The CRAWFORD STAND podcast

Donald Crawford Sr.
  • 4.7 (13)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Crawford Media Group President and Owner Donald Crawford addresses the greatest issues of today.

  1. Jul 2

    Freedom!

    The CRAWFORD STAND podcast

    14 min

  2. Jun 24

    The Declaration of Independece

    We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. What a great way to address the King of England, who obviously disagreed. Unfortunately, this strong assertion of a natural right left out two things. First, all men and all women are created equal. Secondly, the Founding Fathers, brilliant as they were, conveniently seemed to forget the fact that slavery, the enslavement of Black men and women, existed in the colonies, and those men and women were surely not equal. But the target, the enemy was the King, and these men, 56 of them from 13 different colonies, were determined to live free and sever all ties with Great Britain. At the beginning of the Declaration of Independence, a masterful political document constructed by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 56 Founding Fathers made this statement: WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT, THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN INALIENABLE RIGHTS, THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. These 56 men were determined to confront the King of England with the fact that there were UNALIENABLE RIGHTS for all mankind, ignored by Great Britain, but those rights were the natural rights which were given by God, the Founders called Him the Creator, and those unalienable rights could not be changed, reduced, or eliminated in any way. Those rights were part of the birthing process of all men and all women. They are not derived from or given from government, but, one could say, they were part of the DNA of every human being. They were determined, these 56 men, that the 13 colonies and all who came thereafter would enjoy those rights and privileges including, and among others, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. ALL should be able to live life as they choose, accumulate their fortunes, and enjoy the fruits of their labors and earnings, without oppressive taxation or forfeiture of property or monies. ALL should be entitled to everything which LIBERTY entails, including all the rights and freedoms which were later (1787) embodied in the Constitution of the United States, that great document of 1789. ALL are entitled to the Pursuit of Happiness, however that individual defines happiness, and all such rights and privileges are unconditional with one exception. That is, that those rights can not turn from freedoms to mere licenses with respect to behavior and can not diminish or conflict the rights of others. No one has rights superior to those of anyone else. Without the freedoms of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, there can be no freedom of religion (The First Amendment). Those freedoms are essential to the expression, practice, and belief of true religion. And, of course, they are essential, foundational, to the great First Amendment rights of freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of petition, and freedom of assembly, more basic rights, birthing rights and never conveyed or instituted by government itself. 11 years later, in 1787, these 56 Founders and their successors, the authors of the Declaration of Independence, met once again in Philadelphia, and in 1787 began the drafting of the Constitution of the United States which was issued as a formal document in 1789. The broad and incredible language of the Constitution is illuminated by the principles set forth in the Declaration. The seminal passage in the Declaration is so very important: WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT. The Declaration of these truths and these rights came from the long tradition of natural law, which holds that there is a “higher law” of right and wrong from which human law should be derived. Therefore, government, any government, would be instituted with a primary purpose to SECURE THOSE RIGHTS, those natural rights, those unalienable rights, those self-evident rights, chief of which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. How unfortunate today that so many of those rights, privileges, and truths, are taken for granted, assumed, unappreciated. Perhaps they never will be fully understood or appreciated until such time as they are taken away. Those 56 men, those authors of the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, told the 13 colonies and the world at large at the end of the document this very sacred oath: AND FOR THE SUPPORT OF THIS DECLARATION, WITH A FIRM RELIANCE ON THE PROTECTION OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE, WE MUTUALY PLEDGE TO EACH OTHER OUR LIVES, OUR FORTUNES, AND OUR SACRED HONOR. These 56 men were so determined to effectuate the freedom of the colonies, the freedoms in which they believed for them and all mankind, the freedom from Great Britain and the freedom among many others to freely pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They pledged their lives for that purpose. They were willing to die, if necessary, to achieve these goals. They were willing to give up everything, their fortunes, their property, anything and everything if necessary. And most importantly, perhaps, as a moment of honor, they would never deviate in any way from this FREEDOM MISSION. That was real patriotism. How wonderful it would be if that were, once again, to be the pledge, the oath, the statement of the sacred honor of close to 400 million Americans, the privileged people who live in and enjoy the fruits and blessings of this great country. The day may come, the day may be near, when we who love freedom will need indeed to give our lives, our fortunes, and all we have for the freedoms we so richly enjoy. Thank you, America, and God Bless America!

