Category: Poems

Amidst the noise and troublesome ways

Our heart it yearns to see,

The tender touch of peace and beauty

When it’s hidden behind the scenes.

Amidst the noise and chaos

And all tumultuous of waves,

Is a hungry heart that seeks escape

With all restorative ways.

Amidst the pain our tears are bottled

And preserved for eternity;

As our character is changed and moulded

When with faith our eyes will see.

Amidst the calamities

There’s a peace to be claimed,

When Jesus calms our storms within

As we cry upon His name.

Amidst all the valleys

When despondency remains;

The floods will never overtake

When in our heart He reigns.

He rebukes the winds in our life

With all accompanying noise;

He silences the lying whispers

And the darkness of their voice.

There’s a never-ending hope in Christ

When we see beyond the circumstance;

Knowing there are better days

And a time to sing and dance.

But to sing and worship throughout trials

This is honourable indeed;

As it’s proof that the soil of the heart

Is planted with good seed.

(C) P.B. 2021

“And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves…But He said to them, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’  Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”  Matthew 8:24-26

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Matthew 11:28-29

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

“A time to mourn, and a time to dance.”  Ecclesiastes 3:4

“My brethren, count in all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”  James 1:2-4

“Behold, a sower went out to sow…But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”  Matthew 13:3-8

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”  Revelation 21:4

A parable is instructive

With a principle and lesson,

To highlight a deeper meaning;

Analogies with morals mentioned.

When Jesus spoke in parables

A deeper meaning was conveyed,

By using the natural to describe the spiritual

For those who would listen and would pray.

They were illustrating truths

That demonstrated comparisons;

With an inspired message

And a deeper definition.

Jesus used wisdom when He spoke

But those who believed they were wise,

Could not understand the parables

Nor the deeper meaning in disguise.

Because most religious leaders loved the praises

And were challenged indeed by Christ,

Who exposed their self-righteousness;

Who would not see God’s light.

Parables had a spiritual meaning

And were significant indeed,

Because they pointed to God’s kingdom

And planted with morally good seed.

Those who had ears to hear

Could understand perfectly,

As their spirit absorbed God’s mighty ways

When He opened their heart to see.

Parables are treasures

Because their meaning is so deep,

With imagery that’s humble

Where we sow what we will reap.

When Jesus spoke in parables

It was for those who wanted to see,

And to hear the wisdom from His lips

That pointed to eternity.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Then He began to speak to them in parables:  ‘A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower.  And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.”’ Mark 12:1

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree:  When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.”  Mark 13:28

“Then His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘What does this parable mean?’ And He said, ‘To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ’Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’”  Luke 8:9-10

“And Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”’ Luke 12:41

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”  Matthew 11:15

Do we swallow all we hear

And digest what society portrays?

Or do we trust in God’s foundation

To believe all that He says?

Our soulish hunger is never satisfied

When we need to continue to feed;

Our heart and soul with various ventures

With new things to do and read.

Because that void will always simply remain

Like a never-ending hunger;

With an insatiable appetite to consume

All things that are filled with wonder.

The craving for truth will always exist

Because we’re created to ask many questions,

About our existence and our life

And the deep things we hardly mention.

It’s easy to get indigestion

When we feed on unwholesome thoughts;

On all the selfish and the greedy ways

And all the lies that we have bought.

God’s ways are healthy and pure

And when we crave for same;

The fruit of the spirit will manifest

Where love and peace remains.

When we’re hungry for the truth

And when wholesome seed has been sown,

It will flourish into a refreshing spring

Where godly thoughts are grown.

Whoever is hungry for the truth

Will ultimately discover same;

Like a miner who digs deep to find

The most beautiful of remains.

Shallow ways are skin deep

And are always washed away,

Just like a house built on the sand

Where no true foundation will stay.

The truth is simply beautiful

Like a treasure that we discover;

When Jesus becomes our pearl of wisdom

A precious gem like no other.

(C) P.B. 2021

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  John 8:32

“Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.”  Proverbs 23:23

“Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.”  Psalm 51:6

“His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”  Psalm 91:4

“As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.”  Proverbs 11:19

It seems the more that we give

The more we end up receiving,

Because God loves a cheerful giver

And blesses us with our giving.

But we’re conditioned to believe

That the more that we do give…

The less we’ll have in the end

Like water through a sieve.

But when we refresh others

And when it’s done from the heart;

We prosper in so many ways

When with resources we do part.

It’s ironic, but the poorer one is

The more they wish to give,

Because they’ve understood there’s worse situations

And want enough so they can live.

False logic will tell us

That the less that we do give;

Equates to having more in the end

But that’s not how we should live.

