Remembering the Family Doctor

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
Dr. James Dobson was the founder of Focus on the Family

He focused on the family.
He dared to discipline.
He underscored what made our nation strong.
Through radio, his doctoring
helped heal sick marriages
prescribing antidotes to culture’s wrongs.

He diagnosed pornography
as a malignancy
that (if not treated) threatens healthy love.
This pro-life prophet stood up for
lost lives who lacked a voice,
those unborn babies known to God above.

His adventures were an odyssey
through magazines and books,
through videos, curriculum and more
that pastors, teachers, moms and dads
relied on to find help
to focus on what faith in God is for.

Though vilified and scandalized
by critics of his claims,
he bravely took a stand and held his ground.
Doc Dobson stood for what gives life
when all is said and done.
He based his views on where God’s truth is found.

I do not hold to all he held,
but hold Jim in my heart
as one who walked with Presidents and God.
This broadcasting psychologist
has left a legacy
both here within our country… and abroad.

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.

Remembering a Legend!

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
Chuck Girard was a founding member of the Christian band LOVESONG

The little country church
on the edge of town
(and bigger ones
across the nation)
are remembering
a Christian music pioneer tonight
because Chuck Girard died today.

His life was a love song
to the Lord he worshiped.
Sometimes alleluia
leapt from his lips
and sometimes changes
prompted groans
that only the Spirit of God could decipher
as the wind was low.

That other Chuck
sang this Chuck’s praises
before Pastor Smith joined Heaven’s choir.
And now both are
blending their voices
together as one
on the other side.

Tonight I invite you to
welcome back
forgotten memories
of “the Jesus Revolution”
when we made our way to Calvary Chapel
in the front seat
or the backseat
with or without shoes
with a hunger for God’s Word.

Let us be one
as we feel the love
and extend our two hands.
With one
reach out to Jesus
with gratitude
for Chuck’s ministry
and with the other
bring a friend
to your home
to talk about
the good old days
when we’d honk ‘cause we loved Jesus.  
And then,
while recalling that amazing time in our lives,
ask Alexa to play
music by Chuck Girard.
I just did!

Peace to his memory!

With Praise of Yawns!

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
Pastor Greg Asimakoupoulos holding a yawning Jeremiah Besso

Don’t think it rare that we need air.
It is our daily bread.
Without that unseen nourishment,
we all would soon be dead.

So, when a yawn is coming on,
don’t fight it. Feed your face.
Our appetite for oxygen
is part of God’s sweet grace.

So open wide. Those yawns provide
our hungry lungs with food.
That extra snack of oxygen
is anything but rude.

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.

Praying Without Words

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
Prayer is prayer even without words being prayed

I bow in prayer, but words fall short.
I don’t know what to say.
Old phrases fail. They seem so trite.
I’m desperate for a way
to vent my doubts and voice my dreams
and verbalize my fears.
And then amid the silence, Lord,
You whisper that You’re here.

“No need to speak!” I hear You say.
“I know what’s on your mind.
Just speak My name and rest assured
I’ll answer in My time.”

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.

Summer is My Season!

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
The Seattle skyline in the summer with the Olympic Mountains in the background

I like to simmer in the summer,
tan my body, cool my jets,
grill my burgers on the barbie till they’re done.
I love dressing down for worship
and then gearing up for golf.
I enjoy the beach and surfing in the sun.

Summer takes me to my sweet spot.
It’s my favorite time of year.
Light that lingers in the evening, rain or shine.
It’s a season when I’m mindful
of how laid back life can be
giving in to what I’ve put off
taking time.

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 to My Rhymes and Reasons on YouTube.