Month: March 2013

We are Resurrection People

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

A new Easter hymn; The Gospel According to Dandelions

We are Resurrection People
A new Easter hymn

We are resurrection people
made alive through Easter faith
for the risen Christ has freed us
from the power of the grave.
Eden’s curse has been rescinded.
Death’s defeated once for all.
Since the serpent’s sting is thwarted,
we’ve no fear to see him crawl.

We are resurrection people
made alive through Easter hope.
Though we grieve when loved ones leave us,
Jesus’ victory helps us cope.
When we’re sidelined by some sadness,
or beset when dreams have died,
we don’t need to be despairing,
for Christ’s grave stands open wide.

We are resurrection people
made alive through Easter love.
Christ has given us his Spirit
mindful of the tests we have.
He who gave the great commandment,
gives the means for us to live
with compassion, kind and caring,
quick to help and to forgive.

We are resurrection people
marked by faith and hope and love.
Christ is risen! Christ is reigning
from his throne in Heav’n above.
We need never be discouraged
knowing he is on our side
as we celebrate his vict’ry
through this blessed Eastertide.

(The above can be sung to the tune for “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”)

The Gospel According to a Dandelion
Easter lessons from a hated weed.

Dandelions grow like weeds.
They multiply then go to seed.
But though they die and fly away,
it’s clear they live again.

While Easter lilies claim top perch
when palms give way to blooms at church,
it seems that dandelions should
be front and center, too.

For after all, as St. Paul said,
we grieve for ones who are now dead.
But not as those who have no hope
since death has lost its sting.

The Insanity of March Madness

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

It’s crazy fun!; Love Does and Bring Him Home

The Insanity of March Madness
It’s crazy fun!

There’s a basket at the buzzer
to advance to the next round.
Oh my gosh, such sacred moments
make the hardwoods holy ground.

A half-court shot that swishes
and a clutch free-throw that ties
make for magic in March Madness
and can make a grown man cry.

Hoop fans multiply like bunnies
in advance of Easter break.
There’s a rush to fill out brackets.
It’s insane, for goodness’ sake!

Is that why it’s called March Madness?
Crazy me! I’ll bet it’s so.
But when fun gives way to gambling,
you can lose a lot, you know?

Love Does!
Bob Goff’s new book illustrates how and why

Religion can be quick to say
what’s not allowed, what’s not okay.
But Jesus had another way.
He simply said, “Love does!”

Some theologians complicate
what seems at first glance fairly straight.
To know God is to celebrate
because that’s what love does.

And while we live with questions still,
we’d best admit we always will.
Our job is just to find the thrill
in doing what love does.

And so today I’ll do my best
to try and pass the “love does” test
by making someone’s life more blest
convinced that’s what love does.

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=1400203759

Bring Him Home
Jean Valjean and Les Miserable is now available

It’s fin’lly out on DVD.
At last the waiting’s done.
I’ll pop some corn and pour some Coke
and sing with Jean Valjean.

“Les Mis” (the movie) touched my heart
as tears ran down my face.
This motion picture points to God
and His amazing grace.

Javert, Cosette and Eponine
have caused me to explore
the law’s demands, love’s hunger pangs
and dreams that hope for more.

And best of all this movie
(with its haunting melodies)
has bathed my soul with hymn-like notes
that prompt deep joy in me.

So, won’t you get Valjean on disc
and (with me) “bring him home?”
The message is of lasting love
and points to God alone.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=les+miserables+colm&view=detail&mid=53127380B1EC796429C853127380B1EC796429C8&first=0&FORM=NVPFVR

“Now Batting for the Red Birds…”

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Imagine Jack Buck announcing the new pope; A Prayer for Pope Francis

Now Batting for the Red Birds…
Imagine Jack Buck announcing the new pope

Jack Buck’s long gone
but in my mind I hear his raspy voice
with play-by-play descriptions
as the Red Birds made their choice.

“The Cardinals in their clubhouse
are adept at drawing straws.
And as they start to take the field
just hear the rapt applause.

“The captain of the team’s been named.
His uniform’s unique.
His jersey’s different. So’s his cap.
And you should see his cleats!

“Spring training has resulted in
a season of fresh hope.
And so Cards fans, now batting
is the church’s brand new pope.”

* Jack Buck was the beloved play-by-play announcer for the St. Louis Cardinals for half a century.
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20090879&source=MLB

A Prayer for Pope Francis
Paraphrasing the words of St. Francis

Lord, make him an instrument of Your peace.
A shepherd to the lost and least.
A pontiff to the poor and rich,
a pastor to the world.

Where hatred rears its ugly head
may he respond with love instead.
And may he model pardoning
when there is injury.

Where faith’s weak flame is nearly out,
help him discern the source of doubt
and offer hope to those who can’t
because of their despair.

Where darkness reigns both day and night,
help Francis to reflect the Light
who came into our sinful world
that we might see the way.

Where sadness dominates the heart
equip this pope to do his part
and demonstrate the joy of Christ
through actions, words and smiles.

The Weight of Waiting

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Heavy thoughts to ponder

The weight of waiting
is a heavy burden
that stoops the shoulders
of the strongest
and drains the energy
of the youngest.

It’s a weight that slows the gait
of the fastest
and trumps the peace
of those most content.

To wait for a new pope to be named…
to wait for a fiscal stalemate to be solved…
to wait for a loved one’s surgery to be over…
to wait for a wayward child to find his way home…
to wait for a hurting marriage to be healed…
to wait for a broken heart to be mended…
to wait for an injustice to be overturned…
to wait for Good Friday to give way to Easter Sunday…
to wait for God to answer prayer
is a weight that bends us down
and tests our resolve to trust.

But trust we must
and wait we will
for that is the weight
that comes with being human.

The Winds of Change in the Vatican (and Beyond)

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

The foundations of Christ’s Church are shaking

The winds of change are blowing
through Christ’s Church around the world
as the windows rattle and foundations shake.
Doors fly open unexpectedly.
It’s quite unsettling
as we try and come to terms with what’s at stake.

Popes resign and pastors struggle
making sense out of their call
as a business model trumps a shepherd’s role.
Doctrines once embraced are questioned
and taboos are redefined
as the winds of change begin to take their toll.

Holy Scripture isn’t honored
as the sole authority
when it comes to matters of both faith and life.
And the pressure to be tolerant
is much more than it seems
as reflected in who now can be a wife.

When to bend and when to challenge?
Those are questions we’d best ask
as the gale force winds bear down with gaining speed.
If we bend when we should challenge
then Christ’s Church will lose its right
to reflect His holy love and timeless creed.