Kristi Neace's Blog

Knowing God's will for our life can sometimes be a challenge. Since He typically does not speak in an audible voice, we often feel as if we cannot adequately decipher what it is He is asking us to do.

So, how do we know what God's will is for our lives? I'm glad you asked!


My Story

Around 1999, I was sitting in church on a Sunday morning. I couldn't tell you what was being taught, but I do know that at the end of the service, I literally sensed a hand on my back pushing me to the front where the preacher was standing.

"Hi. I'm not sure why I'm here, but I believe God is calling me to do something big for Him."


After making that awkward statement to the pastor, he prayed with me and church was dismissed. There were no flashing lights or claps of thunder. No visions of angels or handwriting on the wall, and honestly, over the next several years, life was pretty ordinary, though occasionally God would give me dreams which I recognized as more than just bad pizza.

As an example, one dream or vision I had was of many books with all different types of covers. They were coming into view like a spiral staircase, one-by-one being laid down. I somehow understood that I would be the one to write all these books, but that was all the information I was given. Nothing more and nothing less.

There were others...dreams of a large kettle of souls with me doing the stirring; dreams of walking through a tunnel for three years then suddenly coming to an end and a light being lit, etc.

To you, these may not mean a thing, but the dreams in combination with a confirming word I might receive through reading scripture, or through events such as having a complete stranger in a Walmart in Florida, say he was in awe at what God was going to do with my life, then pray over me, to so many other "God-winks" that I just knew part of my calling was to be a writer.

Over the years, I have witnessed that calling become reality as I have self-published over eleven books and just this week receive a contract from a book publisher for another.

Steps to Discerning God's Will

Okay, okay, but how? How does it all work? How does one know what God is calling a person to do?

The first step is to pray. Pray, pray, pray!!! Deciphering God's will for your life can only be understood through getting to know Him. I have spent countless hours over the years seeking Him out, telling Him my fears and desires, and listening for that still, small voice to guide me in the way I should go.

The second step is to live life with your eyes wide open and ears attentive. God will often speak through others, through experiences, through music, etc. I probably over-analyze things, but every experience and every out-of-the-ordinary thing people say, are often what I tune into. God may be using those things to speak to me.

The third step is to immerse yourself with scripture. God's Word guides us, warns us, comforts and moves us. It is alive and active, therefore, we should spend time searching scripture and asking God to somehow reveal His will to us.

The fourth step is to seek wise counsel. I have certain individuals in my life--some older, who have had more life experiences than I have had, so I feel confident in sharing what I sense God calling me to do, and ask for their feedback. Often, others can see something in you or your situation you cannot see yourself. It is good to at least listen to what these godly friends have to say.

The fifth (and most difficult) step is to wait. God rarely moves quickly. It has literally taken me a period of about 30 years to see some of His promises to me be fulfilled. There have been things I needed to learn. Places I needed to mature in. Experiences I was required to walk through first. Waiting is hard...maddening at times, but in the end, God's timing is always perfect.

Well, friend, of course this is not an exhaustive list. God deals with each of us so differently, and what He has called me into is totally different than what He is calling you to. Just be ready. Listen. Wait. Pray. Seek. All of these things will help prepare your heart to receive the great responsibility of living out the calling He has for you.

