Repeat After Me...

Read this aloud or PURPOSEFULLY in your head ...

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus !!!

It is that simple to wash peace over you ... No matter the emotion or the circumstance there is just something about crying out the name JESUS ... I think of all my sweet brothers and sisters across the ocean, who probably don't have a bible, a copy of RADICAL / CRAZY LOVE, and may not even know a pastor, but somewhere deep in them they know the NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES and they call upon it ... We only need to have faith in the power of JESUS ...

I can vividly remember times when I have called out the name JESUS .... early on in my marriage when we were babies trying to find our way as a couple, when angel's moved a car so that Jeremiah's life was spared, when I was fatigued from Elijah's breathing issues, sitting in my car weeping to get to my Emily in China, changing jobs, Maggie's hurt heart, mind, and body, when we had no insurance, late in the night w/ screams of terror from my angel, in the darkness needing Joseph/ Daisy home, and so much more .... JUST SAYING HIS NAME WASHED ME WITH THE PEACE I SO DESPERATELY NEEDED ... It was as if I could catch my breath and was no longer hostage by my body ...

I want to start my day by just saying "JESUS" and knowing that for the entire day I have a focus on HIM ... It is so easy for me to get up and get GOING !!! Get 4 kids dressed for school, feed 6, start laundry, clean dishes, pick up the gazillion things around my house that are out of place, answer emails for me, 147, and Amazima and then run errands or have meetings or go BACK TO THE DOCTOR w/ one of my angels, head to carpool, dinner and then repeat ... AND WHERE DID I STOP TO INVITE JESUS TO COME ALONG ... I know I talk to HIM all day (cause I am talker), but I need sometime in the word and to be still ... I need to cry out JESUS and I need to teach my children to do the same ...


About the Author
Gwen Oatsvall is a wife to one good looking, godly man and the proud mom of 6 beautiful children. They have a crazy, chaotic life that is all their own ...She has an amazing Savior that has allowed her to glimpse a small bit of His heart by opening her eyes to the orphans of the world . She is c0-founder of 147 Million Orphans. To learn more about adoption and the worldwide orphan crisis visit the 147 Million Orphans Website.

You can find Gwen blogging at The Oatsvall Team

You can also follow 147 on Twitter @147million or follow Gwen @147mom
and on Facebook.

Waiting For You

This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Psalm 118:24

I am full of rejoicing! Full of gladness! Full of love! Full of Light!

How can I not rejoice and praise my Lord when I have been commanded to do so over and over?!

It’s easy to rejoice and praise Him when everything is going RIGHT. What’s hard is praising and rejoicing when everything is going WRONG.

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Is it hard to rejoice some days? YES.

Do I always want to rejoice? NO.

The days that are never ending, filled with a seemingly endless cycle of laundry and dishes and diapers – it’s not easy to sing. The times when everyone wants Mommy and all I want is 5 minutes of quiet – praying is hard. When the washer breaks in the middle of a load, when the last of the milk is spilled on the floor and when your kids are having meltdowns in the checkout line of the grocery store, it’s not easy to rejoice then.

But, I’ve realized that when I rejoice, and when I sing praises; when I use loving words and actions {even when I don't want to!} something happens in me. My attitude changes. I stop worrying and wondering. I let go and trust that things will be taken care of.

And you know what?

They are. Even the little itty-bitty worries that I don't want to burden God with? He knows them. He hears my whispers and He answers them.

Every single one.

I encourage you – the next time you are at the end of your rope – sing a song, cry out a prayer and hold onto Him. He’s there, waiting for you.

About the Author
Aurelia Good is a stay at home pastor's wife. She has 2 adorable girls (Sophie 3 years & Isabelle 19 months), 2 out of control dogs, and a cranky cat. The Good's have 1 blessing awaiting them in heaven. They are a foster/adopt home for medically fragile infants. Aurie strives to be a *yes* momma when it's possible and looks forward to every moment {even the cranky ones!!] with her girls - knowing that these moments are much too fleeting.

