Forever Thankful

This Thanksgiving I am so thankful for what God has done in and through my family. We have been "blessed" with material items but the most important and precious gift was my son Brennan trusting Jesus as his Lord and Savior. I am ecstatic that he came to this point in his life. I never wanted to rush him into this decision. I knew he was curious but he is curious about everything in life. That's just Brennan.

It was a normal Sunday morning in our household on November 1st. Brennan was taking a bath in my bathtub, and I was hurriedly trying to figure out what to wear. Brennan looked at me and asked why my lips were still red. I reminded him that I had red lipstick on the previous night for Halloween and it wouldn't come off. I normally don't wear lipstick but Brennan insisted on me wearing red lipstick to complete our family's Halloween costume: the Avengers. I was Black Widow!

The Neal Family Presents:

The Avengers: Captain America, Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Black Widow

I was a little frustrated the lipstick wouldn't come off. Brennan's exact words were "you should be happy your lips are red, they are like the blood of Jesus". I was taken aback and almost let the comment slide but I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me to ask him more questions. I allowed him to "teach" me what he already understood about Jesus, the Cross, and sin.

At this point, I knew A.T. (my husband) needed to be included in the conversation. A.T. came in and Brennan explained to him our previous conversation. A.T. then led Brennan in a prayer as we all hugged each other. The realization that Brennan was no longer only my son but also my brother in Christ made me cry and extremely thankful.

Brennan is so excited about his journey. He loves reading his bible and devotional. He is hungry to know more. I can't believe that a silly Halloween costume led to a conversation and my son's conversion. God can and will use anything for His glory and part of His will!

I am thankful to my missional community and Hello World children's ministry at Blueprint Church as well as countless family members and friends for teaching Brennan about Christ. I am thankful for God's grace and mercy to pursue Brennan. A couple nights ago Brennan prayed that one day he will become a pastor. I don't know if that's God's will for his life, but we are committed to teaching him God's Word for the rest of his life.

Brennan by the cross at Blueprint Church with his new devotional 

My prayer as Thanksgiving approaches is that we, as believers, have the same hunger and thirst for God's Word that Brennan has at this moment. We must seek God with everything in us. We must be "all in". We should be forever thankful that God pursues us and wants us to be a part of His family.

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!

Run Till I Finish

"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV)

A fire has been placed in me and I pray it does not get extinguished any time soon. I see the urgency of the message of hope that is found in Christ. I must use the gifts and talents God assigned me to reflect glory back to Him. I've sat around too long trying to ensure everything will be perfect. I wait for the perfect moment, perfect opportunity, or perfect timing. Well I've learned, just as I hope you have, there will never be a perfect moment to follow your dreams and pursue your passions.

I discussed with a friend the other day "if you aren't going to do what God tells you to do, what is the point of all the praying and waiting for an answer?". As soon as the words left my mouth, the enormity of the statement hit me like a ton of bricks. I am in a habit of praying and asking God to give me eyes to see and ears to hear. However when God provides an answer I tend to get fearful and make excuses for why I shouldn't do what He said.

Friends, I don't want to be that way anymore. I declare I will not be that way anymore. My pastor Dhati Lewis preached about the harvest being plentiful but the laborers are few. The next verse says to pray to the Lord to send out laborers into his harvest. "Send out" in that context is the Greek word ekballo which means "to force out". I am glad God loves me so much that he has ekballo-ed me from my comfort zone and unnecessary fear. He has shown me the harvest, and I intend to make an impact in His name.

I vow to God that I will run till I finish. I will continue to encourage others while proclaiming the gospel. I will continue to show people who they are in Christ. I will continue to tell my story of redemption without being ashamed. I will continue to live like tomorrow isn't promised (because it's not).

I am determined to run my race well. Will you join me on the track? We may have to jog or even walk at times but that's ok because God is with us every step of the journey. Let's go friends! We don't have any time to waste!

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7 (ESV)

Worth Fighting For

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)

Tears form in the corner of my eyes as I continue to hear story after story of young women wanting and attempting to take their own life. The devil has waged a war in my dear sisters' minds that results in such negative thinking the best solution appears to be suicide. He has fooled them into believing their lives are not worth fighting for, their dreams are not worth fighting for, their well being is not worth fighting for. My heart aches when I see how far from the truth the enemy has led my beautiful sisters. Women tend to go into isolation or "keep up appearances" with the false assumption they are the only ones dealing with the brokenness of this world. The devil believes he has them where he wants them...that he has won.

Dear sisters, I want you to know God has already defeated the devil. The devil's schemes do not have to rule you. You are worthy, worthy of life and worthy of grace. I want to talk and walk with you down the road to redemption. I love you and am willing to get in the ring and fight with you however long it takes. I know we have other sisters who will fight and pray just as hard if only they knew the situation.

My prayer is that women bind together to stand firm against the devil's schemes. We need to be intentional about forming relationships and being vulnerable with our sisters. We have to stand in the gap for each other.  I want to see a generation of women and girls impacted by the power of God. I want this generation to get in the ring and fight not only for ourselves but for our sisters. I want this generation of women to allow our pasts to propel us forward to impact others. I want people to look at this generation of women and see true community and true sisterhood. It starts with me and it starts with you because we are WORTH FIGHTING FOR!

