Enter His Gates With Thanksgiving!

In the past month, God has really laid one word on my heart and mind.  That one simple little word would be "THANKFUL".  As we celebrated our first year anniversary on October 22, God began speaking this word to me over and over again until it has saturated my life.  Our first year of marriage has literally flown by and been a bit hectic, to say the least, but God has been so good and faithful to us in every situation.  There is NO denying His guiding hand on our lives and on our marriage.  So, as we kicked off year two of marriage, I was so very humbled with thanks.  We know we are blessed and where our blessings have come from, but it is yet another thing to really and truly be thankful for those blessings.  That thankful heart and awakening has continued to change my attitude and shift my perspective over the past thirty days.  I believe that mindset has had a big part in unlocking God's blessings and favor into our lives.

The first week of this month, God did some BIG things in our life.  Many prayers we have been praying for months were all answered at once.  Big, huge and looming mountains were moved in a single day.  I think that one day, we will look back and we will say this particular week in November is when God changed everything in our lives and marriage.  For our good and for HIS good.  I don't believe in coincidences.  I know it was all God and I know that He made sure we knew it was Him as well!  By being thankful in advance and praising Him even when our prayers hadn't been answered yet, we unlocked the doors of His favor and blessings.  Instead of praying in desperation or frustration, we began to pray in thanks and anticipation.  Big difference!

That week of mountains-being-moved, I was just so giddy in my spirit that it took me a few days to realize another deeper meaning that I had originally missed with all the excitement and "You Go God" moments.  When I finally slowed down to look at a calendar, I was taken aback by the date.  November three years ago was a very painful time in my life (that's an understatement!).  And particularly, the first weekend in November because that was when my whole world got turned upside down.  All of a sudden, I went from being married with a 10 year plan to eventually divorced with not even a 10 minute plan.  You don't forget those life-changing moments.  But, isn't it just like God to take away a memory of the very worst time of your life and replace it with a life-altering happy miracle?  Talk about redeeming the past...!  God truly can make the slate 100% clean in every way.  Only God!!!

Both Novembers in my life, I was brought to my knees by my situation.  Only this time, it was in praise and thanksgiving!  Tears being shed this time for how good God has been to me and how He alone has restored in abundance all I lost in the past.  Not only did He restore...He made it WAY better.  Three years ago, I hoped for that but honestly, just couldn't fathom how He would, could or even should do what He promised; but I held on to that small mustard seed of faith and sat back and let Him work.  He had such a greater plan than I could have ever dared to ask for or imagine, just as His Word says.  I read and prayed that verse so many times for encouragement that there is probably a hole in my Bible on that page!  But when you finally live it and see His hand on you and the fruition of His promise come to life, well that's faith building to say the least!  All the things in the past that I thought were over and done with, I'm learning that God is having the final say and He's saying the best is yet to come!

This Thanksgiving, we as a family will give thanks for so many things!  We are excited about what God will do in this next season of our lives and we wait in hopeful anticipation for His plans to continue to unfold in our lives.  We serve an awesome God!

Psalm 100:4

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to HIM and praise His Name.

Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless from the Neely Family,
JOY

Hot Christian Topic of the Moment: Fifty Shades of Grey & Magic Mike

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

If you haven't heard of the current book series, Fifty Shades of Grey, or heard of the risque' movie "Magic Mike", you must not reside on planet Earth!  Everywhere I turn, someone is talking about one or the other, and it is not just women as you would suspect.  Men are weighing in on the debate as well.  But what I have found interesting is the discussion among Christians.  The good news here...we are TALKING about it and not walking around in a fog, oblivious that there is even an issue.  We are thinking, analyzing, and PRAYING about this and where we each stand on the issue, and honestly, that's half the battle raging in our minds.

Two different blogs on two different sides of the issue really got me thinking even deeper on the issue.  One blogger/author talks about why she's not reading the series (Fifty Ways Porn Might Be Sneaking into YOUR Church), while another friend openly admits that she read the books and saw the movie and she talks about each person's convictions and how the Holy Spirit will guide us (A Little Condemnation) when consulted vs. letting the world condemn, convict, and direct us.  I encourage you to click on the links above to read each blog.

