Posted in General Posts by Shelley Manning on 5/14/2012
"Beautiful Mercy" is easily one of my favorite songs! I've never really thought about why I love it so much, but today I realized that's its because it resonates with what the Lord has been doing in my life over the last few (or 10!) years. In it Laura Hacket sings:
There is no pitt too deep
that Jesus cannot reach
there is no sorrow too strong
that will overtake his beloved ones
And He's brought me to the wilderness
where I will learn to sing
And He lets me know my barrenness
so I will learn to lean
Yes He's brought me to this wilderness
where I will learn to sing
and He lets me know my barrenness
so I will learn to lean
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
so kind oh beautiful mercy
do what you have to do
Jealous Lover
Do what you have to do (You know the best way)
oh Beautiful Mercy
do what you have to do
Jealous Lover
do what you have to do
So I will sing
yes I will sing
BEAUTIFUL MERCY... Can we call it mercy in the midst of suffering, heartache, and trials?... It doesn't seem like that should make sense, but that's why I love this song! It doesn't make sense to our logic, but it's so true. It is God's mercy that takes all the hard things of life, allows us to experience them, and experience them deeply, and from that He teaches us to trust Him and gives us a song to sing where others can hear of His greatness! Just like Paul and Silas singing in the prison in Acts 16:25-34. It doesn't make logical sense to sing when your in prison, but there they were "praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them". We find out that the guard and his whole family became believers that night! The Love of the Lord compels us to do things that don't fit the norm, but in that, the story of His greatness and His infinite love for humanity is told.
It is in the wilderness where there is nothing else to satisfy us that we can look to the savior and realize that He is the only one that we need. Somehow in this place we can see things for what they are... the scales are removed and we are no longer blinded by the lie that anything else will ever satisfy us. It is here we learn "to sing" a song of Joy... Joy that surpasses our understanding.
And It is in the bareness of our own inability that we learn "to lean". It is where we learn to depend on our creator for every breath, thought, and circumstance that comes and goes.
In my tirals I come face to face with my inability and my lack of control over every situation I'm faced with.
In my trials I am more sure than at any other time that I truly need Him.
In my trials I learn to pursue my creator with all my heart because He is sovereign and He is good and wherever He is at is where I want to be.
If anyone read my "about me" blog I talk of several defining moments over the course of my life. For anyone who knows me, you probably already know most of what that includes. For anyone who doesn't know me I'm sure if we spend anytime together you will hear me talk about them at some point in our conversation. Tha is because these events have EVERYTHING to do with who I am, and how the Lord has changed me. I didn't realize it until recently but I can see over this last decade that the Lord has taught me to sing... and sing with a joyful heart. The song doesn't arise out of obligation or out of tradition, or anyting like that, but its a river of Joy that He has somehow placed in my heart as He walked me through every one of these trials. I even asked someone the other day "do you ever just feel like singing because you can't contain it? He looked at me like I might be a little crazy. ha. But, you know what?... some days I do... a lot of days actually. And the BEAUTIFUL part is that it rarely has to do with any specific event or circumstance in my life... there is just something in my spirit that feels like leaping with joy. I can't explain it. I hope some of you reading this get me.... I certainly didn't start out this way, but I am so thankful that the Lord has brought me to this place!
shelley
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Posted in General Posts by Shelley Manning on 5/6/2012
Today, my reality set in.
Now I know 1 year, in the scheme of things, is a very short time, and when I look back over my life it will be like a blink, but today its huge!
Today as I was saying bye to my 2 nieces, after an afternoon of playing, the 4 year old pulled me down close to her and whispered in my ear "I love you shelley, your my best friend" I looked into her bright shining eyes and said "I love you too, and your my best friend" I relished that moment. Then her 2 little fingers grabbed my nose, gave it several quick squeezes followed by several honk, honk, honks, and I couldn't help but laugh out loud. The moment was over, but the memory is burned in my mind. At that moment I couldn't help but think, "a year is a long time not to be able to squeeze that sweet little girl". I am sure saying goodbye to them will be the hardest thing I face when I leave... I absolutely adore them and I know I will miss them immensely! I also know that this season on the World Race is going to be amazing and I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store, I'm just gonna miss them, that's all.