Because stinginess keeps us bound

And cannot release true blessings;

When we clench the fist and neglect to give

We reject many godly lessons.

And when we give the motive should be

To not be seen by others;

Where the left hand is unaware of the right

But many needs it truly covers.

God is a God of abundance

And provides much love and grace;

Coupled with His mercy

And with many resources interlaced.

The more we hold onto things

The less we’ll have in the end…

Because the concept of sowing and of reaping

Many blessings or curses will send.

A generous heart is a fountain indeed

A refreshing and loving delight;

That receives manifold blessings in abundant ways

And is precious in God’s sight.

(C) P.B. 2021

“There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty.  The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.  The people will curse him who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.”  Proverbs 11:24-26

“Give, and it will be given to you:  good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”  Luke 6:38

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”  2 Corinthians 9:7

“But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing…and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”  Matthew 6:3-4

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire…for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink…Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’” Matthew 25:41-45

Our divine deliverer

He is our help and shield;

He hears the cries from our heart

And our soul He gently heals.

His eyes are fixated

On those who fear His name;

Where the beginning of all wisdom

In our heart and soul should reign.

His mercy lasts forever

As we place our hope in Him;

He is faithful to restore us

When we’re broken from within.

Our brokenness and contrite heart

Is special in His eyes,

Because it shows humility on our behalf

When we surrender all our pride.

When we realise that we all fall short

Humility is a noble trait,

And when it’s properly understood

We’re aware of our true state.

Almighty God deserves our praise

And our worship every day;

As it’s by His grace that we have breath;

Let’s rejoice in Him and pray.

Every instrument makes a melody

As we compose to Him a song,

With the beauty of the harp and flute

As with joy we sing along.

Lifting hands in utmost praise

As we’re the apple of His eye,

Knowing that He will heal and deliver us

Hearing the depth of our heart’s cry.

Rejoice in the Lord always

And again we say rejoice;

With sincerity and simplicity

As we lift to Him our voice.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice.”  Philippians 4:4

“But on this one will I look:  On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit.”  Isaiah 66:2

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”  Proverbs 9:10

“Praise the Lord with the harp; make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.  Sing to Him a new song; play skilfully with a shout of joy.  Psalm 33:2-3

“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.  For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.”  Psalm 33:8-9

“Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.  For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.  Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.”  Psalm 33:20-22

The succulence of its fruit

As the branch is grafted in;

Into the vine so it is nourished

Producing quality from within.

When the branch is not grafted in

It will wither eventually;

Thrown into the fire, to be burned

Where no more fruit it sees.

When the branch is pruned

It will bear an abundance of fruit,

Because its initial state was life-producing

And its fruit is living proof.

When the fruit is rotten

It’s where the worm will abide;

Where the birds of the air have their fill

And where its nourishment has died.

A tree is known by its fruit

And the result will speak for itself,

As to whether the tree is good or bad

According to the condition of its health.

Likewise, when one is grafted in

Into God’s spiritual vine,

The fruit of love, peace, kindness and joy

Along with gentleness will shine.

Pruning will be painful

As our carnal ways do die,

But it’s required if we’re to produce

Much fruit and to abide.

God is the vinedresser

And if we are His branches,

Then Jesus is the true vine

Where every good fruit He enhances.

(C) P.B. 2021

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”  John 15:1-2

“I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.”  John 15:5

“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”  John 15:6

“Either make the tree good and the fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.”  Matthew 12:33

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”  Galatians 5:22-23

“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”  John 15:8

A question we should ponder on

Is, O Lord, who are we?

As specks of dust and just a vapour

Crafted and fashioned majestically.

O Lord, who are we?

Are we planted on earth for a purpose?

To discover the meaning of our life,

And as we cry from the heart will it surface?

Who are we dear Lord?

And why are we here?

Is there a deeper purpose for our existence?

Is there a plan that You hold dear?

But why do we suffer?

And why is there doom and gloom?

It’s heartbreaking to hear of all the pain…

Or when they’re taken much too soon.

Why are we here Lord?

And is there an eternity?

Which You have promised in Your word

And You hope that all would see?

But Your word makes it clear

That the gate is indeed narrow,

And that You’re faithful to provide for us

Since Your eye is on the sparrow.

Who are we really?

And do we project reality?

Or is our life just one big show;

Reflecting what others want to see?

Who are we Lord?

And are we created in Your image?

Do we really become heirs of grace;

Spiritually through Abraham’s lineage?

Are we dear and precious to You?

And do You protect our every step?

As there are truly moments, our dear Lord

That Your promises we forget.

Who are we dear Lord?

