A High-Speed Police Chase through two states, navigating the heartache of a daughter that followed in her bad footsteps, and surrendering to the chastening hand of God so that He could remake her into something amazing for his glory and his purposes!
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Shelley (00:00):
And I'm just a nobody trying to tell everybody all
about somebody who saved me,
Phil (00:05):
you know?
Amen.
That is so true.
Yes, sir.
Awesome.
Phil Shuler (00:09):
HellO, and welcome to Renew, Restore, Rejoice, the
Safe House Ministries podcast,where we share stories of the
power of God to change livesthrough Safe House Ministries.
Safe House Ministries is basedout of Columbus, Georgia, and we
are a ministry that exists tolove and serve people who have
been affected by addiction,homelessness, and incarceration.
I'm your host, Phil Shuler, theDirector of Development for Safe
(00:31):
House Ministries here inColumbus, Georgia.
Safe House serves over 1, 100people each month as they
transition back into ourcommunity.
Safe House provides an abundanceof services including 213 beds
for homeless individuals andfamilies, case management for
obtaining job skills and longterm employment.
Over 300 hot meals every day,free clothing, and so much more.
(00:52):
One of the most incredibleservices that Safe House
provides is our free 9 12 monthintensive outpatient substance
abuse program, which is statelicensed, CARF accredited, and
has no wait list.
Almost 100 percent ofindividuals staying in our
shelters who follow our threephase program become fully
employed within a few months.
And 68 percent of individualswho stay at least one night with
(01:13):
us End up finding work andmoving into their own home.
Thank you for being with ustoday and listening to our
podcast.
We hope you enjoy this week'sepisode.
Shelley (01:21):
My sister had a revelation from the Holy Spirit
while she was in the shower.
The Holy Spirit revealed that Iwas gonna take my dad's truck on
a high speed chase and, and Iwas gonna wreck it.
Wow.
So she didn't know if that wassomething she just needed to
pray about or to tell my dad notto let me use the truck.
Wow.
And she told him, but Imanipulated and I got the keys
anyway, that's crazy.
(01:43):
I was trying to come up withabortion money'cause my daughter
was pregnant with her.
Um,
none (01:49):
this was Shelby.
Shelby was,
Shelley (01:51):
she was pregnant with her third child and Wow.
I was trying to come up withabortion money and God said, I'm
gonna remove you all the wayfrom the situation and sit you
down.
That's her blessing.
Who are you to block thatblessing?
You know?
Phil (02:03):
So, so had Shelby kind of followed in your footsteps of
her
Shelley (02:07):
whole life,
Phil (02:08):
bad decisions and
Shelley (02:09):
Yeah.
And she didn't, it is not, itwasn't so, uh, here recent, yes.
Every, not even meaning to she,um, her whole life, but, and I
thought that, um, keep usstaying together.
I thought that that was gonnahelp my kids.
In fact, it just either one ortwo things are gonna happen.
They're gonna go the oppositedirection because they don't
(02:30):
want that same lifestyle orthey're gonna go with what's
familiar and what they've beenraised in.
You know, uh, their kids are,are proud of their environment.
Period.
They don't know anything exceptfor what they're being taught or
what they're being exposed to.
You know what I mean?
Yeah.
So, um, that
Phil (02:48):
she followed that path.
Shelley (02:49):
She did, she did.
So this is where I'm gonna getto the good stuff.
So on May 25th, I took thepolice on the high speed chase
through two states with a stolenmotorcycle in the back of my
dad's truck, truck, Georgia andAlabama, Georgia.
I started on Woodland Drive inPhoenix City.
Yeah.
My friend said, hit the gasbecause everybody was on
probation.
I had just got outta jail twoweeks before for another
(03:11):
motorcycle that I stole.
Wow.
Um, and, and in the midst,these, my parents are paying for
all my mistakes, you know what Imean?
But they're right there by myside and just cheering me on,
you know?
Wow.
And, um, and I, I can't go back.
I can't fix that.
But, um, uh, my friend said, hitthe gas.
So I hit the gas and.
(03:32):
I didn't know where I was going.
The police came by me and Ibrushed his truck and I kept on
going from Woodland Drive allthe way.
And I thought once I crossedstate lines that the police will
fall back and I'm safe.
Well, that's not the case.
Once I crossed over to the nextstate, they were at every red
light waiting for me.
And until there was one timewhen I got to Benning Hills off
(03:54):
Victory Drive.
There was one I had lost all thepolice.
There was one Phoenix City copthat stayed behind my tail and
stayed.
Uh, but anyway, I was fixing tohit Fort Benning, which they
would've probably startedshooting at me thinking I'm a
terrorist.
Phil (04:08):
Wow.
Shelley (04:09):
And Jesus snatched the wheel and took me left and onto
Chicago Road where the policedid their pit maneuver and
wrecked me.
Wow.
I had stopped two times becausethe same ones that said hit the
gas.
I was driving like outtacontrol.
I didn't know I could drive likethat, that was Oh wow.
I mean, so I stopped twice andlet them out and I kept going.
(04:30):
But that police, I'm gonna haveto do my research and find him
and, and give him a hug.
'cause he saved my life.
But the police, uh, came and hesnatched me out of the truck and
the ambulance came and rushed meto the ambulance.
I,'cause my blood sugar haddropped or whatever, but, um, so
I was shackled to the hospitalbed for a couple hours and then
on to Muskogee County I wentWow.
(04:51):
And, um, I was there up on thefourth floor for about two
weeks.
I didn't call home.
I slept.
I didn't really know where I wasat, but when I finally called
home, I said, dad, I need help.
I've been shooting dope and I amoutta control.
And, um, I think I was on thenews though.
I think he saw it on the newstoo.
But then fast forward about aweek or two, chaplain Neal
(05:14):
Richardson, my angel came andaccidentally on purpose, placed
me in the faith-based dorm.
Phil (05:19):
Wow.
Shelley (05:20):
And that's where God showed up for me when I hit my
knees and God just made himselfso apparent.
And that's where we started arelationship.
And then I just started diggingin my word and I knew I wasn't
going anywhere, but I found myhappy place.
He gave me that peace.
And I just dug in my word andstarted in the Old Testament
(05:40):
where when I was finallyreleased, I was on fire for God
and doing God's work.
I, my first job was at All tradechicken plant where I fed a lot
of homeless people.
Um, I worked there for fourmonths.
Then COVID broke out.
I started getting unemployment.
I was, I didn't stay connectedor I got stagnant.
(06:01):
And I was so eager trying to goand witness the people from my
past.
'cause I was, but then it turnsout it was like, look at me,
look what I've done.
You know what I mean?
And God will not have that.
Okay?
So,
none (06:12):
so true.
And,
Shelley (06:13):
uh, and I didn't armor up and I went to people from my
past and I got ate by thewolves.
Phil (06:18):
So you.
You were doing great.
Yes.
