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. 

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.

Full of His Goodness

Hillside Glory

To God we give thanks for this year
Through which we have been brought,
For blessings which we asked of Him,
As well as those unsought.

From greatest joy on mountain peaks,
His streams of blessings flow,
Refreshing weary travelers
In the Valley of the Shadow.

May thankfulness within us spring
For trials that we face.
His goodness may seem absent,
But abounding is His grace.

He shows His love in many ways,
Our lives so frail sustains.
He proves to us that He is good.
How then can we complain?

-- Charity, girl, age 17

Scriptural Basis:

"Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, And I will tell of Your greatness. They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness." (Psa 145:6-7 NASB)

"From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another." (Jn 1:16, NIV)

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

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