Battle of the Mind

Temptation hisses in my ear

Like a snake,

Whispering, tantalizing

Me with blisses

Forbidden, yet delicious

Luring me

Like a magnet

And strangely

Sin turns an appealing color.

“Try it

Just one more time

It couldn’t hurt!

They say you shouldn’t.

Oh, but how benign

Is this moment. 

Why deprive yourself?”

O Folly,

Such age-old tricks

Of yours are known

Such tactics 

Are mist that melt

Before Wisdom and her ways

Appealing yet deceptive

Are your vices,

Like a pill of silent death

To the masses

Who have fallen by

Your doorstep

And eaten of your delicacies

Laced with poison

Though the first bite was sweet.

Now take your leave, O Folly

And may we never meet again.

-- Charity Lacroix

Scripture Quotation: 

“Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, "Let all who are simple come to my house!" To those who have no sense she says, "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight…Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way, "Let all who are simple come to my house!" To those who have no sense she says, "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!" But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.” (Prov 9:1-6,13-18)

Attribution notice: Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission.

Author's note: The poems in this blog were written by my children, ages fourteen through twenty-one. 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 Jesus? 
“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 Grace Was There

“O Lord, I’m lost!” the wanderer cries. 

“I have no hope of Paradise.

Your Spirit spoke, yet I rebelled. 

Undoubtedly, I’m doomed to hell!

“I know I’m past the point of grace.

Prayers for this would be a waste.

You surely won’t receive me now,

No matter what I say or how.”

But Jesus sees you in that Slough,

Deep in mire and sinking down. 

He reaches forth and grasps your hand.

With eyes intent, He says, “I can.

“I love you with a burning love.

Freely you are pardoned of

That which surely brought Me pain,

And yet no more shall it remain.

“My Blood has power to make you white.

Would I condemn the soul contrite?

Do not say, ‘God will not forgive’

And forfeit every chance to live.

“Look, you’ve fallen in the mud

Where other lambs got in a rut.

Some sank completely in full despair,

Yet all along, My grace was there.” 

-- Charity Lacroix

Scripture Quotations: 

"As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Psa 103:12)

"'Come now, and let us reason together,' Says the LORD, 'Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.'" (Isa 1:18)

"For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You." (Psa 86:5)

"The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness." (Psa 103:8).

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from the NASB

Photo credit: Image used for commentary and educational purposes only, according to the Fair Use Act.

Author's note:  The poems in this blog were written by my children, ages twelve through nineteen . 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 Jesus?
“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.

Wash Your Robes

Has not my Word shown
Your body's a member of Christ?
It’s not your own.
You’ve been bought with a price.

Take your evil deeds
Out of My sight.
Stop doing wrong;
Learn to do right.

With a heart that is torn,
In repentance, now seek Me.
For sin you must mourn.
Wash your hands off completely.

Though your sins are as scarlet,
I’ll cleanse you completely,
Make your heart white as snow
If you humbly entreat Me. 

-- Anonymous

Scriptural Basis:

“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be!” (1Co 6:15)

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (1Co 6:19-20)

“Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (Isa 1:16-17, NIV)

“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, 'God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you." (Jas 4:6-10)

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Mat 5:3-4)

“’Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.’” (Isa 1:18)

Poems by Our Children

Don’t Run from God

Vessel for the Master 

Saved Through Sacrifice 

God's Eternal Ways 

Cross Bearing

Related Articles:

Drifting Away

Holy Living in a Perverted World 

The Cost of Discipleship

Clean Hands and a Pure Heart
Keeping Your Body Pure and Holy

Is Obedience Optional?

Avoid Becoming a Corrupted Christian  

The Difference Between a Disciple and a Believer
God Forgives and Forgets

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 "Washed by the Blood" 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.  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

A Pleasing Sacrifice

Jesus is moved by the ones who repent
Who see where they’ve sinned and for it lament.
He desires a heart that is broken, contrite,
A person who sees that they haven’t done right.

True tears of repentance poured out like water
Means much more to Him than a calf that is slaughtered.
Nothing compares to a person sincere.
He’s filled with compassion at one single tear.

-- Charity, girl, age 16

Scriptural basis:
“For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." (Psa 51:16-17)

Attribution notice: Scripture quotation 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.

Sin's Price

Sin will always keep you longer
Than you really want to stay.
The clutch of sin will grow the stronger
The more from Christ you drift away.

You will walk a slippery slope
The more that you embrace the grave.
The end will come without a hope.
Then comes the overwhelming wave.

If you are trapped in the mud and mire,
Call upon the Name Supreme.
Salvation being your desire,
Jesus Christ will then redeem.

-- Charity, girl, age 16

Related blogs:

Sin and Consequence

The Dangers of Disobedience

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

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.