Author: parasbovolos

There’s a beauty in simplicity

When we’re content with all our blessings,

And to appreciate their intrinsic value

That can teach us many lessons.

We should never be ashamed

To live a simple and humble life;

When we’re thrifty yet considerate

But where our burdens are kept light.

It’s to put our loved ones first

Rather than to impress those who don’t care;

It’s to shift our mindset from selfish ways

And from entanglements and tares.

As society keeps changing

With all technological advances;

There’s no need to increase our desires

Where covetousness most times this enhances.

There’s no need to desire what others do

Or to follow the peer pressure,

Since the spiritually blind will lead the blind

With consequences beyond measure.

There’s no need to maintain an image

Where our name can be lifted up,

Since our ego and our prideful ways

Most times will never be enough.

Since the carnal nature is never satisfied

And it simply never will be,

Unless it appreciates the beauty of basics

Where with a simple heart it sees.

Let’s inspire one another

To appreciate the beauty in simplicity,

Where we halt to absorb the smell of a rose

And where God’s creation we clearly see.

It’s an opportune time as well

To discover the wonders of natural aids,

And their effective use in health and beauty

With an authenticity that will stay.

When we’re content with all we have

There’s no need for competition,

Since when we’re happy we’re happy to give

As we’re on a special mission.

It’s the attitude of the heart

That will lead us back to basics…

As we stop to focus on important issues

Rather than caught up in this matrix.

(C) P.B. 2020

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all this is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17

“that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business..” 1 Thessalonians 4:11

“For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

Behind everything we say and do

There’s a motive from the heart,

And although disguised it will be revealed

When the layers are peeled apart.

Everything hidden will be revealed

As we simply cannot escape;

Since our soul is naked and transparent

And to the eyes of the Lord awake.

Our motives need to be examined

Since they can be used to manipulate,

And to take advantage for our gain

And to exploit at any rate.

What does it profit a man indeed

To gain the world but lose his soul?

When the motive was greed, lust and corruption

And to finance his end goal.

We can be the nicest person

But end up in the pit;

Since our motive was to impress others

But we were spiritually unfit.

If our motive is to be seen

And elevated in people’s eyes;

God will swiftly humble us indeed

To remove all hidden pride.

If our motives are for selfish gain

And to spend on our own pleasure;

Our contentment will be temporary

Since the deception is beyond measure.

Irrespective of people’s motives

If two hearts are not connected;

Then relationships cannot begin

And expectations will be affected.

When we examine the motives of our heart

We’ll be shocked to really discover,

The hidden lust with all the greed

And those desires we try to cover.

Unless we get a transplant

A spiritual one that is;

Our heart’s desires will remain carnal

And will always go amiss.

When our motive is to love

And express kindness in all we do;

A tree of righteousness it will blossom

That produces much good fruit too.

And if our motive is to see souls saved

God will always open the door;

Since it profits us nothing but done for God

Where He receives glory forevermore!

(C) P.B. 2020

“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13

“For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed and hidden that will not be known.” Matthew 10:26

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

We can run but we cannot hide

And no matter where we go;

From the eyes of the Lord we can’t escape

And from His presence we can’t forego.

Our soul is naked and bare indeed

As He knows our every thought,

And every intent of our heart and mind

From every known source.

We may think our soulish cobwebs

Are hidden from His sight,

But everything is registered

By His knowledge and His might.

Although we run, although we jump

And choose to ignore His presence;

His desire is to bring us home

Through every trial and lesson.

Let’s know that He is angry

With the wicked every day,

And His unconditional love is for His sheep

Who walk according to His ways.

We can run we can hide

But our frame is not hidden from His sight,

And when we humble ourselves to acknowledge this

We surrender the inevitable fight.

We should relent at the thought

That a holy God is pursuing us;

As at the end of the day His is the victory

And His sovereignty is enough.

But from certain things we need to run

As they vex our soul indeed;

Particulary when they drain us

And our soul they do not feed.

