<![CDATA[Alisha Mann - BLOG]]>Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:52:21 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[City Lights - Single (free download)]]>Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:12:43 -0800http://www.alishamann.com/1/post/2010/08/city-lights-single-free-download.html
<a href="http://alishamann.bandcamp.com/track/city-lights-single-free-download">City Lights - Single (free download) by Alisha Mann</a>
This is a song that I was working on for a while to be released as a single.  Some processing things happened and it will not be finished so I thought to myself...
'Why not give it away as it is!'
Sooo I am ;)

I hope you enjoy it, my treat to you.
Pass it onto your friends.

If for some reason this link is not working you can get the free download here: http://alishamann.bandcamp.com/releases
]]><![CDATA[New Perspective...]]>Sat, 21 Aug 2010 21:41:28 -0800http://www.alishamann.com/1/post/2010/08/new-perspective.htmlDo you ever feel like the circumstances in your life in an instant can change your entire perspective.  Like your eyes are opened and suddenly you can't view your life and world the same as you used to see it.
Coming back from Mishkeegogemang has changed my perspective.
I've been home for about 3 weeks now and still I find myself thinking about the kids up there, the people, the amazing times the FTC team and myself had up there. 
It's such a beautiful thing to devote yourself to serving/loving people you have never seen or met before without expecting anything tangible in return.  Selfless love, selfless serving and generosity.
Don't get me wrong, there were days that were hard 'serving' when you feel like what your doing may not actually have a long term affect or maybe when that one person you blessed never said 'Thank you.'  But really if we are doing these things to get the 'thank you' or pat on the back then who are we doing them for?  Ourselves.
My life is devoted to Christ and being a Christian, which really means 'Little Christ.'  That's who I am, that's who I was created to be.  Christlike.
What does that look like?
Selfless
Loving
Kind
Purposed Generosity
Pure in heart
Patient...
All of these things are what I want to be.
Once you've experienced the extreme love of Christ your eyes will be opened and you'll find that you can no longer live the same.  You can no longer see the world through the same lens that you've always seen it in.  The picture changes, the perspective changes.
It's being made new.
I'm being made new through Christ.
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]]><![CDATA[In a far away land called Mishkeegogamang there lived...]]>Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:57:37 -0800http://www.alishamann.com/1/post/2010/07/in-a-far-away-land-called-mishkeegogamang-there-lived.htmlPicture
... 11 wonderful people and me.

Since leaving Southern Ontario we (FTC Canada team) have covered around 30 hours of road, slept in very unique motel/hotels, slept in a church and now in a school, unpacked and handed out around 400 food/hygiene boxes and are now on the Native Reserve Mishkeegogamang serving that community by running camp on a couple grass and gravel patches Monday to Friday for 3 weeks.

I have only been here for 7 days and I already have such a burden and heart for the kids in this place.  Doing camp here is unlike anything I've ever been a part of back home, and I have definitely had my fair share of camp & kids experiences.  The poverty up here is immense and the dis-function and hopelessness is overwhelming.  To me every child that I meet is just so precious beyond words.  The children are full of love just waiting to be poured out on anyone that will love on them.  Looking into there eyes I see all the hurt and oppression they've experienced and seen in there small short lives, it's so far beyond what I have ever experienced or seen in my own life, it's overwhelming.  It's not just 1 child out of 50, it's almost all of them.
Why is it this way?  Why them and not me?  What can I do to bring joy, restoration, hope and identity to these kids and this place? 
Those are questions that are almost impossible to answer and even more impossible to do up here.  The state of this place has gone so far that the only thing that I, Alisha Mann, can possibly do to help is actively and purposefully love on these kids.
That's it, that's all I can do.

When I stop and think about that it gives me peace.  Peace that this community is not in my hands to fix, restore and give hope to, it's in Gods.  It's not my job to heal hearts, renew minds and heal families and homes, it's Gods.
I am the vessel, I am the beacon of Christs light here.

I love this place, I love these kids and I love my God who is bigger then any circumstance or stronghold.
]]><![CDATA[Adventure, mosquitoes and kids...]]>Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:01:34 -0800http://www.alishamann.com/1/post/2010/06/adventure-mosquitoes-and-kids.htmlPicture
So the summer has approached and yet again it feels like a start of a new adventure.

Last summer I had the privilege of going to England, Wales, France and Israel and wow, what an amazing and picturesque time that was.
This summer I am embarking on a new trip that will be a totally new experience for me.  I am traveling to the great North of Canada ;)  I've been up North in Ontario but not this North. 

