Beckoned

Jesus wants a hug
From little boys and girls.
Though busy at His work,
They’re so adorable.

He loves to hear their laughter;
It brings Him such delight.
Oh, can’t you hear the Master
As warmly, He invites:

“Let the little ones come to Me.
Don’t keep them from My side.
For such as these I came to live
And on the cross to die.
And such as these possess My Kingdom,
City of the Light.

“Don’t worry, little ones.
Come sit down on My knee.”
He turns His ear to them.
“What would you like to tell Me?

“I’m managing the universe,
From galaxies to beating hearts.
But I want you to know My love for you infinite,
To know it from the start.”

-- Charity, girl, age 17

Scriptural basis:

"Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." After laying His hands on them, He departed from there." (Mat 19:13-15)

Attribution notice: Scripture quotation taken from the NASB. The illustration, called "His Little Lambs", isby my seventeen-year old daughter, Charity Lacroix. You can find more of her artwork at A Brush with Life.

Author's note:  The poems in this blog were written by my children, ages ten through seventeen. The "Why This Blog" post explains how the Lord inspired these poems in answer to a prayer during illness. I also recommend visiting my children's blog, A Brush with Life, where you will also find beautiful art they have drawn for the glory of God. You can access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Who is Judge?

According to the standards
That we will judge another
So will we be judged,
The same way as our brother.

Let’s focus on the plank
That hinders perfect sight,
So we can see the speck
And judge a sin aright.

The Master judges perfectly.
He sees the sinful heart.
So just entrust the job to Him
And He will do His part.


-- Charity, girl, age 16

Scriptural basis:

"Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." (Mat 7:1-5)

"So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment." (Jas 2:12-13)

"Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door." (Jas 5:9)

More of our children's poems:

Don’t Run from God

At the Crossroads

The Answer

America, Turn Back to God

The Name of the Lord
The Sheep and the Goats
The Spirit is willing

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

Author's note:  The poems in this blog were written by my children, ages seven through sixteen. The "Why This Blog" post explains how the Lord inspired these poems in answer to a prayer during illness. I also recommend visiting my children's blog, A Brush with Life, where you will also find beautiful art they have drawn for the glory of God. You can access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."
 
Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

The One with the Master Plan

To Him Who is
And was and is to come
Worthy of all my praise
You are the One

I give You my head, my hands,
My heart, and soul.
I give You my knees and feet;
Holy Spirit, take control.

Come, Holy Spirit,
This very hour
With all Your omnipotent
And enabling power!

Help me walk in the Spirit
Every step of the way,
And abide in Christ
Every moment of this day.

Lord, I worship You
And You alone;
I bow my knee
Before Your throne.

Help me discipline my body,
And make it my slave,
So that after I've preached to others
I myself will not be depraved.

Lord, the wicked want a palm reading;
From one they think will know their future.
Yet what I need is psalm reading;
The Words of You who hold the future.

I’ve put my hand in Your hand,
The Great and Mighty One --
Who has the Master Plan
And will see that it is done.

If You want to direct me
Into something brand new,
Then this is my humble plea:
I ask You, Lord, please do!

--Anonymous adult

Song:

In 2026 I composed a song with this poem, and produced a music video of it. See here.

Scriptures:

Jesus said, "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Rev 1:8)

And [Jesus] went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." (Mat 26:39) 

"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God." (Rom 6:12-13)

"Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." (Rom 8:5-6)

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Rom 12:1)

"But I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." (1Co 9:27)

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. (Pro 16:9) 

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. "Let This Mind Be in You" painting © 2012 Danny Hahlbohm, all rights reserved by the artist. You may visit the Danny Hahlbohm Gallery. 

Author's note:  Aside from the anonymous poem on this post, the poems in this blog were written by my children, ages seven through fifteen. Poems on this site may be copied and used for non-commercial purposes, as long as proper credit and backlink to this blog is given.  No commercial use allowed without express permission from author.  I recommend visiting my children's blog, A Brush with Life, where you will also find beautiful art they have drawn for the glory of God. You can access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

When I Cross the Line

It’s happened so many times
That you were right and I was wrong.
Whenever I’ve crossed the line,
Your love’s been there all along.

But please don’t stop right there;
For I’m in desperate need of you.
Your ways are always fair,
Refreshing like the morning dew.