    11 min

  3. Jun 1

    Christianity in America - The Denominations

    Surveys indicate Christianity in America is on the grow. The surveys also indicate the growth is occurring among Gen-Z. So then, where is this spiritual growth actually occurring? For sure, it is not happening among the old, staid denominations where the church, for the most part, continues to be traditional, ritual, predictable, and in the words of one, boring. Renewal and revival of Christianity in America is coming primarily from non-denominational churches and spirit-filled Pentecostal movements. Those growth churches are offering experiential expressions of faith, real Biblical experiences different from and better than the traditional American protestant denominations. At one time, non-denominational Christian churches consisted of approximately 5% of American protestants (1972). Today, those growing non-denominational churches comprise of roughly 30% of all such protestant churches. Why is such growth occurring, wondered the pundits and especially the non-believers. The answer is simple. Those churches function under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit where the real, vital, saving, forgiving Gospel of Jesus Christ is believed and preached. Pentecostal churches are growing. The Assemblies of God, among the many spirit-filled churches reported growth in: 1. CHURCH SERVICE ATTENDANCE 2. NEW MEMBERSHIP 3. CONVERSIONS AND SAVING EXPERIENCES 4. BAPTISMS 5. THE BUILDING OF NEW CHURCHES So many people, including the young from Gen-Z, want the real Christianity or nothing at all. Spirit-filled Pentecostal movements offer Christian reality, even as so many churches in denominations turn woke, liberal, social, even political in emphasis and so often replace the Gospel with social agendas. The church should be where the real Gospel is preached, where real spirit-led worship occurs, and where the soul is satisfied and blessed. Holiness and Pentecostal churches reported at least 4% growth in all the above categories, and these non-denominational churches far outperformed the old-line denominational churches. These non-denominational churches are “functionally charismatic” even if they do not describe themselves as Pentecostal. They do not belong to Assemblies of God or THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, or foursquare, but their worship styles and theology clearly emphasize expressive worship, spiritual gifts, and direct encounters with God. The real Gospel, the Holy-Spirit-led worship characterizes the beliefs and the worship services of these growing non-denominational Christian churches. In years past, surveys indicate the younger generations (Gen-Z and more) were indifferent and turned off by Christianity and Christian worship. This may have been the case, but then came the growth of these non-denominational, spirit-filled, spiritually-experiential Christian churches, and therefore membership and involvement dramatically increased. The surveys indicate this younger, non-denominational church-goer and worshipper was significantly more diverse than many of the membership in the historic and traditional protestant denomination. These surveys indicated only 60% of the new non-denominational church worshippers where white. Many of the new worshippers were Hispanic, African American, or even Asian. This new spirit-filled church was truly the right example of diversity in race and ethnicity, equity and equality among all men and women in worship, and the inclusion of all (DEI) in worship led by the Holy Spirit, belief in and the preaching of the real Gospel, and where the Bible ruled. People today are hungry for the real Gospel, the real worship experience, for real Bible teaching. The real Gospel would have us as believers rejoice, be glad, be happy, be exuberant in our faith. The real Gospel, as Jesus said, would have us live life abundantly, emotionally, lovingly. These spirit-filled non-denominational churches offer this spiritual reality and more. The growth in non-denominational churches was incredible. In 2010, there were some 35,000 such churches and congregations. Today, there are 44,000 non-denominational church congregations in America, with an estimated 21 million members and worshipers. 21 MILLION soul-satisfied congregants and adherents. PRAISE THE LORD! Churches exist for one reason only: to proclaim Biblical truth, the real Gospel, the salvation experience, the forgiveness and reconciliation to God the Father, and to worship, all of which allow for direct encounters with the very God and the Son, Jesus Christ. These churches offer this and everything real in Scripture, which is why they are growing, and the growth has only just begun. PRAISE THE LORD!