And then you went back to thesame old crowd,
Shelley (06:23):
the same thing I promised God I would never, ever
do again in my life.
If you just, what was
Phil (06:27):
it?
Do you remember that moment?
What the temptation was like?
Yeah, I just
Shelley (06:32):
wanted to smoke a bowl one more time just to see what I
wasn't missing.
And then wow.
And then, uh, seven moreaddictions attached, or seven
more spirits attached.
And gambling.
I don't know if it was thesmoking, the meth or the
gambling that, but it all goeshand in hand.
And then I was gambling outtacontrol and that is the worst
(06:53):
beast.
It got a hold of me.
And I mean, that's and then Istarted shooting dope again and
gambling and stealing and justlying and manipulating until,
and then the shame and the guiltattacks.
And then I didn't think I wasever coming back from that.
I thought I was just a lostcause.
You know what I mean?
(07:14):
I tried this one time, it didn'twork here.
It is what it is, God.
You know what I mean?
Yeah.
But God.
But God, so two wheeling vesselsshowed up at my house.
They randomly, they're fa,they're my family from past,
present, and future.
But they also, they went throughthe Center of Hope.
And they reached out to me whenI was in my, they stopped by and
(07:35):
talked to me about the Center ofHope, and I just pass pacify
them.
I filled out the application.
I got approved.
And my, this
Phil (07:43):
is a substance abuse treatment program.
That's in what?
Aniston Alabama.
Aniston
Shelley (07:47):
Alabama.
This is a discipleship trainingschool.
Phil (07:51):
Awesome.
Shelley (07:52):
Not a, definitely not a rehab.
It's actually the second hardestprogram in the nation to
complete.
Phil (07:57):
Wow.
Shelley (07:58):
There, uh, there can be a 2% success rate, or there can
be a hundred percent successrate.
It's, however, it's, uh, neverMy sister, my kid had Shiloh
said, we don't like who you areanyway.
Go do something with yourself.
And I was, I didn't know whatelse to do.
So, these two wheeling vesselsshow up at my doorstep at five
o'clock in the morning, likethey said they would.
(08:19):
Hmm.
I had my stuff packed and off wego to Aniston, Alabama and there
was no turning back.
And, um, and, and when I getthere, God just showed up.
He's in the second Corinthiansfive 17 is the verse that that
spoke to my heart.
You know, the old passed away, anew creation is born, you know,
let today be the day ofsalvation.
(08:40):
So, but once even in fallingback once I was on fire for God
and I had that relationship evenfalling back into addiction, he
always became the highlight ofmy, to the topic of my
conversation, even in the midstof my mess.
Wow.
Look what God, you know, um, Ilost sight of that, but God, um,
(09:00):
and I didn't, but even, and, andI knew, I said then that maybe
this will be, in addition to mytestimony, not even realizing
that that's what was happening,that he already, I mean, the.
He's my author and my creator.
He's the only one who knows mystory, but everything that it
is, just all lining up.
So I get to the Center of Hopeand it's a 12 to 18 month
(09:22):
program, and, um, I wasn't courtordered to go.
Okay, let me back up a littlebit.
So I did time in Muskogee Countyfor, I got charged with
everything because of course Iwas driving.
Yeah.
So I did time and then I gottransferred to Alabama, um, did
five years probation and, uh,all kinds of fines and stuff.
(09:42):
I, I did what I was asked to do,but even in going to my
probation officer, I would stillget high along the way.
Just, um, I was before, so youwere
Phil (09:51):
high when you met with your probation officer?
Shelley (09:53):
Yeah.
Uh, just and did they, he couldhave very well drug tested me,
but he never did.
So I'm thinking I'm, I'm justthat good, you know what I mean?
Or I can sell ice to an Eskimo,you know what I mean?
I got this covered, but it wasbecause I didn't have drug
charges.
So they didn't Wow.
You know, but, so that's whereWow.
Yeah.
But anyway, um, so fast forwardthe Center of Hope.
(10:15):
I was about four months into theprogram.
I got frozen for 10 weeks.
and, was like I, I don't know ifI can do this.
But then that's when God spoketo me, Luke 1433.
Regardless of what it may looklike, I'm protecting you from
something, my child, what youthought you knew before, you
have no idea.
So you need to be still and knowthat I'm God and I'm fighting
(10:38):
for you.
So that's exactly what I had todo.
And in the midst of it, he kepta hedger protection over my
family.
My parents, they would go tothe, have to take trips to the
hospital, but they made it home.
You know, I stand on Deuteronomy30 19.
I've been selfish all theseyears for long enough.
Now I choose life so that mychildren may live.
(10:59):
You know what I mean?
Yeah.
And I'm standing on thosepromises that generational
curses will be broken and itstops with me.
And in the process, my oldestdaughter got clean.
She had to.
Wow.
She had to, um, uh, we getcalled, there comes a time where
we get called out in our messand they called her out at the
Center of Hope and told her shecan't come back on that property
(11:19):
until she gets clean and canpass a drug test.
So months went by.
That so
Phil (11:23):
was Why would she, what was she on the property for?
Was she visiting you?
Well, coming to see me.
She was visiting you?
Me, me.
Yeah.
And they just saw the mess thatshe was Yeah.
And they said, you can't comeback unless she, yeah.
Shelley (11:32):
Unless you can pass a drug test.
So months went by and I just, Iwould be on my face.
Wow.
Just, uh, praying to God, youknow, break these chains, break
these vicious cycles.
It stops with me, and I'm gonnaseek you with everything in me,
Lord.
And I know you're gonna workeverything together for my good,
because that's what youpromised.
And that's what I'm standing on.
(11:53):
And that's exactly what he did,and that's exactly what he's
doing.
Now, my youngest daughter, I hadto sign over temporary custody.
She was failing.
You know, she dealt withabandonment issues.
Her dad's not present.
And, um, I, I had to go and beselflessly selfish, and I had to
focus on me for this 12 to 18months, which turned into 13
(12:14):
months.
But I knew my, the, so everybodywas good at home, you know what
I mean?
I stayed in the streets lost.
So I'm on the right path now.
Wow.
They'll be okay without me, youknow what I mean?
Phil (12:26):
Now how did, uh, Shelby.
Get on the better path and getclean.
Like was, did she go into aprogram or did the Lord just do
a work in her heart and her lifeand just took her out of that?
Shelley (12:36):
Well, I knew that, uh, because she fallen in my
footsteps all her life and Godspoke to me and he told me she's
gonna follow in some goodfootsteps.
Now.
That's awesome.
I didn't know how it was gonnalook or what it was gonna look
like, but, but it was absolutelynothing.
I did, it was all glory to God.
Phil (12:53):
That's awesome.
That reminds me of like, I'llsee my kids, like, they'll be,
they'll buy a half gallon icecream, start eating this or
something.
I'm like, they're like, I'm justfollowing your example, dad.
Well, how about follow the goodexamples that I do, not the bad
ones.
