Let's Talk About Sex! Introducing Freedom13 Ministries...

It was the summer of 2008 when I was sitting among a small group of women participating in a Bible study on the power of prayer.  I felt the tug at my heart.  I felt the whisper in my ear.  My response was quick and sharp.  "No, LORD.  Not me." 


I knew in that moment that he was going to prepare me for something big, something beyond my wildest dreams, something at the end of it all, I could look back on it and say, "Only you God could pull off something like that."  Since that summer in 2008, I knew God was going to use our time together to prepare me, train me, and grow me into the woman he created me to be for such a time as this.  The journey would not be without challenges, hurts and heartbreaks, but it would be worth them all.  Because when we surrender our lives to Christ and his cause, he makes life worth living.


Ya know?  Only the God I serve can take our most painful moments and turn them into glorious opportunities of servanthood.  Only the God I serve can take our most shameful moments and turn them into liberating opportunities of ministry.  And only the God I serve can take our most sinful moments and turn them into righteous opportunities of proclamation.  Months ago the Lord started piecing together the vision for Freedom13 Ministries.  The burden for this ministry came after seeing and hearing about the struggle most young people face as they try and navigate their way through a sex-saturated world.  My passion for this ministry only grew as I watched young women hide behind their shame of virginity, pornography addiction and poor relationship choices.


As an American Christian, I must face the reality and ask myself, "How have I contributed to this?"  Having grown up in the church I know sex was not something taught on regularly.  I just know I was told to not have it until I was married.  Could it be as American Christians we have somehow, unintentionally taught our Christian children to be ashamed and scared of sex and to be ashamed and scared of their virginity?  And could it also be that we have completely failed them as the Body of Christ in preparing our Christian children on how to live in a sex-saturated world?!

The mission of Freedom13 Ministries is to educate men and women of all ages on God’s design for sex and the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Freedom13 Ministries strives to be on the pro-active side of crisis pregnancy, abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, and men and women’s overall spiritual and emotional health.  Freedom13 Ministries also believes that Jesus forgives all sins and can restore anyone’s past no matter how dark or ugly.  It is our hope to empower men and women of all ages with the redemptive Gospel message found in the Bible. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” -2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)


The purpose of Freedom13 Ministries is to serve men and women of all ages who long to be set free from sexual sin.  It is easy to walk through life not realizing we are enslaved to sin that is keeping us from experiencing God's full potential for our lives.  Freedom13 Ministries educates, equips, and empowers men and women through the message of hope, redemption, salvation, restoration, healing, and accountability found in the Bible.  Additionally, Freedom13 Ministries provides support for healthy relationships, children (young to adult) effected by divorce and adultery, abstinence: God’s design for sex, and virginity (second chance virginity). 


Why the number 13?  Freedom13 Ministries believes in the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.  Galatians 5:13 says, "For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters.  Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."  I believe in and proclaim the saving and miraculous power of Jesus Christ.  In my darkest moments, Jesus has been there for me.  That's just who he is.  I don’t believe in luck or magic.  I believe in Jesus and blessings.


HOW CAN YOU HELP?


1.  I need your prayers.  This ministry cannot survive without prayer.  Consider being one of our prayer partners. 
2.  I need volunteers.  Specifically, I need individuals willing to be accountability partners for those struggling with specific areas of sin. 
3.  I need financial supporters.  We are a non-profit organization and are trusting the Lord to provide donors in order to pay for brand new expenses.



Brent and I are so excited about this new journey.  Thank you for your prayer and support.  We can't wait to see how the Lord uses Freedom13 Ministries.  Where He is, there is FREEDOM!


We are on Facebook.  Like us...Freedom13 Ministries.

Heaven Came Down

Last Friday, Heaven came down and glory filled my soul.  A friend and I were able to worship with a group of women going through the recovery process at a local Christian drug and alcohol rehab facility.  My purpose in going was to share with them a message I felt the Lord had given me.  I was able to do that; we had a tremendous time.  But what those women did for me...how they blessed my heart...will forever have an impact on my life.


Before it was my time to speak, the lady in charge announced that we would worship first.  She asked my friend and me if that was OK.  I assured her it was.  She then said to the group of women, "Ladies, let us get ready to worship."  In doing so, the lights faded and every woman turned around to face the wall and closed her eyes.  What happened next has to be like something straight out of the streets of Heaven.


The music began.  The heavenly voice came across the speakers in the room.  It was not a live vocal.  The CD track was clear...


I EXALT THEE!  I EXALT THEE!  I EXALT THEE, OH LORD!


For my friend and me, the awkwardness lasted for a second, maybe.  As soon as the voices of those precious women went up, the world outside fell off of us both.  I could hear one woman across the room weeping.  Another one near by calling out the name of Jesus.  I reached to grab my friend's hand so that I would not fall over.  The Spirit of God was upon us and His presence was overwhelming.  My friend fell to her knees.  It was too much.  She needed to submit herself before the Lord.  Tears were streaming down my face. 


