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
Amanda Dales, Rockhampton, Queensland
They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone
Psalm 91:12 NIV
Kathleen Smith, Georgetown, TX
1John 2:5-6
But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him. Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Rhonda Jackson of Godfrey, Illinois – That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9 – KJV
Carol Givens McAlisterville, PA
Psalms 5:3 (NIV)
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1
Lori, Pueblo West CO: “I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by Your saving power.” ~ Psalm 69:29 NLT
I am praying for you. For God to rescue you by His saving power as this verse says.
Thank you, Ginger! That means a lot to me. God bless you and those you love!
Sarah, St. Louis, MO
“For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.”
Psalm 96:4-6 NKJV
Tyra – Atlanta, GA
My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the Earth.
Psalm 139:15 NIV
Christy Chattom; Jasper, Alabama Psalm 61:2
When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock this is higher than I.
emi, white house,tn: “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?” Isaiah 58:6-7ESV
Renee, Rockford, MI
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.
1 Peter 1:6 NLT
Ellen, Fort Worth, TX
To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are His. Job 12:13 NIV
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
LINDA
MONTANA
NKJV
EPH 1:14 …who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of HIS Glory.
Brady Bradshaw, Cedar Rapids, IA “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” James 4:8 NIV
Carolyn, St. Catharine’s, ON
They will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
Psalm 91:12 (NIV)
Shauna, Aurora, NE
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9, NLT
Judy Huntsville Alabama – lamentations 3:23 – great is thy faithfulness… morning by morning new mercies I see. Lamentations 3:23
Kristin R.
Fort Worth, TX
Job16:20 NIV “My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God.”
Salley Sutmiller, Tulsa, OK
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
John 7:38 ESV
Doris Ann Barnes, Manchester, GA
This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12 (KJV)
Lynette, Nashville, TN
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8 ESV)
New Braunfels, TX
NASB
And the on on whom see was sown on the good soil,, this is the man who hears the Word and understands it, and indeed b are fruit; some a hundred fold, some sixty and some thirty. Matt. 13:2-3
Anne Boone, Chesterfield, MI Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, 1Thessalonians 5:16-17
Tracey Knight ~ Arkadelphia AR
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV
Tilley Hawkins, Franklin, TN
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Proverbs 4:23
Gale Fox
Montgomery TX
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:105 NIV
Ruth, Sherwood, OR
Isaiah 66:2: “I have made everything, that’s how it all came to be. I, the Lord, have spoken. The people I treasure most are the humble – they depend only on me and tremble when I speak.” (CEV)
Jackie Houser, Pikeville, NC: The Lord has established his throne in Heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:19 NIV. I am memorizing Psalm 103 for SSMT, and I love it!
Michelle K, New Baltimore, MI,
So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up Galatians 6:9 NRSV
am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.” Psalm 103:1 (NLT)
Courtney, Lima, Ohio. “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.” Psalm 103:1 (NLT)
Shiffra, Kalamazoo, MI
Colossians 1:10 “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of G-d,” (NIV84)
Judy Williams, Round Hill, Virginia
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7. NIV
Diane from Cypress, Texas
Isaiah 43:2. (NIV)
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Roman’s 8:28. NIV. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Vickie, Spokane,WA.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my
face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their
sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
Val Parker Dequincy, LA “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 NIV
Lisa Landis
Castro Valley, CA
Psalm 68:2 NIV
“May you blow them away like smoke— as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.”
Kim S., Ridgeland, MS —
1 Peter 5:6-7English Standard Version (ESV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Buffalo, NY
Hebrews 13:15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that openly profess His name. NIV
Chris Robertson from Fort Wayne
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Terri, Harrison Township, Michigan
As the deer pants for streams of water,
So my soul pants for you, my God.
Psalm 42:1 NIV
La Plata, MD.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Ephesians 6:17 KJV
Hello, my name is Lori and I live in Medford Oregon.
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
John 15:7 NIV
Peggyann Calderwood, Crestview, Florida
“When they saw the star,
they rejoiced exceedingly with Great Joy.”
Matthew 2:10 NKJV
Always remember Jesus Loves You
Hillary Dickey, D’iberville, MS
“He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters”.
Matthew 12:30 NIV
Janet from Odessa, TX
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are right and His ways are just; and those who walk in pride He is able to humble.”
Daniel 4:37 ESV
Selena Rosetti, Wiggins MS, The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1thessalonians 5:24 (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