Thanks for letting me share, and if you'll let me I want to include one more thing on here. Today at lunch the same 4 year old from above asked the blessing for our meal. It was quite long in its entirety but I wanted to include a brief excerpt...
"God, thank you for aunt shelley, I love her so much. She is the best aunt shelley and she looks so pretty in her 2 dresses, like a princess" oh, how she makes me grin sometimes!
God, I say ..."thank you for those angels you have put in my life, thank you for life through the eyes of a child. Thank you for Lillian and her sweet, gentle way. Thank you for Lila and her excitement for life. Thank you for Hilton and His infectious smile and loving nature. Thank you for how you have blessed me through those 3 precious little lives!" Amen.
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Posted in General Posts by Shelley Manning on 4/17/2012
So... stick with me while I take us back to high school for a minute...
You know that feeling you get when the boy (or girl) you've had a crush on for months, confesses that they like you? That " I can't contain my excitement, can't stop thinking about it, want to shout it from the roof top and want to jump up and down inside" feeling?
That's how I feel tonight... but its not from any boy. ha.
Its 11pm and I am too pumped to sleep. Anyone who knows me, knows this is not natural for the girl who can't even carry on a legitimate conversation after 10pm on most days, but tonight, I am overwhelmed by the joy of the Lord... by His goodness... His provision...His intimate knowledge of us... His abundant love and grace for us... and His unrelenting ability to meet us right where we are at and raise us up into the calling He has for our lives. The joy rises up and spills over... " I can't contain my excitement, can't stop thinking about it, want to shout it from the roof top and want jump up and down inside". Its that good! It's better than that good...to quote a Candi Pearson song:
"Lord, these are just words and are not enough to contain you... Jesus, just words and could never suffice to acclaim you... Father, just words, and I have so few, I run out too fast to speak them to you. You are indescribable, You are beyond expression. I run out of words for you, I can't think that high."
Thanks for letting me (like you had a choice, haha) "shout" about the greatness of God on this blog since no one is awake right now for me to actually shout it to :)
Shelley
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Posted in General Posts by Shelley Manning on 4/2/2012
I am blown away today...
" Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
He does immeasurably more than we even know to ask.
The book of Epehsians is so rich! The term "Immesurable" shows up several times in its 6 short chapters and it seems to be the "word of the week", if you will, for this season of my life.
I cannot, in my limited vocabulary, describe the greatness of God or the wonderful things He has done in my life. Immeasurable just seems to fits perfectly. And as I see the Lord work He just continues to add to the "immeasurableness" (if that is a word, either way I think it works) of it. I know He is greater than my finite mind can possibly wrap itself around, but yet I still find myself suprised at the Lord's provisions most days. Its like, I know some of the greatness of God, but then He does something that makes me say "Oh my goodness, can you believe that!" like its a new revelation or something.
This weekend was one of those times.
A couple months ago I decided to have a yard sale as a fundraiser for the World Race.
I thought I would ask several people to donate some "treasures" that I could sale to raise some money.
No big deal.
Well... I was wrong.
Saturday marked an EPIC yard sale! I have never seen so much stuff in my life.
I'm talking I had car, truck and trailer loads of stuff to sell.
I had several friends and family members (who obviously REALLY love me) volunteer their time to price everything, organize it, haul it in their cars, set up, and work the yard sale with me.
I even had my 2 nieces (4 and 7) volunteer to have a lemonade stand to help raise money.
There is absolutely NO WAY I could have done it on my own. Period. The end. It wouldn't have happened without their help.
 
So on Saturday I was blown away by several things... I was blown away by people's out pouring of material possession for me to sell and keep whatever profit it might bring for my trip, I was blown away by my family and friend's selfless giving of their time and energy to support me, I was blown away at how busy it was ALL day (I'm talking people were still buying stuff as we were packing it up), and I was blown away at how the Lord gave me over twice as much proceeds as I had asked Him for and we still had 4 car loads full of stuff to take to a local thrift store that raises money for battered women and children.