    9 min

  4. May 26

    The Ressurection

    Easter is over, you say. And so it is. But the Easter event, THE RESURRECTION, is the most important event by far for every Christian. It should be celebrated every day, not just one or a week or weekend, EVERY DAY! That is so because the NATURAL MAN (and woman) mocks the resurrection every day, angrily disagrees with it, and even expresses open hatred for the Christ of glory, the UP FROM THE GRAVE Jesus Christ. The resurrection, to this disbeliever, this atheist, is nothing more than a myth, a story made up, fabricated 2,000 years ago, and perpetrated every day in this day in age. Every time I discuss the resurrection with any avowed atheist, they mock the greatest event in human history. When you discuss the resurrection, does that atheistic angry reaction happen to you, does it? But, says the Scripture, if Christ is not risen from the grave, then our faith, yours and mine and all mankind, is in vain. Nothing else matters if the resurrection was not real, NOTHING. We would wander through life without compass, without truth, without permanent change and guidelines for our lives. But He does live, this Jesus of Nazareth, and He was, in fact, resurrected. The resurrection is not something hoped for as Truth, I argue gently with my unbelieving friends, but an actual fact, a historical fact. UP FROM THE GRACE HE AROSE! And He does, in fact, live forever with His saints to reign. There is, my fellow Christians, hard evidence, clear historical fact, that our Lord rose from the grave on the third day. Without that, we, in our faith, are nothing. IT IS TRUE. The evidence for the resurrection is based on the testimonies of more than 500 people who testified they saw and experienced Jesus alive. That human evidence occurred in a period of 40 days following the resurrection. Testify to that to the unbeliever. There were those who not only saw Him, but talked to Him, dined with Him, and listened carefully to His post-resurrection preaching. And, there were those who saw and believed who did not formerly believe. One was James, the half-brother of Jesus, who doubted and denied Him. James became a passionate believer when he saw the Resurrected Christ. Then there was DOUTBING THOMAS. He needed fleshly evidence. When he saw the nail-pierced Jesus, doubting Thomas doubted no more and believed. 2 Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdolene at the empty tomb that blessed Sunday morning. Our Lord’s second appearance was to the OTHER WOMEN and THE OTHER MARY, and then, to Joanna, and Mary the Mother of James, and other unnamed women. These women were eyewitnesses of the Risen Lord. Thrilled, they testified and told the disciples, and Peter, and so many others. Then, Jesus appeared to two men on the road to Emmaus on that resurrection Sunday afternoon, the one named Cleopas. And then, Jesus appeared to Peter, and to the 11 Apostles, without doubting Thomas, and then with him. And then, Jesus appeared to 500 people at once, and then a personal appearance to James, the half-brother to the Christ himself, and, finally, to the 11 Disciples before He ascended to heaven. ALL HISTORICAL FACTS, MY FELLOW CHRISTIANS, THE PROOF, THE EVIDENCE OF THE RESURRECTION! IN FACT, Christ is Risen, and He clearly and factually tells us: “I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE.” Indeed He is. Clear, convincing, and certain EVIDENCE of the resurrection, so that your faith and mine is NOT IN VAIN. It is real, saving, and the most certain and important fact in this entire life of ours. Believe it, never doubt it, never compromise it, and testify to this incredible Truth any opportunity you have. He lives, we firmly believe, and He lives within our hearts. As the old song so well says, DAILY HE WALKS WITH ME, TALKS WITH ME, AND ASSSURES ME AS FRIEND, BROTHER, TEACHER, AND SAVIOR. So today, my fellow Christian, walk proudly and lovingly in the Truth. Testify to the reality of your Living Lord, not just at Easter, but every day you are privileged to live, and live with Him. You can say then, without a doubt: I KNOW IN WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED! Tell any Believer that you know, YOU KNOW He lives, for Jesus Christ rose from the grave and HE LIVES WITHIN YOUR HEART, does He not?

