Cross Bearing

-- An Acrostic --

                                     Christ being your sole Headmaster,      
                                     Run with great love and passion, 
                                     Obeying His great and high call,
                                     Surrendering to Him your all,     
                                     Striving to please Him no matter what.

                                     Being all that He wants you to be,  
                                     Enduring all shame and reproach,
                                     Admitting that you’re so unworthy,
                                     Robed with humility as a cloak,
                                     Imitating Christ’s behavior, 
                                     Not moving your eyes from Jesus’ face,
                                     Going for that straight, narrow door. 

--Hope, girl, age 14

Scriptural basis:

“And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’” (Luk 9:23; cf., Mat 16:24; Mar 8:34)

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb 12:1-2)

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Mat 7:13-14)

"Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." (Luk 13:24)

“Find out what pleases the Lord.” (Eph 5:10. NIV)

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."  (Gal 2:20)

"But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."  (Gal 6:14)

Related Poems:

The Cost

I'll Follow You

Reward of the Overcomer

Related blogs:

The Cost of Discipleship
The Straight and Narrow Path   
Costly Grace
Carrying Your Cross or Cross Dressing?
Crucified with Christ
The Ways of Life

Related Quotes:
“Cross- loving men are needed.” -- Hudson Taylor

“Fruit-bearing involves cross-bearing.” -- Hudson Taylor

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Most other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted.  The "At the Cross" illustration is by my seventeen-year old daughter, Charity Lacroix. You can find more of her lovely 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.

He Loved Us First

We all deserved less
Than the King’s very best,
The pitiful wretches we are.
But salvation prevailed
When mankind had failed
And turned from the Lord in their hearts.

His mercy was present
While suffering unpleasant
Was the will of the Father to save.
Though beaten and bruised,
As our Lord was accused,
Only forgiveness He gave.

He took up our blame
And the burden of shame.
His blood was enough to atone.
While the offerings for sin
Could not cleanse from within,
The cross was enough on its own.

Christ made intercession
And bore our transgression,
The object of public disgrace.
People did not esteem
Jesus, sent to redeem
But whipped Him and spat in His face.

The One they despised
Was their Savior disguised,
Dressed in the average attire.
He wore not a crown
And possessed no renown.
Why would such a King they desire?

Wounds were inflicted
On Jesus, convicted
With charges of false accusation.
But His love overpowered
Each sorrowful hour
Simply for human salvation.

We all should be grateful
While others were hateful
Of how He loved even the worst.
Holy and blameless,
His white garments stainless,
He loved every one of us first.

– Charity, 2-26-14

Scriptural basis: Isaiah 53

Official Music Video:
He Loved Us

More poems from our children:

Perfect for the King

When I Cross the Line

When I Get to Heaven 

Reward of the Overcomer 

Image credit:  The "I Love You" painting © 2012 is by Danny Hahlbohm, all rights reserved by the artist.

Author's note:  The poems in this blog were written by my children, ages seven through fifteen . The "Why This Blog" post explains how the Lord inspired these poems in answer to a prayer during illness. Please also see America, Turn Back to God. 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.

Out of His Love

Jesus died for every soul.
He even died for all the low.

Jesus died upon a cross,
Paying for us all the loss.

He spilled His Blood
Out of His love.

If you follow Him forever,
You and Him will never sever.

-- FRL, girl, age 11

More poems from our children:

Beauty Unfading
The Midnight Hour

My Letter to the King

Perfect for the King
Home 

Image credit:  The "All in the Name of Love" painting © 2012 is by Danny Hahlbohm, all rights reserved by the artist.

Author's note:  The poems in this blog were written by my children, ages eight through fifteen . The "Why This Blog" post explains how the Lord inspired these poems in answer to a prayer during illness. Please also see America, Turn Back to God. 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 Hunter and the Hunted

The devil’s on a mission
There is a goal he’s set.
He wants the lives of Christians
Who aren’t committed yet.

All along the way
He does the best he can
To turn each one away
From Christ, the Son of Man.

Sometimes he will succeed
In bringing one to hell.
But when God intercedes,
His plans do not go well.

He sees the doors shut tight
Within a true believer.
They’re clothed in holy light,
Revolting the deceiver.

They’re armored with the Cross
And following God’s ways.
Jesus is their Boss,
So satan turns away.

For someone else he’ll search.
He’s in a raging mood.
He hates the Lord, the Church.
He’s hunting down his food.

Charity Lacroix, girl, age 15  

Scriptural basis for the poem:

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1Pe 5:8)

"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (Jas 4:7)

More of our children's poems:
Judgment of Babylon

America, Turn Back to God

The Sheep and the Goats

You Are Faithful

All Creation Proclaims

When I Cross the Line

The Cost

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. The "Warrior of God" painting © 2012 is by Danny Hahlbohm, all rights reserved by the artist.

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. Please also see America, Turn Back to God. 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.

You Are Faithful

 I sometimes have to wonder,

With my constant questions asked,
To answer each one of them
For you, can it be quite a task?

All your promises to me,
Can I trust that you’ll fulfill
What you said that you would do?
Or am I doubting still?

When you tell me to do
Something big, how do I know
That to me, Your servant,
Your favor you will show?

Sometimes a storm engulfs me
And I simply have no choice
But to cling only to you,
Though I cannot hear your voice.

These are my weakest moments:
When the days grow cold and rough.
I really need you then
And You, God, will be enough.

The only thing I hold onto
My hope when I’m unstable,
Is that you’ve never let me down,
For you are always faithful.

-- Charity Lacroix, age 14

"He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark." (Psa 91:4 NASB)

"For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat;" (Isa 25:4a NASB)

"For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, Which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; Their soul melted away in their misery. They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, And were at their wits' end. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet, So He guided them to their desired haven." (Psa 107:25-30 NASB)

The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (Lam 3:22-23 NASB)

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

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. 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 "Clinging to the Cross" 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.

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.

My Anchor

You hold me right in place.
In you I feel secure.
You’ve always kept me safe.
Christ, my steadfast Anchor.

Keeping me with love divine;
If in you I do remain,
Clinging tightly all the time.
You protect me from the rain.

Along the tiring seas
Of hardships, dangers too,
This ship of mine must always have
Its Anchor, which is You

The Rock on which I stand,
My Fortress and my Shield.
Held safely in your Hand;
All I have I yield.

Those who are awake,
Keeping holy lives
The devil cannot shake,
If God’s the One who drives.

Planted by the waters,
Unmoving in your faith,
Satan screams and hollers;
In God you cannot quake.

Though tests will keep on coming
To see if you are true,
In this race, keep on running!
What God promised He will do.

Lord of all creation,
Rooting you in place.
Without this firm foundation
Everything would be a waste.

-- Charity Lacroix, girl, age 14 

This poem was written by my daughter with no help from anyone except the Lord.  Here is the Scriptural basis for it:

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” Hebrews 6:19 NIV

"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. (Mat 7:25, NASB)

"And all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ." (1Co 10:4, NASB)

"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1Co 3:11)

More children's poems:

The Love Story
Open Line to God
The River of Life
Saved Through Sacrifice
Praise Him
Reward for the Overcomer
Don't Run from God
Make Your Bride Ready

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Most other Scriptures 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. Anchor cross graphic, courtesy of Sermon View.  The "Why This Blog" post explains how the Lord inspired these poems in answer to a prayer during illness. 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 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.