Shelley (13:07):
Well, you know, they can let'em splurge a little bit,
you know what I mean?
But
Phil (13:10):
that's so awesome that.
Now she's following in the rightthings that you're doing.
Yes.
Cleaning her life up, getting ona better path.
Shelley (13:18):
Yes.
Phil (13:19):
Praise the Lord.
Shelley (13:20):
And my youngest daughter's been living with her
seventh grade teacher.
Her grades all went down andwhile I was in the program she
went to stay with her seventh.
You
Phil (13:28):
said she was living with her seventh grade teacher?
Shelley (13:31):
She is now.
She Okay.
Currently my youngest daughter,
Phil (13:33):
Does she have custody
none (13:34):
of her?
Um,
Shelley (13:35):
temporary custody while I was at the Center of hope on
my face, praying God sendsomebody a godly role model into
my daughter's life to interveneon my behalf.
Wow.
While I can't be there.
And that's exactly what he did.
Wow.
And, um, she's been thetraveling the world, living
living as a kid.
Living her blessed life.
(13:55):
Her grades have improved.
Um, she's gotten leadershiprecognition throughout her whole
school.
Just God, that's, I'm surethat's
Phil (14:05):
an amazing story.
All on its own, just.
That story of I made a mess ofmy kids' life and
Shelley (14:11):
Yes.
And I, so I thank God for hereach and every day.
And we, we co-parent togetherand she, she picked up a role
that she didn't have to do, butGod did.
Is she married?
She's married.
Okay.
And, um, yes.
And, uh, she's just been anangel.
Um, that's exactly what God, heheard my, my cries and he heard
my prayers.
(14:32):
And, um, how did that, like howdid that come to pass?
Phil (14:35):
That's not a normal thing.
It's not that a teacher wouldjust,
Shelley (14:38):
I was in this book, my work study at the time, it's
called Power of a PrayingParent, and those prayers that
are so specific, he said, bringyour prayers specifically
boldly, conf confidently andpersistently unto me.
And, um, that's what he did.
He knows exactly what we need.
He'll supply all of our needsaccording to his riches and
glory.
And that's exactly what he did.
(14:59):
And I,
Phil (14:59):
so I guess the Holy Spirit must have worked on that
teacher's heart and she saw thesituation and he moved her to
she.
Shelley (15:05):
Yes.
And she, um, she stepped in andthey come to see me, um, on, uh,
the weekends and came to church.
And now we're a big fam extendedfamily.
Wow.
And, um, man, God is doingsomething new and I want to know
what, but that's where hestrengthens my faith every day.
I don't have to know everything.
I don't have to know the how,what, where, when, why.
(15:26):
I just know who's in control andI just let him have, I just give
it to him.
Yeah.
Wow.
You know?
Phil (15:31):
You're willing,
Shelley (15:32):
willing.
That's all.
How
Phil (15:33):
old is, uh, Shiloh now?
Shelley (15:34):
She's 14.
Phil (15:35):
Okay.
Shelley (15:35):
Yeah.
And now, um, is where I have tostep up and I have to be a
mother, not a friend to my kids,but I have to be a mother and a
lead by example.
And so I know that, I know Ilearned so much.
I know I don't have another redoin me.
I don't have another recovery inme because Senator Hope poured
in over 800 hours of biblicalstudies and personal
(15:57):
relationship with God.
So if I fall back in my old waysthat's spit in his face and that
comes promised death anddestruction behind that.
So I believe, and there's somuch power in the, in the tongue
speaking life and death over anysituation.
So that part of my life isclosed chapter from here on out
is to testify of God's goodnessand to be a disciple, to go
(16:20):
forth and make disciples.
That's what my calling, that'swhat my purpose is.
Wow.
And I'm standing on God'spromises that I'm gonna be that
light in the dark place in thejail again.
And I, um, been told that I canget my job back if I get my
record expunged.
And that's in the works Wow.
Of Lieutenant Johnson told methat he would gimme my job back.
So that's,
Phil (16:40):
wow.
So how did you get fromgraduating the Center of Hope?
Back to Columbus.
Like how did you get to SafeHouse Ministries now?
'cause you're working now forSafe House, right.
And you're a part of.
Helping invest in other people'slives?
Shelley (16:52):
Well, um, when I got home I was cleaning houses a
little bit'cause uh, we workedat thrift stores at the center.
So, um, there's so muchstructure there, there's so much
discipline there.
Like I spent most of my programand extra duty, um, just getting
in trouble for little things.
A rule is a rule and it's setforth for a reason and you're
(17:12):
supposed to follow it and you'renot exempt from any rules.
So this is where God disciplinesthe ones he loves and I made a
mess of, you know, so I'm just,here I am Lord, just whatever
you're trying to do in me orcorrect.
Um, thank you Lord forcorrection.
Thank you Holy Spirit forconviction.
But when I would go in extraduty and we would have to write
(17:33):
from the New Testament for anhour back to front.
So not only are you reading theword, you're writing the word to
remember the word to engrave theword, to apply the word.
So he was only shaping andequipped me and molding me for
this time right here.
Yeah.
And who would've thought thatthe bible, that scripture is our
instruction manual.
You know what I mean?
(17:53):
And you don't know who you arein him until you get in and you
learn and you read his truth.
Yeah.
And that's where, and you don'thave to settle for anything less
than what God says because hecreated you.
You know what I mean?
Phil (18:06):
Yeah.
Shelley (18:07):
So, um, I don't know where I was going with that.
So you were
Phil (18:10):
cleaning houses and like somehow got connected to Safe
House or, um,
Shelley (18:13):
yes.
I actually, um, went to churchone day on a Sunday, and pastor
Chris Cloud asked me to, uh,give a lady, um, a ride from,
she had been staying at theColonial m We went and picked
her up and took her to the GraceHouse.
But my Aunt Tracy she's the oneof the willing vessels that came
and ambushed me and took me tothe Center of Hope.
(18:34):
Is this the Tracy
none (18:35):
does, does, she works at Safe House?
She works at Safe House.
Shelley (18:38):
Tracy Dowdy.
none (18:39):
Yeah.
Who's been on the podcast.
Her
Shelley (18:41):
and her son, Chris Mahan is the two vessels that
ambushed me.
Wow.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So, uh, she had put in a goodword for me, and I know
Christie, um, Haney, uh, and um,but I don't meet a stranger.
So when I delivered Miss Rhondathere, I just kind of made
myself at home.
Yeah.
But I had no idea at that timethat got, that's not a job.
(19:02):
That is my calling.
When you love what you do andyou do what you love, I miss
those ladies.
I, I go there on my weekendsoff, you know what I mean?
Yeah.
none (19:11):
Back to the Grace House and just back to the Grace
House.
Shelley (19:13):
Just Yeah.
To love on'em and just encourage'em and.
We're an extended family now,you know what I mean?
And they, they're as much ablessing to me, you know what I
mean?
