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
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
Lori Pannell, Houston, TX
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Dian Helgerud, Cocoa Beach Florida
I will lead you in to solitude, and there I will speak to your heart.
Hosea 2:14
Kerry, Nederland TX
I cry out to the Lord, I plead for the Lord’s mercy. I pour out my complaints before Him and tell Him all my troubles.
Psalms 142: 1-2, NLT
Angie Hill, Jasper, Alabama
“Blessed is she who believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45 NIV
Jodi, Perth Western Australia
staying right at the centre of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life.
Jude 1:21 MSG
Denise from Snowcreek, VA. Job 11:18. Amplified
And you shall be secure and feel confident because there is hope; yes, you shall search about you, and you shall take your rest in safety.
Elizabeth Hughes, Berrien springs, MI, “Likewise the spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans8:26 ESV).
Barb, Medina, Oh
so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Col 1:10 ESV
Janelle MacKay- Malta, NY Joshua 1:9 NLT
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Pineville, LA
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:17 (NIV)
Donna
Athens, Georgia
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.–John 1:14 RSV
Debi Detroyer Emmett MI
Matthew 5:14 NIV
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Cassia, Spring, TX
They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king. Ps 45:15 NIV’84
Laura Hagedorn, Rib Mountain, WI, How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. Psalm 133:1-2 NIV
Rita Ford, The Woodlands, Texas. “Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts His voice, the earth melts.” Psalm 46:6 NIV
Judy Littleton N.C.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Phil 4:13 NIV
Susan Harris
Tyler, TX
October 15, 2015 at 5:13 p.m.
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
Hosea 6:6 (ESV)
Mary Jayne, Qulin MO
“Search me and know my heart, try me and know my anxieties, and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139: 23-24 NKJV
The revelation of Jesus christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John. Revelation 1-1 esv
Connie Walker, Houston, TX
Matthew 28:19 NLT
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Jennifer O. Corpus Christi, TX
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lam of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
John 1:29 NIV
Barbara Bollman
West Fargo, ND
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
If it is possible as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 12.17-18 NIV
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4 NIV
Michelle Brownell, Sturgis MI
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:4
NIV
Suzy from Cedar Falls, IA
Psalm 62:1 NIV
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
Claypool,IN.
Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace,seasoned with salt,so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Julie / Deer Park, Tx A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise person quietly holds it back. Proverbs 29:11 NLT
Katie Baine, Clarksville, TN “This is why it says: ‘When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.'” Ephesians 4:8 NIV
“I will heal them and reveal them in abundance of peace and truth “Jeremiah 33:6NKJV
Rene’ Pingel, Cape Girardeau, MO
Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue but with action and in truth.
1 John 3:18 NIV
Tammy Cosby/Siloam NC…..Psalm 18:1 I love you, O Lord, my strength (NIV)
Fran Thomas, Jackson TN
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV
Dana Nance
Blue Ridge, Tx
Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
Psalm 103:21
Tessa from Nacogdoches TX
Romans 8:37 NASB
But in all these things we OVERWHELMINGLY conquer
through Him who loved us.
Sherri Zingarelli, Galena, OH
Open my eyes that I may see
Wonderful things in your law.
Psalm 119:18 NIV
Kim Foley, Arnold, MD
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:7 (NIV)
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Romans 12:13
Jessie Y. Jackson, MO. NIV Colossians 3:24 “since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Alesha, Charlotte, NC
I constantly trust in the Lord;because he is at my right hand, I will not be upended. So my heart rejoicesand I am happy;My life is safe.
Psalm 16:8-9 NET
Colleen, Mae Sot, Thailand
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
James 3:10
Jodi, Sweetwater, TN – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. _ Proverbs 9:10 NIV
Jerri Hadley, Wimberley TX. “How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” Psalm 104:24 NIV
Sarah, Kingwood, TX
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”
â€â€Hebrews‬ â€10:23‬ â€NLT‬‬
Cindy, Lancaster OH
“I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in Your words.”
PSALM 119:147 (ESV)
Danielle Pleasant, Pinewood, SC
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€121:1‬ â€NIV‬‬
Anita, Miami, FL
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Galatians 6:2-3 (NKJV)
Ana from Dayton, TX
Psalm 86:11 (NIV)
Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Nancy Rottschafer, Holland MI. But He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace, was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24