My choice, and what I'm at peace with, is deciding not to read the books nor watch the movie.  I'm not judging those who make the opposite decision, as I can only share my personal convictions and reasons why and stir the pot just a bit more.  A few years ago, when I went through my divorce, a friend gave me some solid advice.  She instructed me to be very careful what I let enter into my mind as I was in a very vulnerable and fragile state.  For a very long period, I didn't really watch TV or movies, I listened to Christian music pretty exclusively and I kept my reading to Christian books or the Bible.  I didn't allow the enemy to stir up my emotions by some outside source.  For me, it was necessary and helped me stay focused and my eyes heavenward, which I desperately needed during that time period.  I learned that I didn't miss any of my "old entertainment" and what was even more shocking was when I started to loosen the restrictions a bit over time, I realized that I was much more conscious and sensitive to worldly media.  It made me very uncomfortable to listen to some types of music that before I really enjoyed. It opened up my eyes to the fact that my choices had really needed filtering.  I had become worldly without even realizing it.  I learned how subtle the enemy can be through very "traditional" and acceptable means.  I've stuck with keeping my eyes and ears focused more spiritually because I am easily convicted when I watch/listen to more secular entertainment and I know that is the Holy Spirit keeping me on track.  I don't want to ever get to that "fog-like" state again.  Another big reason for "abstaining" is the fact that I'm married and for me, no one is "hotter" than my husband.  I would never want to disrespect him by oogling over some guys in a movie or by fantasizing over some made up person in a book.  It's all fiction...I flat don't need it.  I also have to ask myself how would I feel if the shoe was on the other foot?  There was a time in my life where that shoe WAS on the other foot, as I was in a marriage with someone who struggled and fell in these particular areas.  I watched him do some pretty innocent things by worldly standards in the beginning that ended up over years spiraling into BIG and destructive things.  So, I've lived that side of the equation and it didn't make me feel respected or loved in any way.  My husband is precious to me and deserves better than that and if there are any "shades of grey", I'm going to err on the side of protecting him and his feelings!  And lastly, I'm a step-mom to a great 16 year old young Christian man.  When he heard me talking about a friend going to see "Magic Mike", he specifically spoke up and said to me "Please don't go see that movie."  If I had any reason to go see it...that for sure took it away!  As parents, we need to be setting the standard for our children and leading by example.  I wouldn't feel comfortable going to see that movie with him, so that tells me I shouldn't be seeing it period.

"If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.n and help them maintain their inocence as long as possible and keep their minds pure."  Mark 9:42

My friend who wrote the second blog raises a good point though...who am I to condemn ones who don't decide the same as me?  The cliche' "WWJD" applies here...there has never been, nor will there ever be condemnation in Christ but there sure is in man!  By sharing my personal convictions, I'm not trying to make anyone feel their choice is wrong or that I'm holier than thou.  It's not up to me to be anyone's judge and jury and there are plenty of areas in my life where I struggle and admittedly make the wrong decisions. I'm for sure a work in progress and since I've made some major mistakes in my own personal life, I'm very conscious not to cast stones at anyone else. I'm very thankful for God's grace and forgiveness over my past mistakes and how He has redeemed that.  I think that is why I'm constantly trying to discern where and how the Holy Spirit is guiding me.  If you listen to that still, small voice, the Holy Spirit will always steer you in the right direction.

In closing, I want to share this little story.  I have a friend who is an amazing evangelist and who is very intent on witnessing to her entire neighborhood and bringing them to Jesus (and I have no doubt she will do just that!).  She was having a hard time relating to some of the younger women in her neighborhood, so do you know what she did?  She invited them over to dinner and to watch...wait for it...THE BACHELOR!  Now you can NOT get any more worldly than that!  When she told me about this, I thought she was crazy!  She explained watching that show was something THEY were in to, so she used it as a bonding experience and an ice breaker in order to find common ground with them.  And you know what happened?  She suffered through some episodes of The Bachelor, became friends with one of these women, and led her to Christ a few weeks later.  That's what I call a Kingdom focus!  She was secure in her relationship with Christ and could keep her mind on the prize so-to-speak (even with all those hot tub scenes ;).

