Project 5:17

Smells that linger!!

2010-10-10T21:03:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a mysterious odor in your home? It has certainly happened to me. Having young children in my home, I usually assume it is just something in the trash can. I often try to ignore it. Have you noticed that an odor that stings your nose, will eventually fade into the background? Even though the smell is still there, you become used to it. You may even forget about it until it hits you in the face again, or until someone else mentions it.

One way of handling it, is to cover it up. Candles, and cans of air freshner may offer a bit of relief, but eventually you realize that you now have a fruity smelling odor. It is still there, just covered up.

Oh, how I dread the moment that I give up and decide to dig in, find the source, and clean up the mess. It is almost scary when you find yourself getting closer and closer, the odor growing stronger. You know there will be unpleasant things to dig into and a mess to clean up.

God wants to do this with our past hurts and sins. He wants to reveal to us the areas that we have simply gotten used to and grown comfortable with. He wants to remove all of the things that we've used to cover the areas that are contaminated. He wants us to allow him to dig into the pungent mess, and find the source. He knows we're scared, and he knows we don't want to reveal the things that have been left to rot. He also knows that the longer those things sit, the more they will infest our lives and even the lives of others.

God can destroy our mess and replace it with a refreshing aroma! An aroma that is welcoming to others and pleasing to Him. Allow God to search the depths of your life. Allow him to find those areas that let off an unpleasant stench. Allow him to replace it with the pleasing aroma of forgiveness, peace, and and healing.

Authored by: LEIGH RAMSEY

Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:6-10

Lord today I pray over each one who reads this post and feels the sting of the unpleasant odor in their life. May they release to you any issue that is "lingering", causing unrest, worry or perhaps unforgiveness. I pray peace and rest for them. May they begin to uncover what they have tried so hard to bury and give it to you. In JESUS precious name - amen.

2010-08-22T20:30:00.000-07:00

A former participant in our Spring Bible Study emailed me this poem. What a beautiful way she used to express what the Lord was bringing forth in her life as she moved through the Bible Study from a place of brokenness and bondage to freedom and renewal!!

Empty

Empty instruction, little mention of prayer.

Empty teachings without the Bible there.

Empty feelings-nothing felt much like love.

Empty life, uninspired from above.

Empty dreams that You didn't point me toward.

Empty values that meant nothing without You, Lord.

Empty "love" that only made me feel worse.

Empty worth, concluding that uselessness was my curse.

Empty ideas as I was blind and afraid.

Empty beliefs as the decision was made.

Empty emotions when I walked down the sterile hall.

Empty womb, I had let them take it all.

Empty heart every time I numbed the pain.

Empty hands as I searched for joy in vain.

Empty spirit, so I looked up to the sky.

Empty soul, but I heard You knock as I cried.

Empty of sin and filled with grace.

Emptied of hopelessness, joy in its place.

Empty vessel, God use me today.

Empty of me and filled with you, I pray!

All of this emptiness you chose to consume,

with Your love and a cross, and an empty tomb.

written by: Leigh Ramsey

2010-07-17T19:50:00.000-07:00

Let me begin with a story:

A young boy found a butterfly Chrysalis and stopped to watch it as it was obvious that the butterfly inside was attempting to break free from its Chrysalis. Feeling sorry for the struggle that it was having to make, he took out his Boy Scout knife and carefully slit the Chrysalis open to "help" the butterfly.
It flopped out of the Chyrsalis to the ground where it eventually died because its wings were too weak to fly. What the boy intended as "helpful" was actually the butterfly's death sentence!

It is no mistake that the "logo" of Project 5:17 is a butterfly. It displays the fact that we are a new creation in Christ, vaguely representing the former being. There is more to it, though.

So often, women who are preparing to go through the process of abortion recovery are asked why they would visit past wounds. Many of these women know they are forgiven, hearing that their sin is "under the blood". Yes, God forgives. He offers so much more, though. God offers freedom from the guilt and shame of our past choices through His healing.

Just like the butterfly struggling to emerge, it can be hard to watch a person go through the process of healing. Revisiting old wounds and regret is never easy. This struggle is the very thing that gives the person the strength to fly, though.

