Why Switchfoot won’t sing Christian songs (Repost)

I could not have written it better!  Thank you Jon Foreman for articulating for the world why “Christian” as a label in the arts is flawed…

This is a must read for any of you who make Christian art.

Why Switchfoot won’t sing Christian songs.

God bless,

Brandon Crouch

Paul Crouch Sr. Tribute (March 30, 1934 – November 30, 2013)

As many of you already know, my grandfather Paul Crouch, Sr. passed away this morning (November 30, 2013). I want to share with you all some home video footage of him and myself during Christmas around 1988. I will forever cherish the memories that we shared, and I consider it an honor that I was able to call him my “Papa.” While my heart grieves at the loss, I am comforted by the fact that Heaven is rejoicing at the amazing solider for Christ it gained today. There are truly no words to describe the respect and love that I have for my grandfather…He was a man after God’s own heart. If you knew him personally you would know that his love for propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world was authentic and inspiring. His love for God and for people has influenced me tremendously in my own walk, and I pray that I can continue in his footsteps serving the Kingdom as fervently as he did.

Thank you for your prayers and support for our family during this time. Your love is deeply felt and appreciated. May God continue to bless you and your family during this holiday season.

Brandon Crouch

Crouch Family Update

Dear Friends,

 

I wanted to take a moment and address many of the comments and questions I have been getting lately about the health of my grandfather, Paul Crouch, Sr. This may come as a surprise to many, but the truth is that I have not spoken with either Paul or Jan for two years. I find out the news of TBN happenings just like the rest of you- via Twitter, Facebook, and their stations. I definitely don’t have any insider news to share. 

 

Shortly after I got married in August of 2011, the family came under serious turmoil-mostly between my sister and my uncle, Matt Crouch. It is not my place to get into the details, but I will say that as a result, my father, Paul Crouch Jr., my sister, Brittany Koper and I were all unable to continue working for TBN. While my involvement in the issue was negligible, I was still caught in the crossfire of the unfortunate circumstance.  If you would like to read about what I think is the most comprehensive and accurate article written about the situation between my sister and uncle you can click below:

 

 http://www.orangecoast.com/3DJesus.aspx

 

For the last two years I have tried on multiple occasions to reach out to both of my grandparents; however, my efforts have received no response. When Marley and I found out we were expecting our son Elijah Paul Crouch (who was born this past August), I tried again to reach out to them. It would be their first great-grandson and I thought they would be interested in meeting him. Sadly, yet again, I have yet to hear back from either one of them. He is now three months old. It breaks my heart that there is a chance that they might never get to meet our amazing, beautiful, healthy baby boy.  With Paul Sr. declining heath my greatest prayer is that some sort of reconciliation would happen for the sake of my son and the rich heritage he has been left. Despite everything that has happened, I will always have such honor, respect and love for my grandparents.

 

All of this being said, my immediate family and I are doing really well. My dad and I are now working for The Word network and we are grateful for the great experience and ministry opportunity. I speak at churches often and we are members of a great local church, where we have found incredible fellowship. My wife and son are happy and healthy and we consider ourselves truly blessed beyond measure. 

 

In all respect, I write this blog to transparently share with you the details of what has been going on my side of things. I encourage and would greatly appreciate prayer-but please refrain from comments and personal opinions.

Matthew 7:1-2“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”

We truly are believing God for reconciliation-we have done what we can and now we wait on the Lord to heal the hearts of those involved, to mend the situation, and bring glory to Himself through the outcome. Thank you for taking the time to hear my heart on the issue, thank you for your continued support and love.  As my grandfather utters that ever so touching Psalm, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34

 

Brandon, Marley and Elijah Paul Crouch

 

Bono Knows!

Not only is Bono the lead singer of one of the greatest bands of all time (U2!) but he is also an extremely wise man of God. With hit songs like, “Mercy”, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”, “Yahweh”, and “Love Rescue Me”, the Irishman is not afraid to speak (or sing) publicly about his faith. 

To hear a recent interview with Bono on Focus on the Family: 

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/popups/media_player.aspx?MediaId={6F96A92A-F22B-48B7-B32D-CD265B797C45}

 

Listening to Bono describe his faith reminded of one of my favorite quotes from the iconic rock star and activist, in which he explains, “Stop asking God to bless what you’re doing. Find out what God’s doing. It’s already blessed.”

 

I began to reflect on my own life and when it comes to blessings, had to honestly ask myself: Am I more focused on praying for God’s blessing over what I want, or am I actively pursing the things that God is ALREADY doing in my life and rejoicing because they are blessed?

 

There is so much to be said about God’s will, but one of the greatest lessons that I am currently learning in my personal relationship and walk with Jesus that God’s Will is manifested to us in the duties and experiences of the present moment. 

 

Matthew 6:33-34 reminds us, “Do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” I sometimes struggle with the concept of just being in the moment and relishing in the blessings of today. I am often so preoccupied with my next event or next video project that I completely miss all that God has for me in the moment. I feel him nudging me to say, “Instead of praying for the future things to come, worship and praise me for what you DO have. Today, right now, in this very moment.” When we fully allow ourselves to be in the goodness of all God has, to recognize the tiny details of everyday in which He has blessed us, we are exercising our faith by showing Him that we TRUST what He has in store is even better than we could have imagined. 

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

This is certainly not intended to discount the power and importance of prayer and vision for the future- God has given us the ability to dream and hope for the desires of our hearts. After all, God’s Word clearly states that, “Where there is no vision, people perish.” (Proverbs 29:8). Instead, this is simply a reminder to be more aware of the things in your life that God has ALREADY blessed and let Him continue to shape the direction for those blessings without trying to make it aboutYOUR plans. Instead of questioning God for his timing or his actions, perhaps we can begin to rejoice in the fact that He knows so much better than we do. The Lord tells us that inIsaiah 55:9 that HIS ways are higher than our ways; that HIS thoughts higher than our thoughts. God has the full picture of all of human history and future, so when we put our trust in Him, we can rest assure that He will guide us towards the path of righteousness and blessings.

 

Although our flesh would like to take credit for the successes in our life, our spirit knows full well that, “it is God who is at work in [us], both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).”

 

What area (or areas) of your life might you be needing to recognize the willful workings and blessings of God that are already present?  I urge you to spend some time with the Lord today on this notion and listen for a prompting of how he might be calling you to be present in what HE is already doing and blessing. Whether we are aware of it or not, God is always moving, always developing His Kingdom and His people for His glory. I don’t know about you, but for the rest of my days on this earth, I want to do all that I can to get on board with HIS plans and spend less time focusing on my own!

 

I pray that this blog will bless you and cause you to think differently about your daily walk with Jesus Christ!

 

 

Brandon Crouch

Peter The Rock

Have you ever wondered why Jesus changes Peters name from Cephas to Peter? That had always struck me as a little odd. As I was studying through scripture the Lord revealed to me that Jesus saw who Peter was going to become before Peter saw it in himself. This is the message that I preached to The Ramp in Hamilton Alabama with Mrs. Karen Wheaton a few weeks ago. I pray that the Lord speaks directly to you about who you are in Christ! Thank you for your faithful support and prayers!

For booking please click on the link above and I would love to see you at your next event!

God bless,

Brandon Crouch