Poetry

It’s a Church in Chaos

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

But you can’t judge all Episcopalians by some

He is E-pis-co-pal-ian
which means he thinks that gay folks can
be called to serve as parish priests
in spite of what God says.

He’s all about the right to choose.
The culture shapes his left-wing views.
The unborn’s voice cannot be heard
by one who’s deaf to truth.

The Bible, he would quickly say,
is not applicable today.
It’s rather just a dusty source
of what men once believed.

He owns the Book of Common Prayer
which really isn’t all that rare.
But ask him how he uses it
and he’ll say “Poetry!”

He says the sacraments are signs,
but doubts the water, bread and wine
are really all that big a deal
since Easter’s just a myth.

He is E-pis-co-pal-ian
But don’t judge all who are by him.
This grand old Church of Presidents
has millions who believe.

The Ultimate Survivor

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

The reality of Good Friday according to reality television

Yes, the ultimate Survivor
heard his Father say “You’re Fired!”
as he buckled ‘neath the weight of Calvary’s gall.
Though our Jesus was exalted,
he became an Average Joe
in the greatest Trading Spaces of them all.

In his death fear was a factor,
yet he willingly gave in
to the torture all who stood around could see.
When the tribe at last had spoken
and his torch had lost its flame,
this Apprentice offered us immunity.

He was voted off the island
and denied his rightful place,
still he found a way somehow to reappear.
He was fully vindicated
as he put death in its place.
Yes, the ultimate Survivor still is here.

Christ is risen!
He is risen, indeed!

The Passion to Repent

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

How Gibson’s movie caused a killer to confess

Confronted with the claims of Christ
as pictured on the screen,
a killer then confessed his crime
because of what he’d seen.

He witnessed God’s undying love
nailed to a bloodied cross.
He saw his own guilt dramatized
and what his sin had cost.

The loss of life he’d engineered
was ruled a suicide.
But what he’d done was killing him
in secret deep inside.

He knew he really had no choice.
Although there’d be a price
he had to set the record straight
and own his heinous vice.

In spite of life without parole,
his heart would be set free.
But first he had to face the facts
and mouth a guilty plea.

And so he did and so must we.
According to God’s scheme,
we cannot sing Amazing Grace
before we first come clean.

Cultural Commitment

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

What March Madness has to do with cultural Christianity

We hardly watch a game all year
but come World Series time,
we pick a team and place a bet
and sing the “Take Me” rhyme.

At Super Bowl we’re instant fans,
but don’t ask about teams.
The big game’s just a good excuse
to party (so it seems).

The same in March. We all go mad
and watch roundballers score.
A game of hoops we’ll take or leave
until the Final Four.

Me thinks I see a pattern here
within our well-honed ways.
We raise the rafters with our cheers
on only certain days.

No wonder many blow-off church,
though they say they believe.
Except for Easter, folks sleep in
until it’s Christmas Eve.

Commitment is conditional.
The culture sparks our flame.
We’re fans but not fanatical.
Our loyalty’s a game.

Clinton’s Bill

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Why his honorarium for speeches is less than honorable

When Clinton bills for giving talks,
his fee’s enough to rock your socks.
It’s almost half a mill per speech
for one disbarred who was impeached.

It’s not quite right. In fact, it’s wrong
that he who snapped an intern’s thong
should offer virtuous advice
and then demand that kind of price.

But then again why would some pay
to listen to what he might say?
He isn’t known for honesty,
commitment or morality.

It’s true, he was the President,
but does that make what groups have spent
a wise investment of their dues
to hear Slick Willy share his views?

Me thinks that while his fee’s a crime,
those who invite him should do time.