    9 min

  5. May 19

    Memorial Day

    In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated on the last Monday in May, echoing the words and sentiments of the proclamation of General John A. Logan of the grand Army of the Republic in 1868 who stated: “MEMORIAL DAY IS DESIGNATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF STREWING WITH FLOWERS OR OTHERWISE DECORATING THE GRAVES OF COMRADES WHO DIED IN DEFENSE OF THEIR COUNTRY DURING THE LATE REBELLION (THE CIVIL WAR) AND WHOSE BODIES NOW LIE IN ALMOST EVERY CITY, VILLAGE AND HAMLET, CHURCH YARD IN THE LAND.” So it is that the primary purpose of Memorial Day is to strew with flowers, literally and figuratively, the graves and memories of America’s daring defenders. They, the fallen, died for freedom, liberty, for America, for us, for YOU AND ME. We were asked to remember those who died in the great American Civil War, but the day to remember now incorporates all who have given lives in defense of our country. Far too many wars, my fellow Americans, and far too many fallen defenders by the millions who believed in America, and in its fundamental principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all mankind. How grateful we should be. We are descendants or contemporaries of patriots, men and women who cherish freedom and were willing to fight and die to defend it if necessary. These warriors lived by the words of Patrick Henry who said: GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH. Our nation was formed in the fight for freedom, for there was no life worthwhile without it. There came our great Constitution and our incredible BILL OF RIGHTS, the rights and freedom amendments which are the finest in the history of mankind. No matter the origin, it seems as though, in so many ways, the passion for freedom may have been lost today as they once had it. We seem to take for granted what they died for. The courage they had seems lost today in so many ways, and the change in our country produces in so many ways an America in decline, at least politically, philosophically, and certainly passionately. Our ancestors fought for the Constitution, for the Bill of Rights and the freedoms those now 27 Amendments allow us. They were ready to die for them, but we, the current people, allow them to be watered down, interpreted away and often ignored without the fight or conviction to protect and defend them. Perhaps the freedoms of Patrick Henry are giving way to a slow but sure death. Perhaps we have failed to meet the challenge of Ben Franklin who told us the Republic they created for us was a marvelous way of government IF we could keep it. I wonder if we can. So, in the midst of barbeques and baseball, it is so healthy to look back and remember. Remember a George Washington, a general, a leader, a President, a warrior, a patriot. Or a Paul Revere who rode the land warning the enemy was coming, sounding the alarm. It seems as though we need more Paul Reveres, warning us that enemies to our Constitution and way of life are coming, and in fact are HERE. We The People should be ever mindful of the threats and sound the alarm as he did, like those who energized our country once before, THE BOSTON TEA PARTY PATRIOTS and the revolution their courageous acts energized and inspired. They took a stand against taxes and so must we. Ours continue to rise, and rise to the point of confiscation, but nothing destroys freedom like taxes. President John Adams reminded us the two killers of liberty are slavery and debt. The debt of confiscatory taxation strangles freedom, and that is happening at an incredibly rapid pace today. Shame on us. It is hard for us to think back and remember the early days in America when slavery was a way of life in America, to our great shame and embarrassment. We, the moderns, find that inconceivable, and the practice of slavery of any kind abhorrent, do we not? Right-thinking men and women fought and fell to rid America of the scourge of slavery, God bless them. And to rid the world of despots like Hitler, evil to the core, Mussolini, and those who, in war, would destroy the freedom and liberty of all. God bless them. There can hardly be a family anywhere in America which