I prayed, "Lord God, how is it that you've chosen me to speak before these women?  I don't deserve this.  Lord, they are crying out for you.  Do you hear them, Lord?  They are so desperate for you.  Listen to them, Father.  They love you so much."  


The music played on...


HOLY SPIRIT, YOU ARE WELCOME HERE.  COME FLOOD THIS PLACE AND FILL THE ATMOSPHERE.  YOUR GLORY,GOD, IS WHAT OUR HEARTS LONG FOR...TO BE OVERCOME BY YOUR PRESENCE, LORD.


And overcome we were.  We did not have to ask for His presence.  He was already there.  And then I realized what made me love these women so much.  No, I do not have a past with drugs or alcohol addiction.  But I can relate to total despair.  I can relate to someone getting to a place where they have nothing left but to call out for Jesus.  And that is where these dear women were.  They understood and they do understand...Jesus is the game changer.  Jesus is life changing.  My friend and I not only watched as these women went from broken to Oaks of Righteousness, but we had front-row access.  Sometimes, God shows out like that.


The worship time ended.  The teaching time came and went.  We laughed and cried.  And then to top it all off, we went out worshipping one last time.  The song of choice...


THERE IS POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS...TO BREAK EVERY CHAIN, BREAK EVERY CHAIN, BREAK EVERY CHAIN.


And that is so true, my friends.  Jesus is still so much into breaking every chain in our lives.  That is probably my most favorite thing about the Guy.  Heaven sure enough came down last Friday night - an experience I will never forget.  I couldn't wait to share it.  To God be all the glory!


Linds

Grace Ambulance COME QUICKLY!

I've been reminded lately of a few things I had forgotten.  I thought...I bet I'm not the only one who can get busy and distracted and caught up in all kinds of things that don't really matter.  And so I thought it might be nice to be reminded of a few things YOU may have forgotten.


Motherhood does not equal perfection.  Nor is it easy.  Or even fun (sometimes).  Motherhood could actually be translated to mean grace needed, grace given, grace wanted, Grace Ambulance COME QUICKLY!


Marriage
Friendship
Family
Fatherhood
Church Family
Career Choice
Big Decisions
LIFE in general...


DOES NOT equal perfection.  Nor is it easy.  Or even fun (sometimes).  Any hardship, any aspect of this life we live could actually be translated to mean grace needed, grace given, grace wanted, Grace Ambulance COME QUICKLY!


God made you.  God loves you.  God does NOT make mistakes.  Life is messy.  Life is hard.  But you, my friend, are a Beautiful Mess.  And those things that make us completely inadequate are sweet reminders from God that you can NOT do this thing called life without Him.  THIS I know...even in my darkest hour...He was there for me and He is there for you.  No one is a friend like Jesus.  Happy Monday!

I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Psalm 121:1-3

Growing Up Is Not Easy

As a kid, I would look at other grown-ups and envy the lives they had.  With awe and wonder, I would say to myself, "I can't wait to be grown!"  Because as a kid, I thought adults...


Stayed up as late as they wanted.


Never had homework.


Never had to follow rules.


Could eat whatever they wished.


Always were right.


Always made the right decision.


Never had problems.


Well!  Now that I, myself, am an adult...I now know that my impression of other adults was...let's just say...a bit off.  As an adult, I realize I CAN stay up as late as I want, but it comes with a price.  I might not have homework, but oh what I would do to trade my current responsibilities for a little homework!  I DO have to follow rules and when I break them, my consequence is a bit more than a time out or a detention after school.  Sure, I can eat whatever I want, but I know it's not healthy and please don't get me started on being fat!  I am NOT always right.  In fact, I'm hardly right.  And I've had my share of poor decisions and have definitely been on the consequential receiving end of other adults in my life making wrong decisions.  And problems?  Don't we all have problems?!


As a kid, I used to also think that adults had so much confidence.  They knew who they were.  They had plans and goals.  The women in my life seemed so confident and happy.  The men in my life were protectors, steady, strong in their beliefs.  And I trusted them.  They never could do wrong in my eyes.  They were safe.  And they walked with the Lord. 


Yet, now that I am an adult, I feel like the older I get, the less confident I am.  Happiness is just a feeling.  It's joy that I want.  Joy that comes only from God.  AND it's something I have to pursue.  The people I trusted so much as a kid have disappointed me or passed away.  Trust has been shattered.  Good people have mad bad choices.  And some have completely walked away from the Lord.


And here's the kicker...I have disappointed others, hurt others, angered others.  I've failed over and over as a parent.  I've walked away from the Lord.  Returned.  Walked away.  Returned again.  I've lost the trust of others, made bad choices, sinned against others, and sinned against a God I cherish.  And if I'm not careful, I can let the enemy (Satan) convince me of who he thinks I am.  Along the way, I can forget who I am and Whose I am. 


