A Somber Anniversary

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Modern saints in St. Alban’s Cathedral (Dietrich Bonhoeffer on the far right)

Eighty years ago today
a German pastor passed away,
but not before he gave us words
to keep our faith alive.

At thirty-nine, young Dietrich died
as Nazi soldiers (filled with pride)
snuffed out his flame
but not his hope
that God always prevails!

So as we contemplate this man
whose legacy cannot be banned,
our life together is enriched
by following his lead.

“When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die!” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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.

Fiber with a Flair!

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
This poet’s favorite snack is a bowl of buttered popcorn

Popcorn is my favorite snack.
It’s fiber with a flair.
The calories are next to none.
It’s just like eating air.

From way back when I was a boy
(you’ll probably think it odd),
I thought of popcorn manna-like.
A daily gift from God.

That Jiffy Pop was quite the rage
until I finally learned
that lest you shake that tin pan fast,
the corn is bound to burn.

The hot-air kind was healthier.
That’s how it was made known.
But it was dry as cardboard puffs…
like chewing Styrofoam.

I make it the old-fashioned way.
A kettle on the stove.
Then pour the oil, add the corn
and wait till they explode.

But yellow kernels aren’t my thing.
I only like the white.
A little butter and some salt.
Let’s pop some up tonight.

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.

An Ode to Opening Day

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
There’s no place like Wrigley Field to celebrate Opening Day!

A bat, some spikes,
A ball and glove.
I guess you know
what game I love.
With outs and innings,
hits and runs,
it’s based on going home.

And home is where
I learned to play
what brought me joy
most every day.
To have a catch
with my dear dad
meant everything to me.

A brand new season
starts today.
A field of dreams
where my hopes play
while focused on a playoff run
and baseball in the fall.

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.

Memories of Lucerne: A Year Later

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
The Wounded Lion Monument in Lucerne Switzerland

A year ago, I took my turn
to preach to ex-pats in Lucerne
and in the process fell in love
with Central Switzerland.

The friends we made (like family)
let down their guard and helped us see
that honest sharing brings us close
and binds our hearts as one.

The Wounded Lion’s weeping face
inspired thoughts of haunting grace
that Lewis knew in Narnia
as Aslan gave His life.

The old walled city with its charm
reminded me that no grave harm
befalls the one who is hemmed in
by God’s protective care.

And Mount Pilatus soaring high
became a sermon in the sky.
A constant source of towering strength
is God to Whom we gaze.

Yes, on this anniversary
my heart is full as it can be.
Our Swiss adventure proved to be
a dreamer’s dream come true.

It’s Just a Matter of Time!

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
Clocks come in all shapes and sizes

We lose an hour,
then we gain.
This time-change thing
is such a pain.
Springing forward,
falling back,
yet time flies either way.

Our years of youth
have long since flown.
We blinked
and our babies are full-grown.
The sand grains
in our hour-glass
give way to gravity.

We simply
can’t control the time.
And that’s the reason
for this rhyme.
Life’s currency
is ours to spend.
It’s how we spend
that counts!

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.