Ernest Preston Manning, CC (born June 10, 1942, in Edmonton, Alberta), is a right-wing populist Canadian politician. He was the first and only leader of the Reform Party of Canada, a Canadian federal political party that evolved into the Canadian Alliance. He sat in Parliament for this party until retirement, after which it in turn merged with the Progressive Conservative Party to form today's Conservative Party of Canada.

Manning came from a political background: he was the son of Ernest Manning, Social Credit Party Premier of Alberta between 1943 and 1968. In 1964, Preston Manning graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.A. in Economics. He sought election to the Canadian House of Commons in the 1965 federal election as a candidate of the federal Social Credit Party, but was defeated. Manning identifies himself as an evangelical Christian and attends the First Alliance Church in Calgary.^[1]

Manning formed the Reform Party in 1987. His chief policy adviser was Stephen Harper, a student at the University of Calgary and now the Prime Minister of Canada. Harper designed the Reform Party's 1988 campaign platform. The Reform Party was a combination of fiscal conservatism and populism, though aspects of social-conservatism grew, branding the party as "very right-wing." All of the Reform Party's candidates were defeated in the 1988 federal election. However, the first Reform Member of Parliament, Deborah Grey was elected in a federal by-election in 1989 at Beaver River, Alberta. Manning was elected to the House of Commons in the 1993 federal election, when Reform experienced its first major electoral success, replacing the Progressive Conservative Party as Canada's dominant conservative party, with a base especially in Western Canada. In the 1997 election, the party became Canada's official opposition, with Manning becoming the Leader of the Opposition.

With Reform's emergence, however, Manning fragmented the conservative vote into two parts - Reform and the weakened PC Party. With Canada's plurality voting system, the result was political domination by the Liberal Party. Consequently, Manning's new goal was to reunite the two conservative parties under his leadership, and he launched the United Alternative movement to examine ways for the parties to cooperate. The movement resulted in the formation of a new party, the Canadian Alliance, which as its full name (Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance) shows, was intended to supplant both parties. Most of the PC Party, however, refused to cooperate, and critics claimed the new party was little more than an image makeover for the Reform Party.

With the formation of the new party, Manning opened the door for rival leadership bids in the Canadian Alliance leadership election.

After a fiercely close campaign, Manning was succeeded as leader by the younger and more flamboyant Stockwell Day in 2000.

Manning published his memoirs of political life, Think Big: Adventures in Life and Democracy, in October 2003. He ends the book by promising to "scout" the future of Canada; he is in this sense continuing to write about policy, especially policy that he feels will be detrimental to the future of the country.

Manning founded the Manning Centre for Building Democracy in 2005 to train conservatives for active political life. Manning also served as Governor General for the British Columbia Universities Model Parliament Society (BCUMP) in January 2006.

Following the "crushing blow" received by Ralph Klein in the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party's leadership review vote in which Klein received the support of only 55% of delegates, Manning told Canadian Press that he was "leaving the door open" for a possible bid in the Alberta Progressive Conservative leadership election being held to choose a successor to Ralph Klein^[2]. He announced on May 18, 2006 that he would not be a candidate in the leadership election, citing a desire to remain close to family and to influence politics by generating new policy ideas through the Manning Centre.

Muriel Manning, Preston's mother and an Alberta socialite, died on April 21, 2006, at Rockyview General Hospital in Calgary, Alberta, at the age of 95. Muriel was married to Ernest Manning.

He was appointed to be a Companion of the Order of Canada on 29 June 2007.^[3] Also in 2007, Manning hosted a Canadian adaptation of the radio series This I Believe on CBC Radio One.

HON. PRESTON MANNING

Founder of the Reform Party of Canada

Mr. Manning served as a Member of the Canadian Parliament from 1993 to 2001. He founded two new political parties – the Reform Party of Canada and the Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance – both of which became the official Opposition in the Canadian Parliament. Mr. Manning served as Leader of the Opposition from 1997 to 2000 and was also his party’s critic for Science and Technology.

Since retirement from Parliament in 2002, Mr. Manning has released a book entitled Think Big (published by McClelland & Stewart) describing his use of the tools and institutions of democracy to change Canada’s national agenda. He has also served as a Senior Fellow of the Canada West Foundation and as a Distinguished Visitor at the University of Calgary and University of Toronto.

He is currently a Senior Fellow of the Fraser Institute and President and CEO of the newly formed Manning Centre for Building Democracy. The Manning Centre is a national not-for-profit organization supporting research, educational, and communications initiatives designed to achieve a more democratic society in Canada guided by conservative principles.