If you are someone who is watching this struggle, please don't try to stop it. It is for good. If you are the emerging butterfly, please know that it is a hard process (the hardest part is the first call), but it doesn't last forever and soon you'll be soaring in the wind, and drinking the sweet nectar of freedom!

Written by: Leigh Ramsey

And of the third day He AROSE !!

2010-04-02T18:46:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Marcia Schexnider for this beautiful letter:

Have you noticed there are beginning to be signs of Spring? I received an email from a friend that said, “I saw my first Red breasted Robin out, now the tulip trees are in bloom. Yay!!! Spring is on its way!” There’s something about Spring that fills us with hope. We see new life appearing everywhere. Trees bud and then turn beautiful shades of green. The dull and drab is replaced by bursts of color. Flowers that have been only a bulb in the ground raise their heads in full bloom as if in praise to the Creator. It’s as if they know, the tomb is empty—He is risen!!!

I have been privileged over the past eight weeks to witness the power of the resurrection at Project 5:17. Four ladies committed to go through the eight week Bible study, and Debbie and I have sat back in awe as God has done a powerful work in each one of them. It has been like watching a flower open up. When they first came, their heads were bent low in shame and regret. And now they have grasped the truth of Project 5:17’s founding scripture, “If any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”

Oh yes He is risen INDEED!!!

The sacrifice of a changed life

2010-02-17T20:47:00.000-08:00

Acts 24:25

As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."

Many times we push away from God when He asks us to step out in faith or obedience because it is not a convenient time or simply because we do not want to do what He is asking of us. Or maybe you are like Felix and you are afraid.

The good news that Paul was sharing with Felix was all about God's power to change lives. Just hearing the principles and truth of the Bible is not enough. It is the life changing dynamic behind it.

What do you hear God saying to you? Is He asking you to take a step that you are scared to take? Do not feel like you are not capable? Know that God is not going to ask you do something, that He will not equip you to do....God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called! Will you step out in faith and allow God to make a change in you today?

Join me in prayer...

Jesus thank you for your sacrifice of death for me. I want to give myself back to you as a sacrifice of praise through obedience and a desire to have my life changed according to Your will and Your way. In Jesus sweet and precious name, AMEN.

Casting vision for 2010

2010-01-29T18:43:00.000-08:00

The Board of Directors recently met for our first annual strategic planning meeting and what a wonderful day we spent, at a beautiful location (special thanks to the Taylor's).

The board shared ideas, developed new short term and long range goals for the ministry. They also had a special opportunity to hear client testimonies in person, and on our first video podcast (special thank you to my hubby Darrell for coordinating this effort).

Thank you to each of our Board Members who so willingly give of their time to see the mission of Project 5:17 carried out.

Won't you join me as I pray that the vision statement cast for 2010 be carried out in a powerful way!

VISION STATEMENT 2010

"Sharing Christ's hope and healing with those who have been touched by abortion"

March for Life Rally January 22, 2010

2010-01-26T19:55:00.000-08:00

What a humbling experience to be part of the candle light march and the impact that was felt in Lake Charles, LA this past Friday evening, as we stood for LIFE and in memory of those lost to abortion...

Do you feel alone?

2010-01-05T07:03:00.000-08:00

Have you suffered the heartache of abortion?

Are you hurting ?

Do you feel ....

GUILT

SHAME

REGRET

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

New group to begin late January, call today for information.

All calls are strictly confidential (337) 309-5529 or email debbiehenagan@me.com

I invited you today to begin the journey of forgiveness, wholeness and restoration.

My Secret Place

2010-01-02T08:33:00.001-08:00

This is my first post coming to you in this brand new year.... wow, 2009 was amazing and I am thrilled to see what our precious Lord has in store for Project 5:17 in 2010.

As my husband and I drove in the car yesterday a song caught my attention playing low on the radio and today you have the opportunity to listen to what I heard.... the song playing right now on this blog is sang by Michael Booth (of the Booth Brothers) and the title is "The Secret Place". This song moved me from the inside out.... chills ran up and down my back and continue to do so each time I hear it. I ask you to sit here today and listen intently to the message that God has allowed Michael to bring forth through this song.

For many of you, who are post-abortive like me, there is a secret place in your heart that has been closed for many years. Most have a padlock on the door and the hope that the key would never be found again.

