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 !!

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

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

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

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?

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

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