Wow.
And so God, um, is to makedisciples, you know, just plant
a seed.
Yeah.
Just one soul at a time.
Wow.
Yeah.
Phil (19:32):
Now, are you working for Safe House or are you, is it
most of it volunteer time?
Um, I'm
Shelley (19:36):
working, I'm the van driver Okay.
For the Grace House.
Awesome.
Yeah.
Phil (19:40):
That's great.
Shelley (19:41):
And I'm standing on, I'm gonna be that correction.
I'm gonna be that Miss Ann.
She's the one who shackled meand, and prayed for me all the
way to court six years ago.
And I When,
Phil (19:50):
when you got arrested?
Mm-hmm.
Shelley (19:51):
Um, I didn't know her name.
I'll shoot, it was a silhouette.
It was an angel in a uniform.
But her praying over me, it, itstuck in my heart.
Wow.
And I want to go, I want to bemaybe even a chaplain in Russell
County Jail again, to leadpeople to the center of hope
that Jesus' feet.
Phil (20:06):
That's awesome.
So you, uh.
You first got connected to SafeHouse through Neil when you were
in the Muskogee County Jail.
Yeah.
When he was the chaplain back inthe very early days of Safe
House Ministries.
Right.
Then you got out and the Lordled you to Center of Hope, which
where he did just a permanenttransformative work Yes.
In your life by His word and hisHoly Spirit.
(20:27):
Yes.
And then he led you back here toto to work.
He says In the Safe house.
And he said, I'll
Shelley (20:32):
be found by you, says the Lord.
And I will injure captivity andrestore your fortunes where I
sent you and I'll bring you homeagain to your own land.
Phil (20:40):
Yes.
And now he's using you to reachso many others.
Just
Shelley (20:43):
a little old me.
Phil (20:44):
Praise the Lord.
So how is Shelby and Shilohdoing right now?
Shelley (20:49):
Um, amazing.
Shelby is, um, just got, she'sbeen answer.
We all stay at my mom and dad'shouse and we're taking shifts,
taking care of them.
Phil (20:59):
And Shelby has, how many kids?
Shelley (21:00):
She's got three, but one, her oldest son lives in
Texas with her boyfriend's dad.
Okay.
With their dad, I mean, withtheir mom.
Um, so she's got two kids here.
But uh, so she still remainsclean.
She just started her newcleaning business.
She's a caregiver for open armsand she comes and volunteers at
the Grace House also becausethat's also her calling, you
(21:22):
know.
Wow.
Um, but uh, and she's beenanxious about trying to find her
own place, and I'm trying totell her what's for you is gonna
be for you and what's not God,it is not gonna be a complicated
thing.
What's for you?
He's gonna, is gonna just flow.
And she just got, um, my pastor,we had sold the house that I
grew up in.
(21:42):
We sold it to my pastor and theytold us that, um, they would
sell the house to Shelby andhelp her get financed for it.
So that's nothing but Godordaining, you know what I mean?
He just, he moves mountains.
Wow.
Like he says he will, you know.
Where do
Phil (21:57):
you go to church at?
Shelley (21:57):
Church on the Rock is my home church in Phoenix City.
Okay.
And then I catch the fort at 12o'clock and then I go to the
recovery house from two o'clockto four, five o'clock Sundays.
Phil (22:08):
Now do your, does Shiloh and Shelby, do they go to, does
everybody go to church with youat the church on the Rock?
Uh, Shelby goes
Shelley (22:13):
to church on the Rock with me.
My youngest daughter, Shiloh,she's a member of 7:00 AM
Ministries.
Okay.
Okay.
Phil (22:19):
That's where the seventh grade teacher who I guess
Shelley (22:22):
well, um, we're not there yet.
Okay.
We're working on it.
Okay.
Yeah, she, no, she goes tochurch on the Highlands.
I'm sorry.
Okay.
Um, her teacher, but yeah.
Phil (22:32):
So is Shiloh back now?
Is she still with the teacher?
Yes.
Okay.
Shelley (22:36):
Yes.
And I don't know, uh, and so I,sometimes I've got my own little
room at the Grace House, so Istay there some during the week.
Yeah.
But, uh, God's just openingdoors that no man can open and
no man can close.
I
Phil (22:49):
love it.
It's, that's awesome.
It, it's, it is a wonderfulthing to behold when the Lord
works to do things and it,everything just falls into
place.
Yes.
And you have an amazing story,just the way that you, God has
worked in your life, in Shelby'slife, in Shiloh's life.
(23:10):
There are multiple stories like.
There's so much that could betold that we just Yeah.
We aren't able to get to.
Yeah.
Shelley (23:17):
And you know, I don't reme like, uh, it's, it,
sometimes he'll bring somethingto my remembrance, uh, but what
the enemy meant for evil.
God turned around for my goods.
So, things that I, he forgave mefor, thrown into the sea of
forgetfulness, you know what Imean?
And, uh, and he'll put on myheart what I need to remember
(23:38):
and what I need to let go of.
You know what I mean?
Yeah.
And that is the end of part twoof Shelly's Amazing story.
What a ride with that high speedchase time in jail and prison
time on probation.
And just how amazing is it thatwhat God did to get his word
into her heart and trulytransform her life.
(24:01):
Next week we will finish upShelly's story.
She's gonna share.
Where she is now, and she'lltalk about her grandkids.
She'll talk about the blessingsof the Lord in her life and what
going forward looks like for herand for her children and for her
grandchildren.
She will also pull out somelessons and things that God
(24:22):
taught her along the way.
Some lessons that will be a helpto many others if they will just
listen.
I'm an avid reader and one ofthe reasons that I read so much
is because I want to learn andgrow and gain wisdom really, so
that if I can avoid mistakes andheartaches and problems that I
(24:43):
would like to, you know, we canall learn by the school of hard
knocks.
But who wants to do that?
How much better is it if we canlearn from the wisdom that
others have gained bythemselves, having to go through
the school of hard knocks, andthen the sharing that wisdom,
how much better is it if we canlearn from them and avoid those?
Pains and heartaches and sadnessin our lives completely.
(25:07):
So come back next week.
You're gonna really be blessedby it.
Thanks for being here this week,and God bless you.
We look forward to being backwith you again next week.
Phil Shuler (25:16):
We look forward to being with you again next week
as we share another testimonyabout the power and the goodness
of God to change lives throughSafe House Ministries.
if you are someone listening tothis podcast that loves to hear
these stories of the greatthings that God is doing in
changing people's lives for thebetter, and if you would like to
be a part of that work, pleasereach out to us You can reach us
(25:39):
at 2101 Hamilton Road, Columbus,Georgia, 31,904.
You can call us at seven oh sixthree two two.
3 7, 7 3, or you can email us atinfo@safehouse-ministries.com.
Microphone (Samson Q2U Mi (25:54):
Thank you so much for being with us
this week for the renew restoreand rejoice podcast of safe
house ministries, we pray thatGod will bless you this week.
