Month: October 2010

Dancing with the Stars (and Stripes)

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

It’s boogie time with the ballot box;
The Him Behind the Hymn

Dancing with the Stars (and Stripes)
It’s time to boogie with the ballot box

The right to vote is freedom’s gift.
It gives us each the chance
to stand beneath the Stars and Stripes,
kick up our heels and dance.

To vote means leaning left or right,
then waltzing with our choice.
When we embrace what’s dear to us,
our values find a voice.

But tango-ing with campaign ads
leaves most of us worn out.
The dirty dance steps they employ
results in jaded doubt.

The rumba of election day
won’t come a day too soon.
I’m weary of the non-stop spin
each morning, night and noon


The Him Behind the Hymn
Remembering Martin Luther this Reformation Day

“A Mighty Fortress is Our God”
was Martin Luther’s hymn
that took aim at the sitting Pope
and at the Vatican.

That German monk expressed his views
about indulgences,
with pen and parchment nailed his point
to sparse and faint applause.

This lonely priest said, “Here I stand!
I can do nothing less.
I will not fleece my faithful flock
and charge when they confess.”

Ah yes, young Martin thumbed his nose
and turned his back on Rome.
Rejecting manmade “rules of God”
the seeds of faith were sown.

And so on Reformation Day
we thank God for a man
who stood up most courageously
with a hammer in his hand.

* October 31st is Reformation Sunday

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Practical suggestions for Pastor Appreciation Month

To be a pastor’s often hard
and while it’s nice to get a card
(expressing thanks for what we do)
would you consider these…?

Find ways to serve our church’s needs
or volunteer as one who leads
or give beyond a simple tithe
so all the bills are paid.

Quit shopping for another church.
You’re needed here. No need to search
in hopes of finding “Willow Creek.”
We are a family!

Pray daily for our kids and wife.
Like you, we deal with stress and strife
as well as envy, debt and doubt
that cloud our faith with fear.

Be quick to offer words of praise
for ones who serve you on Sundays;
the greeters, teachers, those who “ush”
and those who “baby watch.”

Be slow to gripe and criticize
the things some do you think unwise.
Give grace to those who fail “your test”
and take stock of your pride.

In all these ways your love’s expressed.
But, honestly, I must confess
we pastors love to get a note
within a Hallmark card.

A Day of Resurrection

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

A month of men (plus two) sing Easter praise;
When Hope Collapses Around You

A Day of Resurrection
A month of men (plus two) sing Easter praise

Thirty-three men and one common prayer.
Freedom.

A month of men (plus two)
knew help was on the way,
but they were forced to wait
for what seemed like years
praying rosaries,
playing games,
staying fit,
staying strong
in the midst of the rubble of doubt
that surrounded them.

A month of men (plus two)
knew they had no choice
but to shoulder the wait
with much sweat
and little sleep
deep in the bowels of Mother Earth.

For two months and seven days
rescue workers tirelessly mined
for thirty-three miners
whose mettle is much more notable
than the copper and gold
hiding in the Chilean caves
that might well
have been their graves.

Two months and seven days
after the “mining expedition” began
an Easter-like lyric
punctuated South America’s
transfer of power from winter to spring
(death giving way to life)…

“Up from the cave they arose!”

A month of men (plus two)
vertically ascended
one at a time
in resurrection glory,
freed from the greedy grasp
of the Grim Reaper
and released into the joyful embrace
of familiar arms.

The miners have risen!
They have risen indeed!
Thanks be to God!
Gracias, Señor!

* http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/13/chile-second-half-rescues/?hpt=T1&iref=BN1

** http://www.aolnews.com/story/with-rescue-miners-private-lives-come-to/1330847*** Tras 70 días de encierro en la mina San José, los mineros decidieron vestirse todos de la misma manera. Una camiseta, que dice “Gracias Señor,” (thank you Lord) y que en la parte trasera se lee “son suyas las profundidades de la tierra, son suyas las cumbres de los montes. A Él la gloria y el honor.”
 English translation: “The depths of the earth are His, the the height of the mountains are His. To Him, glory and honor.” (from Psalm 95)

When Hope Collapses Around You
A call to look up with faith

When it seems like all hope
has been buried alive,
when you’re trapped and convinced
that you’ll never survive,
when your memory fails you
of times you have thrived,
from the darkness of doubt
just look up.

If the source of your joy
has collapsed on itself,
if your future’s in question
because of your health,
if both Wall Street and Main Street
have stolen your wealth,
from the darkness of doubt,
just look up.

Though you struggle to breathe
from the lack of fresh air,
though the walls that you’ve leaned on
cave-in everywhere,
though you aren’t really sure
if the world is aware,
from the darkness of doubt
just look up.

Suicide or Homo-cide?

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

A gay student’s death births outrage

You know Ty Clementi who took his own life.
He jumped to his death (so some say).
But those who know better insist he was pushed
by bullies convinced Ty was gay.

That gifted violinist in search of a beau
was shamed by his roommate and friend.
Through Skype and through Facebook Ty’s closet was bugged
which prompted his premature end.

Regardless of how you explain same-sex love,
all persons are precious to God.
We’re shaped in His image. He formed us with care
while breathing His life into sod.

Gay people are people. And whether you think
that nurture or nature’s the cause,
Christ calls us to love them convinced of this truth:
no one measures up to God’s laws.

God, bless Tyler’s parents. Please give them the means
to deal with their heartbreaking loss.
And give us the courage to stand up to hate
because we’ve been loved through the cross.

Tea Party Ponderings

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

What began one night in Boston still continues in our day

In Beantown in the days of Paul
not all revered King George.
His government was deemed unjust,
inflated and engorged.

And so began a party
(in the harbor) bailing tea
to protest too-much government
from sea to shining sea.

This party of Republicans,
of Democrats and more
just find it hard to swallow
what the liberals tend to pour.

It’s a party of more simple tastes
where herb tea’s plenty strong,
where what is brewed and steeped at home
can’t be considered wrong.

Both iced and hot, it’s tea they crave.
It is their drink of choice.
The “we the people” party want
each state to have their voice.