And do we really deserve eternity?

In Your presence, since we all fall short

And steeped in idolatry?

But it only matters in the end

As to what You think of us;

As Your thoughts are way too numerous

Towards us – a speck of dust.

We thank You for Jesus Christ

Who gave us the opportunity,

To be reconciled to You, dear Lord

So eternal life we can see.

(C) P.B. 2021

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there.  The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;  Blessed be the name of the Lord!”  Job 1:21

“So God created man in His own image.”  Genesis 1:27

“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand..”  Psalm 139:17-18

“And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abrahams seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29

“But the very hairs of your head are numbered.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”  Matthew 10:30-31

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count as slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9

Higher than the highest heights

And wider than the deepest ocean,

Is His love so unfathomable

And comparable to none.

It extends beyond our boundaries

Unfathomable in many ways;

Greater than any dream or every wish

As it envelops all our days.

It is tender and it’s pure

A love we cannot grasp,

But it’s alive and it is special

Beyond all we think or ask.

He will never leave us nor forsake us

Throughout our deepest valley and pain;

He’s our avenger and our deliverer

With a compassion that remains.

He’s aware of every single detail

And follows closely our every step;

He wipes away our tears and disappointments

With all frustrations and regrets.

Unfathomable and incomprehensible

Is His loving hand;

All things came into existence

By His word and His command.

Indescribable but true

As His palm sustains and protects,

And when fear strikes He gently reminds us

His promises to never forget.

Marvelous and majestic indeed

Are the works of His hands;

His healing touch is evident

When He comes to heal our land.

Unfathomable in all His ways

And too deep to understand,

But in our feeble ways we worship Him

And to Him we lift our hands.

As we receive His love

He gives us power to overcome;

He sustains us with His grace

As we thank Him for all He’s done.

Unfathomable indeed

That He would grant us Jesus Christ;

As a gift to save our soul

So we can see His light.

(C) P.B. 2021

“He does great things which we cannot comprehend.”  Job 37:5

“Remember to magnify His work, of which men have sung.  Everyone has seen it; Man looks on it from afar.”  Job 36:24-25

“I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of Your marvelous works, I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praises to Your name, O Most High.”  Psalm 9:1-2

“O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!”  Psalm 8:1

“For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.”  Psalm 103:11

Fashioned and designed with brilliance

A creation that reveals His glory;

Rescued, redeemed and also adopted

As He instils a unique story.

In the scheme of eternity

We are handpicked and we’re chosen;

Created for His glory

With His praises interwoven.

A perfect knowledge as He foresees

Into the tunnel of eternity;

Those who are His masterpiece

Where eternal life they’ll see.

Crafted and handpicked indeed

A blessing and an honour,

But totally undeserved as well

As we’re left in awe and wonder.

Handpicked and interwoven

And placed into His kingdom too;

A reflection of His mercy and grace

With His heart so tender and true.

But how can He be so gracious

Since we all have missed the mark?

And fall drastically short of His glory

Where our difference is so stark…

It explains the reason for Jesus

As an absolute necessity;

Who was sacrificed on our behalf

To truly set us free.

(C) P.B. 2020

“Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory;  I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”  Isaiah 43:7

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise…that no flesh should glory in His presence.”  1 Corinthians 1:27-29

“Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”  James 2:5

(My personal testimony)

If someone would have told me

Several years ago;

That I’d have cancer and then my husband would die

I would wish I would not know.

But on the day of my mastectomy

As the surgeons wheeled me in,

There was a smile planted on my face

With a deep joy and peace within.

Because I knew that I was not alone

And the hand of God it covered me;

I knew my life was in His palm

And He would do as He would please.

I had faith that I’d recover

Without an inch of pain,

And I thank God that my prayers were answered

Where only slight discomfort remained.

But five months later

My beloved passed away;

When thunderstorm asthma claimed his life

As he departed that same day.

Again, God gently held my hand

Throughout the grief and pain,

And my Christian friends gave so generously

To ease the load and strain.

Throughout our deepest valleys

God’s provision will be there;

As we trust in Him to provide

Through His tender love and care.

He will provide the resources

And the right people too,

To comfort and to provide relief

And will make all things new.

So when we’re journeying through a trial

Let’s remember it will pass;

It is temporary with an expiry date

Where God will never forsake us.

When we experience tribulations

With no perceived relief in sight

Let’s stand strong on His promise

That His grace will suffice.

And once we overcome

We’re able to bless others too,

With the victory that is in Christ

With an encouragement pure and true.

(C) P.B. 2020

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Corinthians 12:9

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me..”  Psalm 23:4

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience, but let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”  James 1:2

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5