And we look forward to havingyou back with us again next week
for a new episode.
And I'm just a nobody trying to tell everybody all
about somebody who saved me,
Phil (00:05):
you know?
Amen.
That is so true.
Yes, sir.
Awesome.
Phil Shuler (00:09):
HellO, and welcome to Renew, Restore, Rejoice, the
Safe House Ministries podcast,where we share stories of the
power of God to change livesthrough Safe House Ministries.
Safe House Ministries is basedout of Columbus, Georgia, and we
are a ministry that exists tolove and serve people who have
been affected by addiction,homelessness, and incarceration.
I'm your host, Phil Shuler, theDirector of Development for Safe
(00:31):
House Ministries here inColumbus, Georgia.
Safe House serves over 1, 100people each month as they
transition back into ourcommunity.
Safe House provides an abundanceof services including 213 beds
for homeless individuals andfamilies, case management for
obtaining job skills and longterm employment.
Over 300 hot meals every day,free clothing, and so much more.
(00:52):
One of the most incredibleservices that Safe House
provides is our free 9 12 monthintensive outpatient substance
abuse program, which is statelicensed, CARF accredited, and
has no wait list.
Almost 100 percent ofindividuals staying in our
shelters who follow our threephase program become fully
employed within a few months.
And 68 percent of individualswho stay at least one night with
(01:13):
us End up finding work andmoving into their own home.
Thank you for being with ustoday and listening to our
podcast.
We hope you enjoy this week'sepisode.
Shelley (01:21):
My sister had a revelation from the Holy Spirit
while she was in the shower.
The Holy Spirit revealed that Iwas gonna take my dad's truck on
a high speed chase and, and Iwas gonna wreck it.
Wow.
So she didn't know if that wassomething she just needed to
pray about or to tell my dad notto let me use the truck.
Wow.
And she told him, but Imanipulated and I got the keys
anyway, that's crazy.
(01:43):
I was trying to come up withabortion money'cause my daughter
was pregnant with her.
Um,
none (01:49):
this was Shelby.
Shelby was,
Shelley (01:51):
she was pregnant with her third child and Wow.
I was trying to come up withabortion money and God said, I'm
gonna remove you all the wayfrom the situation and sit you
down.
That's her blessing.
Who are you to block thatblessing?
You know?
Phil (02:03):
So, so had Shelby kind of followed in your footsteps of
her
Shelley (02:07):
whole life,
Phil (02:08):
bad decisions and
Shelley (02:09):
Yeah.
And she didn't, it is not, itwasn't so, uh, here recent, yes.
Every, not even meaning to she,um, her whole life, but, and I
thought that, um, keep usstaying together.
I thought that that was gonnahelp my kids.
In fact, it just either one ortwo things are gonna happen.
They're gonna go the oppositedirection because they don't
(02:30):
want that same lifestyle orthey're gonna go with what's
familiar and what they've beenraised in.
You know, uh, their kids are,are proud of their environment.
Period.
They don't know anything exceptfor what they're being taught or
what they're being exposed to.
You know what I mean?
Yeah.
So, um, that
Phil (02:48):
she followed that path.
Shelley (02:49):
She did, she did.
So this is where I'm gonna getto the good stuff.
So on May 25th, I took thepolice on the high speed chase
through two states with a stolenmotorcycle in the back of my
dad's truck, truck, Georgia andAlabama, Georgia.
I started on Woodland Drive inPhoenix City.
Yeah.
My friend said, hit the gasbecause everybody was on
probation.
I had just got outta jail twoweeks before for another
(03:11):
motorcycle that I stole.
Wow.
Um, and, and in the midst,these, my parents are paying for
all my mistakes, you know what Imean?
But they're right there by myside and just cheering me on,
you know?
Wow.
And, um, and I, I can't go back.
I can't fix that.
But, um, uh, my friend said, hitthe gas.
So I hit the gas and.
(03:32):
I didn't know where I was going.
The police came by me and Ibrushed his truck and I kept on
going from Woodland Drive allthe way.
And I thought once I crossedstate lines that the police will
fall back and I'm safe.
Well, that's not the case.
Once I crossed over to the nextstate, they were at every red
light waiting for me.
And until there was one timewhen I got to Benning Hills off
(03:54):
Victory Drive.
There was one I had lost all thepolice.
There was one Phoenix City copthat stayed behind my tail and
stayed.
Uh, but anyway, I was fixing tohit Fort Benning, which they
would've probably startedshooting at me thinking I'm a
terrorist.
Phil (04:08):
Wow.
Shelley (04:09):
And Jesus snatched the wheel and took me left and onto
Chicago Road where the policedid their pit maneuver and
wrecked me.
Wow.
I had stopped two times becausethe same ones that said hit the
gas.
I was driving like outtacontrol.
I didn't know I could drive likethat, that was Oh wow.
I mean, so I stopped twice andlet them out and I kept going.
(04:30):
But that police, I'm gonna haveto do my research and find him
and, and give him a hug.
'cause he saved my life.
But the police, uh, came and hesnatched me out of the truck and
the ambulance came and rushed meto the ambulance.
I,'cause my blood sugar haddropped or whatever, but, um, so
I was shackled to the hospitalbed for a couple hours and then
on to Muskogee County I wentWow.
(04:51):
And, um, I was there up on thefourth floor for about two
weeks.
I didn't call home.
I slept.
I didn't really know where I wasat, but when I finally called
home, I said, dad, I need help.
I've been shooting dope and I amoutta control.
And, um, I think I was on thenews though.
I think he saw it on the newstoo.
But then fast forward about aweek or two, chaplain Neal
(05:14):
Richardson, my angel came andaccidentally on purpose, placed
me in the faith-based dorm.
Phil (05:19):
Wow.
Shelley (05:20):
And that's where God showed up for me when I hit my
knees and God just made himselfso apparent.
And that's where we started arelationship.
And then I just started diggingin my word and I knew I wasn't
going anywhere, but I found myhappy place.
He gave me that peace.
And I just dug in my word andstarted in the Old Testament
(05:40):
where when I was finallyreleased, I was on fire for God
and doing God's work.
I, my first job was at All tradechicken plant where I fed a lot
of homeless people.
Um, I worked there for fourmonths.
Then COVID broke out.
I started getting unemployment.
I was, I didn't stay connectedor I got stagnant.
(06:01):
And I was so eager trying to goand witness the people from my
past.
'cause I was, but then it turnsout it was like, look at me,
look what I've done.
You know what I mean?
And God will not have that.
Okay?
So,
none (06:12):
so true.
And,
Shelley (06:13):
uh, and I didn't armor up and I went to people from my
past and I got ate by thewolves.
Phil (06:18):
So you.
You were doing great.
Yes.
And then you went back to thesame old crowd,
Shelley (06:23):
the same thing I promised God I would never, ever
do again in my life.