You can find Aurie blogging about her messy blessed life at Our Good Life {http://ourgoodfamily.org} and on Twitter @Aurie Good

Withered Hands and Withered Lives

photo © 2011 Angie Chung | more info (via: Wylio)

There are times in your life when you feel as if everything has fallen apart around you. You sit amongst the ruins of what used to be your life, and covered in ashes, all you can find the strength to do is cry out for mercy. The mercies never come.

Wounded and broken, you cry out to Jesus to carry you through the valley before you. Just as He promised, He does. He holds you for as long as you are willing to stay in His arms. Your humanity tempts you to jump out and try to walk on your own, but you quickly learn that you are not strong enough, and you probably never will be. In your weakness, He is strong.

As time passes and your bleeding wounds begin to turn into scars, you can't help but watch others receive the very mercies which you prayed for and never received. Jealous and angry, you find it hard to understand why God will give to some and take from others. Yet it is not our place to understand. We do not have the authority to make those choices.

Some will receive God's mercies in the broken parts of their lives, while others do not. Regardless, He is building a story in your life and it goes something like this...

God's promises are good. He is good, in all circumstances. That never changes. His plans are better than yours. You are simply too small to be able to see the beauty that He will bring from the ashes. If you cling to Jesus, He will certainly complete the works in you which He has started, just as promised.

No matter how gruesome the wreckage of your life may be; no matter what is broken and bleeding; no matter how much you may feel like you can't even take your next breathe; He is big enough and strong enough to carry you through it. Through it all, amidst it all, He is good. His mercies are new every morning. You are covered in grace sweet child of God. Reach for the hem of His garment. Cling to the feet of Jesus. For His plans are better than your plans. His plans for you are good.

Jesus can heal a withered hand, but his greater concern is for withered lives to be healed by his presence. - James Robison of Life Today


About the Author
Kelly Dunn is loved, saved and forgiven by the amazing grace and sweet mercies of Jesus every day.

She is the mother of 2 sweet children, Ashton (3) and Noah who was born into Heaven. She is thankful for Dan, her rock and the leader of their family. She spends her time raising a daughter who knows and loves Jesus, reading, drinking way too much coffee, and doing intentional life with the people she loves.

Kelly writes at Noah's Ark: Finding Faith and Joy In All Circumstances and is the creator of Project63:3

Find her on Twitter @Kelly_NoahsArk

Become A Project 63:3 Contributor

Project 63:3 is about women of faith coming together to share the stories that God has given us. It is a place where authentic lives can encourage one another through laughter and tears.

If you are interested in becoming a contributor to Project 63:3 please read the follow rules before submitting your writing.

1. Please e-mail submissions to Project633Blog@gmail.com using the subject "Submission"
2. You may write about anything you choose. Please keep in mind that this is a Christian blog and our goal is to encourage one another in our daily lives. If you need inspiration we recommend reading Psalm 63 (verse 3 in particular) and see what God puts on your heart.
   
3. This blog is meant to be authentic Christian women living authentic lives before each other. Your writing can be sad, funny, quirky, or heart wrenching. The only thing that we require is that it be REAL.
4. Please keep all submission under 750 words. If that is a problem for you please contact us at project633blog@gmail.com for further discussion.
   
5. Submissions must be ORIGINAL posts written by the SUBMITTING PARTY (you may NOT submit on behalf of another person).
6. Submissions must be written EXCLUSIVELY for Project 63:3. You may post direction to the Project 63:3 blog on your own personal blog, but we ask that you refrain from posting the entire work anywhere else for 14 days after Project 63:3 publishes your piece.

We look forward to receiving your submissions. If we find that you are a good match for Project 63:3 we will be in contact with you with more details.

Thank you in advance!

Calling All Bloggers

Project 63:3 is currently looking for contributing women writers!

Our goal here is to share the stories of women from all walks of life to encourage one another in the goodness of God!

If you are interested in becoming a contributor to Project 63:3, please email an ORIGINAL post (it may not be posted on another site such as a personal or ministry blog) to project633blog@gmail.com for review. If you are chosen for publishing, you will be contacted for further discussion.

Please share your story of how His love is better than life and you glorify His name in your own walk.

We look so forward to hearing from you!