Blessings,

Kristi

Well, here we are again. Gosh, I had hoped we had evolved a bit, but evidently I was sadly mistaken. I had pretty much hung up my writing hat since the Ferguson fiasco, but with this latest string of violence and wave of frustration, I dug that thing out, dusted it off, and to my husband's chagrin decided to put words to paper. Let me try and describe to you my feelings, which I assure you are all over the board right now. Pray for me.
First, let me just address that elephant in the room. A man died this week at the hands of those in authority. It was horrific, tragic, and plain sad...but so it is with anyone who loses their life in a senseless manner, or any manner! Can we agree?
Death is not natural, and frankly, I'm appalled and sickened that so many chose to watch this man die...to take his final breaths as if they were watching Monday night football. Let me just tell you something, life is precious. Somehow we have forgotten that. Just stop for a moment and ask yourself, would I want my son's last moments filmed for all the world to see? I would hope you would be just as mortified as I am over this.
Oh, but it does not stop with this one incident. No, this is only a symptom of a larger problem. On the other side of the fence, the law enforcement community has lost 92 this year? I know that may not resonate with you and that's okay, but it does with me. That's 92 families who do not have their officer coming home. That's 92 families who have had to say goodbye prematurely to someone they love. It's 92, too many. 92 who were doing a job, to make a living, to put food on the table, to provide a roof over their family's head. 92. Where is the outrage? Crickets.
Or how about the 345,757 babies last year, who lost their lives violently at the hands of an abortion provider? That's 345,757 people who are non-existent, not given an opportunity to take their first breath, get their first tooth, take their first steps, or speak their first words. 345,757 who could have held the cure for cancer, led the greatest revival, made the most impressive scientific discovery, stepped foot on the closest planet, yet selfishly, their life was snuffed out ever before it began. Where are the protests of those who have blood on their hands? 
Finally...dare I say this...according to American Free Press, 93% of blacks were killed by other blacks. Who is going to stand up and say enough is enough?! ALL LIVES MATTER. 
Tell me, when did the world stop caring? Brother against brother. Friend against friend. Careless words slung back and forth not stopping to think about the damage being caused. Anger allowed to fester, boil then spill over in ungodly ways, damaging other people's property and livelihoods all to prove a point. What point? That we are broken? I think that's clear. Anybody?
And what about the children? Who has stopped in their tracks long enough to think about the little eyes and ears who are seeing and hearing adults acting foolishly...talking foolishly? What is this teaching the next generation? Disrespect is okay? Hatred is okay? Harming others is okay, even if it is retaliatory? God help us!
Here's the bottom line...we need Jesus. I don't say that to be cute or snide. I say it out of deep concern for the direction this country is heading. History has a way of showing us what happens when a nation goes down a path that leads away from God. They . face . judgment.
I'm not trying to impress anyone with any supposed Bible knowledge, but just stating fact. We are on dangerous ground. Look around and you will see how far we have fallen. Each of us has gone our own way. We have pushed God aside and taken Him out of our homes and schools. We have done what is right in our own eyes just as the people of old, and we are reaping the consequences of it. God will not bless a nation whose own self is lord. 
So let this be a battle cry. Examine yourself. Examine your ways. Where are you, sinner? How far have you drifted away from God? Is your life a reflection of Him or a flicker of you? Listen, I have had to examine my own heart, and I assure you that many times I have grieved the heart of God.
The  Bible tells us that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
That doesn't mean we won't have to face consequences for our actions, but it does mean that He will be with us through these uncertain times. 
I'm calling out to you tonight. Better yet, He's calling out to you. Ask. Turn. Follow. Share. Be.Ask for God's forgiveness Turn from your sinsFollow God and make the changes necessary to live a life honoring to HimShare what He's done in your life with othersBe the change! 
I know that I'm probably preaching to the choir here. I know that some will read and flippantly toss my thoughts to the side. That's perfectly okay, but don't turn off what God is trying to speak to you through all of this. 
We are on a sinking ship and it is now or never to start plugging the holes. We've got to humble ourselves and turn to God in every area or we won't stand much longer. 
He's calling out to you. What are you going to do with all of this? What are you going to do with Jesus?
Serving with my head down,Kristi



*324,000 U.S. Blacks Killed by Blacks in Only 35 Years, American Free Press, December 21, 2014,https://americanfreepress.net/in-just-35-years-232000-u-s-blacks-killed-by-other-blacks/

Hey friends. I'm so excited to let you know of my new website! It is called Blue Life Grind, and it is about our family and all that's going on in our every day world.

I hope you will check it out and subscribe so that you don't miss out on a thing!