has not laid a son or daughter on the altar of freedom. So many fought and fell, lives given willingly for us in war after war. There were those who supported those who fought. We honor them. Many of our warriors and defenders came home hurt and damaged in body or mind, perhaps for a lifetime. On Memorial Day, we honor these veterans of wars, these HEROES, these wounded warriors who gave us our freedom: WE OWE THEM! A debt we can never repay. To honor them is the least we can do, to thank them as we remember and as we encounter those in our military who follow after them. We should help and support them. They lived and died for what they believed. Whenever I encounter a member of our military, I thank them for what they did and what they do for our great country, for me, and for you, and for my friends and loved ones, and all Americans whether I know them or not. But, I really do know them, for I know what is in their hearts and minds and I know they love America as much as I do. I will salute them as a sign of respect. I wish them to know I will always be grateful for everything they do for me and the America I love. Perhaps YOU should do the same, not on one Memorial Day, but on all days. They, the heroes and defenders, are the very best of us. God bless them. Memorial Day is always celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery, a very special place, a burial site for some of America’s bravest. At 3:00 PM on that Monday, a very special ceremony occurs, and each grave is decorated with a small American flag. The highlight of the celebration is a speech in honor of these brave men and women from the President or Vice President of the United States honoring their contributions to America and laying a wreath at the tomb of The Unknown Soldier. That tomb represents tens of thousands of other unknown soldiers who gave their lives in service to our country, but in death never got the recognition and respect they so justly deserved. Do remember them, my fellow Americans, do remember them as well on Memorial Day, as there may be no one else, no loved one, no friend or family to do so. As you do remember these American heroes, thank our God, the God who blesses America for all those who gave so much for us. They allowed us to be parents, to have and enjoy family, they allowed us to be workers and fully participate in the great opportunities America offers. THEY allowed us to be all we can be, because our soldiers, they were determined to be all they could be. Have a special place in your heart all week for any loved one, family or friend of yours who should be MEMORIALIZED AND REMEMBERED this day and always. And, as we pay tribute and remember, let us become better citizens of this great country, ready more than ever to preserve, protect, and defend all it stands for, all of our blessed and precious freedoms which exist like there are nowhere else in the world. Let us stand for what is right with actions, protests, town meetings, marches, debate, fact and truth at work, counteracting government spin and disinformation. Let us stand tall for the right, for truth, for all things moral and valuable. Let us resolve, WE THE PEOPLE, we who own and control this country, to do our job as citizens far better, and remember to cherish and exercise the greatest privilege which every American has THE VOTE! There is no more powerful weapon than the vote of the American citizen. It is the most precious Constitutional right we have, and for which our forefathers fought and died. Let us make certain we vote for those to represent us, who so passionately believe in these very special freedoms as we do, and they, the fallen, did. It is only then, when we do our part, day in and day out, that we would have the right to say, with conviction and passion, as our forefathers did: GOD BLESS AMERICA! For that can not happen unless WE THE PEOPLE do what is right, remembering whom and what went before, and committing with conviction to follow in their footsteps. These men and women died for GOD AND COUNTRY and for you and me in the never-ending fight to protect and preserve: FREEDOM! Memorialize their memories on Memorial Day and every day! God bless America and God bless you.