Whether you agree with my decision or not, I believe the message here is to stay aware and cognizant of the ploys of the enemy.  Pray and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and know how you personally are tempted and might fall.  If you are married and/or have children, be respectful of them and their feelings.  And above all, as a Christian, let Christ's love and light shine through you in all circumstances.

Blessings!

JOY

Well Hello Summer!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.   And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philipians 4:4-7

Where has the time gone???  It has been over three months since I packed my bags and moved back home to East Texas.  I have proven the saying, "time flies when you are having fun", to be true!  Once I was finally HOME, I had the blessing of being able to take three months off from working and just relax, which is something I hadn't done in about twenty years.  You see, I've always been very focused and I've for sure always had a plan (which has lead me down some wrong paths in life by my own design...but if you've read this blog before, you know all about that!).  I went straight from high school into college year round (no summers off for me!), and then followed that by entering directly into veterinary school for an additional four years, where of course I had no life and very little sleep for years!  After that, I did the dumbest thing ever...I graduated from vet scool on a Friday and started my first job on Monday.  Yes, you read that right...72 hours later.  Who does that?  This insanely, driven person does...that's who.  And in the last ten years of employment, I have never, ever, not in a million years, thought I would get a three month break.  So, when I say it was a blessing, I really mean it! 

The last few months have definitely been a whirlwind and they have meant some adjustments for me.  First off, for the first six weeks or so, I had no internet and very little phone service, so I got disconnected from life in the technological sense.  I won't lie and say I didn't complain a few (hundred) times, but in many ways, the break was nice.  I needed to unplug and do what I hadn't gotten to do for a very long time and that's enjoy lifewithout a set plan each day.  I got to enjoy being a wife and actually being home when my husband came home from work, which is a real blessing when you have lived most of your marriage two hours apart.  I got to plan meals, cook dinner and, GASP, actually enjoy it...thank you to the Pioneer Woman for many sources of inspiration!  People asked me, "what do you do all day?" and to that I would say, "Whatever I want!". I would wake up and see what the day had in store and for once, I could just be flexible.  No stress!  I kept busy every day and just began to recharge my batteries as well as reconnect with folks I haven't seen in ages.  It sure is nice to just call up your mom or your dad or your husband and go to lunch with them on the same day.  It truly is the little things in life that makes me happy! 

Then, I began to decide it was time to put my toe in the water and circulate my name out to the local vets in the area for relief veterinary work.  I thought I might gradually ease back into work.  You know...a little here, a little there, just so I didn't get rusty in my profession.  As only God can do...that didn't quite work out! (What was that stuff I said about planning?  Hey...I'm a work in progress forevermore!) I was bombarded with calls for work almost immediately.  Within a two week period, I booked all my days for the summer to the point I'm constantly turning work down.  What a blessing in this economy to have multiple job offers!  I shouldn't be shocked because God has continued to open the right doors at the right time, which makes me smile.  The other very cool thing is EVERY vet I have the privilege to work with are all Christians.  Every time we go to lunch, each one of them prays for us and over our food (and none of these clinics or vets are related).  How wonderful is that?  It just reaffirms over and over that God has me right where He wants me.  So, I'm back in the "employed" column once again and I'm truly enjoying being "just a vet" and not a practice owner and that's mostly due to the fact that I get to work with awesome people every day AND I get to reconnect with old friends almost daily so it's a mini reunion each day!

The last few months have also brought challenges and sadness at times as well...the death of my grandfather, Rex having bilateral knee surgeries, and my most prized horse getting severely injured to name the biggies.  And although these times have not been fun, they have brought Rex and I even closer together and I continually am reminded what a blessing it is to have a husband who not just loves and provides for me, but who can speak Biblical truths to me and to encourage me spiritually.  Every marriage is going to have its ups and downs but those that can weather the storms of life together, hand-in-hand with their eyes on the Lord and continue to lift one another up...well that's just how God intended it all along!  What a difference it makes! 

We've also had some very exciting things occur...April 19th brought us the birth of a little palomino filly nicknamed "Roxie" who is a hoot to watch and who makes us laugh with her charming personality; the purchase of 50 acres in Lindale and the process of improving pastures, working the land, and dreaming together of the place we will build in the near future; new four-legged equine additions "Woodrow" and "Bugsy" to our herd for each of us to use for pleasure and competition...and that's just to name a few of our exciting news bits!