Here's a link: http://bluelifegrind.com/

Also, don't miss out on my FB page of the same name. Check it out. Take a look around, and see if you like it. A lot is happening in the Neace world and I don't want you to miss out. https://www.facebook.com/bluelifegrind/

Hope to see you there!

Kristi 

Good Sunday morning, everyone. It's been another rough week for our blue family. We've heard about more shootings and suicides, and sometimes it seems as if the weight of the world is on our shoulders. Where's the hope? Where's the peace? Where's the help? Let me take you on a little journey, then I'll bring this home. This week, Rick and I were privileged to attend the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. It's a very special time when approximately 4,000 people from all over the world--Presidents and Kings, church leaders and business people, average citizens like us and politicians, all gather to do one thing--pray and worship; to come together as one. Before we left for this event, I was growing discouraged. My eyes had shifted to all the bad happening in our country; all the division and hatred; all the killing and ugliness. I was feeling discouraged and defeated. BUT!!! I love that word! Where there is a "but" there is something new to see--some kind of change just around the corner, and for me, that change came in the form of thousands of people humbling themselves before Almighty God and crying out for His direction, His peace, His protection, His love, His guidance, His encouragement, His unity, His holiness. In the midst of all of that, I found it, and I was reminded of another man who had grown tired and weary, fearful and discouraged. A man named Elijah who was a prophet of God and had gotten down in the faces of a wicked king and queen to speak truth. Yet now he was facing fear and discouragement. In his moment of darkness, he uttered these words, "I have had enough, LORD...Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." (1 Kings 19:4b), but God met him there in that place and spoke these words, Go back the way you came...I reserve seven thousand in Israel--all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." (1 Kings 19:15, 18) So what does all this mean to us, to me? It means that we are not alone. Oh no!! God has so many warriors out there who are marching right alongside you! He has people who are praying and seeking God's face continually for you and for me. He has friends and loved ones--some we haven't even met yet, who stand beside you and are fighting this fight with you arm-in spiritual-arm. When you and I feel discouraged and alone; when things seem so dark and hopeless, go back the way you came for God has people there waiting to lift you up. Look for them. Find them. Pray that God will reveal them to you. You are not alone. He is right there with you and has you covered by His Almighty hand. Blessings, my friends,
Kristi

In my prayer time this morning, and in the midst of the junk that has been swirling around in my thoughts as of late, God whispered the words of this song."When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart...I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about you,
It's all about you, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about you,
It's all about you, Jesus" - Michael W. SmithHe's right, you know. It's all about God. Life--what we do, is a reflection of our worship, or lack thereof.It doesn't matter how funny we are, or well known, it doesn't matter what kind of car we drive or how big our paycheck is. It doesn't matter what gifts we put under the tree or what subdivision we live in. He could care less if our name is on some billboard or that we have thousands of followers on social media, what matters to Him most is that we make time to just sit before Him and be silent. To listen more than we speak. To love as He has asked. To worship in everything we do. To be thankful for all we have. To be content with who we were created to be. And to obey even when it doesn't make sense.Below is the song He brought to mind. Listen to it sometime today. Let it chase away the junk in your thoughts.Blessings...

Hello friends. It's been awhile. I have started on a new journey of textbooks, papers, and quizzes which have kept me extremely occupied. Yes, I've headed to seminary and am trying to spend less amount of time on social media these days.

Yet even so, I've had this topic on my mind: Should Christians Participate in Halloween? 

I've seen a number of blogs, videos, and other such media presentations about this issue. Just yesterday, I watched a portion of a video made by a Christian radio host. What I found to be more enlightening than the video, however, were the comments.

I do want to say up front, I am not judging you if you have pumpkins on your front porch and have just purchased your kid's costume.What I am doing is thinking out loud, asking questions that need to be asked, and getting you the reader to think and make your own decisions.  Let's take a look.

