Freed To Set Others Free

Tom Crandall

That is the title of chapter eleven of the memoir, Fallen, by Annie Lobert.  Here is a preview:

In order for anyone to truly heal, we need to let God reveal the truth about the root of each issue we struggle with. The truth about ourselves is what sets us free more than anything else. When I was a slave to the sex industry, my perspective had to shift of how I viewed my life in order for me to see that I needed to be freed from bondage.

After what Jesus had done for me, I wanted to offer that same hope to others. How could I not? It would be so selfish to keep it all to myself! I became a very eager student of wanting to give this freedom to others. Many times I wanted to jump out into the world and start a full-time ministry. But God would gently whisper in my ear, “Not yet, Annie. I want more time with you alone. Healing takes time. I want you to be ready and equipped for the journey ahead. You can’t help others effectively if you still need help yourself. Focus on My love to heal you first.” One of my favorite scriptures that ministered to me and stopped me from jumping too far ahead of myself was Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” I camped on that one, especially when I was tempted to jump ahead in my own timing. And trust me, that was often! Continue reading “Freed To Set Others Free” »

What’s My Motive?

Tom Crandall

During my morning run the Spirit led me to a disturbing reality–I often use truth for the express purpose of “being right.”

What an ugly, self-righteous motive.  The word of God is a sword with the power to separate soul from spirit.  It should not be used to exalt myself or condemn others, it is designed for a divine purpose–to reveal the love and justice of God.  Honesty is only virtuous when delivered with love.

LORD God, I desire to repent from this destructive behavior.  Guard my heart with your love, fill me with a spirit of compassion and help me to glorify your great name.  Awaken me to my identity as a son.  In Jesus’ name. Continue reading “What’s My Motive?” »

Broken

Tom Crandall

By the time I was 19-years-old I had three juvenile felonies under my belt, I was an alcoholic, I had totaled two financed cars, I got my first DUI, and I got my girlfriend pregnant.  I was driven by fear and paralyzed by shame.  Miraculously, I passed an FBI background check, I was hired and worked as an international flight attendant for Pan Am for three years starting at age twenty.

In my desperate search for acceptance and approval I became a chameleon, void of my own personality, without real opinions of my own.  I was skillful at adapting, mirroring, parroting, and conforming to the behaviors, qualities, vocabulary, and dialects of others–here in the U.S. and in other cultures.  I meticulously studied and practiced the mannerisms, mentalities, dispositions, principles, expectations, styles, trends, and wisdom of a wide variety of social, demographical, geographical groups and subgroups of people. Continue reading “Broken” »

Painful Grace

Tom Crandall

By Chaplain Cliff Danley © 2005

Pain is still what wakes me up
And pain puts me to sleep
But I am closer to His love
It’s felt beneath my weeps

Such a mess all alone here
That’s really how I feel
Shapeless, wet, and undefined
On the Potter’s wheel

No features form or reflection yet
Just soft from tears and waiting
For His loving hands to mold and shape me
Into His purpose of creating Continue reading “Painful Grace” »

Does God Hate Sinners?

Tom Crandall

Yes.

Psalm 5:4-6
“For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil may not dwell with you.
The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
you hate all evildoers.
You destroy those who speak lies;
the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.”

John 3:36
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

But God; in His great mercy and majesty, He also loves sinners.  How is this possible?  The cross. Scandalous, offensive, incomprehensible.  God pours out His sovereign grace not because He needs us but because He loves us: Continue reading “Does God Hate Sinners?” »

Can A Follower Of Christ Be Lukewarm?

Tom Crandall

Revelation 3:16-20 “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.  For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

[From the book, Crazy Love, by Francis Chan]

1. Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe “good Christians” do, so they go. Isaiah 29:13

2. Lukewarm people don’t really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don’t genuinely hate sin and aren’t truly sorry for it; they’re merely sorry because God is going to punish them. Lukewarm people don’t really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one. John 10:10, Romans 6:1-2 Continue reading “Can A Follower Of Christ Be Lukewarm?” »

Phoenix Rescue Mission Men

Tom Crandall

Twelve men from the Phoenix Rescue Mission Transformations Program went to Tucson on January 29th to praise our Lord God and hear Todd White share his faith and testimonies.  What happened was amazing–Todd called us up to the stage and asked everyone in attendance to pray over us (at the 10:00 mark).

We met up with brothers and sisters in Christ and were deeply encouraged and edified in the name of Jesus.

Continue reading “Phoenix Rescue Mission Men” »