I am joining a team of people with FTC Canada to run the 'MISH Adventure Camp' 500km North of Thunderbay on the reserve Mishkeegogamang.  For three weeks we will be running camp up in this community and just bringing fun and life into the community.

I am so excited to be a part of this and just see another part of my country that so often is forgotten and ignored in our busy lives.  As much as I'm excited I also know it will be a summer that I will need all the strength, compassion and love that I can get and give.  The strength, compassion and love that only comes from the heart of God. 

I am writing to ask for support spiritually and financially as I venture into these few weeks of camp. Could you continually be covering the MISH Staff team and program in prayer, and ask that God's favor would be around us and working through us and in the whole process of camp. Also pray for the kids that are going to be involved and participating in the camp. Pray that God would even now be preparing their hearts and minds for this experience.

I am also in need of financial support. My goal is to raise a minimum of $500 to help cover travel expenses for the trip up to the reserve. Could you please prayerfully seek God as to what you could give towards this camp. Any amount, little or large, is a HUGE blessing.
If you would like to give you can do so at this address beside the 'Support Summer Staff' section:
http://ftccanada.ca/firstnations.html

Love you all so much,
Until my next blog ;)
Alisha



]]><![CDATA[Filming and Recording.]]>Tue, 25 May 2010 21:00:14 -0800http://www.alishamann.com/1/post/2010/05/filming-and-recording.htmlSo my newest venture is one that has been amazing and interesting.  Other then chopping off my hair (which occurred 1 week ago) and getting my first bad sun burn of the year some new things are in the works in my life. 
Through very random, yet designed circumstances, God has opened a door and opportunity for me to make a video for one of the songs that is on my EP.  This door opened about 3 months ago and has since become an exciting and experimental process.
We are planning on shooting this video in the next couple weeks.  Since I have never done anything remotely like this I have very mixed feelings.  One side of me feels crazy excited and energetic while the other side is contemplating freaking out ;)   It's always interesting stepping into new territory that you've never walked in before. 
With this video I will also be releasing a new recorded single of the song _________ (which I am not saying just yet...patience is a virtue ;)
I've been working with my amazingly talented brother Tim Mann (you should all check out his music http://www.timothy-mann.com) who is producing the single!  It's sounding amazing so far, the finished product will be exquisite.
I wish with all my heart that I could tell you more... but I won't... at least not yet.  I must deny the urge to spill all the beans.
I thought I would just throw that out there though and let you know that I am still moving forward and hope to have a new tune for you by the end of the summer/fall!! ;) Yay
much love
alisha]]><![CDATA[Name Your Price!]]>Mon, 10 May 2010 09:33:35 -0800http://www.alishamann.com/1/post/2010/05/name-your-price.htmlPicture
As of today, May 10th 2010, my EP will now be selling for the set price of...WHATEVER YOU WANT TO GIVE.
If you would like to order a copy of my EP you can do that by clicking here: alishamann.bandcamp.com to place your order.  Simply click on the 'Buy Now' button and fill in the amount that you wish to pay to purchase my ep Always With You (minimum of $1 is required). YOU ALSO RECEIVE an automatic download of the album in MP3 format.
*Itunes, Amazon and Rhapsody are set prices and will remain as they are.
]]><![CDATA[LOVE lifted me.]]>Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:16:51 -0800http://www.alishamann.com/1/post/2010/04/love-lifted-me.htmlThe weather here in Canada has turned from it's dark, dreary, cold state into a blooming, warm and sunny season.  It funny how when the weather turns we begin to feel a sort of 'turning' in ourselves, like something has lifted us from one state of being to another.
For me, I feel excited, happy, awake, alive and full of new ideas and ambition.  Crazy how the feel of the sun on your face can suddenly enlighten and brighten up not just how you feel on the outside, but affect your heart and mind.

For the most part this year has been excellent, full of opportunity and new experiences for myself in music.  I am so thankful and blessed, I don't even know where to begin.  But I feel that this was just a glimpse of where God is leading me to... whatever the destination is.

Although, I'm not even sure that He leads us to a destination.
We always see our lives as a road that has an end, and it's that 'end' that is the calling or be all and end all of our lives.  We think that by walking towards it, seeking and striving for it we will somehow arrive and be satisfied.
But it isn't the 'end' that is the fulfillment of our lives, it's the 'everyday.'

Everyday needs to have purpose, everyday needs to be living for something bigger then ourselves, everyday MUST have direction...but not to a spot or destination or location... It must be filled with LOVE.
LOVE is the key to living in the 'everyday.'  LOVE gives purpose to life and makes every moment satisfying and meaningful.  When we chose to LOVE selflessly we are filled with the greatest sense of being and belonging.  All of a sudden it's not 'where you're going' that matters, it's 'what you're doing' that matters!

