Who is Jenna Crenshaw? Now that might seem like a silly thing to start out with, especially for my first personal posting here on our new site. But I think there was wisdom in this suggestion by my hubby, Rob. There are many of you who not only know about me, but you know me personally. I have spent time with many of you over meals, text message conversations, church or bible studies, kids’ activities, and many other things over the years. Nonetheless, if we are starting a new direction and looking forward into the future, then seeing my heart from a fresh perspective is probably just where we should begin.
I could go over all the basics of my life, but I won’t. I could re-share with you my many testimonies; of being a teen mom and the choices I made at that time, of my becoming a Christian and how that has changed me forever, of my divorce and the aftermath I endured, or of Rob moving to California almost nine years ago to build up his relationship with his son. It could be about Rob and I doing ministry together, moving to Colorado, or the recent death of our newborn son, Toby. I could share all of those parts of my life in this one post. I could, but I’m not going to. I do love, yes, I did say love, all those bits and pieces of my life because they are what have brought me to where I am today. They are the framework being built upon right here and now with our new ministry direction. God has opened up a new horizon for us. Its view is wide and far, and we are willing to go.
Now for those of you who don’t know all of my stories or all of the details, don’t worry. I will be talking about all of these and many more in time. I sure don’t want anyone to be out of the loop, or be wondering, “Why in the world is this lady talking about THAT??!?!” I also am currently working on streamlining my personal blog where some stories will be posted/reposted along with the other crazy thoughts that go through my brain about life, love, food, kids and family, faith and probably much much more. Stay tuned for the links about that happening on all of my personal social medias.
So who IS Jenna Crenshaw. Who is she today? Where is she going? Would I want to or be willing to go with her? I hope so. I hope that we will get to journey together for a long time and experience life together, yet in our different ways. My life is not a secret. I want to share my life with you and be used for good and for God’s glory.
I have a great love for God’s word. It is a never-ending, ever-growing book filled with the depth of His love for His people. There are so many books that I love in the Bible: Genesis, the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, Romans, the book of James and others. Each time I read them I see something more about the Lord, and usually something different or new about myself.
Today, I am a woman who has learned how to say “no” and to (most of the time) pray before answering. I value not only what God has given me, but that He has given me Himself. He has called me to a specific task, and there is no one else who can accomplish it, because it is mine to do. I am expectant as I say, “Yes, Lord!” He has great things coming.
I have been called to speak the truth in love on the topic of purity. Not just sexual purity, although that is a huge part of it, but life purity. Proverbs 22:11 says, “He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend.” Matthew 5:8 adds, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
According to my 2001 version of The Strongest Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the word pure, or some for thereof, is used in the Bible 154 times. Some of these may be about ceremonial purification, some definitely on sexual purity, but there are those that are about living a life of purity. References are to us as humans being “pure in [our] own eyes, having pure heart, a pure conscience and a pure mind. Truly there is so much more than just sexual purity when it comes to the how to live a pure life.
I have been studying purity for over a decade now, and I feel like I am just starting the scratch the surface. I know I want to “see God” and I certainly want the King of kings to be my friend. Even more so, I want you to see God and to be His friend. I want that to not just be a distant thought for you, but a close and dear reality.
Then there are some people who don’t want the idea of a pure life, pure thinking, a pure heart or mind. Maybe they have the appearance of a godly life, but under the surface their life is anything but that. I want to be a better prayer warrior for all of these people and be an encourager to you as many of you will have friends and family in your life who are these people. It’s those whom you love completely and you watch them make poor choices, and you don’t know what you can suggest or how you can encourage them to make “things be different.” And for all of this, we will pray…together.
I am very much looking forward to what I am going to learn myself and how the Lord will direct my steps in studying, speaking, teaching and writing on the many facets of purity. Rob and I are already seeing more into the hearts of people around us and hearing the stories of struggle, tragedy and despair. We want to be a beacon of light. There is hope because of the cross. There is redemption and we have seen it time and again in our own lives. And there is freedom and we will fight with you for it. Together we will trudge our way through the muck and the mire to the solid foundation where we can see God’s goodness and His grace upon us and those we love.
When our son was born in November 2017, we were given a scripture for him. It is Psalm 20. The Psalm is wonderful, but I will leave you with verse 4. “May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose.” When we received that verse for our son, little did we know that his purpose here on earth would be fulfilled in seven short days. Now it is time for me to fulfill mine with whatever time I am allowed to do it.
Let’s journey together, and see what’s in store. God is faithful and has something amazing that He is going to do in you and in me. What area(s) might God be speaking to you about right now? What area are you struggling with in the battle for purity? Are you ready to battle with me?
I am Jenna Crenshaw, and I fight for purity.
Rob and Jenna Crenshaw 
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