    12 min

  6. May 14

    The End

    The CRAWFORD STAND podcast

    11 min

  7. May 7

    Mother

    In our world, love rules. It is the highest attribute, with fundamental characteristics of all humankind. Perhaps the finest expression of love is: MOTHER LOVE. The definition of mother, a real mother is simply put: LOVE. A mother’s love is the ultimate human love. It is said that THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE RULES THE WORLD. Perhaps so because so much of a child is formed in the early years by mother. One is in life so much of what a mother was. A real mother is part of the life of a child forever. What we learn at mother’s knee is so often what we are. Her values become ours. We are HER. The egg of a woman is the source of all life, the fundamental stuff of the universe and when fertilized by the sperm of the male: LIFE. The most precious thing of all happens. The egg and the sperm unite and become one, but it is GOD who gives life. At that very moment of conception, the life of a HUMAN BEING begins. That life is not a mere collection of cells as one biologist so flippantly said, but in reality, the first moments of the life of a human being, a child on the grow in the womb. That fertilized egg is a BABY. So much for abortion, which is nothing more than murder of that baby at any stage in the womb. And so, the mother begins mothering, and the baby grows. The enriched womb of the mother nourishes and cherishes the baby, sensitive to every need. The morning sickness is a small price to pay for the life within. Moods and diets may change as the womb grows large and beautiful. It is really wondrous to behold the change of mother in the making with that womb at work. It is marvelous indeed to touch the nine month home of that child. The ear presses down, hoping to hear any sound from the baby. Touching, hearing, kissing, and sensing life at work are really more important than any ultrasound. God at work through Mother Nature creating life is wondrous, even miraculous. Some today are actually privileged to see the baby born. Out of the womb comes a bundle of joy, of life and yet another miracle happens. The pain of childbirth is so well worth the end result. Perhaps it is the most loving moment, the ultimate loving moment when brand new baby lays firm on mother’s breasts. Having seen that, how I wonder could any potential mother abort, kill her very own child? To do so is to abort a miracle. Early on, it is the still, small voice of the mother which is perhaps the greatest teacher in life. We the infants hear that voice and remember what the voice of our mother sounds like and says for a lifetime. We do so consciously and perhaps even more importantly subconsciously. That loving voice in many ways is angelic, the early words of love. They come with touch, and they are spiritual, psychological, character forming and building. The love of a mother is every bit as important as food itself. So, in a sense, these early words are eternal for they train up the child in the way the mother wishes the child to go and to grow is not to depart from the right ways of the mother. The words of a mother to her child are melodic, soothing, comforting. They support, encourage and they make a child feel safe. A mother touches, hugs, strokes, talks and sings to her baby, episodes never to be forgotten. When all else fails and all others as well, a truly loving mother never does. She is forever, eternal. A loving mother is kind. In a world rough and confrontational, the kindness of the mother is a most necessary characteristic. A loving mother is never jealous, never envious, always willing to put the child first, in love. A real loving mother is proud of her child no matter what the child becomes. Motherly love is always positive, not negative. It looks for the best, the good and the right. But the mother renders discipline when things are wrong. The love of a real mother is tough love. That love has standards, clear, straight and simply and lovingly communicated. Real love is without compromise. A loving mother never bargains with a child. A mother explains and answers perhaps better than any teacher, helping a child to understand. A mother stretches but never pushes knowing that her child must be challenged in order to grow. There is always demand and discipline from the right mother, both easy to implement when the child knows he or she is: LOVED A loving, Godly mother makes certain her child understands her standards and values and those of God as well. A loving Godly mother teaches the child the things of her Lord. Train up that