First, Halloween has become one of the biggest money makers of the year. According to Kimberly Amadeo, "Halloween retail spending will be $9 billion in 2018". (Read article)

With that said, let me give you a first-hand account of what Halloween shoppers will be purchasing. If you were to drive through my subdivision (or any subdivision for that matter) on Halloween night, you will see house after house with extensive Halloween decor. Some are as elaborate as animatron headless horsemen, spooky butlers, witches that move, caskets that open and close, and fog machines that set the mood. Creepy music, if you can call it that, plays in the background--sounds like screeching cats, slamming doors, squeaky coffin lids, evil laughter, etc. Eager trick-or-treaters are often greeted by adults dressed up as ghoulish characters holding their sugary reward in a large bowl, cauldron, or some other type of device.

Okay. So what's the big deal? Sounds like good clean fun, right? Well...let's look a little further.

Second, communities and businesses enjoy cashing in on the holiday fun. Often, old abandoned buildings are transformed into haunted houses. The draw? In some weird way, people love to be scared...if they know it is not real.

Peering a bit inside these haunted domains, we find faces disfigured and distorted growling and moaning as they lunge forward with chainsaws, knives, and other type of crude tools of misery.

The unsuspecting (or perhaps they really are suspecting) patron, will also see pools of blood, chains with demonic-looking creatures, zombies, torture chambers, severed limbs, and other dark type of paraphernalia, all within the context of a maze-like setting and often in pitch black darkness.

Okay, Kristi, this is just a quick 20 minute thrill. What's the big deal? Again, let's keep looking.

Third--and it keeps getting a little darker--there are actual celebrations of sorts on this night. I'm  not talking about your childhood parties with games and loot bags. I'm talking full-out demonically induced orgies or parties involving the occult, witches, warlocks, etc.

Just recently, I read an article from a former Satanist who claimed that this is a big night for those on the dark side. He also stated that Christians should not be too hasty in allowing their children (or themselves) to participate in the "devil's holiday". (Read article)

Alrighty. So there are dark things happening on this night in some places, and perhaps surrounding ourselves with devils and witches is not all that appropriate, but is it harmful if our kiddos dress up in fun costumes like Spider Man or Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz? Let me give you a few more things to think about before we try and draw some type of conclusion.

Every single day we turn on the news or pull up social media and read horrible true stories of people who have been brutally murdered, put through the horrors of abortion, or subjected to some type of horrific trauma. Honestly, I almost get sick to my stomach by the unconscionable and vile ways our human race inflicts pain and evil on one another.

So I guess a question I ask myself is: Why would I want to celebrate, replicate, and have fun with a mirror of something grotesquely abnormal and inherently wicked?

You'll notice that I haven't offered one scripture yet. So what does God say about this sort of thing? Halloween, specifically, is not mentioned in the Bible. But there are definitely verses that talk about the wickedness of sorcery and witchcraft, how we are to flee evil, and that there are powers of this world that are dark and against us. If you would like to learn more, a good article to start with is here...(Read article).

So what's the bottom line? Should Christians participate in Halloween? I'm not going to make that call for you. That's a decision you and the Lord will have to make together. Personally, I try not to participate much if any, although I do buy the grand kids treats and enjoy seeing them in their cute little outfits. 

What I do hope is that this blog has given you things to think about. I know I ponder these and more every single year. It's one of those things that you and I have to pray about and do what we feel best honors our Lord.

Now...where did I put that snicker bar?

Blessings,
Kristi

The world has gone crazy.

Apparel stores are now taking sides on the political arena.

The government has become a 3-ringed circus.

Violence, depression, despair, suicide, etc. are all skyrocketing.

It's the sign of the times and was prophesied about in God's Word.

Are we in a refining period?  I believe we are.  Christ is preparing His church.  That, however, doesn't mean we will be spared from the fires, but it does mean that He will walk through them with us.

Check it out!

