The Neely Team

Dear Jordan,

Psalm 127:3, “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.” You were a special gift from God, given to our home, to our family, for eight weeks this summer. Though we never got to meet you, you played a vital role in each of our lives. We are so grateful for you! But, as your name proclaims, our gracious Father called you over Jordan before us. You have gone on to glory, there to await us until His perfect timing when we will all be united forever. But during your life, the Lord used you to teach and remind us of many important truths.

Through you, we experienced yet again the indescribable joy of new life! We were delighted to find out that you were on the way. A new sibling, a new member of the Team, baby #11…

Through you, we realized just how uncomplaining and patient our darling mother is as she went through the early stages of pregnancy.

Because of you, we watched the Lord illuminate Mommy’s face with the glowing light that only a woman with child can wear.

We saw the beauty of letting God control the womb.

We were taught again to trust unconditionally in the loving, Sovereign hand of God in all circumstances.

We felt the pain of death and loss, but also felt the growth, grace, inexpressible joy, and deepened sense of God’s presence that always follows.

We understood just how blessed we are that we had never experienced miscarriage before.

We were further prepared for our futures as, Lord willing, fathers and mothers.

We tasted the sweetness of the friendship and love of other believers during a trial.

We were drawn closer together as a family, as a Team.

Our realm of ministry was broadened. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God.” II Cor. 1:3-4

We were given yet another reason to look forward to Heaven with great anticipation!

Our hearts, our lives, our characters, our experiences, our trust in God… all were stretched and strengthened by your life. Though the pain is still felt, the results are of eternal significance, and for this, we, your siblings, are eternally grateful. We praise the Lord for your little life. Isaiah 43: 7, “For I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” Baby Jordan, you were created for the glory of God, and your life purpose has been fulfilled. Soli Deo Gloria!

We love you, Jordan!

As our country remembers the events of September 11, 2001, we as a nation have forgotten the foundations on which our country was founded. As we remember the heroics of people who sacrificed for others, we have forgotten the God who gives us grace to remain a great nation. As we contemplate our desire for peace in the world, we have forgotten the God of peace.

In 1897, as a commemoration to Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, Rudyard Kipling wrote “Recessional” (“God of Our Fathers”) not only as a tribute to the might and power of the British Empire, but as a stark reminder that we had best heed the warnings of Scripture or suffer the fate of all nations who fall victim to their own success and fail to walk in humility before Almighty God.

Deuteronomy 8:11-14 gives another warning to the perils of prosperity: “Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God.”

As the blessings of God lead to repentance, once again we cry out, “God bless America!”

Click here to hear samples of other songs from our patriotic recording.

The Lord has called each of us to serve. But many times along the road we become exhausted, feeling as if we can’t move another inch. Have you ever felt this way before? Do you ever wake up in the morning with the thought that you simply can’t do one more extra thing? Have you lost your strength for the race of life?

Recently struggling with some similar thoughts, the Lord brought me Isaiah 61 to get my focus right again. I would highly encourage you to take some a moment next time you are feeling weak and empty to ponder this beautiful passage. The Lord reminded me that part of my purpose in life is service – to both Him and others. But if that is truly part of why I am alive, why is it so hard sometimes?

God has a way of putting us all through these “servant-hood tests” to see where our hearts really are. In His mercy He reminds us that He has laid up the rewards of joy, peace, strength, and contentment for those who are faithful and daily give Him their all.

So today… trust God’s sovereignty in asking you to go another mile with Him, rejoice in His presence as you journey, and rest in His promise of strength as the road becomes rocky and difficult.

Press on – for one more mile!

You never know what a day may bring forth. But one thing you can always count on, is the goodness and faithfulness of our Lord! It is because of His mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not; they are new every morning. Great is God’s faithfulness! (Lamentations 3:22-23)

We found this to be particularly true just a few weeks ago. It is a very long story, so we won’t bore you with all the details.

Mom and Dad were on their way out of town for a few days, and we were all enjoying a quiet afternoon studying for the Bible Bee. It started storming, with fierce thunder and lightning, then hail. Obviously, there was nothing we could do about it, so we continued studying. But one precaution we did think of was to have everyone put rubber shoes on. (This we do during lightning storms in case of electrical shock – it was recommended by a friend who was actually struck by lightning several years ago.)