Is that you today?  Have you listened to so many lies about yourself that you now actually believe those lies to be truth?  Lies about who you are.  Lies about what you do.  Lies about your marriage, your friendships, your children.  What about the young folks in your life?  Do they look at you with the same awe and wonder as I mentioned above?  Others are watching us.  I wonder what message we are sending. 


As I close, I pray you ask God to show you who you are in Him today.  I am doing the same.  And so far, I 've learned and I choose to believe that...


*I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power.


*I am alive with Christ.


*I am free from the law of sin and death.


*I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me.


*I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me.


*I am holy and without blame before Him in love.


*I have the mind of Christ.


*I have the peace of God that passes all understanding.


AND SO ARE YOU AND SO HAVE YOU.


*"Knowing Who I Am In Christ" -Joyce Meyer

Who's Your Enemy?

Um, wow!  Hello!  It's been a long time!  I'm not even sure if I remember how to put a subject and verb together these days.  I don't have a real good reason for my absence but that's OK because the whole three of you who read this blog won't care either way.  Hi mom!  *grin* 

It's weird, but somehow along the journey of life these days, I feel like I might have lost my voice.  Does that ever happen to you?  What's crazy is nothing monumental has to happen for me to feel like that.  It just happens.  Life can be moving along just fabulously and just like that, you can feel like you've been kicked in the teeth.  Perhaps someone hurt your feelings.  Maybe it was just an unexpected glance that came your way.  Or maybe you're just not feeling your best.  You're tired more.  Maybe you've put on a few pounds.  I can relate to almost all of those.  Feelings are a funny thing.  For some of us, nothing terrible has to happen to make us feel terrible.  What's worse is when we feel sad and have no explanation for feeling sad.  Now, not only are we feeling sad, but we are also feeling guilty for not having a valid excuse to feel sad.  It's maddening, truly.

No matter if you're a spiritual person or if you even believe in the after life, I think you would agree with me that sometimes you start thinking and believing things you may not have thought or believed before.  Those thoughts and beliefs even have a voice and you can recall a time, perhaps, when you didn't hear such a voice.  With each passing day, that voice gets louder and louder and the things the voice says contradict everything you once believed about yourself.  Does that ever happen to you?

Well, I am a spiritual person and I believe that voice represents the enemy in our lives.  My enemy may look and sound different from your enemy, but the point remains the same...we have an enemy.  My enemy likes to convince me of how replaceable I am, how reject-able I am, how stupid I am.  My enemy likes to have me think I have no friends, and since my own flesh and blood had no problems completely walking out of my life sooner or later, so will my husband, and so will my kids.  My enemy likes to tell me how fat I am, how oily my skin is, and loves to point out my newest wrinkles and areas of cellulite.  My enemy tells me I'll never be pretty no matter how much exercise I do or make-up I purchase.  My enemy even tells me I'm a terrible mom for working away from home and I'm a terrible employee for wanting to be at home.  Does this ever happen to you?

I realized this morning that my enemy is only allowed to speak these things to me as much as I allow him.  And each time I allow my enemy to speak to me, I leave little to no room for Truth to speak and dwell and consume.  Because after so much time, my enemy, if I'm not careful, will just move right in.  And I'll act as though my enemy has lived there since the beginning.  That voice of Truth will become harder and harder to hear, because I love for my enemy to scream at me.  He's much more effective when he screams.  He knows I'll listen and with each comment, I become weaker and weaker.  Does this ever happen to you?

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, THERE is liberty."

Truth is bigger than my enemy.  And Truth is bigger than your enemy.  Truth desires to speak to me and speak to you.  Truth wants to live inside of me and live inside of you.  But at some point, we have to give Truth the power He deserves and tell our enemy to flee in Truth's name. 

Do that with me, will you? 

Truth says we have been fearfully and wonderfully made.  Truth says we were born with purpose and for a purpose.  Truth says there are no accidents, no mistakes when it comes to our lives.  Truth says we will not be put to shame when we put our hope in Truth.  Truth says, "Let me guide you and teach you."  Truth forgets the sins of our youth, He forgets our rebellious ways.  According to Truth's love for us, He remembers us and knows us by name.  When we keep our eyes and our focus on Truth, Truth frees us from our traps.  Truth is gracious and loving toward us.  Truth sets us free from our anguish.  Truth guards our lives, rescues us and protects us. 

Did you know that?

My Truth is my Hope and my Hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  He can be your Truth and your Hope, too.  All you have to do is ask. 