As we started packing up at the end of the day, my 7 year old niece kept bringing little items to me and asking how much it cost and if she could buy it. I kept telling her, "you can just have it sweety. Thanks for helping me today" She seemed dissappointed with that answer every time, but I didn't know why. Then, as we finished loading up all the boxes she handed me a small little plastic container with $2.25 in from her lemonade stand. I found out later from her mom, that she had made 9 dollars selling lemonade that day and she wanted me to have the money so she was trying to buy stuff from my yard sale so I could keep the money. So after buying a few things she just decided to give me the rest of the money. She is so precious!
  
Then! to top off the day... several of my friends participated in a Texas Hold 'em tournament to raise more money for my trip. (Before anyone freaks over a "poker tournament" it was just a fun excuse to spend time together and raise money for my trip. There was no actual gambling involved. hahaha) Congratulations Dan-O on winning and a huge thanks for all the donations raised! Sorry Coley...it was a valiant effort!
 
It may have been one of the longest, most tiring days ever, but it blessed me immensely and I am humled by the Lords provision and by the people in my life that love and support me so much!
Thanks!
Shelley
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Posted in General Posts by Shelley Manning on 3/24/2012
At the risk of sounding crazy to most of you... I LOVE running.
Its definetly not the act of running that I love! (phsically its not fun, and its a mental challenge for me most days to actually get my self into my running shoes, get out the door, and then to perservere to the end) But I know if I can get myself out there I will be glad I did.
Today I woke up to the sun streaming into my room. I decided it was a beautiful day for a run (being able to enjoy the outdoors is usually the one factor that will sway my vote to actually go). So, I put on my running clothes, strapped on my i-pod with my worship music and put my feet to the pavement.
Now on to why I love running...
The worship music drowns out all the noise around me. Its just me and the Lord. I pray, I recite scripture, I listen.... or at least try to, and just bask in the presence of the one who formed me! It is such a sweet time for me. Today, the song "Never be the same" by Shana Wilson was playing. It was
such a simple, poignant reminder of the power of an encounter with the Almighty God. I am convinced that is was out of an encounter with Him that I am here on this journey. In the song, Shana says "today's my day... You changed my name... I might limp away... But I'll never be the same!"
One encounter with the living God, one glimpse into His infinite glory, one taste of what that means, and I know I will never be the same. So I love running, because He reminds me of those divine moments when I encounter Him and He changes me. I can't describe it. And it has nothing to do with circumstances in my life, whether they are good or bad. His presence tanscends whatever is going on in my life! Paul says it beautifully in Ephesians 1: 19-21
"And what is the IMMEASURABLE GREATNESS of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might that He worked in Christ when he raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named,not only in this age but also in the one to come."
And again later in Ephesians 2: 4-7
" But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that in the coming ages He might show the IMMEASURABLE RICHES of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."
We cannot count it, make it fit out logic, or reason it out. Its immeasurable. But I know this... one encounter with His immeasurable greatness and we'll never be the same! Amen.
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Posted in General Posts by Shelley Manning on 3/13/2012
Below I pasted a blog from one of my teammates Amanda. It will give you all the pertinent support info!
The process of donating financial support is really easy thanks to Adventures in Missions. There are two main ways to give: online or by mailing in a check to the Adventures in Missions office. If you click on the Support Metab to your left it will walk you through the process whether you are sending in a check or donating online. After talking with my route coordinator, I would like to list a few important reminders regarding support money:
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Checks can take up to three weeks to show up in my account, while online transactions take up to four days.
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If you use a debit or credit card to donate, 3% of the amount donated will be used for processing fees by the bank. If you donate through a bank transfer, 2% will be used.
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Supporters who chose to donate monthly will not have any processing fees - 100% of the donation will be credited to the account.
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If you are making a large one-time donation, it is recommend that the donation be sent via mail so that 100% of the amount is credited to the account.
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All donations are tax-deductible.
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Adventures in Missions does not accept cash donations
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Please make checks payable to: Adventures in Missions and write my name on the memo line.
Support Deadlines:
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$3,500 Due 5/5/2012 (2 weeks before training camp)
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$6,500 Due 6/17/2012 (2 weeks prior to the trip)
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$11,000 Due 10/1/2012 (End of 3 months on the field)
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$15,500 Total Due 1/1/2013 (End of 6 months on the field)
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Posted in General Posts by Shelley Manning on 3/12/2012
I am just down right excited right now!