In my prayer time this morning, I was thinking about how privileged we are as a nation--a church practically on every street corner, Bibles and commentaries a plenty, pastors and speakers by the thousands. But I also observed how we are the most spiritually poverty stricken, perhaps the most wounded, the most self-absorbed, the most inoculated to things of the Father. And don't think for a second that you and I, Christian, won't have to answer for our misuse, abuse, and lack of use of all He has given.
We have, in countless situations, quenched the Holy Spirit's power, then wonder why so many are depressed and angry and tired and weak and spent.
I was listening to Francis Chan last evening before I went to bed. He was passionate yet completely broken as he spoke to Christian pastors and leaders about "Being Rooted".
Francis mentioned that he had visited a beautiful little church in China where all of the members were believers. He said this beautiful little rag tag group of 70 or so people had adopted something like 150 special needs children from an orphanage--we're talking kids with HUGE physical and mental issues. He said that even though they didn't have much in the way of earthly possessions; though their responsibilities and pressures were many, their joy was clearly evident. These folks were walking, talking examples of Christ's love in action, and it completely blew him away.  There was something so different about them--so completely refreshingly different.
We don't see a lot of that unexplained joy in our side of the world. 

What do they know that we don't?  What's the source of that crazy, can't-put-my-finger-on-it uniqueness?

I'll tell you what it is.  Many of them have a heart that overflows with such peace and joy and love! Why? Because they have such a deep and daily renewing relationship with Jesus.
Their faces are not buried in cell phones (and I'm speaking to myself here). They aren't spending hours upon hours mindlessly scrolling through social media feeds squabbling about who said what, but rather they are on their knees in prayer. They are fasting and praying for the saints. They are pouring over the sacred pages of God's Word and devouring every detail, knowing that at any moment they could be arrested or worse, for simply uttering God's name.

It's a rarity, but isn't that what the church was designed to be?
Yet, as we on this side of the world mindlessly scroll through our feeds or try and bolster our career, our enemy is taking down another believer through doubt or depression.
As we go about our day-to-day to-do's, he is brewing a rage within another person's heart to be used at just the precise moment to inflict the most pain.
As we head to the movies or to the ballgame, the enemy is dancing as another drug addict loses the battle they've been fighting all because they have no hope.As we make up excuses of why we can't get out and vote, help a neighbor, serve in some capacity at church or even attend church, for that matter, our enemy cracks his knuckles in sheer confidence that his plan is working.  We've lost interest in things that matter--things of our Father.  We've lost the passion that drives us to do His work and make a difference in our part of the world.
I guess this is where my heart is today. I am convicted. Instead of playing Candy Crush on my tablet, I want to be getting to know my Savior.
Instead of being so focused on my wants and my needs, or those of my family, I want to recognize the pain and desperation in others.
I want to have eyes that see and ears that hear. I want to love without judgment which is so hard to do, by the way.
I want to be an example, but I don't want to forget THE ultimate example--Christ.

I want to be a voice of reason, a promoter of truth, a presenter of hope.  I want to be where the Lord asks me to be and be all in. 

I want to be so in love with Jesus that others can't help but take notice of that unusual difference in my life.

I want to fight for what is good and stand for what is right.

THIS is my prayer.  Won't you join me in being "rooted" in Him?  Together in His power, we can make a difference!

Blessings, friends.Kristi

Last night as my husband and I were getting ready for bed, I received a text.

"(Officer's name) is very, very grave."

It was earlier in the day that the officer was shot as he and others responded to a shots fired call, and in the process, he took a round to the head.

Just like that another life was nearly snuffed out.

Just like that another department was potentially facing a loss--another family receiving the call to hurry to their loved one's bedside.

14 men/4 K-9's lost in July/August.  I just couldn't take the news of yet another.

I climbed up on the bed and my husband and I bowed our heads as we held hands.

"Father, we come to you and ask for a miracle.  We know that you are the Great Physician and Healer, and we ask that you invade that hospital room with your holy angels and breathe life back into this officer's body.  Lord, we ask that the doctors and nurses will be amazed at the miracle taking place--that it will be unexplainable by mere human standards.  We pray, Father, that you surround his family and co-workers with your peace and that you be glorified within this tragic situation."

