Month: July 2013

Once Upon a Royal Time

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Why the world is so fascinated with England’s infant prince; O Come Let Us Adore Him

Once Upon a Royal Time
Why the world is so fascinated with England’s infant prince

Once upon a royal time
when Princess Kate gave birth
the world took notice of the grand affair.
A fairytale in modern times
finds grownups kids again.
We love the regal pomp that fills the air.

The storybook excitement
that we felt when we were young
resurfaces when royal babes are born.
It seems we have a penchant
for much more than just routines
and a life that is defined by boring norms.

The reason for the things we feel
is based in something deep.
Within each human heart is found the key.
As children of the King of life
we’re born to wear a crown.
In our heart of hearts we know we’re royalty.

The long-awaited baby
from St. Mary’s  calls to mind
another boy born long-ago
who grew to heal the blind.

The would-be king from Bethlehem
attracted quite a crowd
as angels, shepherds ( Magi too)
before the infant bowed.

If Jesus had been born today,
imagine live TV
as paparazzi and the press
report for all to see.

And that is what we should expect
when Jesus comes again,
when every eye shall see the King
while bowing before Him.

O Come Let Us Adore Him
Boy George is but a dim reflection of the Prince of Peace

The long-awaited baby
from St. Mary’s  calls to mind
another boy born long-ago
who grew to heal the blind.

The would-be king from Bethlehem
attracted quite a crowd
as angels, shepherds ( Magi too)
before the infant bowed.

If Jesus had been born today,
imagine live TV
as paparazzi and the press
report for all to see.

And that is what we should expect
when Jesus comes again,
when every eye shall see the King
while bowing before Him.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,  in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

Not Guilty isn’t Innocent

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Reflecting on the news and our salvation

“Not guilty” isn’t innocent.
The Bible tells me so.
I’m free in spite of what I’ve done.
I’m washed as white as snow.

It is because God’s sinless Son
unfairly took my place,
I know that justice must be served
to grant the guilty grace.

O God of mercy, please insure
that justice finds a voice
among the flawed forgiven ones
who’ve made Your Son their choice.

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Isaiah 1:1

The Black Dog of Depression

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Empathizing with those who have it

The house pet Winston Churchill had
would drive him to the brink
He called the beast he walked each day Black Dog.
It bit him fairly often
and would leave him prone to tears
while calling out in heartfelt prayer to God

Abe Lincoln also knew these bites.
They forced him to his knees
Depression robbed him of his peace of mind
The demons of discouragement
possessed him to the end
You can see their traces in his forehead lines.

Black Dog’s sharp teeth have bitten me.
I know the pain they cause.
The dark clouds of depression hid the light.
I withered in the darkness
without words to voice my grief
as I stumbled in the never-ending night.

Only those who’ve known this torture
can relate to such despair.
Depression’s victims share a common plight.
But, thank God, there is an answer
in both therapists and prayer
and the Healer who helps lead us to the light.

* Churchill referred to his depression as “the black dog.” Why not do a web search for famous people who battled clinical depression? I “hit the wall” in 1991 but benefited from a helpful therapist, a praying wife, a supportive congregation and a faithful God.

There She Stands, Miss America

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Remembering Lady Liberty on Independence Day

There’s a lady in a harbor
I have loved since I was young
and I’m grateful that she holds a torch for me.
She stands tall and, oh so, graceful.
What she stands for won my heart.
May I introduce you to sweet Liberty?

She was there at Ellis Island
when my grandfather arrived
with a dream to take America by storm.
And he blushed to see her beauty
as she whispered of her love
and the purposes for which he had been born.

She remains there for his offspring
to assure us we are free
to pursue the goals that motivate us most.
Lady Liberty is ageless
holding up her lantern high
as if calling on the world to hear her toast.

To the young and to those older,
to the straight and to the gay
this dear woman offers equal rights for all.
It’s the freedom that we cherish
to live out what we believe
even though our critics think it “off the wall.”

Miss America, I love you.
What you guarantee is mine.
Your bright flame lights up the night and darkest day.
But I’ve come to see your freedoms
aren’t intended just for me
for the liberty you stand for cuts both ways.