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
Connie Rose, Moss Bluff, 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)
Angie Wilt, Kansas City, Missouri. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:22 KJV
Anne Stinnette, Koror,Palau: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9 NASB
Patty from Redmond, WA
Ephesians 3:19 NLT
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Anita Siecker, Purcellville, VA
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:8 NIV84
Joan Vanderwall, Orofino, Idaho
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the house of David and upon the inhabitance of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son,and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” Zechariah 12:9&10 (KJV)
Felicia Gonzales, Hayward, CA
5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking. 6 Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! [Psalm 55:5-6]
Tucson, AZ.
“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13. NKJV
Rebecca from Birmingham, Alabama
“make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
â€â€1 Thessalonians‬ â€4:11-12‬ â€NIV‬‬
Carolyn,Maryville Tn, Ps 16:8 KJV I have set the LORD always before me:because he is at my right hand,I shall not be moved.
Pam Hendersonville, NC
“For though we walk in the flesh we do not war after the flesh:” 2 Corinthians 10:3 KJV
Mary-Katherine Rogers, New Albany, OH
Hosea 2:14, NRSVA
”
Therefore, I will now persuade her,
and bring her into the wilderness,
and speak tenderly to her.”
Becky Douglas, Houston TX
“What is important is faith expressing itself in love.”
Galatians 5:6 NLT
Beautiful post, Karina.
I’ve finished memorizing Isaiah 53, and I decided to learn the last 3 verses of Chapter 52, starting with verse 13:
13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; (or, “shall prosper”)
he shall be high and lifted up,
and shall be exalted. (ESV, English Standard Version)
Stephanie Marchbanks from Ennis, Texas ♥
Kelly, Merritt Island, FL:
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Col 4:5 NIV
Albany, Ga. – Laurie
But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. NIV 6:33
Marla Neal Sparta, TN
Psalm 27:1 NIV
The Lord is my light and salvation
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life
of whom shall I be afraid?
1 Peter 4:8 ERV
Most important of all, love each other deeply, because love makes you willing to forgive many sins
Mary, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Jeremiah 29:11 AMP
11 For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you, says the Lord. Plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.
Anna, Cincinnati, Oh.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
Nance, Newmarket, ON Canada
“Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practises shameful idolatry and dishonesty – but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Rev 21:27
NLT
Ashley Lewis, Marshalltown, IA
John 14:6 NIV
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Mindy – McDonough, GA
Romans 4:25(NIV)
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Bobbie, Radium Springs NM
…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NKJV
DeLand, Florida
Psalm 119:11 New Living Translation
I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I may not sin against You.
Berni, Albuquerque
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around
your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in
place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that
comes from the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:14-15 NIV
Jules Lane
Foothills of the Rocky Mtns, Colorado
Still moving through Psalm 103:
“The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.” ~Psalm 103:19 (KJV)
Becky Montague from winder, GA Colossians 3:20 (NASB) “Children be obedient to your parents in all things,for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.”
Karin from Toronto, Canada
EPH 1:8 (NIV) – “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 the saints and His incomparable great power for us who believe.”
Susie, Harrisburg, PA
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not of yourselves, it is a gift by God – not by works, so that no one can boast.
~ Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
North Richland Hills, Texas
“I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€16:8‬ â€NLT‬‬
NIV I Cor 6:12
Everything is permissible for me–but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me–but I will not be mastered by anything.
Psalm 139:20 NIV
They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
Sandi Bentz, Anchorage, AK
Beverly from Huntsville AL. Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
Terri Sickles, Richmond, MO
Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers,but sober minded, faithful in all things.
1Timothy 3:11
Berni, Albuquerque
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:14-15 NIV
Rhonda H Wade
Buchanan. GA
Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Brooke Rosetti, Wiggins, MS
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
â€â€Colossians‬ â€4:5-6
I was praying this morning and this verse came to me. I remembered it was about the goodness of God but I could not remember it all so I looked it up and made it my memory verse for today. Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance. Romans 2:4(NKJV) God showed me through this verse that we can not even repent on our own because it is His goodness that shows us our need to repent. Also we need to remember this when witnessing to others. We cannot talk someone or force someone into repentance. But we can pray that they will see the goodness of God. It is in Him alone, and there is no other way. Thank you God for your goodness that lead me to repentance and help me to be a witness to others of your saving grace. Twyla McAmis, Cleveland Tennessee
Angela Dedman, 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
Kelly Snodgrass
Rogersville, TN
Ephesians 6:13-14 ESV
Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, …
Terry – Louisa, VA
John 17:3 NIV
Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.
Ali C.,- 24″Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.” Matthew‬ â€7:24-26‬ â€(ESV‬‬)
Sandra Hicks. Houston’ Tx
For the promise that He would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to His seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. Romans 4:13 NKJV
Rosalye
Vicksburg, MS
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteousness man his thoughts
Let him return to the Lord that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
Isaiah 55:7
ESV
Jamie C. Irvine , Ky. Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. (â€Psalm‬ â€143‬:â€1‬ NIV)
Lea Ann Frank from Hales Corners, WI
Romans 14:4 ~ “Who are you to criticize someone else’s servant? The Lord will determine whether his servant has been successful.” Don’t need to worry about what others think!
Julie. Webb City, MO
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!
Psalm 34:8 NLT
Pammie, Southern California,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.
Is he merry? let him sing psalms.
James 5:13 KJV
Emily McAnear, Houston, TX
“He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so all may believe through Him.” John 1:7, NASB