Let’s run from negativity

And from those who burden our soul;

Whose intentions are not sincere

And whose actions are crude and bold.

Let’s run from false religions

That focus on our good works;

Rather then the finished work of Christ on the cross

And His pure and utmost worth.

Today is the day of salvation

Let’s not harden our heart when God knocks,

Since its the very best gift we’ll ever receive

When the key to eternity unlocks.

Let’s run the race with endurance

Laying aside every weight and sin;

As we run to Jesus the finisher of our faith

So we run the race to win.

(C) P.B. 2020

“And there is no creature hidden from His sight but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13

“God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Psalm 7:11

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.”  1 John 5:4

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..” Hebrews 12:1-2

There’s a beautiful calm in stillness

When we abstain from motion too;

We begin to rest when we’re stationary

And to re-evaluate all we do.

Sometimes when we refuse to be still

The decision is made for us,

When our mind and body can no longer cope

And a standstill becomes a must.

And other times it’s beyond our control

When we’re forced into lockdown,

Where all activities and hustle and bustle

Are refrained in every town.

But when we’re still there’s time to think

And to spend much quality time…

With those that matter – our family

Where relationships can be refined.

Our daily agenda can be full

And distractions can take their toll,

When worthless things can waste our time

Where lasting fruit will not unfold.

Will we question the current status?

Or we simply do not care

Have we analysed the recent events

As to how they’ve taken us there?

Maybe God wants us to be still

And to remember our very first love;

Our devotion and quality time with Him

And to focus on things above.

Maybe it’s all been orchestrated

To tear our idols apart,

To evaluate and to prioritise

And to reveal the intents of our heart.

Maybe this calming peace and stillness

Will actually bear much fruit;

As we realise the vanity in many things

Since our distractions are living proof.

“Be still and know that I am God”

As we rest on His promises;

As He guides and leads us to His pasture

When we believe all that He says.

Much rest and peace awaits our soul

When we trust in God’s promises,

And although we’re in the midst of turmoil

We’re calm when we’re Spirit led.

As nothing is done outside His control

He understands all we’re going through,

And that every test and every trial

Is to lead God’s love to you.

The power of God will never extinguish

And neither should our faith;

Our hope needs to burn just like a flame

So we finish this mandatory race.

(C) P.B. 2020

“Be still, and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”  Colossians 3:2

Isolation can be a burden

For many in society;

Since the loneliness is a heavy cup

And in a position most would rather not be.

Isolation has many barriers;

Physical, mental and spiritual too,

It’s restrictive with our movements

And in all we wish to do.

Isolation can cause depression

With feelings of hopelessness;

Much anxiety, fear and insecurity

Where our soul is not at rest.

Isolation has its problems

As frustration can breed violence,

And emotional pain and abuse

Where victims remain silent.

Prolonged isolation is unwise

When it is self-induced;

Since it rages against all wise judgement

And will not produce good fruit.

But although it can be restrictive

Isolation has pros and cons;

It reveals the condition of our heart

And things we’ve worshipped all along.

To isolate for a little while

Can produce much lasting fruit;

It helps us to re-direct priorities

And new habits to recruit.

It’s all in the mind at the end of the day

As to how we process things,

And it affects the result of all decisions

Along with the outcome that it brings.

Isolation can be healthy

When a plague is in the air;

Since it’s a protective mechanism

Whereby diseases are not shared.

Isolation has its time

And when we’re in the wilderness;

It’s where the spiritual matters need attention

And for our soul it can be best.

Jesus faced his isolation

But He spent quality time with the Father;

A man of sorrows in constant prayer

A precious soul like no other.

Isolation is an opportunity

To reflect on God’s righteous ways;

As we evaluate where we stand with Him

And on how we spend our days.

Everything has a positive side

When we look with the correct light,

And scrutinise all the hidden blessings

In all their depth and height.

Isolation should be used wisely

To reflect on important matters,

And when we’re truly content with all we have

This makes our lives sweeter and better.