But today Jesus is standing at the door of your heart, knocking ever so gently..... asking won't you let me in, let's go to that secret place together, you are not alone in this.... I will never fail you, I will never abandon you....

Isaiah 1:18 "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow" is one of my favorite scriptures and is very personal to me. At one time I felt that I was had so much sin in my past, that I was beyond help or hope. Then stepped out on faith and I opened the door to "my secret place" and now that room is no longer filled with shame, guilt and pain... it is now filled with Love, Grace and Mercy as only Jesus can give !!

If you are struggling today, you did not come to this site by accident, Jesus wants you to know He is the answer.... trust Him.

Join me in prayer today..... Lord Jesus, here at the beginning of 2010 take over any hidden places of my heart, any place that I have locked up and won't allow even myself to look. Lord your word says in Hebrews 13:5 that you will not leave me or forsake me..... so here and now I step out on faith and ask you to wash me with your cleansing blood, please forgive me of my sins and give me a new life in you Christ Jesus..... amen

A Parched and Thirsty Heart

2009-11-21T20:59:00.001-08:00

Jeremiah 14:4

"The ground is parched and cracked for

lack of rain"

When I think of what the ground feels like when it has not rained in a long time, it is so dry and the word that comes to mind is brittle. The ground has several cracks and many times even the grass becomes so distressed and fragile that it will break under any pressure placed upon it.

The same is true for our heart and our lives without spiritual rain. When we do not allow God's word to pour over us and allow our hearts to soak up it up we become just as the parched ground: fragile, dry, hard, cracked and eventually unable to with stand the pressure of even daily life.

Are you thirsty today, is your heart desperately seeking spiritual refreshment? Are you in a dry spell, if so, won't you call out to Him today?

Allow me to walk with you in prayer...

Lord Jesus, I come to you today with a need for spiritual refreshment and a fresh drink of Your living water. I have become dry within my heart and I ask you to hydrate me soak me with your Word and Your presence. Please "rain" down on me today Lord.

Forgiveness isn't always easy!

2009-10-10T21:49:00.001-07:00

Tonight I sit humbled before the Lord. It still amazes me that He has called me to serve in such and incredibly powerful ministry.

My prayers tonight are centered around more of HIM and less of me. The amount of love and forgiveness that Jesus gives is more than my brain can handle at times. This leads me to a question for you tonight...what does true forgiveness looks like?

Forgiveness is not easy for most of us. Being the human natural response our instinct is to withdraw in to ourself as a protective measure when we've been injured. We don't naturally give mercy, grace and forgiveness when we've been wronged.

How do we forgive when we don't feel like it? How do we translate the decision to forgive into a change of heart?

We forgive by faith, out of obedience. Since forgiveness goes against our nature, we must forgive by faith, whether we feel like it or not. We must trust God to do the work in us that needs to be done so that the forgiveness will be complete.

Forgiveness is a choice we make through a decision of our will, motivated by obedience to God and his command to forgive. The Bible instructs us to forgive as the Lord forgave us:

Colossians 3:13

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

(NIV)

Thought to take away..... Forgiveness is a decision NOT a feeling!

Stop by and see us!

2009-10-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

Project 5:17 will have a booth at the Southwest Louisiana Women's Conference. If you are attending the upcoming event take a moment to stop by and say hi, we would love to meet you. We are looking forward to the opportunity to visit with those in the community and raise awareness that there is help available to those women who are hurting from a past abortion.

The conference is going to be held at the Lake Charles Civic Center, Thursday October 15th.

For more information visit www.womenscommissionswla.com

Surrendering the Secret Training

2009-10-09T19:31:00.000-07:00

Marcia and I are very excited to say we recently attended a Surrendering the Secret Leader Certification training in Kirbyville, Texas. We enjoyed seeing Pat again and learning additional training tips for the Bible Study.

Pat Layton is the author of Surrendering the Secret, which is a post-abortion healing Bible Study published by Lifeway. If you would like more information visit the STS website at www.surrenderingthesecret.com.

Prayer is needed more than ever in our nation!

2009-09-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

Take a moment to view this link: http://www.realhealthcarerespectslife.com/

For any of you who may not be familiar with Planned Parenthood, they are America's largest abortion provider.... See below a heartbreaking statement made regarding what Planned Parenthood is really about. Statement below taken Christian Wire website:

Largest Abortion Provider Backing Presidential Candidate Barack Obama Admits Infants Born Alive During Abortion are Left to Die... NJ Planned Parenthood Nurse: "It Does Happen."

http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/234758502.html

For such a time as this!!