Mr. Manning continues to write, speak, and teach on a variety of subjects including the revitalization of democracy in the Western world, the revitalization of Canadian conservatism, Canada-U.S. relations, strengthening relations between the scientific and political communities, the re-balancing of Canadian federalism, the regulation of the genetic revolution, and the management of the interface between faith and politics.

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Timeline: 4 – 6 years

"But many times, I got lost in this race. Because I seem to lost Joy in what I am doing. Because all I am doing is just to prove myself to others. I didn’t enjoy what I am studying. I didn’t enjoy running nonstop till my knee hurts jus to look good. I didn’t enjoy my work bcos i jus want to prove to others that I am good & I am a record breaker.

I didn’t enjoy because I feel that I am desperately hoping to win the race for MYSELF. To prove that I AM GOOD."

And I dun like this kind of desperate feeling.

I jus want to enjoy what I am doing. And I jus want to trust and believe that God is good. He is faithful. He has a good purpose and plan for me. He is everlasting Love. He is Love. And He never fails.

I want to enjoy meeting ppl around. To make frds, to help them, to make an impact in their lives, to make a difference in their lives, to demonstrate this “something different” in me that is shone through Christ to influence the ppl around. I want to win ppl to Christ even through my biz. I want ppl to know God’s love. I want ppl to invest with me not because of who I am, or how good I am, but bcos God is good, merciful and loving.

Lord father, help me so tat I can be secured in You alone. To know my identity in Christ.

That irregardless of my current situration, of whether I am better than others or not. I am AS GOOD. I am STILL GOOD. VERY GOOD. Because how much I am worthed doesn’t depend on my “earthly worth”. I am worth the life of God. That is how precious I am. God convict me in my mind and my heart O’Lord.

Let me put all my trust in You, to commit all things to you.

August 27, 2007

A Fresh Perspective

By Melissa Taylor

"Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you."

Psalm 37:5 (NLT)

Devotion:

One of the best ways to bring me down is to point out my inadequacies. Lately these inadequate feelings have come in the areas of motherhood and writing.

Are you one of those mothers guilty of believing it would get easier when all of your precious babies were out of diapers ... could tie their own shoes ... could dress themselves ... work or play independently ... drive a car? Admittedly, I am. What was I thinking? Parenting today is harder than ever, and it seems to get more complicated with every passing year. Lately, I have found myself with more questions than answers. I have been feeling defeated and inadequate as a mother.

Writing has also left me feeling like I just don't measure up. I have spent four years writing devotions and messages in hopes to inspire and encourage others. So why then, as I try desperately to expand my borders and take a message to a greater level to write a book, is it like I've never written a single sentence? I have the ideas. The message is in my heart. I've prayed it, lived it, and I have a desire to write. But I lack motivation and confidence. Where are the words I need to put on the paper? I need help because I feel extremely inadequate.

I am in the middle of a great book right now called What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst. In the Bible study section of chapter six, she points out two familiar verses. Even though these verses are not new to me, today they have taken root in my heart in a new way. Both of these are listed as today's key verses. Let's take a moment to examine them.

The first verse is Psalm 37:5: "Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you." I have to ask myself, Have I committed it all to the Lord---I mean everything? Do I wake each day saying, "Lord, these kids are yours, this book is yours--may Your will be done in them all?" This verse tells me that I must. It's not an option if I want His help...and I do! And when I commit it to Him and trust Him, His Word says He will help me. Now where is the inadequacy in that? (I'm smiling as I write because in God there is no inadequacy.) The inadequacy in me disappears when I claim this verse. The Lord's help is mine to be had. I just have to commit and trust.

The next verse is Proverbs 16:3: "Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed." Again there are not options here for success. Committing my plans to the Lord is a must. When I do, then I experience true success, not feelings of inadequacy.

Once again, God's Word has given me a fresh perspective in life when my circumstances seemed bleak. We are never guaranteed an easy life, safe travel, problem-free day, perfect kids, or a published book. However, we are guaranteed help from God and success His way when we commit every detail of our lives to Him.

No matter what you are facing today, claim today's key verses. Let go of any inadequate feelings and turn those areas over to the only One who can truly help you. Trust the Lord with everything.

Dear Lord, Today I commit ________________ to You. Help me to trust You with the details of my everyday life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

In your journal, write down two things you are feeling inadequate about. Copy today's verses and claim them over these areas in your life.

Reflections:

Is there anything in your life that you are struggling with?

Have you committed everything you do to the Lord?

Power Verses:

Psalm 55:22, "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." (NIV)

Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding..." (NIV)

No Arms, No Legs, No Worries !