I know that I would miss
The calling that you have for me;
Fall into that dark abyss;
I simply would not see.

I’d find myself more lost
Than the ones lost way before
They ever realized what the cost
Would be when they ignore.

Without the warning signs
You place along the way,
I’m sure I’d be inclined
To always disobey.

Along the narrow road
That leads beyond this darkened world;
Though it may come with a load,
At that end there's a gate of pearl.

-- Charity Lacroix, age 14

More of our children's poems: 

The Glory of God
Without Love
When I Get to Heaven
Seashore
Vessel for the Master
The Spirit is willing
Pearl in the Sand
He Wants To Be Involved 

Reward of the Overcomer
Mirror of Christ

Author's note:  The poems in this blog were written by my children, ages seven through fourteen. The "Why This Blog" post explains how the Lord inspired these poems in answer to a prayer during illness. I also recommend visiting my children's blog, A Brush with Life, where you will also find beautiful art they have drawn for the glory of God. You can access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."  Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

The Cost

Foxes have their holes,
The birds have their own nests;
But the very Son of Man
Could find no place to rest.

You want to follow Christ;
Only some other day.
You have yourself to serve,
And you don’t want to pay.

But serving Jesus comes
Along with something else;
It’s giving up your hopes,
Denying all of self.

God wants all that you can give,
Your body, heart, and soul.
Commit your life to Him;
To Jesus, become sold.

Not one man who puts
His hand to the plow,
And then looks back is fit
To serve the Master now.

But you can have a chance
To give your very best.
Invite the Lord inside,
And He will find His rest.

-- Charity Lacroix, age 14

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." (Rev 3:20 NASB)

"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? (Luk 14:26-28 NASB)

"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mar 8:35-37 NASB)

"So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. (Luk 14:33 NASB)

"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ." (Phi 3:7-8 NASB)

But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."  (Luk 9:62 NASB)

More of our children's poems:
Cross Bearing

The Glory of God
Without Love
When I Get to Heaven
Seashore
Vessel for the Master
The Spirit is willing
Pearl in the Sand
He Wants To Be Involved 

Reward of the Overcomer
Mirror of Christ

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

Author's note:  The poems in this blog were written by my children, ages seven through fourteen. The "Why This Blog" post explains how the Lord inspired these poems in answer to a prayer during illness. You're invited to read my article on this topic, called "The Cost of Discipleship," as well as "Costly Grace." I also recommend visiting my children's blog, A Brush with Life, where you will also find beautiful art they have drawn for the glory of God. You can access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."  The "Your Move" painting © 2012 is by Danny Hahlbohm, all rights reserved by the artist.  Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Vessel for the Master

The Master, Jesus Christ,
He’s on the lookout for
A vessel that wants Him;
One that’s clean and pure.

For if a vessel has
Been found to be unclean,
The water that it holds,
Likewise, it will be seen.

The vessel God looks for
Is one that doesn’t cling
To the life it has,
But is an offering.

A holy, selfless heart
That loves the Master so,
This is what He’s pleased with
When where He goes we go.

Something beautiful
Did the Master form.
He knew who you would be,
Long before you were born.

Your life has a purpose;
Something very grand.
It will be accomplished,
If you’re in God’s Hand.

A wonder to behold,
You’re a gift from God;
Made into His likeness,
All heaven stands awed.

God wants to work through you,
Through every single vessel.
Will you let Him do this?
Remember, you are special.

-- Charity Lacroix, age 14

"But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work."  (2 Timothy 2:20-21 NKJV)

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification." (1Th 4:3-7 NASB)

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28 NASB)

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands." (Psalm 138:8 NIV, 1984)

More of our children's poems: 
Seashore
The Spirit is willing
Pearl in the Sand
He Wants To Be Involved
Boldly Bring
Within His Will

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Other Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted.


Author's note:  The poems in this blog were written by my children, ages seven through fourteen. The "Why This Blog" post explains how the Lord inspired these poems in answer to a prayer during illness. I also recommend visiting my children's blog, A Brush with Life, where you will also find beautiful art they have drawn for the glory of God. You can access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."  The "Drink from the Vine" fine art © 2013 is by Dee Lessard. All rights reserved by the artist. Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.