To wrap it up, it has just been a blessing to be home where everything "fits" and I feel right in the center of God's will.  There's a peace about that feeling that just can't be described adequately by words.  By far, life is not perfect, and it never will be, but I feel I'm on the right path that God chose for me long ago.  Although there have been some tough, life-altering changes to get to this point...I now can say it was worth every agonizing decision.  God's way and timing is always right and leads to rejoicing in the end!

Now...just where will God take us next?!

Rejoicing!

JOY

I'm Home!

On March 1st, a journey of over a year finally came to an end.  I'm officially, 100% unemployed...and I couldn't be happier!  Yes...you heard me right...I have no job by choice and it truly is an answer to prayer and the fufillment of God's specific promise to me over a year ago. 

You see, two Novembers ago, God laid on my heart in a very forceful way that I was supposed to sell my practice and move back home to my family, where my roots are, in East Texas (Assignment Solitude retreat).  It had been an issue I had wrestled with over a six month period, but in one weekend, God spoke so loud and clear to me that I no longer had doubts what I was to do and where I was to go.  I immediately came home from that weekend and listed my practice for sale and informed my family of my plans to eventually move back home.  If there is one thing I have learned, it is to be obedient and let God handle the details of my life.  It might not make sense to me at the time, but He always knows best, so I stepped out in faith and in an act of obedience.  Fourteen months and three buyers later, the practice sold and I moved back to East Texas.  As I drove home and saw the Piney Woods and drove the familiar roads of home, I realized this was it.  I wasn't just visiting this time...I was STAYING.  I began to cry and just thank God for His faithfulness.  What seemed nearly impossible was now the possible.  I was and am so humbled and so grateful!

What happened over the past year is nothing short of a miracle.  I had the impression in 2010 that within a year, I would be back home.  Let me just say that there were many roadblocks thrown up during the past year that caused me to question and doubt that, but in the end, God did exactly what He said He would do all along and He moved some HUGE mountains to make it happen.  A few weeks ago, I handed over the keys to the business I started nearly seven years ago.  So much blood, sweat, and tears went into that place that I thought it would be agony to pass it on to someone else.  Turns out, it wasn't at all.  I walked away with a smile on my face, peace in my heart and excitement for my next journey.  That is only because of God and His will and because I know it was honoring to follow His direction for my life.  He also picked the perfect person to purchase my business and to continue on with my dream.  She will do a fabulous job and the community is blessed to have her! 

When God speaks, it is amazing how everything just falls into place and that's exactly what has happened in this situation.  It didn't happen overnight, but it did all happen exactly how I was promised in 2010.  How was I to know when I accepted the decision to sell and move, that months later I would be in a relationship with a man I love dearly, who just happens to live in my home town in East Texas?  And that I would be married to this wonderful man?  I didn't...but God did.  He's continued to lay the groundwork for His master plan and on some days, I am in awe once again of all He has done to restore what I lost with an abundance.  In the weeks to come, I plan to share some specific details of my journey and what God has done in my life to get me to this point.

I'm probably the only person in the world happy to be unemployed!  I'm going to take some time to rest and enjoy being home, being a wife, and just being a family.  I hope to be less tied down in the future as far as a job is concerned in order to have more time for ministry and more flexibility to allow God to use me in whatever ways He sees fit.  I'm prayerfully considering the next steps to take as I don't want to move without God directing me.  I'm excited about this new season of my life and I can't wait to see what God does next and where He leads me! 

So, goodbye black land of North Texas...
     hello sandy soils of East Texas.
Goodbye to the plains...
     hello to big ol' pine trees.
Goodbye to the prairie land...
     hello to the rolling coastal pastures.
Goodbye to interstates, highways and crazy DFW drivers...
     hello to country backroads and Sunday drivers.
Goodbye to my dear Denton friends...
     hello to my old child hood friends.
Goodbye to my adopted North Texas family...
     hello to my biological family.
Goodbye to a good life and good memories for the past 10 years...
     hello to God's best for my life and for the future.

Batten down the hatches East Texas...this girl is home. 

Finally. 

Praise God for He is faithful and able.

JOY