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. 

Take Two

Imagine going back in time;

The hands of every clock rewind.

Which mistakes would you un-do,

That now bring great regret to you?

What would you do differently?

In hindsight, we can always see.

If just to have a second try,

A chance to change the storyline!

Scenes replay and there was I. 

Now I cringe, I’m asking, “Why?”

But grace is for our stumbling

So we can learn from blunderings.

Hope is held out for today.

What happened then was yesterday.

No one gets to do it over.

The past is past; we’re moving forward.

-- Charity Lacroix

Scripture Quotations;

"We all stumble in many ways..." (Jas 3:2)

"Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good." (Psa 25:7)

""Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered."(Rom 4:7)

"Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Php 3:13-14)

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. 

The Fragrance of Holiness

Holiness—

Sweetness in its purest form

And God its very essence

As we effuse 

The fragrance of His presence. 

The smell of holiness

So delightful, desirable,

Right and wonderful! 

His hallowed Name

Is oil upon the lips. 

What aroma from His kiss!

Breathe deeply

Of His holiness. 

Aromatic spices—

The blend of liquid myrrh 

And aloes fill the senses.

Cinnamon and cassia

How utterly delightful

Is the fragrance 

Of the holiness

Of God!

So sweet,

I’m swept away,

So let me take it in

The moment You pass by.

I’m overcome,

Could die

Beneath the power

Of exhilarating love and fire!

Your perfume

I’m helpless to resist.

-- Charity Lacroix

"Cinnamon emits a fragrance that is representative of an odor of holiness to the Lord. It was used in the sacred anointing oil of the priests and the tabernacle.” – taken from Song of Songs: Divine Romance, The Passion Translation by Dr. Brian Simmons.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, "Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. Then use it to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy. "Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. Say to the Israelites, 'This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. Do not pour it on anyone else's body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred. Whoever makes perfume like it and puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from their people.'" (Exo 30:22-33)

“You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.” (Psa 45:7-8)

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for your love is more delightful than wine. Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the young women love you! Take me away with you—let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers. We rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine. How right they are to adore you!” (Son 1:2-4)

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” (2Co 2:14-15)

“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'” (Act 2:28)

“… love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.” (Son 8:6)

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. 

The Dazzling Wine of Deception

They tell you what you want to hear;
They prophesy of wine and beer.
Their words are pleasant to the ear.
Beware of men like these.

They come to you as gentle sheep,
When really, they are wolves with teeth.
They put you to enchanted sleep
With toxic words of ‘Peace.’

Your preachers feed you easy words
And not a message whole and pure.
You never feel that holy hurt
From undefiled Bread.

Your itching ears crave something sweet,
But not the vegetables and meat.
The shepherds withholding what you need
Tend malnutritioned sheep.

They flatter you with gold and silk,
With homilies as smooth as milk.
They have the masses wonder-filled.
It’s glamour, not the Gospel.

Anyone through glitz and gleam
Can quickly gain a following.
Just being popular doesn't mean,
You’re anointed by the Lord.

Preachers up on pedestals;
Make man-worship inevitable.
The blatancy's incredible!
Has everyone gone blind?

They teach a life of luxury,
“Live at ease without worries.”
But now, a Judgment Day hurries.
That shatters all illusions.

-- Charity Lacroix

Scriptural Basis

"If a liar and deceiver comes and says, 'I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,' that would be just the prophet for this people!" (Mic 2:11)

"My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD. "'Because they lead my people astray, saying, "Peace," when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash," (Eze 13:9-10)

"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." (2Ti 4:3)

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?" (Mat 7:15-16)

"Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." (Mat 7:20)

"You put off the day of disaster and bring near a reign of terror. You lie on beds adorned with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves. You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments. You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph. Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end." (Amo 6:3-7)

Related articles:
What's Wrong with the Prosperity Gospel?
Popularity of the Gospel
Pope Frances Supports Homosexuality
Testing the Spirits of False Prophets
Judging Revelations, Visions, and Prophecies
Exposing Heresy
Are We Really Little gods?
The False Gospel without Repentance
Catholic Priests Molesting Children
The Truth About the Roman Catholic Church
The Truth About Hillsong
Andy Stanley's Disconnect from the Old Testament
Eternal Security
New Age-New World Order

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. 

Coronation in Jerusalem

A lowly man,

The Great I AM,

Descends the olive mount.

O Daughter of Zion,

Your entry widen!

Make a joyful sound!

Divinely drawn,

Crowds gather on

The city’s ancient streets

As if by plan

To hail the man

God sent to set them free.

