Month: November 2008

Bombers from the Bay

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

A new kind of cowboy raids the Indians

The news from Mumbai made us cry.
Upwards of two hundred died
as bombers from the bay arrived
with terror on their side.

The Taj Hotel (that city’s jewel)
became a playhouse for these fools
who look so young and innocent
though trained in terror’s school.

These cowboys of another kind
have robbed the red-dot Indians blind.
They’ve vandalized a nation’s nerves
and stole her peace of mind.

Good God, why does such bad go on?
When will the peace You promised dawn?
How many children must awake
to find their parents gone?

As Advent guides our thoughts this year
remind us, Lord, that You are near
to those who stumble in the dark
and hide because of fear.

Late is My Gratefulness

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

New words to a familiar Thanksgiving hymn tune;
A Thankless Thanksgiving in the White House

Late Is My Gratefulness
New words to a familiar Thanksgiving hymn tune

Late is my gratefulness, O God my Father.
I’m tardy thanking You for what You’ve done.
Daily You’ve given me countless reminders
of Your great faithfulness, Most Faithful One.

Refrain:
Late is my gratefulness. Late is my gratefulness.
Forgive my tardiness honoring You.
I’ve been remiss in recalling Your goodness.
Your steadfast mercies, Lord, are ever new.

Late is my gratefulness, O God my Father.
I have been careless extolling Your care.
Daytime or nightime, Your grace like a blanket
covers me gently. Your love’s everywhere. (Refrain)

Late is my gratefulness, O God my Father.
I’ve no excuse for my ingratitude.
I beg forgiveness for failing to praise You.
Great is Your faithfulness in all You do. (Refrain)

*The above lyrics can be sung to the tune for “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”


A Thankless Thanksgiving in the White House
A less-than-memorable holiday for the First Family

No turkey in the White House.
George dined on lame duck fare.
He had no choice. His goose was cooked
by critics everywhere.

But lame duck can be tasty
if basted in Old Crow.
A bourbon brine can cover up
what goes down oh so slow.

And while my wife baked pumpkin torte
(I cannot tell a lie),
the White House chef served thankless George
a slice of humble pie.

A Requiem for U. S. Automakers

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Will Congress give them a brake?;
Deadly Lessons from Jonestown

A Requiem for U. S. Automakers
Will Congress give them a brake?Ford and Chrysler (GM too)fear the future. Are they through?Can these automakers brakeand turn this thing around? Not without some bailout bucks,can they make more cars and trucks.Honest engine? So they claim,clutching at their hearts. Why is it the Japaneseroll out hybrids with such ease?Look how far Detroit has tankedsince it all began. In his grave Hank Ford is turningas he hears what Honda’s earning.All the while his factories closeand dealers call it quits. Can’t this motor trend be stalled?Why aren’t we much more appalled?Are we not Americans?We’ve been called to lead!

Deadly Lessons from Jonestown
What Jim Jones continues to teach us

Thirty years ago this week
news of Jonestown made us weep.
One who had misled the sheep
shepherded their fate.

Preacher with unbridled pride
Kool-aid laced with cyanide.
God, 900 people died
following that fool.

How could one man wield such power
forcing young and old to cower
like a dry unrooted flower
severed from its source?

Jerks like Jones can only rule
when their subjects play the fool
like a pigeon on a stool
closing up their minds.

So the moral is… Don’t fall
for what seems quite off the wall.
Be suspicious, that is all.
Doubt can lead to faith.

The Evergreen State Blues

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

It’s what sports fans in Washington State are singing

The Mariners and Seahawks suck.
The Cougs and Huskies too.
Although our state is evergreen,
we fans are feeling blue.

The Sonics had no cause to boom
before they left this year.
There’s not much here in Washington
about which we can cheer.

And while it’s true there is a Storm
that saves us from real drought,
the dearth of wins from all our teams
has left us in a pout.

I’m praying Holmgren’s victory lap
won’t be a cruel joke.
If that should happen chances are
the twelfth man just might croak.

The rain and gray is bad enough.
We don’t need losing teams.
But playoff games and Rose Bowl bids
are only in our dreams.

O God, please end the hemorrhaging.
Reverse our rotten luck.
A miracle would sure be nice.
Without one, we’ll still suck.

A Ruthless Pursuit of God

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Biily Graham celebrates his 90th birthday without his bride;
The Old Marine

A Ruthless Pursuit of God
Billy Graham celebrates his 90th birthday without his bride.A man called Billy greets each day
without his cherished wife.
And though he grieves for one so loved,
he ruthlessly lives life.This confidant of Presidents
has confidence in One
who’s promised to provide the strength
until faith’s race is run.Though weak and weary, Billy seeks
the face of God through prayer.
He’s frank and earnest with a Friend
who knows his every care.He prays for those who call him dad,
for nephews, nieces too.
For grandchildren, for longtime staff,
for nurses clad in blue.Yes, after sixty years or so
of preaching to great crowds,
what matters most might be the words
he speaks at home head bowed.At ninety years the preacher knows
God hears his every prayer.
And though he’s old, he still is bold
to give the Lord his cares.
 
* Dr. William (Billy) Franklin Graham turns 90 years of age today (November 7, 2008). His beloved wife Ruth passed away on June 14, 2007.
 The Old Marine
A personal response to the Marine Corps 233th birthday.The old Marine is weak and tired.
He’s earned the right to rest.
His furrowed brow can now relax.
He’s faced his final test.

His wrinkled hands appear at peace.
They clutch a wooden cross.
This old Marine knows all too well
that winning follows loss.

I watch him take his final breath.
Then peacefully he’s gone.
A long awaited victory
at last has finally come.

And like that Iwo Jima mount
where brave men raised a flag,
a banner flies in Heaven now
as all the angels brag

about redemption’s victory
as blood ran down a hill
when one brave man gave up his life
in keeping with God’s will.

With eyes of faith I see it all.
The old Marine’s at peace.
As “Semper Fi” jumps from his lips,
he finds his soul’s release.

* In the midst of grieving my dad’s death this week, I found cause for joy. I was able to arrange for his memorial service to be held on November 10th, the 233rd birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. My dad would be so pleased.You see, Edwin Asimakoupoulos was a proud Marine who was an honor guard at the Surrender Ceremony aboard the Battleship Missouri that ended World War 2. This poem chronicles my dad’s bravery fighting for freedom and his courage battling cancer. It also celebrates his victory over death and his entrance into heaven all because of Christ’s sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection.Those who follow Jesus do not grieve without hope. Our hope in life and in death is based on a God who is always faithful. In joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health as long as we all shall live, He never fails. Semper Fi.