child in the ways of faith, of Christian faith, the faith of the mother. There is no better witness for the child than a loving Christian mother, living life by those standards and the child along with her. That is faith with works, the best kind. A real loving mother gives time, quality time to the child. There is for mother and child that quality time to talk and much more importantly, and especially for mother, to: LISTEN. In an age of cell phones, babysitters, fast foods, carpools and demanding social life, all of that and everything else should never, ever interfere with quality time spent by the mother with child. Truly listening, and touching, and hugging, and encouraging, respecting the child produces some of life’s finest lessons. Those bonding moments are, as one psychologist has well said: PEAK MOMENTS. Never to be forgotten by either. Patient, kind and understanding. Truly interested in the life of a child, not superficially so. Perhaps that is why so many mothers wished more than ever, so we are told, to stay home, build that home for husband and child and all children and to spend full time training up that child in the way in which he should go. That is what mothers are for and no other job can ever come close to that incredible responsibility and opportunity. No matter the love, child rearing is work, and hard work. It demands the time of the mother at all times. The real needs of a young child are great and they demand full time, mother always on the ready. How beautiful it is for father and husband to watch the baby breastfeed. How beautiful to see mother and child so intimately and sensitively connected. There is special nourishment from the milk of the breast but there is also the psychological nourishment, the nourishment of love and bonding, one with each other, the young and often subconscious memories lasting for a lifetime. A mother’s touch, feel and taste are vitally important to the growth of the child. Some mothers homeschool. They want to train up that child in the right ways themselves. Others work to send the child to special schools, private schools or schools of faith. Loving mothers are more than willing to sacrifice to accomplish the right objectives for the child they love. And all the while, a mother encourages the love of a father for child and the child for the father. There is respect, as important as love, between mother and father, husband and wife. There is a sense of equality as both parents love their child in different ways. Perhaps the love of a father for a child is different but as the child grows and matures, the love, the real love of a real father becomes as important to the child as that of the mother. Without both loves, something fundamental is missing. So that, when a child is ready for the world, and independence, and a life for itself, both loving parents have formed the young adult and are ready proudly so to watch a brand new life unfold. They have earned, these loving parents have, the right to be proud parents. Small wonder that loving children love to give back. There comes a time when the priorities are reversed and the child becomes the support, the loving support of the parents. Loving children love to give back to loving parents. That love which began in the womb is eternal. It never fails. It outlasts faith, and hope and all the wisdom and riches of the world. It endures forever even as the love of Christ does. And so it is with the deepest admiration, respect and love that we, all of us at Crawford Broadcasting Company, salute all real loving mothers on Mother’s Day and all year long. If you are a loving mother: YOU ARE SPECIAL. There is one day set aside to honor loving mothers which in reality should be done every day of the year. We are admonished, commanded to: HONOR OUR FATHER AND MOTHER. It is a commandment that we honor real loving parents with our love and respect. Give back the love you owe to your mother. Give it back with tears, with laughter and with joy. With gratitude and thanksgiving for all that she has done for you. Let her know how much you love and appreciate her, knowing as you do that you can never repay the loving debt you owe. No child can ever give back all that he or she has gotten. Never. If she is here, make sure she gets what she deserves. There are so many mothers, like mine, not here. My mother is with her Lord as she has been for more than a quarter century. How much I would love the opportunity to give her one more hug. Do that for yours while you can. We salute you and thank you, mother. There is really nothing like you in this world: NOTHING!