What are you living for, what's your 'destination' or drive in life?  Are you living for the 'everyday' or are you living waiting for your 'end' location or destination. 
LOVE lifted me!  Let it lift you.
sincerely yours
Alisha
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]]><![CDATA[Download My EP for Free!]]>Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:41:52 -0800http://www.alishamann.com/1/post/2010/02/download-my-ep-for-free.html
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So, I want to share  my EP with everyone and anyone!!  That is why for one whole month I am putting 'Always With You' up on Bandcamp for FREE!!
Sale is on for one month!  Spread the word!
You can also purchase/order my EP for $7 and receive a free instant MP3 Album!
Download or order yours here: alishamann.bandcamp.com
]]><![CDATA[The Compassion Challenge]]>Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:54:18 -0800http://www.alishamann.com/1/post/2010/01/the-compassion-challenge.html"If we pray, we will believe; If we believe, we will love; If we love, we will serve. " Mother Teresa
"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." Mother Teresa

We are called to love.
First love our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and second to love our neighbor as ourselves.
What does it mean to love?  How do we do this like Jesus did?  How can we purely love in a righteous selfless way?
Sometimes I see it as almost impossible.  We live in a world that constantly pumps out a message that you love conditionally.  If you love someone you always love with the expectation of receiving love back in return or to gain something (ie. money, friends, spouse, tax receipts...).
How do we get away from what we so naturally feel and expect? How did Jesus love others? How did he respond to injustice and opportunities to love people?
He responded in pure selfless love.  He healed, provided and cared for those who had nothing to give him in return, accept their joyful and grateful hearts.
That is what Compassion's ministry is mirrored after. 
It is a way for us to step beyond ourselves and our selfish motives and truly give to someone who needs Christ and needs practical care & love without receiving anything in return accept a thankful and overjoyed heart.
When you sponsor a child you are not just providing care for them or money, you are truly changing their lives spiritually and physically and building a relationship of trust and love that will last a lifetime.
Those of you that know me know that Compassion is a huge ministry and attribute that is such a big part of my heart and ministry.  I love the blessing it brings into peoples lives and the joy and purpose it extends to living life.
I would like to challenge and ask if you, your bible study, your class, your church, your family or friends would like to commit to changing one of these childrens lives, that are seen below, through Compassion.  It is such a small thing that we can do to bless and change the life of a child that truly will eternally benefit one of these children from your commitment to sponsor them.

If that is something you really want to do please email me here  or send me a message with your name and the name of the child you would like to sponsor (if you have a preference).  I will then take you through the whole easy process of sponsoring ;)
Click on images to view their names and details.
]]><![CDATA[ALWAYS WITH YOU IS NOW...RELEASED :) ahhh]]>Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:14:17 -0800http://www.alishamann.com/1/post/2009/12/always-with-you-is-nowreleased-ahhh.htmlPicture
So December 11th is now past and gone and my EP is released, not just digitally but physically, if I can put it that way.
This was a big step for me and something I had wanted to do for some time now, but as lots of you know to get cd's printed and organize a concert takes time and moo-la so, it took a few months but it came!
We had a great night at the FRWY Cafe with Tim Davidson and Eric Brandon opening up the night and then myself doing a set with my amazing band ;)...which incorporated Tim Mann (brother) on electric, Jason Mann (another brother) on bass and then Tom Lang (not a brother) on drums!  For anyone who has listened to my ep and came out on the 11th you know that the sound and style that came out from me working with those guys was amazing and brought a whole new element into my songs that was so exciting for me to hear and inspiring!  I will be putting up video clips on youtube soon of the night so those of you that couldn't make it out can listen in!
So now I am looking forward to what is up next for me.  I don't know exactly what it will look like but I am excited to see what opportunities and doors God's going to open up! 

FOR YOU TO KNOW:
You can now order my CD on my MUSIC/LYRIC page on my website, you just scroll down and click on 'Buy CD + MP3 Album: In the Store' and it will bring you to the store page!! 
AND...
If you are local to the Brantford area you can just go to the Gospel Lighthouse and pick up a copy.  It will also be getting put in the Burlington Christian Bookstore, and possibly SMITH'S Drugs and Apothecary ;)
Also I am booking for the upcoming season so if you'd like me to come to your church or venue please visit the booking page and contact me :) I would LOVE to come and share my love of music with you!
much love
Alisha
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