If you just, what was
Phil (06:27):
it?
Do you remember that moment?
What the temptation was like?
Yeah, I just
Shelley (06:32):
wanted to smoke a bowl one more time just to see what I
wasn't missing.
And then wow.
And then, uh, seven moreaddictions attached, or seven
more spirits attached.
And gambling.
I don't know if it was thesmoking, the meth or the
gambling that, but it all goeshand in hand.
And then I was gambling outtacontrol and that is the worst
(06:53):
beast.
It got a hold of me.
And I mean, that's and then Istarted shooting dope again and
gambling and stealing and justlying and manipulating until,
and then the shame and the guiltattacks.
And then I didn't think I wasever coming back from that.
I thought I was just a lostcause.
You know what I mean?
(07:14):
I tried this one time, it didn'twork here.
It is what it is, God.
You know what I mean?
Yeah.
But God.
But God, so two wheeling vesselsshowed up at my house.
They randomly, they're fa,they're my family from past,
present, and future.
But they also, they went throughthe Center of Hope.
And they reached out to me whenI was in my, they stopped by and
(07:35):
talked to me about the Center ofHope, and I just pass pacify
them.
I filled out the application.
I got approved.
And my, this
Phil (07:43):
is a substance abuse treatment program.
That's in what?
Aniston Alabama.
Aniston
Shelley (07:47):
Alabama.
This is a discipleship trainingschool.
Phil (07:51):
Awesome.
Shelley (07:52):
Not a, definitely not a rehab.
It's actually the second hardestprogram in the nation to
complete.
Phil (07:57):
Wow.
Shelley (07:58):
There, uh, there can be a 2% success rate, or there can
be a hundred percent successrate.
It's, however, it's, uh, neverMy sister, my kid had Shiloh
said, we don't like who you areanyway.
Go do something with yourself.
And I was, I didn't know whatelse to do.
So, these two wheeling vesselsshow up at my doorstep at five
o'clock in the morning, likethey said they would.
(08:19):
Hmm.
I had my stuff packed and off wego to Aniston, Alabama and there
was no turning back.
And, um, and, and when I getthere, God just showed up.
He's in the second Corinthiansfive 17 is the verse that that
spoke to my heart.
You know, the old passed away, anew creation is born, you know,
let today be the day ofsalvation.
(08:40):
So, but once even in fallingback once I was on fire for God
and I had that relationship evenfalling back into addiction, he
always became the highlight ofmy, to the topic of my
conversation, even in the midstof my mess.
Wow.
Look what God, you know, um, Ilost sight of that, but God, um,
(09:00):
and I didn't, but even, and, andI knew, I said then that maybe
this will be, in addition to mytestimony, not even realizing
that that's what was happening,that he already, I mean, the.
He's my author and my creator.
He's the only one who knows mystory, but everything that it
is, just all lining up.
So I get to the Center of Hopeand it's a 12 to 18 month
(09:22):
program, and, um, I wasn't courtordered to go.
Okay, let me back up a littlebit.
So I did time in Muskogee Countyfor, I got charged with
everything because of course Iwas driving.
Yeah.
So I did time and then I gottransferred to Alabama, um, did
five years probation and, uh,all kinds of fines and stuff.
(09:42):
I, I did what I was asked to do,but even in going to my
probation officer, I would stillget high along the way.
Just, um, I was before, so youwere
Phil (09:51):
high when you met with your probation officer?
Shelley (09:53):
Yeah.
Uh, just and did they, he couldhave very well drug tested me,
but he never did.
So I'm thinking I'm, I'm justthat good, you know what I mean?
Or I can sell ice to an Eskimo,you know what I mean?
I got this covered, but it wasbecause I didn't have drug
charges.
So they didn't Wow.
You know, but, so that's whereWow.
Yeah.
But anyway, um, so fast forwardthe Center of Hope.
(10:15):
I was about four months into theprogram.
I got frozen for 10 weeks.
and, was like I, I don't know ifI can do this.
But then that's when God spoketo me, Luke 1433.
Regardless of what it may looklike, I'm protecting you from
something, my child, what youthought you knew before, you
have no idea.
So you need to be still and knowthat I'm God and I'm fighting
(10:38):
for you.
So that's exactly what I had todo.
And in the midst of it, he kepta hedger protection over my
family.
My parents, they would go tothe, have to take trips to the
hospital, but they made it home.
You know, I stand on Deuteronomy30 19.
I've been selfish all theseyears for long enough.
Now I choose life so that mychildren may live.
(10:59):
You know what I mean?
Yeah.
And I'm standing on thosepromises that generational
curses will be broken and itstops with me.
And in the process, my oldestdaughter got clean.
She had to.
Wow.
She had to, um, uh, we getcalled, there comes a time where
we get called out in our messand they called her out at the
Center of Hope and told her shecan't come back on that property
(11:19):
until she gets clean and canpass a drug test.
So months went by.
That so
Phil (11:23):
was Why would she, what was she on the property for?
Was she visiting you?
Well, coming to see me.
She was visiting you?
Me, me.
Yeah.
And they just saw the mess thatshe was Yeah.
And they said, you can't comeback unless she, yeah.
Shelley (11:32):
Unless you can pass a drug test.
So months went by and I just, Iwould be on my face.
Wow.
Just, uh, praying to God, youknow, break these chains, break
these vicious cycles.
It stops with me, and I'm gonnaseek you with everything in me,
Lord.
And I know you're gonna workeverything together for my good,
because that's what youpromised.
And that's what I'm standing on.
(11:53):
And that's exactly what he did,and that's exactly what he's
doing.
Now, my youngest daughter, I hadto sign over temporary custody.
She was failing.
You know, she dealt withabandonment issues.
Her dad's not present.
And, um, I, I had to go and beselflessly selfish, and I had to
focus on me for this 12 to 18months, which turned into 13
(12:14):
months.
But I knew my, the, so everybodywas good at home, you know what
I mean?
I stayed in the streets lost.
So I'm on the right path now.
Wow.
They'll be okay without me, youknow what I mean?
Phil (12:26):
Now how did, uh, Shelby.
Get on the better path and getclean.
Like was, did she go into aprogram or did the Lord just do
a work in her heart and her lifeand just took her out of that?
Shelley (12:36):
Well, I knew that, uh, because she fallen in my
footsteps all her life and Godspoke to me and he told me she's
gonna follow in some goodfootsteps.
Now.
That's awesome.
I didn't know how it was gonnalook or what it was gonna look
like, but, but it was absolutelynothing.
I did, it was all glory to God.
Phil (12:53):
That's awesome.
That reminds me of like, I'llsee my kids, like, they'll be,
they'll buy a half gallon icecream, start eating this or
something.
I'm like, they're like, I'm justfollowing your example, dad.
Well, how about follow the goodexamples that I do, not the bad
ones.
Shelley (13:07):
Well, you know, they can let'em splurge a little bit,
you know what I mean?