To the Single Mother on Father's Day

Single Mother,

I know this is a touchy subject and there are many people on both sides of the fence: whether to praise single mothers on Father’s Day or to bash single mothers who dare to call themselves fathers. Many emotions including hurt, anger, disappointment, and disgust can cloud our decision on the best possible reaction to this conundrum. My prayer is that you come with an open heart as you read this post and that you seek God in the midst of your single motherhood.

I became a single mom at the age of 15. My child’s father came around sporadically. There were many times I wished he wouldn’t come at all because I hated to see disappointment on my baby’s face. Over the years Father’s Day did not exist for him because he simply wasn’t there. As I grew up I began resenting my child’s father and only saw his faults and none of my own. However, I vowed to never say anything bad about him in the presence of my child. Nor did I take away his right to see our child when he wanted to do so.

My motto was I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T and I would sing that song as loudly as I could early on in single motherhood. (Who remembers that song?! Do you know what I mean J) However, I’ve learned over the years that I was not a FATHER and never could be. My son needed and still needs positive male role models in his life. Your children are no different. Fatherlessness is an epidemic. We have to seek godly men who can and are willing to stand in the gap for our children. We need to go back to the “village” mentality to make it in this ever-changing world.

Single mothers, I know it’s hard. I know sometimes it feels like you have to do everything on your own. I know about the nights crying yourself to sleep because you don’t know how you and your child are going to make it. I know there are times when you just want to be angry and tell the world about it. But I also know a Savior who is listening patiently and who wants to comfort you in your times of need. I know a Savior that wants to take on your burdens. I know a Savior who will heal you from the inside out. I know a Savior who redeems. 

God loves you and your child, dear single mother. But do you know who else God loves? He loves your child’s father. He loves him so much that He gave His one and only son Jesus for him. This powerful truth has the capability to radically change the way you view your child’s father. View him through the lens of our Heavenly Father. If you can allow the walls to come down that you’ve built to “protect” yourself, God has the ability to build you up from a firm foundation. He has done it for me and I know He will do it for you.

So, this weekend let’s vow to honor and celebrate the men in you and your children’s lives that are making a difference. Honor the good men that spend time with your children even though they are not biologically related to them. After that, I want you to take it a step further. Let’s vow to pray for your child’s absent father. Pray that they grow, mature, and come to know the Lord. Knowing the Lord and living for Him will inevitably change their heart. A changed heart transforms lives. Single mothers, will you take a pledge to uphold these vows? Will you begin to let go of the hurt, anger, disappointment, and disgust? I promise it brings such an indescribable peace to let go and let God have His way.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I pray these words speak into your heart and help you be the best MOTHER you can be through Christ.

Side note: My child’s father joined my family and I for a church service recently. Praise God! We still don’t have a perfect relationship but with God’s help our relationship will honor God and help our son to see what it means to live like Christ. Hallelujah! God is good!

Until next time!

In Christ,

Alissa

WAKE UP!

Just a heads up this blog post cuts straight to the point of the matter. I'm sure each of you will be convicted as I have been. Stick with it and pray that God opens your eyes and your heart so that you can grow in Him throughout this process. 

It drives me up the wall how women treat each other, inside and outside the church. We may not overtly be rude to someone but even in our subtleness the point is evident. If you don't look like us, act like us, or like what we like, then you might as well not attempt to be in community with us. You can attend an event but don't think you are a part of my circle. This is sad on so many levels especially since one of the Great Commandments is to love others.

But you may say wait a minute Alissa I am never rude or discriminate against other women. I'm always nice and cordial. I smile from across the room and occasionally ask people how their day is going. Girlfriend allow me to let you in on something. Saying hello and being "nice" is not what loving others is about. Love is an action and many times requires sacrifice. Further, we are supposed to be "sisters" in Christ. It's been my experience that we treat other women more like distant cousins at a family reunion that we wish we didn't have to attend. 

Being a sister in Christ means reaching out to women who may not be the "type" of women you normally deal with. Being a sister in Christ means getting out of your clique and embracing another woman who may not have any other friends. Being a sister in Christ means praying for opportunities to reach women no one else wants to reach. Being a sister in Christ means being willing and available for God to use you in the life of a woman at her time of need even when it's not convenient.

Wake up! Many times women are better at tearing each other down than lifting each other up. So many walls have been built up in order to keep us from getting hurt that we don't understand we are isolating ourselves from what God really wants from us. How in the world are we going to fulfill the command to love others if we don't even like each other?! God wants us to be in community. In doing so we have to get out of our comfort zones. 

Wake up! We have a generation of young women looking up to us. We have to show them how to encourage one another. They need to see the difference in how Christian women are to act. No one else is going to show them how the sisterhood is supposed to be. We have to wake up and take our job seriously. 

God is calling forth women who want to be evidence of what being a sister in Christ is all about. You don't want to sleep on this movement of God. WAKE UP!!!