(C) P.B. 2020

“Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.” Proverbs 17:1

“A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire, he rages against all wise judgment.” Proverbs 18:1

Your awesome and redemptive ways

Can never be compared;

You’re the epitome of wisdom

And Your light shines everywhere.

Your selfless ways are evident

With an integrity that’s rare;

Your affection is unconditional

With an expression of love and care.

Only You see the big picture

And orchestrate all in Your time,

And although the pain may linger

There’s a plan which is divine.

Your heart’s desire is that none perish

But You’ve given us free will;

To choose either life or eternal death

Since our conscience You have instilled.

Your ways are pure and holy

And You’ve created us perfectly;

With an intricate of detail

So the eyes of our heart can see.

You desire that all embrace the truth

Through repentance and turning from sin;

You desire to be our Saviour and Lord

And in our hearts the King of kings.

Your passion is that we’re reconciled

To You through Jesus Christ;

Your son who paid the ultimate price

To redeem us from satan’s plight.

All honour and all glory

To only You our sovereign Lord,

With Your infinite mercy and grace

So our spiritual dignity is restored.

(C) P.B. 2018

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7

“Repent and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38

“not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:16

In a hundred year’s time

When we’re in eternity;

Our reward is signed and sealed

As to where we’ve chosen to be.

If we could turn back the time

To be given another chance,

We’d be wiser with our time

And make the most of circumstance.

We’d forsake the many things

That have no profit to our soul,

And build eternal legacies

With foundations that take hold.

We’re given one shot at life

As we’re tested here on earth;

Do we soften or do we harden

Our dear hearts when trials are birthed?

Do we fear or face the challenge

When the devil throws his darts?

Do we rise to win the victory

Or is our soul just torn apart?

We’re all faced with many choices

But with God the battle’s won;

As we stand and walk by faith

All our trials we overcome.

(C) P.B. 2016

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

Can you make an intricate flower

Or perhaps a beautiful leaf?

Can you comfort a bear robbed of its cubs

Are you able to bring relief?

Look at the ant as it carries

Ten times its weight it can…

An eagle will drop its young from great heights

To teach them to fly on demand.

Look at the beautiful wood pecker

On a tree as it pecks away;

A robust sturdy beak that pecks like a drill

Thousands of times a day.

Look at the stars in the galaxy

Light years away and millions worth;

They look like a twinkle in the sky

Some seven quadrillion times the size of earth.

Let’s ponder on the variety of fruit

And the succulent taste of each;

Our water from heaven sustains our lives

And all’s provided within our reach.

Since disorder cannot create order

As the law of thermodynamics mandates;

A gush of roaring wind through a junk yard

Never a grand car can it create.

As our intelligence is used in all things

Let’s fathom God’s brilliant ways,

And how uniquely He’s fashioned us

To make wise decisions every day.

All things have a grand purpose in life

Including both you and me;

This earth is our temporary dressing room

As we prepare for eternity.

(C) P.B. 2014

“Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:3

Best friends are like flowers

With a scent that is distinct;

There’s a sweetness in their touch

As they’re specially hand-picked.

Their words are soft and sweet

And they’re gentle as a dove;

Their honesty is rare

And their rebukes are done with love.

They’re a reflection of God’s love

As they show how much they care;

They are always there in need

When your burdens you must share.

Enjoy these precious treasures

And thank God they’re sent to you;

As the special moments shared

Are sacred and everlasting too.

“A friend loves at all times” Proverbs 17:17

(C) P.B. 2005

A sacred babe in a manger

Where great wisdom was birthed;

Surrounded by cattle

As our Lord came to earth.

Not your conventional suite

And by no means palace grounds,

But it’s where the King of kings

Was born and was found.

T’was a humble beginning

And with no sight of a crown;

No position of honour

And no elaborate gowns.

But God’s wisdom depicted

The importance of such;

So our Lord Jesus Christ

Both poor and rich would touch.

From a manger to a cross

And a humble spirit all His days;

Lest we forget His precious sacrifice

And live our lives to give Him praise.

“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

(C) P.B. 2014