Sending Some Encouragement Your Way

This morning as I was reflecting over some things I had recently read, I was reminded of something.  Someone once told me that feelings are just feelings.  They're just...feelings!  Too often, I let my feelings dictate my actions.  And as I was recalling that piece of information this morning, I thought of something else...feelings are also deceptive.  Too often I may FEEL overwhelmed.  I may FEEL exhausted.  I may FEEL lonely or sad or even angry.  But those feelings are NOT an indication of who I am...especially of who I am in Jesus Christ.  As I prayed this morning, I asked the Lord to remind me of who I am in Him.  And that is what I hope you will do today, as well.


Please be encouraged.  We are not products of our feelings.  Feelings ARE just feelings.  And they only have as much power in our lives as we give them.  The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy and he loves to use our feelings as our biggest weapons.  Today, I pray you will defeat the enemy at his own game.  Remind him of who you are and Whose you are. 


As we celebrate Easter this week, I am overwhelmed by the thought of where I would be and who I would be had it not been for the Cross.  Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we have full access to the King of Kings.  On this day, feelings aside, my heart shouts, "Hallelujah!"  Jesus knows our names and He knows our hearts.  For we are His and He is ours...bought with the precious blood of Christ. 


Today I pray you will turn your eyes upon Jesus.  Look full into His wonderful face.  And know that you are His.  Happy Monday!
Linds

To My Oldest Child...

My Dearest Wade,


You just turned 9-years-old.  That is hard for me to believe as it feels like just yesterday I spent the night before you were born in prayer.  That's right, I spent the entire night praying for lots of things.  At first my prayer consisted of requests that would help me be a good mommy...you are our first-born and you can imagine how scared I was at being responsible for you being so little and precious.  But as my prayer continued through the night, I started asking the Lord right then and there to do something special in your life...to choose you, to use you, to love you, and the list went on and on.  I wish I could remember my entire prayer conversation with the Lord that night so that you can see how faithful He's been to you throughout your nine years of life, but that moment was for me and the Lord...just the two of us to share.  He heard every word I prayed that night.  I know He did because I believe God hears our prayers.  You've seen recently at just how God does, in fact, hear when we pray to Him.


We've been talking to you a long time about living your life for Jesus.  We've been praying about it for a while, too.  You've asked us to pray for you, because you told us you wanted to be ready when you made that commitment to follow Jesus with your life.  Well, just a few weeks ago, on February 5, you informed your dad and me you had finally told the Lord you wanted to live your life for His Son.  Wade, I know we've talked a lot already about this huge decision.  You know how proud we are, but I wanted to take the time to let you know in this letter just how significant that decision was/is.


You will make a lot of decisions in your life.  And you will need God's instruction on all of them.  There will be many important things to decide like making good grades, going on to college, marrying someone who loves Jesus and loves you, choosing where to live and how many kids to have, choosing a career and how to raise your children in a Godly manner.  All of those things will be important and will matter in life.  But nothing...absolutely nothing will come close to the importance of living your life for Jesus.  It is the only decision that has true eternal significance and it will serve as the foundation for all other decisions you make from this point on.  It's hard to understand now...it's hard for grown-ups to understand, much less try to explain...but you hearing God's voice tell you to live your life for His Son was/is the most important thing that has ever happened and will ever happen to you.  Do you hear me?  The most important.


You know Satan hates that you've made this decision.  And he has already tried to make you do things that go against the nature of God.  I understand how frustrating this is, but try to see these attacks by the enemy as evidence that Christ does, in fact, reside in your heart.  A piece of Heaven, a chunk of eternity, the Holy Spirit Himself lives inside of you.  There is no greater miracle!  The devil will do his best to steal you back as one of his.  It will be a constant battle until you are Home in Heaven with Jesus.  And you can always count on your mother to storm the gates of Hell on your behalf so that the enemy will know he can't have you and he will have to deal with me as long as he tries.  You can count on that, my Wade, until Jesus calls me Home.


But you are a major part of this equation...your responsibility as a child of God is huge.  You must know that you represent Jesus now.  He is your Savior.  He lives in your heart.  And you have chosen to use His name as the way you identify who you are.  Wade Andrew Crawford, child of the King of Kings, an ambassador for Jesus Christ, a chosen servant of God to bring others to His Son, to be a fisherman of people.  There is no higher calling.  There will be nothing you do on this planet that will mean more.  That is why that right now, at nine-years-old, you seek Christ with everything you have.  You talk to Him all of the time.  You read His Word all of the time.  You tell Him everything...when you mess up, when you're angry, when you're hurting, when you're thankful...and Wade, tell Him you love Him.  Tell Him you love Him as often times as you think about it.  Because even though I love you so much, it physically hurts...Jesus loves you more.  I know!!  Crazy, right?!!  But He does.  He loves you so much that He died for you.  And now that you understand the significance of that, go and tell the world, unashamed, of how Jesus has changed your life.


I love you.  You are a treasure in my heart.  Remember what your daddy and I say...always do the right thing.  And remember Who you belong to.


Love,
Mom