Wait-Listed

September 27, 2024September 21, 2024 / Greg Asimakoupoulos

**Learning to wait is one of life’s biggest challenges**

On life’s voyage it seems I’m wait-listed.
I’m waiting for what I have asked.
There are so many things I’ve requested.
Learning patience, I guess, is my task.

As I wait, I can doubt or be trusting.
I can rest in God’s arms or resist.
When His timing conflicts with my longings,
I am tempted to raise a clenched fist.

But God’s sovereign. Of that, I am certain.
How He chooses to answer my prayer
is dependent on His will and wisdom
and His infinite mercy and care.

And, so, on this voyage of patience,
I will wait, faith-believing, to see
how the God of all grace and compassion
will provide what He deems best for me.

In addition to each week’s post on this website, Greg Asimakoupoulos offers daily video devotionals on his YouTube channel. Here is a sample video. If you are interested in receiving these devotionals Monday through Friday, you can subscribe on Greg’s channel.

It’s Another Blue Friday

September 20, 2024September 17, 2024 / westeast

**The Seattle skyline features Seahawks loyalty**

Our Seahawks Nation (tried and true)
prepares for Sundays dressed in blue.
We start each weekend “jersey-ed” up
and pulling out the stops.

We 12s know what Blue Friday means.
We show our pride and rep our team
in uniform allegiance
through the things we wear and say.

This weekly pregame fan routine
means more than cheering our home team.
Blue Fridays bind our town as one
and fuel a common aim.

Smokey Bear Turns 80!

September 13, 2024September 4, 2024 / Greg Asimakoupoulos

**Smokey the Bear just celebrated his eightieth birthday!**

Smokey Bear just had a birthday,
but he barely looks his age.
I wonder if he dyes his dark brown hair.
I first met him back in grade school
when we learned how fire kills.
I’m so grateful what I learned from that old bear.

When you douse a campground fire,
stir the ashes. Shovel dirt.
Add more water even when you think it’s out.
Smokey said, “Don’t play with matches.
Careless action breed big flames.
When you see red glowing embers always shout!”

Smokey taught us to be careful.
And he taught us to beware.
Being cautious and alert can save a life.
And while fire can be useful,
we must always be on guard.
It’s a source of help and danger like a knife.

The Race Marked Out for Us

September 6, 2024August 28, 2024 / Greg Asimakoupoulos

**The New Testament writers often referenced the ancient Olympic Games**

There’s a race that we’ve been given
unlike any race before.
And because each race is different
there’s no way of keeping score.

The race of faith we’re running
offers freedom in our pace.
It’s because we’ve each been gifted
in accordance with God’s grace.

There’s a joy that comes with racing
from the starting line to end
knowing that the race we’re given
is unique with every bend.

God alone knows what’s intended,
what’s expected, He can tell
if the joy with which we started
will be matched by ending well.

And the key is where we’re focused.
When we fix our eyes above,
we will run with perseverance
motivated by Christ’s love.