My name is Nick Vujicic and I give God the Glory for how He has used my testimony to touch thousands of hearts around the world! I was born without limbs and doctors have no medical explanation for this birth "defect". As you can imagine, I was faced with many challenges and obstacles."Consider it pure joy, my Brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."To count our hurt, pain and struggle as nothing but pure joy? As my parents were Christians, and my Dad even a Pastor of our church, they knew that verse very well. However, on the morning of the 4th of December 1982 in Melbourne ( Australia ), the last two words on the minds of my parents was "Praise God!". Their firstborn son had been born without limbs! There were no warnings or time to prepare themselves for it. The doctors we shocked and had no answers at all! There is still no medical reason why this had happened and Nick now has a Brother and Sister who were born just like any other baby.The whole church mourned over my birth and my parents were absolutely devastated. Everyone asked, "if God is a God of Love, then why would God let something this bad happen to not just anyone, but dedicated Christians?" My Dad thought I wouldn't survive for very long, but tests proved that I was a healthy baby boy just with a few limbs missing.

Understandably, my parents had strong concern and evident fears of what kind of life I'd be able to lead. God provided them strength, wisdom and courage through those early years and soon after that I was old enough to go to school.The law in Australia didn't allow me to be integrated into a main-stream school because of my physical disability. God did miracles and gave my Mom the strength to fight for the law to be changed. I was one of the first disabled students to be integrated into a main-stream school.I liked going to school, and just try to live life like everyone else, but it was in my early years of school where I encountered uncomfortable times of feeling rejected, weird and bullied because of my physical difference. It was very hard for me to get used to, but with the support of my parents, I started to develop attitudes and values which helped me overcome these challenging times. I knew that I was different but on the inside I was just like everyone else. There were many times when I felt so low that I wouldn't go to school just so I didn't have to face all the negative attention. I was encouraged by my parents to ignore them and to try start making friends by just talking with some kids. Soon the students realized that I was just like them, and starting there God kept on blessing me with new friends. There were times when I felt depressed and angry because I couldn't change the way I was, or blame anyone for that matter. I went to Sunday School and learnt that God loves us all and that He cares for you. I understood that love to a point as a child, but I didn't understand that if God loved me why did He make me like this? Is it because I did something wrong? I thought I must have because out of all the kids at school, I'm the only weird one. I felt like I was a burden to those around me and the sooner I go, the better it'd be for everyone. I wanted to end my pain and end my life at a young age, but I am thankful once again, for my parents and family who were always there to comfort me and give me strength.Due to my emotional struggles I had experienced with bullying, self esteem and loneliness, God has implanted a passion of sharing my story and experiences to help others cope with whatever challenge they have in their life and let God turn it into a blessing. To encourage and inspire others to live to their fullest potential and not let anything get in the way of accomplishing their hopes and dreams.One of the first lessons that I have learnt was not to take things for granted. "And we know that in all things God works for the best for those who love Him."That verse spoke to my heart and convicted me to the point where that I know that there is no such thing as luck, chance or coincidence that these "bad" things happen in our life.I had complete peace knowing that God won't let anything happen to us in our life unless He has a good purpose for it all. I completely gave my life to Christ at the age of fifteen after reading John 9. Jesus said that the reason the man was born blind was "so that the works of God may be revealed through Him." I truly believed that God would heal me so I could be a great testimony of His Awesome Power. Later on I was given the wisdom to understand that if we pray for something, if it's God's will, it'll happen in His time. If it's not God's will for it to happen, then I know that He has something better. I now see that Glory revealed as He is using me just the way I am and in ways others can't be used.I am now twenty-one years old and have completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Financial Planning and Accounting. I am also a motivational speaker and love to go out and share my story and testimony wherever opportunities become available. I have developed talks to relate to and encourage students through topics that challenge today's teenagers. I am also a speaker in the corporate sector. I have a passion for reaching out to youth and keep myself available for whatever God wants me to do, and wherever He leads, I follow. I have many dreams and goals that I have set to achieve in my life. I want to become the best witness I can be of God's Love and Hope, to become an international inspirational speaker and be used as a vessel in both Christian and non-Christian venues. I want to become financially independent by the age of 25, through real estate investments, to modify a car for me to drive and to be interviewed and share my story on the "Oprah Winfrey Show"! Writing several best-selling books has been one of my dreams and I hope to finish writing my first by the end of the year. It will be called "No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!" I believe that if you have the desire and passion to do something, and if it's God's will, you will achieve it in good time. As humans, we continually put limits on ourselves for no reason at all! What's worse is putting limits on God who can do all things. We put God in a "box". The awesome thing about the Power of God, is that if we want to do something for God, instead of focusing on our capability, concentrate on our availability for we know that it is God through us and we can't do anything without Him. Once we make ourselves available for God's work, guess whose capabilities we rely on? God's! John 9:1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.
9:2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
9:3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life