Preaching to the choir.

Well there it is! My blog! I thought I lost you.

Sorry "stay at home moms" but this is stuck in my brain and I gots ta get it out.
Do you ever have one of those days or years where you struggle with your husband getting to GO to work everyday, or all the lunches he gets to have, or the meetings where he is interacting w humans and using his brain to think outside the box. Meanwhile you are knee deep in laundry, eating leftover spaghetti for the 16th day in a row, talking to Barbie dolls, and finding a new place to hide during an epic game of hide and seek is about as hard as your brain works in a day?

Just me?

Well, I'm definitely preaching to myself this morning.

Here are a few things Jesus sweetly reminded me of as I was gripping to Him and blow drying my hair.

1. Do you know how unattractive it is to your husband when he comes home from working all day (to provide you w the blessing of being able to be at home) and you play the martyr card?! Telling him ALL the AWFUL things you did that day and how AWFUL his children were and how lucky he is that he gets to "leave" every day and you are "stuck" at home. ITS NOT A COMPETITION. So stop.

2. Do you remember the conversation you had with your husband a loooooog time ago (yea I know God, I'm getting old) when you were pregnant? How I gave you the desire to stay at home and be a daily influence of my love and grace to the precious children I gave you? And how I provided a way financially for you to be able to do this? Yea lets not forget that, cause I can take it away!

3. Hey Ashley. There are thousands of women in you city right now that would love nothing more than to be folding those sweet little socks and making cheese and cracker snacks and swinging at the park and cuddling up on the couch watching infinite numbers of cartoons w their precious babies. But instead they are siting at a desk, being yelled at by their boss, dropping their babies off at daycare for someone else to see those first steps and coloring with them and kissing their boo-boos. So how bout you slow it down a little and be VERY thankful for all those sweet messes you need to clean up in all of those rooms in that big ol' house I've blessed you with.

I don't know how God talks to you. He was sweet in his reminder to me this morning. And my response was, "Yes Sir, I'm so sorry. You are right. Thank you." Then I said "after I blog about this little talk we had I'll get to work"





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It's On!

Ephesians 6:10-18
You may know it as the "Armor of God" passage. See here's the deal with armor. It's heavy, bulky and quite honestly time consuming to put on. But I have learned, the hard way of course, that it is a MUST to have on in any battle.

It's 4:47 am and I've been awake since 2:50 am. I'm awake because of what started at about 5:00pm. These little lies began creeping into my mind. The lies led to doubt which led to insecurity which led to discouragement. And before you know it I'm in a battle with my thoughts. But Eph 6 says that my battle is not against flesh and blood. It's a spiritual battle. And I'm in up to my neck fighting to get out!

I've had my share of battles through the years. Some I've lost. Some I've won with ease. Some I've won by the skin of my teeth, bruised and scarred. And here's what The Bible tells me about my enemy. He prowls around like a lion seeking to devour me. His objective is to steal, kill and destroy! He has a take no prisoners motto. He knows where I'm weak and may attack when I least expect it. BUT GOD, in his mercy, has given me HIS armor for this battle. But I have to put the armor ON to defend myself against the enemy.

The Belt of Truth - The truth of who God is and who I am in Christ

The Breastplate of Righteousness - I'm protected not because of my own goodness but because of the righteous blood of Jesus Christ

The Gospel of Peace on my feet -as I go through life I have a peace that passes all understanding because of my salvation through Jesus

The Shield of Faith - to extinguish the flaming arrows of the enemy

The Helmet of Salvation - protecting my mind and my thoughts from the deception of the evil one

The Sword of the Spirit - which is the Word of God, the only part of the armor that's used for offense and not defense. It's active, living and sharp. And satan is defenseless against it!

So, with this in mind, BE ALERT!

Be alert at home, with your children, at the grocery store, in your relationships, at work, at the ball game, with your spouse, in your worship experiences, with your finances, when you lay in your bed at night, at school, BE ALERT!




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2012

So, last post i was telling you about CHANGE. As most of you have heard/seen change has happened for the Neely's. We have been in Cypress Texas for 10 days now. A lot has happened and a lot is different. Let me start off with the good stuff. The couple of videos we put out have been a hit in the ol Houston. They have gone viral, if you will. Many of you from thecitychurch know that i'm famous this year for a phrase, "it's 2012 ya'll!!!" As i worked that into one of our videos recently apparently it has resonated. When we showed up to our new house last friday the 10th, multiple people began sharing their new ringtone with me. It goes a little something like this, "Houston Texas, It's 2012 ya'll, its a new year!" While embarrassed i have to admit, it made me feel welcome. Redneck but welcome.

It's been crazy to see how God has had his hand on us. So many things about this move have been stressful and unknown. But God has proven faithful once again and through the whirlwind of the last week we couldn't feel more "at home" than we do here at TheMet in Houston, TX. Daren is jumping in with both feet and excited about getting to work. I'm so proud of him. He led our family to trust God in this new path and his courage and obedience will leave a lasting mark on me and our children.

I have been seeking God and asking Him what it is he has for me in this new adventure. He is beginning to reveal some things to me and i am trying to follow in my husbands footsteps and be courageous and obedient.