But
Phil (13:10):
that's so awesome that.
Now she's following in the rightthings that you're doing.
Yes.
Cleaning her life up, getting ona better path.
Shelley (13:18):
Yes.
Phil (13:19):
Praise the Lord.
Shelley (13:20):
And my youngest daughter's been living with her
seventh grade teacher.
Her grades all went down andwhile I was in the program she
went to stay with her seventh.
You
Phil (13:28):
said she was living with her seventh grade teacher?
Shelley (13:31):
She is now.
She Okay.
Currently my youngest daughter,
Phil (13:33):
Does she have custody
none (13:34):
of her?
Um,
Shelley (13:35):
temporary custody while I was at the Center of hope on
my face, praying God sendsomebody a godly role model into
my daughter's life to interveneon my behalf.
Wow.
While I can't be there.
And that's exactly what he did.
Wow.
And, um, she's been thetraveling the world, living
living as a kid.
Living her blessed life.
(13:55):
Her grades have improved.
Um, she's gotten leadershiprecognition throughout her whole
school.
Just God, that's, I'm surethat's
Phil (14:05):
an amazing story.
All on its own, just.
That story of I made a mess ofmy kids' life and
Shelley (14:11):
Yes.
And I, so I thank God for hereach and every day.
And we, we co-parent togetherand she, she picked up a role
that she didn't have to do, butGod did.
Is she married?
She's married.
Okay.
And, um, yes.
And, uh, she's just been anangel.
Um, that's exactly what God, heheard my, my cries and he heard
my prayers.
(14:32):
And, um, how did that, like howdid that come to pass?
Phil (14:35):
That's not a normal thing.
It's not that a teacher wouldjust,
Shelley (14:38):
I was in this book, my work study at the time, it's
called Power of a PrayingParent, and those prayers that
are so specific, he said, bringyour prayers specifically
boldly, conf confidently andpersistently unto me.
And, um, that's what he did.
He knows exactly what we need.
He'll supply all of our needsaccording to his riches and
glory.
And that's exactly what he did.
(14:59):
And I,
Phil (14:59):
so I guess the Holy Spirit must have worked on that
teacher's heart and she saw thesituation and he moved her to
she.
Shelley (15:05):
Yes.
And she, um, she stepped in andthey come to see me, um, on, uh,
the weekends and came to church.
And now we're a big fam extendedfamily.
Wow.
And, um, man, God is doingsomething new and I want to know
what, but that's where hestrengthens my faith every day.
I don't have to know everything.
I don't have to know the how,what, where, when, why.
(15:26):
I just know who's in control andI just let him have, I just give
it to him.
Yeah.
Wow.
You know?
Phil (15:31):
You're willing,
Shelley (15:32):
willing.
That's all.
How
Phil (15:33):
old is, uh, Shiloh now?
Shelley (15:34):
She's 14.
Phil (15:35):
Okay.
Shelley (15:35):
Yeah.
And now, um, is where I have tostep up and I have to be a
mother, not a friend to my kids,but I have to be a mother and a
lead by example.
And so I know that, I know Ilearned so much.
I know I don't have another redoin me.
I don't have another recovery inme because Senator Hope poured
in over 800 hours of biblicalstudies and personal
(15:57):
relationship with God.
So if I fall back in my old waysthat's spit in his face and that
comes promised death anddestruction behind that.
So I believe, and there's somuch power in the, in the tongue
speaking life and death over anysituation.
So that part of my life isclosed chapter from here on out
is to testify of God's goodnessand to be a disciple, to go
(16:20):
forth and make disciples.
That's what my calling, that'swhat my purpose is.
Wow.
And I'm standing on God'spromises that I'm gonna be that
light in the dark place in thejail again.
And I, um, been told that I canget my job back if I get my
record expunged.
And that's in the works Wow.
Of Lieutenant Johnson told methat he would gimme my job back.
So that's,
Phil (16:40):
wow.
So how did you get fromgraduating the Center of Hope?
Back to Columbus.
Like how did you get to SafeHouse Ministries now?
'cause you're working now forSafe House, right.
And you're a part of.
Helping invest in other people'slives?
Shelley (16:52):
Well, um, when I got home I was cleaning houses a
little bit'cause uh, we workedat thrift stores at the center.
So, um, there's so muchstructure there, there's so much
discipline there.
Like I spent most of my programand extra duty, um, just getting
in trouble for little things.
A rule is a rule and it's setforth for a reason and you're
(17:12):
supposed to follow it and you'renot exempt from any rules.
So this is where God disciplinesthe ones he loves and I made a
mess of, you know, so I'm just,here I am Lord, just whatever
you're trying to do in me orcorrect.
Um, thank you Lord forcorrection.
Thank you Holy Spirit forconviction.
But when I would go in extraduty and we would have to write
(17:33):
from the New Testament for anhour back to front.
So not only are you reading theword, you're writing the word to
remember the word to engrave theword, to apply the word.
So he was only shaping andequipped me and molding me for
this time right here.
Yeah.
And who would've thought thatthe bible, that scripture is our
instruction manual.
You know what I mean?
(17:53):
And you don't know who you arein him until you get in and you
learn and you read his truth.
Yeah.
And that's where, and you don'thave to settle for anything less
than what God says because hecreated you.
You know what I mean?
Phil (18:06):
Yeah.
Shelley (18:07):
So, um, I don't know where I was going with that.
So you were
Phil (18:10):
cleaning houses and like somehow got connected to Safe
House or, um,
Shelley (18:13):
yes.
I actually, um, went to churchone day on a Sunday, and pastor
Chris Cloud asked me to, uh,give a lady, um, a ride from,
she had been staying at theColonial m We went and picked
her up and took her to the GraceHouse.
But my Aunt Tracy she's the oneof the willing vessels that came
and ambushed me and took me tothe Center of Hope.
(18:34):
Is this the Tracy
none (18:35):
does, does, she works at Safe House?
She works at Safe House.
Shelley (18:38):
Tracy Dowdy.
none (18:39):
Yeah.
Who's been on the podcast.
Her
Shelley (18:41):
and her son, Chris Mahan is the two vessels that
ambushed me.
Wow.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So, uh, she had put in a goodword for me, and I know
Christie, um, Haney, uh, and um,but I don't meet a stranger.
So when I delivered Miss Rhondathere, I just kind of made
myself at home.
Yeah.
But I had no idea at that timethat got, that's not a job.
(19:02):
That is my calling.
When you love what you do andyou do what you love, I miss
those ladies.
I, I go there on my weekendsoff, you know what I mean?
Yeah.
none (19:11):
Back to the Grace House and just back to the Grace
House.
Shelley (19:13):
Just Yeah.
To love on'em and just encourage'em and.
We're an extended family now,you know what I mean?
And they, they're as much ablessing to me, you know what I
mean?
Wow.
And so God, um, is to makedisciples, you know, just plant
a seed.
Yeah.
Just one soul at a time.
