Year: 2006

Cracking the Code

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Exposing the true secret about Jesus

The Church has kept a secret
two thousand years or so.
It has the truth that’s been withheld
from those who need to know.

But unlike Dan Brown’s fiction
that claims Christ had a son,
the secret that has not been shared
is that He is “The One.”

The one who is our Savior.
The only way to God.
The one who died and then was raised,
though some call him a fraud.

And still the doubters wonder
if He can cleanse their guilt.
But when they’re asked to spill the beans,
most Christians start to wilt.

And so this truth stays hidden
from millions in the dark
who are quite clueless of St. John,
of Matthew, Luke and Mark.

It’s time the code was broken.
This secret must be told.
If Jesus is the only way,
His people must be bold.

So don’t boycott the movie.
It’s good you have a look.
Unless, of course, you’ve made a point
of reading Dan Brown’s book.

Me thinks The Code’s a blessing.
Can you remember when
so many skeptics pondered Christ?
Let dialogs begin.

Radio Delilah Rocks America to Sleep

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

How a woman of faith redeems a notorious name

Quite unlike old Samson’s lover,
she is honest, wise and kind.
She gives comfort to love’s victims
and clear vision when love’s blind.

To those bound by guilt’s deception,
to those shorn by loneliness,
this Delilah speaks compassion
with advice that’s aimed to bless.

Though her life is hardly perfect,
though she’s failed more than she’s won,
she’s a means of grace to millions
when each day is nearly done.

Yes, Delilah has a calling.
She routinely speaks of God
and His undeserved acceptance
that redeems rejects and frauds.

From her radio cathedral,
she gives homilies each night.
And she hears heart-felt confessions
from the lovelorn and uptight.

This unorthodox good shepherd
claims a growing faithful flock
who feel nurtured and protected
through her music, wit and talk.

[Actual letter from Delilah in response to this poem] Thank you for the kind words!

Trust me, for there are many areas of my life that are still in keeping with my namesake’s demeanor…

But I praise my Lord each and every day that He loves me unconditionally, That His blood was shed for my sins, That He paid the price on the cross that I might not have to pay the price for my many mistakes, sins and short comings… That He has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams and allowed me the privilege to enter into His presence… That I have beautiful children who know Him in a real way… And that my life is filled with amazing friends and lots of love.

Should He call me home tomorrow, I will know that I have been blessed more than any person I have ever met, because I know the condition of my heart and I know I don’t deserve any of the wonderful things I have enjoyed. But I hope He allows me to stick around another 55 years and have fun on this planet that He created just for our good pleasure!

If you should share any words about me with your congregation, share that I am a sinner amongst sinners…I have compromised my values and myself dozens of times, even after having made a commitment to the Lord…and yet I know His love is the greatest force in the universe…and I will ever praise His name.Best Wishes,Delilah (my older brother’s name was Matthew Mark Luke; my parentshad a sick sense of humor…)

Turmoil by the Barrelful

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Why the rising cost of crude is anything but a barrel of fun

A barrel of fun?
Are you crazy?
How rude.
It’s downright disgusting.
What’s more, it is crude.

Before long. the cost
of just filling our tank
will cause us to curse
as we empty the bank.

This barrel of turmoil
is causing us stress.
This fossil fuel rip-off
is really a mess.

Jed Clampett, where are you?
Jethro? Ellie Mae?
Hey Granny? You hear me?
We need you today.

That black gold you capped off.
Where is it? Dear me.
Our nation is thirsty
for your Texas tea.

We’re thirsty for justice.
We’re hungry for hope.
Our needle’s on empty.
Just how can we cope?

A boycott on driving?
More hybrids to buy?
Some drills in the arctic?
Perhaps we should try.

A barrel of fun?
Are you crazy?
How rude.
It’s downright disgusting.
What’s more, it is crude.

Jose, Can’t You See?

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

New lyrics to our national anthem (in English)

Jose, can’t you see
what you’re asking is wrong
since you live in our land
and enjoy all that’s free?

Why should we change the words
to our national song?
After all what we sing’s
deeply rooted in history.

It is wrong to insist
(while you’re raising your fist)
that this anthem of ours
isn’t high on your list.

Jose, leave our Star Spangled Banner alone.
Sing its words as they are
or pack up and go home.

The above poem can be sung to the tune of The Star Spangled Banner.

Praying with Mother Liberty

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Approaching the National Day of Prayer poetically

With Liberty we lift our hands
beseeching God to bless our land
and guide our leaders to a place
where righteousness prevails.

With Liberty we stand erect
although ashamed and circumspect
about the countless times we’ve failed
to stand for what is right.

With Liberty we raise a flame
confessing that we are to blame
for how we’ve bowed to tolerance
and closed our eyes to truth.

With Liberty we dodge the tide
that splashes us from side to side
and keep our heads above the fray
that harbors culture’s lies.

With Liberty we clutch a book
without concern for how we look
when critics see us with God’s Word
and simply roll their eyes.

With Liberty we lift our eyes
and look into the spacious skies
to seek God’s vision and His peace
and focus on His grace.