About

Email: tom at contriteheart.org

My name is Tom Crandall and I am a new creation in Christ.  In March of 2013 my heart was crushed by the weight of shame and guilt; by powerlessness; by fear and unforgiveness; by lies and false beliefs.  I was broken, empty, and lost.  I went from helpless to homeless to hopeless.

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From June of 2012 to May of 2013 I was incarcerated six times—three for theft, once for domestic violence, once for felony drug possession, and once for DUI—in a stolen car.  My last three-year run on the street I crossed boundary after boundary—regressing into an IV meth addict, alcoholic, and demon-oppressed criminal.  I was banned from the city of Tempe, AZ, by a judge, via court order.

It is only through God’s mercy and grace that I am still alive.  I was baptized on July 25th of 2013 and have a new identity in Christ.  God has a purpose for me to share the redemptive work of Jesus Christ with broken and empty souls, particularly those imprisoned by false beliefs, addiction, and the grip of sin.

Over the course of twenty-three years I completed seven treatment programs in the states of New York, Minnesota, Illinois, and Arizona.  I have been in and out of twelve step programs, with a year or more of sobriety on five occasions—but there was always something missing.

World class treatment programs like Hazelden showed me how to surrender my addiction, which was just a symptom; it was the Word of God that cut deeply into my heart, and the truth leads me to surrender much more–my pride, lust, and greed.  You cannot have a Lord’s Prayer without a Lord.

In addition, a revelation of Abba’s love and a new identity in Christ shattered the false beliefs that dictated my thought processes, emotions, motivations, and behaviors.  I believed I was unlovable, undesirable, and defective, but the tender love of Christ invaded and overwhelmed my heart, grounding me in sonship.

In Christ I am born again, finally experiencing the peace I previously searched for in relationships, success, status, possessions, wisdom, performance, appearance, and the pursuit of wealth and power.  In Christ we have a life of security, value, and purpose.  Praise God—He  is mighty to save souls, heal hearts, and deliver from the cords of sin and the oppression of unclean and demonic spirits.  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Galatians 2:20I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives inside me.  The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

John 8:31-32 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Comfort for the Contrite

Isaiah 57:14-21
And it will be said:
“Build up, build up, prepare the road!
Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”
For this is what the high and exalted One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
I will not accuse them forever,
nor will I always be angry,
for then they would faint away because of me—
the very people I have created.
I was enraged by their sinful greed;
I punished them, and hid my face in anger,
yet they kept on in their willful ways.
I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
which cannot rest,
whose waves cast up mire and mud.
“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

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2 thoughts on “About

  1. Sara

    So I was looking up “contrite heart” and found your website, and also saw you are in Phoenix area. The Lord is great at turning our messes into His message! I also saw you are with Phoenix Rescue Mission. I have some friends who have talked about the hope coach, and we’ve talked about getting a group together to volunteer. I like your website and think it’s awesome. God is definitely doing a great work in you. God Bless you!

    Reply
  2. ricky

    hey brother tom its awesome what The Lord did and keeps doing in your life bro i was reading my bible today in a plaine and this guy ask me what type of book it was and im like the best book of all time than i share a little of my testimony but i start to speak to a lady that was infront of me and it was your sister and she share a little of your testimony man i just came back from phoenix today maybe next time if the Lord allows ill see you brother and chat

    Reply

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