Wow.
Yeah.
Phil (19:32):
Now, are you working for Safe House or are you, is it
most of it volunteer time?
Um, I'm
Shelley (19:36):
working, I'm the van driver Okay.
For the Grace House.
Awesome.
Yeah.
Phil (19:40):
That's great.
Shelley (19:41):
And I'm standing on, I'm gonna be that correction.
I'm gonna be that Miss Ann.
She's the one who shackled meand, and prayed for me all the
way to court six years ago.
And I When,
Phil (19:50):
when you got arrested?
Mm-hmm.
Shelley (19:51):
Um, I didn't know her name.
I'll shoot, it was a silhouette.
It was an angel in a uniform.
But her praying over me, it, itstuck in my heart.
Wow.
And I want to go, I want to bemaybe even a chaplain in Russell
County Jail again, to leadpeople to the center of hope
that Jesus' feet.
Phil (20:06):
That's awesome.
So you, uh.
You first got connected to SafeHouse through Neil when you were
in the Muskogee County Jail.
Yeah.
When he was the chaplain back inthe very early days of Safe
House Ministries.
Right.
Then you got out and the Lordled you to Center of Hope, which
where he did just a permanenttransformative work Yes.
In your life by His word and hisHoly Spirit.
(20:27):
Yes.
And then he led you back here toto to work.
He says In the Safe house.
And he said, I'll
Shelley (20:32):
be found by you, says the Lord.
And I will injure captivity andrestore your fortunes where I
sent you and I'll bring you homeagain to your own land.
Phil (20:40):
Yes.
And now he's using you to reachso many others.
Just
Shelley (20:43):
a little old me.
Phil (20:44):
Praise the Lord.
So how is Shelby and Shilohdoing right now?
Shelley (20:49):
Um, amazing.
Shelby is, um, just got, she'sbeen answer.
We all stay at my mom and dad'shouse and we're taking shifts,
taking care of them.
Phil (20:59):
And Shelby has, how many kids?
Shelley (21:00):
She's got three, but one, her oldest son lives in
Texas with her boyfriend's dad.
Okay.
With their dad, I mean, withtheir mom.
Um, so she's got two kids here.
But uh, so she still remainsclean.
She just started her newcleaning business.
She's a caregiver for open armsand she comes and volunteers at
the Grace House also becausethat's also her calling, you
(21:22):
know.
Wow.
Um, but uh, and she's beenanxious about trying to find her
own place, and I'm trying totell her what's for you is gonna
be for you and what's not God,it is not gonna be a complicated
thing.
What's for you?
He's gonna, is gonna just flow.
And she just got, um, my pastor,we had sold the house that I
grew up in.
(21:42):
We sold it to my pastor and theytold us that, um, they would
sell the house to Shelby andhelp her get financed for it.
So that's nothing but Godordaining, you know what I mean?
He just, he moves mountains.
Wow.
Like he says he will, you know.
Where do
Phil (21:57):
you go to church at?
Shelley (21:57):
Church on the Rock is my home church in Phoenix City.
Okay.
And then I catch the fort at 12o'clock and then I go to the
recovery house from two o'clockto four, five o'clock Sundays.
Phil (22:08):
Now do your, does Shiloh and Shelby, do they go to, does
everybody go to church with youat the church on the Rock?
Uh, Shelby goes
Shelley (22:13):
to church on the Rock with me.
My youngest daughter, Shiloh,she's a member of 7:00 AM
Ministries.
Okay.
Okay.
Phil (22:19):
That's where the seventh grade teacher who I guess
Shelley (22:22):
well, um, we're not there yet.
Okay.
We're working on it.
Okay.
Yeah, she, no, she goes tochurch on the Highlands.
I'm sorry.
Okay.
Um, her teacher, but yeah.
Phil (22:32):
So is Shiloh back now?
Is she still with the teacher?
Yes.
Okay.
Shelley (22:36):
Yes.
And I don't know, uh, and so I,sometimes I've got my own little
room at the Grace House, so Istay there some during the week.
Yeah.
But, uh, God's just openingdoors that no man can open and
no man can close.
I
Phil (22:49):
love it.
It's, that's awesome.
It, it's, it is a wonderfulthing to behold when the Lord
works to do things and it,everything just falls into
place.
Yes.
And you have an amazing story,just the way that you, God has
worked in your life, in Shelby'slife, in Shiloh's life.
(23:10):
There are multiple stories like.
There's so much that could betold that we just Yeah.
We aren't able to get to.
Yeah.
Shelley (23:17):
And you know, I don't reme like, uh, it's, it,
sometimes he'll bring somethingto my remembrance, uh, but what
the enemy meant for evil.
God turned around for my goods.
So, things that I, he forgave mefor, thrown into the sea of
forgetfulness, you know what Imean?
And, uh, and he'll put on myheart what I need to remember
(23:38):
and what I need to let go of.
You know what I mean?
Yeah.
And that is the end of part twoof Shelly's Amazing story.
What a ride with that high speedchase time in jail and prison
time on probation.
And just how amazing is it thatwhat God did to get his word
into her heart and trulytransform her life.
(24:01):
Next week we will finish upShelly's story.
She's gonna share.
Where she is now, and she'lltalk about her grandkids.
She'll talk about the blessingsof the Lord in her life and what
going forward looks like for herand for her children and for her
grandchildren.
She will also pull out somelessons and things that God
(24:22):
taught her along the way.
Some lessons that will be a helpto many others if they will just
listen.
I'm an avid reader and one ofthe reasons that I read so much
is because I want to learn andgrow and gain wisdom really, so
that if I can avoid mistakes andheartaches and problems that I
(24:43):
would like to, you know, we canall learn by the school of hard
knocks.
But who wants to do that?
How much better is it if we canlearn from the wisdom that
others have gained bythemselves, having to go through
the school of hard knocks, andthen the sharing that wisdom,
how much better is it if we canlearn from them and avoid those?
Pains and heartaches and sadnessin our lives completely.
(25:07):
So come back next week.
You're gonna really be blessedby it.
Thanks for being here this week,and God bless you.
We look forward to being backwith you again next week.
Phil Shuler (25:16):
We look forward to being with you again next week
as we share another testimonyabout the power and the goodness
of God to change lives throughSafe House Ministries.
if you are someone listening tothis podcast that loves to hear
these stories of the greatthings that God is doing in
changing people's lives for thebetter, and if you would like to
be a part of that work, pleasereach out to us You can reach us
(25:39):
at 2101 Hamilton Road, Columbus,Georgia, 31,904.
You can call us at seven oh sixthree two two.
3 7, 7 3, or you can email us atinfo@safehouse-ministries.com.
Microphone (Samson Q2U Mi (25:54):
Thank you so much for being with us
this week for the renew restoreand rejoice podcast of safe
house ministries, we pray thatGod will bless you this week.
And we look forward to havingyou back with us again next week
for a new episode.
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