Victoria went to the garage and noticed a funny smell,  but didn’t think much about it. But as she turned to come back in, the kitchen was full of smoke. About this time someone yelled, “FIRE!!” and people came from all parts of the house and gathered on the front porch. It was still storming ferociously, although thankfully the hail had stopped for a while. Amanda called Dad and Mom, who were an hour away, then dialed 9-1-1. She finally got to tell them where we live, despite the brief power outage in the middle of the call.

Soon our driveway was full of emergency vehicles and neighbors who came to check on us. We are very thankful for one neighbor in particular, who allowed us, soaking wet though we were, to sit in his leather interior Jeep during it all.

The firemen searched all over, looking for flames, but couldn’t find anything but smoke – fresh smoke. Attic, bonus room, garage, air handlers, oven… no signs of fire… just lots of smoke. It was probably fifteen minutes before the dryer was checked, and sure enough, that’s where it was.

Dad and Mom got home after everyone had left, and we all jumped into the cleanup process. Everything had to be wiped down. But through it all God’s hand of protection and sovereignty was evident!! “Small” things, like delaying Mom and Dad’s trip so that they were an hour closer to home, and “big” things, such as protecting all of us… we truly serve an all-powerful, merciful, and loving God! May He be glorified!

(And in case you are wondering, both the washer and dryer still work perfectly well and are back in full service.)

We are blessed to have a great heritage handed down to us by great men like George Washington. Here are some quotes attributed to him that reflect his views on two very important subjects:

On Guns:

"Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence … from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurrences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace, security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable … the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference — they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good."

On God:

" It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”

"To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian." [May 2, 1778, at Valley Forge]

Does anyone still identify with him? Leave us a comment and have a wonderful 4th of July weekend.

Once a woman came upon three mothers at work. “What are you doing?” she asked them.

“I’m doing the weekly washing,” answered the first.

“I’m doing a bit of household drudgery,” replied the second.

“I’m mothering three young children who someday will fill important and useful spheres in life, and wash-day is part of my grand task in caring for these souls who shall live forever,” replied the third. Only she had caught the vision of the great work she was doing.

Taken from Verses of Virtue, The Poetry and Prose of Christian Womanhood.
Compiled and edited by Elizabeth Beall Phillips. Copyright 2007

“The hour is fast approaching, on which the honor and success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding country depend. Remember, officers and soldiers, that you are free men, fighting for the blessings of liberty – that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men.”

George Washington – August 23, 1776

From 1776 by David McCullough

This week, I was reading through one of the books I had picked for the month of May and came across this quote. Though addressed to the soldiers and officers that were engaged in fighting for the control of New York back in 1776, a little pondering displayed it’s applicability to the day in which we are living now. I speak to the young people of my generation:

We are in a battle. We are fighting for the Christian family, for biblical femininity and noble manliness, for Christ-honoring marriages, for holiness within the Church, for the lives of individuals who are succumbing to the rampant lies of the adversary. This battle is not a game.

The choices we make in fighting this battle will influence our children, our grandchildren, the generations to come. We are writing tomorrow’s history books. We are tomorrow’s forefathers (and foremothers).

And what are we leaving behind? Following the patterns that we are setting today, will the next generation know the Lord?

This is a sobering responsibility, but on us rests the spiritual safety of our bleeding country. Christ has made us free, and we must fight hard and stand fast so that our children might know these blessings of liberty that we enjoy. Spiritual slavery will be their portion if we do not rise up in the strength of the Lord and faithfully follow His commands.

But to apply this to every-day life… could it be that a small wrong choice could really have that amount of impact? Yes. Absolutely. My family and I have seen it happen… a godly family lets one “little” area slip, and in just a few short years they are miles from where they used to be, compromising even the “big” areas of doctrine and foundational beliefs.

Jesus Christ, our Commander, is the only One Who has the power to keep this from happening to each of us. He has promised complete victory to us if we will simply obey! Cling to Him… study His Word diligently… apply the truth to your heart and life even when it’s painful… take godly counsel you are given with deep gratitude… These are little steps that will help to keep you from slipping.

When you are tempted to give in to the ways of the world, remember your Commander, remember the next generation – and “acquit yourselves like men.” 

“That the generation to come might know them (the commandments of God), even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments…” Psalm 78:6-7