After praying a few more minutes, I got up and washed my face, then fell into bed with the weight of the world on my shoulders.  Why, Lord, is there so much hatred towards cops?

I wrestled with the answer.  I wanted to blame someone, but all I could think of was that we live in a broken world with broken, desperate people.  

Cops are daily up against those who have somehow gotten themselves into situations they know are not right, and in heated moments of desperation, do things they normally wouldn't do.

They also face those who have been so wounded by the world that they believe their life doesn't matter, nor the lives of anyone else.  These people take what they can get and waste what they don't want.

The worst, however, are those who are just plain evil.  These are the ones who have sold their soul to the devil and have no way of escape. They sneer at anything good and hate everyone with authority.

Each of these are the broken, the displaced, the unruly, and the outcasts.  If they don't make the rules they break the rules.

For them, they hate because they have not truly experienced total love--the love of JESUS.

Oh, it may sound cliche. You might roll your eyes at that thought, but the Bible tells us that the "heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9), and it also reminds us that Jesus is the only cure.

But here's the kicker...it's not just the "bad guys" on the street.  Many cops hate too.

They grow angry at the continuous disrespect and belittling.  They often feel disgust at the despicable acts towards the innocent.

They become cynical and calloused by the dismissed cases...the long hours...the little thanks...and the continuous stench of evil.

And if these men and women don't release that anger to the Lord and allow Him to come in with a refreshing, life-giving cleansing, then the hatred can and will boil up within them as well.

The truth of the matter is that we all struggle.

Every one of us face those moments when we become angry and hate-filled towards another.

For most, we do not act out on it or react in a violent way.  Yet we do feel our blood begin to rise, our teeth clinch, and we allow that seed of bitterness to sprout in our heart.

So what's the answer to all the hate towards cops? All the hatred period?

The answer is a heart change.  Every one of us need to experience an overhaul of our will and emotion--every single day.  We need Jesus to step in and take control; rewiring our way of thoughts and reactions.

I want to leave you with a little something to chew on.  Below is the testimony of a cop recently murdered in Milwaukee.

Take a moment to listen to it.  Listen to how he describes his angry heart before Jesus, but his renewed heart after surrendering to his Savior.

Thank God for the power to change a sinful heart like mine...like yours...like this officer's.

May we lay down our anger and hatred, and instead, pick up God's love.

"Where are my glasses?"

I began to look frantically around the house for my eyes.  Being nearsighted, I have to have my glasses to see when I drive, walk, or just to make out details across the room.

I had decided to take a walk after dinner, but needed to find my glasses first.  It was getting late and I don't like walking much after dark.

"Lord...You have to help me find my glasses!"

I prayed and walked; searched and hunted.

Rick grabbed his keys and headed out the door to go look for them in our car that we had just dropped off at the automotive center.  "I'll bet you left them there."

On a whim and after much searching, I walked out into our garage and opened the door.  There in front of me was a chair I had sat in for a bit after getting home.  And inside the cup holder were my glasses!

I hurriedly put them on then called my husband to let him know I found them.  Thankfully he had not gotten too far.

Glad to still be able to get a small walk in, I headed down the street and around the corner where the houses are spaced out quite a bit more.

Just then I looked up and noticed it.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing!

I mean, I had been praying (as I usually do when I walk), but never imagined God would answer in such a beautiful way!

There in the sky as the sun was setting for the evening, was a perfectly formed dove.

I just had to stop, take a picture, and praise Him for this creative blessing.  God was reminding me that His peace was all I need.

The Bible tells us that He knows our anxious thoughts.  Mine included another officer being shot and killed, some big life decisions to be made, deadlines to attend to, and so much more, yet here He was drawing in the sky a symbol of peace.

And yes, if I had found my glasses sooner I would have missed the whole thing.  He knows.  He works in the big and the small stuff.

So go ahead and trust Him.  Let His peace cover over all your anxious thoughts!  And don't forget to look up!


Blessings,
Kristi