    13 min

  8. May 1

    The Day Which the Lord Has Made

    We live in a world ever-increasingly negative. Problems everywhere, pain and suffering, sorrow and uncertainty. It is a world replete with wars. Inflation rages. There are plagues and sickness everywhere. There is mistrust between nations and individuals, and in some quarters, a tragic feeling of hopelessness, where nothing will get better or change. Crime is on the increase. Law and order declines. Drugs are destroying the lives of so many of our people, especially our young. Justice is often corrupted, the rule of law compromised and prejudiced. So, why bother? Throw up your hands, give up, live in fear and worry, and accept the new negative reality. WRONG! DEAD WRONG! You can not be a Christian and live life this way, believe this way, or worry this way. The Lord of Glory came to make life POSITIVE, and the Holy Spirit, when called upon, instills the sense of the positive in the newborn child of the Lord. If you are truly Christian, saved, born again, then your spirit is infused with the positive. If you believe in Jesus Christ, then accept Him at His Word: HE HAS COME SO YOUR JOY MIGHT BE FULL! Full of joy, my fellow Christians. Not negative, not worry, not hopelessness, but joy, unspeakable joy, as the Scriptures say. Why not experience this, ask for this, be involved in this very day which the Lord has made, why not? So, be happy. The words of the song ring so true: HAPPY AM I JESUS LOVES ME HE TOOK MY SINS AND HE MADE ME FREE If that is so, if that has happened to you, don’t worry, be happy. Experience the joy of the relationship with Him, NOW AND TODAY! Do not waste this day which the Lord has made for you, DO NOT! LAUGH TODAY! Never go a day without laughing, without experiencing the comical side of life. It is a tonic for the soul. It cleanses emotionally, and it emphasizes the positive. LAUGH OUT LOUD TODAY! HAVE FUN TODAY! Do something you really enjoy, which is fun for you, no matter who else agrees. You very much deserve it, fellow Christian. It is what your Lord would want. It is what Salvation is all about, not just forgiveness, as important as that is, but Salvation opens up all new avenues for living, for believing, for enjoyment, for fun. If you don’t engage in these positive, joyful things, you challenge the Lord, and, by your conduct, you deny Him and His promises, and the other half of Salvation is lacking in your life: HE HAS COME SO YOUR JOY MIGHT BE FULL! FULL! Perhaps this means the better portion, joy, of this very day. Can you live a happy, joyful, fun-filled life on this very day which the Lord has made, will you? Are you not tired of the negative in this world? Why would you waste the day the Lord has made for you, why? CELEBRATE YOUR FAITH TODAY! Millions, perhaps even billions, have no faith, believe nothing, live life in the negative. You, Christian, have the most precious thing any human being can have: FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR. Enjoy your faith, be happy about your faith, celebrate your faith today in every positive way you can, and enjoy the hope you have in JESUS CHRIST, the finest thing you can have in this life, and even more importantly, the life to come. BE GLAD AND REJOICE THIS VERY DAY! LOVE TODAY! What the world needs now is love, says the old song. YOU HAVE IT! The love of your Lord is yours as a Believer, and you should celebrate this love, luxuriate in it, talk about it, and thank God for it. There is no greater love than that of a man/woman who lays down his/her life for a friend, for another, and He did that FOR YOU! SO, ENJOY IT TODAY! Relive the salvation experience today, re-experience the love of Calvary, and be happy and joyful. Let nothing in this negative world take you away from the celebration of love today, NOTHING! PRAISE GOD TODAY! This God of everything and everyone made you, and all things, and He is not only worthy of our praise, it is our privilege to PRAISE HIM. Do that today and feel the positive surge through your arteries and veins. Experience the positive. Relish the first fruits of praise. It is so good to give praise to God from whom all blessings flow. WORSHIP TODAY! Worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit today. Think about the Holy God, with all due respect, adoration, wonder, and awe. Thid kind of worship is elevating, carries you to the Throne where angels live. Our God is worthy of our worship and adoration. Do it today. Perhaps most importantly, GIVE THANKS TODAY! Give thanks to God for EVERYTHING, and especially His unspeakable gift in Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior. Give thanks to Him for the many blessings which you receive and enjoy every day, and so often merely take for granted. THANK GOD FOR EVERYTHING! Never forget the admonition of the great Apostle Paul who told us as Believers: IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS! Your Lord wants you to live an abundant life today, TODAY! You are alive, you can enjoy, do, give thanks, and perform acts of kindness, mercy, and goodness. Do all these things and you will have the kind of day which the Lord God Almighty has ordained for you and promised you. He came, He told us, so we may have life more abundant. We have this life now, so now we need to live it TODAY! Forgetting those things which are behind, not worrying about things to come, for you do not know what is to come, but living to the fullest, enjoying life to the fullest TODAY. This is the command of the Lord, the privilege, the opportunity, life abundant and positive which is yours today. MAKE THIS SPECIAL DAY THE LORD HAS MADE FOR YOU THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE

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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Crawford Media Group President and Owner Donald Crawford addresses the greatest issues of today.

Information

  • Creator
    Donald Crawford Sr.
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    287
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022 Crawford Media Group
  • Show Website
    The CRAWFORD STAND podcast