The Lord has provided in such a big way over the past week. When things are bigger than me I can easily become overwhelmed. There are 2 things this week that had started to overwhelm me. The first was support raising in general. When I signed up to go in January I knew $15,500 was a huge sum of money but I broke it down and it seemed doable. Well, this week as i started to think about my first deadline of $3,500 approaching on May 1st a little bit of anxiety began to creep in. The second thing was the yard sale that i'm planning for March 31st. Im not a details person, and a big yard sale like this requires me to think about a multitude of details. Thank goodness for the new phrase that the Lord has taught me to respond with... so, over and over again this week I recited "I trust You Lord" and left it at that. Otherwise I could have gone on a perpetual rabbit trail of worry. All of these little "what if" thoughts attack me, but I just keep pressing forward with "I trust you Lord". And I do! but sometimes I just need to hear it come out of my mouth. There is power in the tongue.
Thank You Lord that You are trustworthy!
Thank You Lord that You provide!
Thank You Lord that its not up to me!
So why am I so excited today? because...
Today I have 1,477.00 in my support account and trust that the Lord will continue to provide. woohoo!
Today I have checked off my list the 3 main items I needed for my trip. (and I only had to sleep on the side walk one night to acquire them! and it was well worth it!) Thanks to the REI scratch and dent sale (its like black friday for outdoorsy people) and Laura and Allen I am now the owner of an awesome hiking pack, a 2 person tent (tiny! weighs less than 3 pounds) and a 15 degree sleeping bag, all for almost half of what the tent alone would have cost me! And I'm thanking the Lord that I acquired all 3 of these items. Anyone who has been to a scratch and dent sale knows the odds of finding all 3 of those things before the masses do are pretty slim. Oh! and I also found a backpack that will work perfectly as my laptop bag, camera bag and purse, all-in-one, for my trip!
Also, Today I have picked up my first load of donated goods to sell at my yard sale on March 31st. My roommates parents told me that had some items to donate to my yard sale, so I went by there this afternoon to pick them up. I was immensely blessed as we took load after load up the stairs and FILLED my car and had to put some in my roommates car too! It was like a reminder of the Lord's abundant provision. And did I mention that earlier in the day I had nowhere to store all of this but my friend randomly offered her basement if I needed it and I sure did with all the stuff they gave me! Also as we were planning out the yard sale today she mentioned a couple items I needed for the yard sale like a "tailgating tent" (I don't know what those are actually called) and a clothing rack. I didn't know who might have one I could borrow but then a few hours later while talking to my sister-in-law she randomly mentioned both of those items and that I could borrow them from her and her mom! Sweet :)
I trust You Lord. I trust You Lord. I trust You Lord.
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Posted in General Posts by Shelley Manning on 2/28/2012
"What is your purpose in going?"
This is the question that looked me square in the face tonight. It came from a man I had just recently met. A man who knew very little about me and very little about my decision to go on the World Race. It was a genuine question. It was gentle in its approach, but like an arrow it aimed right at the center of the issue. After all, there is no point in going if you don't have a purpose, right?
I write this blog, because I figured those reading it would be interested in my answer to such a question.
My purpose and my motives in going had been swirling around in my head for an extended period of time. I knew this was where God was calling me, but my purpose in it had not yet become a completely solid, coherent thought able to be understood by others. (so far, is was several, seemingly separate points that had not been able to link up)
Something happened when he asked me that question. All the thoughts that had been swirling around in my head formed a line and marched out of my mouth. I even surprised myself at the conclusive and concise nature of my answer devoid of its usual "well, a little of this and a little of that, mixed with some more of this. oh wait! and don't forget that. um, well that's not exactly right either... lets shift a little this way... almost there" You get the idea, I hope.