2009-09-07T21:50:00.000-07:00

If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. What's more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this? Esther 4:14

I love this story of Esther and how God took her and put her in the right place - at the right time. How many of us are in the right place and the right time and we know God is asking us to step out of our comfort zone and do something for HIM?

Does God have you at an elevated place today? A place that you know is by His hand? God's words says "For God has not given us a spirit of fear" 2 Timothy 1:7.

Don't be afraid, step out and step toward the Lord today, lean into Him and trust that He has appointed this time according to His timetable and not yours.

Fear not - for He is calling you for such a time as this!

New Face for us!

2009-08-27T20:06:00.001-07:00

I wanted to take a moment to say "Thank you" to Jennisa at Once Upon a Blog for working so patiently with me as she created our new blog face.

Arming yourself for battle

2009-08-19T20:26:00.000-07:00

I was reminded tonight by a dear friend of the following scripture....

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12).

Is Satan prowling around your back door like a hungry wolf? Do you feel like he is laughing at you every time you turn around, reminding you of your fears, bringing up doubts? Do you feel like he is working overtime to discourage you in your daily walk with the Lord?

The above statements have been very fresh in my mind lately as I reflect over the past several weeks. The enemy has attacked the ministry on several levels from parents of team members being hospitalized, to a break-in at the office and loosing many of our key ministry items such as our computer, printer and all other technical equipment.

Satan is not to be feared, but we must have respect what he is capable of doing. He can bring havoc into your life, unless you are suited up daily with the full armor of God. Each morning I make a conscious effort to begin on my knees praying the The Full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-1. The enemy comes hard against those of us who stand up for Christ. We must be prepared daily to live out God's purpose for us.

Putting on the armor of God does not prepare for IF attacks will come, but it will give you the protection you need WHEN the attacks come.

In the grip of HIS grace,

Debbie

Summer's Ending

2009-08-03T21:02:00.000-07:00

As I sit here tonight reflecting over the past couple of busy months I can't believe that summer is coming to a close. School will start in a couple of week and we will be back on a schedule and fall into a routine. I am ready to get back in a routine. I seem to function better that way.

I have been busy working on plans for our big fall fundraiser. It is scheduled for Oct 1st and that is fast approaching.

The Lord has really been at work at 5:17. He has brought forth volunteers and people are really stepping up to help. Several months ago I felt like I was on an island walking without support, weary and tired. God is so incredibly faithful in His words "Lean not on your understanding, but on Mine". I knew that He would not call me into this ministry and not provide support to help me when I feel weary and tired.

Praise to Him!

Until next time, blessings.

In the grip of HIS grace - Debbie

He is the Potter, I am the clay

2009-05-29T22:36:00.000-07:00

When I took a look at the last date since I met with you here, I was amazed at how much time has passed. Lots of things have been happening and God is really moving in this ministry. I have felt like God has had me on the molding block for months now just shaping, changing and reshaping me some more. He took me through a time of silence a few months ago and at ever turn I heard the words "Be still and know that I am God" straight out of His Word in Psalms. It is so hard for me to be still, but I obeyed and I feel He was using that time to prepare me for the upcoming things He has in store. Stay tuned....I will add a full update in the next few days, please be patient.

Also check back to the website for a fabulous new look REAL SOON!!!

In HIM, Debbie

Renewed in the Lord

2008-07-13T22:38:00.000-07:00

The Lord has told me to "Be still and know that I am Lord" and for those of you who know me, I do not do this very well. But with the Lord leading me down a path I was not comfortable with, I began to learn to truly listen with my heart and not my eyes. I am used to seeing about 10 feet out in front of me and lately God has allowed only about 1 foot of sight.

The Lord has amazing plans for me and Project 5:17 ahead. I am renewed and excited at what He has in store. Stay tuned for updates and news on the blessings God is bringing forth.

In the grip of HIS grace - Debbie

Welcome to Project 5:17's Blog

2007-12-27T18:33:00.000-08:00

Project 5:17 is a post-abortion healing ministry here to serve you. Stay tuned for more information.