The boys have struggled a little adjusting. Mostly just in their behavior at home which has been a bit stressful. They start school tomorrow and we are hoping that will help. If you think about us we would appreciate your prayers for Hudson and Max that they will not try to be anyone other than who God made them to be. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us and checking on us. We are so blessed and I'm excited to see what ALL God has in store for us here at TheMet.

Love and chocolate bunnies,

Ashley Neely YA"LL!!

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Location:Cypress, TX

The winds of change they are a blowin

Who likes change? What percentage of the population of the entire earth prefers constant change over stability and familiarity? We are fine with the seasons changing. We are fine with changing of age (mostly because of birthday presents). We are fine with changing our hairstyle. But who is really excited about major life changes? Death. Loss. Job change. Financial set back. Illness. Would I be correct in assuming most people like change as long as its positive and beneficial?

Do I want to leave the only place I've ever lived? No. Do I want to move far away from my family? No. Do I want to up root my children and put them in new situations and environments that scare them and make them nervous? No. Do I want to be put in new situations and environments that make me nervous? No. Do I want to leave friends that I've known for many many years? No. Do I want to leave places where God is using me? No.

Who in scripture ever experienced the fullness of God without major life changes? Joseph? Nope, sold into slavery by his brothers? David? Nope, Goliath. Gideon? Nope, his army went from tens of thousands to a few hundred. Mary? Nope, pregnant out of wedlock. Paul? Nope, blinding light, jail, shipwrecked? Abraham? Nope, raising a sword to kill his own son. Moses? Nope, burning bush, Pharaoh, wilderness w the Israelites.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

God has things that he has planned for me and my family. Things that He planned before the foundation of the earth. Things that bring Him glory. Things that will draw the lost and broken to Himself. Things that will leave a mark on this world. Things that will change the course of my children's lives. Things that will draw me closer to Him. Things that will allow me to see MORE of who He is. Things that will impact eternity. Things that will further His Kingdom.

So, in the midst of the fear, I will change. In the midst of the unknown, I will change. In the midst of the anxiety, I will change. So that I CAN do the things he has planned for me to do.


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Do it for the kids!

About 9 months ago both of my boys decided to pick up a cheap old skateboard we had bought back when we had only one child and we bought anything and everything he was remotely entertained by.

Daren taught them how to stand on the board, how to push and ride. And over the next few days and weeks we quickly realized that they both had a natural ability to SHREAD! Skateboarding began to consume Hudson (8) and Max's (5) little world.

As parents we had a decision to make. We could have said "wow boys that's great!" and just let them skate around the neighborhood and buy stock in Band-aids. OR we could have said "boys you guys are gifted at this and if you really want to keep skating and get better we will do as much as we can to help you!"

The last 9 months have been filled with family vacations to different skateboard parks around the state, hours each week at our local skateparks, skateboard lessons, multiple skate videos, and a slowly changing wardrobe (skinny jeans, skate tshirts and flat billed hats). The biggest joy has been that through a cool Christian skate team and some skate videos that share the gospel while showing you how to SHREAD, Max gave his life to Christ!

My point is that as parents we should help our kids find what it is they are gifted at doing and encourage them. We have the chance to support and equip them to be all that God has gifted them to be. Let's not sit back and let them flounder through their childhood not knowing how god has gifted them. Let's help them discover their talents and abilities and teach them how to be who God has created them to be.
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Go Hogs

There are many reasons why I love razorback football.

1) I'm born and raised in Arkansas. That makes it a must!
2) My dad loves razorback football/basketball
3) War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock is insane with all the fans so close and SO LOUD!
4) Daren and I went to the HOGS vs LSU game in LR the thanksgiving weekend we got engaged! Awwww!
5) The season always opens on my and Daren's birthday week so we have celebrated many a birthday w the HOGS.
6) Matt Jones autographed my oldest sons razorback diaper bag
7) I had a razorback diaper bag!
8) Matt Jones, Felix Jones, Darren McFadden
9) I graduated from Oak Grove High School, granted it was 15+ years before Darren McFadden did but I'm a Hornet just the same.
10) Who doesn't love Calling Those HOGS! Wooooooo, PIG, SOOIE!

Why do you love your HOGS or favorite team?



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What are you afraid of?

Genesis 12

The Call of Abram
1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.
2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

10 At that time a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner. 11As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman.12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ 13 So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.”

WHILE abram was following God and being obedient he got scared of the situation that Egypt may present and sinned. He told Sarai to lie. He not only sinned himself but caused his wife to sin also.

FEAR - When your scared and try to handle things yourself it never ends up well. You get caught up in trying to control situations and you quickly forget that GOD is in control.

Abram was walking in the will of God and at the time it seemed like that was going pretty well and fairly easy for him. But at the first sign of struggle or difficulty he took his eyes off the one that had been leading and guiding him and took matters into his own hands.

I usually do the same thing. And I usually get caught up in sin as the situation gets worse. As I get older I am starting to realize that I am not as strong in my faith as I once thought. As I get older I'm also realizing that there are a lot of bumps in the road and a lot of plan b's. So I'm trying. I'm learning. I'm beginning to recognize the fear quicker and from the onset try to remind myself that IM NOT IN CONTROL OF MY LIFE!!

How do you usually respond when the fear strikes?


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