Another year’s been published. It was one for the books. It’s bound to be remembered, so let’s take one last look at pages filled with busyness and paragraphs of fear. There’re endnotes of a loved one’s death and footnotes of good cheer.
Some chapters point to answered prayer while others reveal stress. No fiction, here. Your story boasts the facts and nothing less.
But all that’s ancient history, now. What’s past is in the past. It’s time to write a sequel filled with mem’ries that will last.
Your yellow pad is a blank slate just like the days ahead. So, trusting in a faithful God, write-on with ink or lead.
Finding God in Bedford Falls? By George, I have. Will you? Like Waldo He keeps showing up amid the many clues.
He’s there at old man Gower’s store. and in the Granville home. You’ll find Him there at Harry’s prom or as George prays alone.
He’s there beside young Zuzu’s bed and at Martini’s bar. To find the Lord within this film, you need not look that far.
He’s there when Mr. Potter tries to trap George in his web. And He is there when George gives up and wishes he was dead.
Although you’ll never see His face, God’s fingerprints abound within this movie millions love. The plot is holy ground!
*Frank Capra’s timeless Christmas movie premiered on December 20, 1946 (exactly 75 years ago). Although it was nominated for five Academy Awards, it didn’t win any. What appeared at first to be a flop has become one of the most inspirational and popular films of all times. The following radio interviews were recently aired, interviewing Greg for his insights on the movie and the festival:
Dave Ross, CBS radio, interviews Greg Asimakoupoulos about IAWL Festival, 12/08/2021
Spirit 105.3 FM, Seattle’s Erica Parkersoninterviews Greg on 12/22/2021
Gregg Hersholt, KOMO radio, features and interviews Greg Asimakoupoulos, 12/24/2021
BBC Radio 4 Sunday Program, 12/26/2021, host William Crawley features Greg Asimakoupoulos discussing significant audio clips from the IAWL movie.
Rev. Greg Asimakoupoulos was guest preacher at First United Methodist, Seneca Falls, NY 12/12/2021 at time of the “It’s a Wonderful Life Festival”. (Video play button above will start video at the intro to sermon)
Greg’s book, “Finding God in It’s a Wonderful Life“ is listed on the BOOKS menu at $2.99-$14.99 Lulu Books.
There’s hope and there’s peace, then there’s joy and then love. The candles of Advent reveal the season’s true essence, the heart of God’s heart and the things that our world needs to heal.
Our hope keeps us trusting for what yet awaits. We focus our gaze with a prayer that what has been promised will come in God’s time reflecting God’s light everywhere.
The peace that we long for and patiently strive eludes us if left to ourselves. Harmonious unions depend on God’s grace that draws those at odds to God’s self.
Thank goodness for joy that comes out of the blue giving songs in the night of despair. Joy’s candle reminds us that we can give thanks even when there are burdens to bear.
And don’t forget love that both warms and gives light to those who approach Bethlehem. What beckons us onward is knowing God came to share in our plight as a man.
He modeled how the right and left can work together
Like the pineapple with which we typically associate the name of Dole, the kid from Russell, Kansas could be prickly on the outside.
Bob Dole knew how to protect himself. He had a sharp wit. He did not suffer fools gladly. But once you got inside his skin, you’d quickly discover that he was as sweet as they come. This wounded veteran from middle America, empathized with the common man. This admired Senator was a born leader. He became an American hero.
A man who spoke his mind, Bob had the innate ability to dole out both criticisms and affirmations when deserved.
But unlike Paul Hollywood (of The Great British Bakeoff fame), this one whose death we grieve today would never extend the right hand of fellowship. His injuries from a righteous war left him with the use of his right side. Bob would have to learn to write with a hand that had never previously held a pen.
This remarkable man would also teach us what it meant to be ambidextrous in terms of relationship. He was a capable of friendship with those on both sides of the aisle.
Did I mention that a woman by the name of Elizabeth became the queen of his heart? And from this earthly monarch, Bob discovered what it meant to submit to the rule of Heaven’s King. As a loyal subject, this kid from Kansas came to understand what it means to be a child of God.
My Rhymes and Reasons 