, San Angelo, Texas
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (NIV).
Michelle,
Bossier City, LA
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philipians 4:19 NIV
Joel 2:25 NIV
I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten-the great locust and the young locust, the other locust and the locust swarm-my great army that I sent among you.
1Peter 4:8 NIV
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Sheri, Portland, OR
So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.
3 John 10
Tammy Disch, Garland, TX For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romand 5:10 (NASB)
Kimberly Balles Rolling Meadows, IL
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you being rooted and established in love.
Ephesians 3:17. NIV
Stephanie, Fort Worth, TX:
Isaiah 53:8, ESV
By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? Isaiah 53:8 ESV
I Corinthians 10:13. ESV
No temptation has overtaken you that is not
common to man, God is faithful, and he
will not let you be tempted beyond your
ability, but with the temptation he will also
provide the way of escape, that you may
be able to endure it.
Liz Millinor
St Johns, FL
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV
Ginny White of Orofino, ID
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.