The following are only a few Scriptures pointing us to wake up, encourage one another and love one another as God has instructed.

"Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and God will shine on you" Ephesians 5:14

"For you were once darkness, but now you are the light in the Lord. Walk as children of light- for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth- discerning what is pleasing to the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing" 1 Thessalonians  5:11

"By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" John 13:35

"Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God" 1 John 4:7

Based on Scripture and my personal stance on the subject I want to offer some practical ways to become the type of women who love others and bring God glory through their relationships:

1. Stop sizing up women before you even have a chance to say hello. 
2. Be open to get to know women you normally wouldn't hang around. 
3. Pray for women who come to your mind. 
4. Encourage women consistently. 
5. Allow God to stir your heart and follow Him in obedience. 

If you start by doing these things God will grow you in more ways than you will ever imagine. It may be hard because the world tells us "no new friends" is cool and that there is such a thing as "having enough friends". However, God expects more from His daughters. He calls us to be salt and light. Show others that God sits on the throne of your life. 

There are so many women dealing with unimaginable hurts who need encouraging words and for sisters in Christ to come alongside them. Let's resolve to love one another through the great and difficult times of life. Be the woman of God He has called you to be. Not because I said so but because God gets all the glory when we act according to His will. 

If God has awakened you by reading this post don't ignore it. Stay in Scripture. Choose to go against the culture. Make a change. It is never too late to get back on track.  Lets keep each other accountable, encouraged, and lifted up in prayer. Also, please forward this to other women you know!  This is not about me. This is about all of us growing in Christ. 

In Christ,
Alissa

Trying to Connect

My husband recently bought me a new hot pink bluetooth device for me to wear around my neck. I love it not only because of its color (I love pink!) but also because it helps distract me from cooking and cleaning. I can listen to my music or talk to a close friend while still being productive.  It's truly a win-win solution for my daily to do list. Many times I forget I have it on while walking around the house or playing with my kids. To work properly my phone has to be close enough to pick up the bluetooth signal. Once I get out of range the headset reminds me with the message "trying to connect". Only then do I remember I need to go closer to the source for my device to work in its intended function.

God used this illustration in a mighty way to reveal a bigger truth to me. He allowed me to see He has been saying the same thing to me lately. In my spirit I heard Him say, "Alissa, I'm trying to connect with you". That moment of clarity reminded me in order to truly connect with God I have to be close to Him. He wants an intimate relationship that only comes through connectedness.

If I polled the people reading this blog I'm pretty sure the majority would say they want to know and connect with God more. So the question becomes how can we know God more? The answer is easy. Intentionally stay in His word, seek His face, and talk to Him constantly. He is not hiding from us. We are the ones who are walking further and further away without even realizing it. He is calling out to us "trying to connect" but are we listening?

Reclaim your relationship with God. Connect with Him on a deeper level. Ultimately allow Him to work in your life and fulfill the plans He has for you.

Thank you for reading this post. Please share with your friends who may need to hear this message.

In Christ,
Alissa

When God Says No

For the past few years I've yearned for a place my family could call "home". After years of moving around to different states we felt ready to put down roots and become homeowners for the second time. Documenting the building process through frequent visits and an ever-growing photo album was a fun adventure. The home quickly became my fourth baby over the summer months. Slight uneasiness crept in as the building process neared the end. I dismissed it as nerves and continued to move forward. 

A.T. and I couldn't get over the Holy Spirit's constant nudging in our hearts on the DAY of closing. Many issues in the home had not been resolved and we began to feel rushed. The lack of peace hit me like a ton of bricks. In the midst of the final walk through we took a moment to talk in private. After all the planning, trips with the kids to visit "our new home", and the loaded U-Haul truck with all our belongings staring at us from the road, we knew we were supposed to walk away. Walk away... I couldn't believe it. God clearly told both of us no.

Even though we had just walked away from the dream we had fixated on for months, we had an undeniable peace. We didn't know how everything would end up but we knew God had a plan. The peace we experienced had nothing to do with us but everything to do with God's hand on us that day. For whatever reason we weren't supposed to move into that house. We had to trust and believe that God's way was better than our own. 

What happens when God tells you no? Do you continue to ask questions? Do you beg, plead and try to explain why your way is better? Do you continue on your own path hoping God will change His mind? Or, do you trust in God's plan? Isaiah 55:8-9 states, "for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways...For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." 




Do you feel God is trying to get your attention? Has He told you no to something? Maybe it is a new job that you've worked hard at getting only to realize it is not God's plan for you. It could be a relationship you've invested years into only to realize the love is not being reciprocated or the person is unequally yoked. I know it's hard to step away when you've invested so much time and energy. You want it to work out so bad you can taste it. However, if God has told you no please take heed to it and don't dismiss the Spirit's promptings. God is faithful. His way is always better than ours and He will see you through. Have faith in His way, plan and purpose for your life! 

In Christ,

Alissa 

The following video is "Give Me Faith" by Elevation Worship. This is one of my favorite songs.