Anyways, enough context, onto the matter at hand. My answer follows: I believe the Lord wants to solidify some things in my life that He has already begun working on. I believe there is some character that He wants to build in me and some areas that He wants to stretch and grow me. And in the midst of all that I hope and believe He will use me to minister to , to bless, and to share His love with those I will be serving while I'm gone. Those 3 short sentences comprised the answer that came out of my mouth. In them I see 3 clear objectives... 1.to continue to strengthen my foundation in trust and obedience to the Lord. 2.to become more like Him,and 3.to love others as myself. To know Christ and to make Him known is my purpose, and I believe that those 3 sentences are a glimpse into the framework of what it will look like during my season on the World Race.
Be blessed,
Shelley
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Posted in General Posts by Shelley Manning on 2/23/2012
If I am honest, I rarely feel I make a tangible difference in others lives.
In fact that is part of what drew me to the world race.
I know for those 11 months I will physically see and be a part of what the Lord is doing in others lives.
I know I will be able to see my faith in action.
I love reading other racer's blogs who are on the race right now, and the amazing things the Lord is doing in and through them. I get more excited with each one I read.
It would be easy for me to be distracted by that and forget what God has already called me to.
I began telling the Lord several years ago that I wanted to go.
Where?
I wasn't sure. I just knew that I wanted to go.
I asked Him to send me to so many places. He always said no.
I didn't know why.
I kept hearing Him tell me "This is where I want you Shelley, stay here."
I didn't like that answer. I didn't understand it.
I didn't feel like I was making a difference here. So I thought if He would send me out into full time ministry, then He could use me, then I would be making a difference.
Now I look back over those several years at the things He has done in my life.
I see how He has grown me and changed me and prepared me and I realize that as He was doing all of that, He was also using me along the way to minister to others.
I don't have to be in full time ministry or missions to make a difference.
As long as I am yielded to His plan He can use me, even if it means staying put.
Now all of that is not to say I don't think the World Race is where I am supposed to be in this season.
I believe those last few years were teaching me obedience, patience, and trust.
They were preparing me for this.
God is sovereign,
and if I had not of stayed put, then I would have missed out on this opportunity and so many other blessings along the way....
So, I look forward to July and I can't wait to see what He is going to do while I'm gone, but as I wait I want to stay focused on the ministry He has given me here.
"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, open to reason,
full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere"
James 3:17
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Posted in General Posts by Shelley Manning on 2/14/2012
5 months from know I will be in India.
I will have packed up all my belongings and put them in storage... I will have given my car to my brother... I will have taken a leave of absence from my job... I will have loaded up my hiking pack with what will be everything I own for the next 11 months and I will have said goodbye to my family and friends to board a plane and travel as a missionary to 11 different countries.
My mind goes into over drive, with thoughts of what my life will be like during this season as me and my team travel to India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Asia, Vietnam, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. What will the Lord do through our team?... What will the Lord do in me?... Who will we minister to?... Will I be able to communicate with them?... Will I be homesick?... Will my nieces understand why I won't be able to see them for so long?... What ministries will we be working with?... What will the weather be like?... Will I like the food? ... What will I pack?... What if I don't pack enough?... What if I pack too much?... What if I get sick while I"m gone?... Will I be able to raise the $15,500 that I need to go?... Will I be able to use my nursing skills while I'm gone?... W hat will be waiting for me when I return home?... The questions are endless.... I could let them overwhelm me. But instead I want to focus on what I know I can expect from the Lord.
Hebrews 11:6 says, "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who seek him." so.... I expect that as we step out in faith (and out of our comfort zones) and seek the Kingdom of God that we will draw closer to the Lord, learning more of who He is, and just like all the examples in the rest of Hebrews 11, The Lord will work mighty things in us and through us!
Psalm 18: 28-36 says, "For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my god lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my god I can leap over a wall. this God-His way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?- the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. he made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of our salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. you gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip." So... I expect that He will prepare us, and protect us and and show us that He is our sustainer and the source of our life. That with Him all things are possible!
Matthew 6: 31-33 says, "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'what shall we eat?' or 'what shall we drink?' or 'what shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." So... I expect that He will provide what we need for the journey physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Conclusion....He is trustworthy.
I can expect these things because His Word is true and He is faithful!
All the small details... All the questions that try to demand my attention... All the unknowns...
I can leave those up to Him!
Be blessed,
Shelley
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