The Promised One

In flesh had come,

How stirred are hearts within!

Their cloaks they lay

Along the way

And fronds cut just for Him.

He rides a foal

And donkey both.

They walk in sync as one.

The nation’s sign—

The two assigned

To act in unison.

Here comes the Lord,

The One adored,

In one accord, they shout.

Not once rehearsed,

The words that burst

From lips that cried aloud:

“O Son of David,

Long-awaited,

Commissioned by our God,

Hosanna to

None else but you!

The Chosen One we laud!”

Overtaken,

Spirit-shaken,

Prophetic praise spills forth.

The very sight

Of Christ ignites

Such praise unto the Lord.

In days of old

The seer foretold

This well-known, true event.

'Twas all fulfilled
In style and skill,
 So gracefully it went.

-- Charity Lacroix

Related Music Video:

Coronation in Jerusalem

Scriptural Basis: 

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zec 9:9)

“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away." This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "Say to Daughter Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'" The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!" When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." (Mat 21:1-11)

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

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. 

Royal Intervention

Jesus, most desired of women,

Carpenter from Galilee,

You did not seek men’s recognition,

But gladly chose humility.

Back in eons past, I’m sure,

A solemn dialogue took place,

In which you volunteered to go

And save the sin-sick human race.

You knew you had to take some measures.

This called for royal intervention.

“Father, I’ll go down to them. 

I’ll condescend to their dimension.

“My glory they could not withstand,

So I’ll take on their human form.

I’ll choose a life of limitations

And leave your dwelling to be born.

“Father, I will leave My throne

And set aside my majesty.”

The King of kings was not afraid

To downgrade temporarily.

Sinless, yet sinners’ closest friend.

No crown, and yet the King of kings.

Though weak, the Holy Spirit flowed

Through every fiber of His being. 

Familiar with each temptation known,

He felt just how we feel down here.

He stepped into the battle zone

Without a second thought or fear.

His ways are most mysterious!

It’s not for us to know the “why.”

I guess when burning love takes over,

You’ll even give your very life.

It was no easy undertaking,

But messy, even inconvenient.

Yet Christ did face the task at hand,

With His Father in full agreement.

-- Charity Lacroix

Scripture Quotation: 

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!" (Php 2:5-8)

"He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him." (Isa 59:16)

"The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'" (Luk 7:34)

"'This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.'" (Act 2:23)

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (Joh 15:13)

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" (Rom 11:33)

"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law." (Deu 29:29)

Attribution notice: Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, NIV, copyright Zondervan. "It Is Finished" painting © 2019 Danny Hahlbohm, all rights reserved by the artist.  Please visit his site inspired-art.com.

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. 

God Without Beginning

O God, from ages past You are! 

Infinity has known you. 

Before you breathed the age-old stars,

Winds of your Spirit blew. 

What mind can grasp this awesome thought 

Of God without beginning? 

Consuming fire reigning sovereign,

Before galaxies were spinning. 

You’re older than the universe,

Exceeding space and time. 

You’re more ancient than the heavens,

Yet as man within his prime. 

No angel had yet sung one song,

And there your throne stood firm. 

Most awesome, holy, lofty, strong, 

But in our affairs concerned? 

Beyond the point when time has faded,

Timeless will You ever be. 

Reigning everlasting days

O Ruler of eternity! 

Ponder His timeless quality:

I cannot comprehend the thought!

He has no equal, unmatched is He--

Always was and will be GOD. 

-- Charity Lacroix

Commentary: 

In reading this poem, I pray that God will give you a personal glimpse of the thought behind it--the thought of God and eternity put together. It truly is awesome to consider! As I said in this poem, I cannot comprehend the thought! We humans are so accustomed to the concept of time, that eternity goes beyond the bounds of our tiny minds. To think that God has NO beginning and NO end is simply profound and should inspire praise. He always was and always is!

Scripture Quotations: 

"Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity." (Psa 93:2)

"'Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?'" (Isa 43:13)

"But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath." (Jer 10:10)

"Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does." (Psa 145:13)

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." (Ecc 3:11)

"No one is like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Who should not fear you, King of the nations? This is your due. Among all the wise leaders of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you." (Jer 10:6-7)

"Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom." (Psa 145:3)

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom." (Isa 40:28)

"Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" (Exo 15:11)

Attribution notice: Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, NIV, copyright Zondervan. "The Trinity" painting © 2017 Danny Hahlbohm, all rights reserved by the artist.  Please visit his site inspired-art.com.

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.