A brother walks the past with you embracing moments known by few. He calls to mind what you forgot and underscores his love.
A brother stands the test of time when life goes blank and doesn’t rhyme, when losses undermine your wins and having faith is hard.
A brother sits with you in pain because he knows you’ll do the same when it’s his turn to wipe a tear or face uncertainty.
Yes, brothers are a gift from God. They voice their pride and give a nod to dreams you long to realize. They cheer you on your way!
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 by going to the “My Rhymes and Reasons YouTube Channel.”
Greg’s photo of grave markers at Arlington National Cemetery
In Arlington and Gettysburg and graveyards of which few have heard, those small white markers sanctify the hallowed ground beneath.
They speak of veterans who are dead, who overcame their sense of dread to undermine the enemy and pre-pay what we own.
What we now claim was purchased then by soldiers who would fight again to guarantee our cherished rights, which makes our country great.
Each tiny marker, boasts the name of one who never savored fame, but served his Uncle selflessly not needing to be known.
We thank You, God, for these now gone and for their memories that live on. As we place wreaths and little flags, grace us with healthy pride.
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.
A celebration banner hangs at the entrance to the Asimakoupoulos’ home
When the election of Pope Leo XIV was announced a week ago, I hung a banner outside our home to celebrate with the rest of the Christian world. The unexpected appointment of an American pontiff from Chicago resonated personally. We raised our family in the Windy City.
When the white smoke appeared atop the Sistine Chapel, the world had no idea the new leader of the Catholic church (robed in white) was a White Sox fan. Curiously, the mother of this future pontiff had cheered for the Cubs. His dad (most appropriately) followed the Cardinals. Neither had a clue they were raising one who would become one. But a neighbor did.
When little Bobby Prevost from Dalton, Illinois was six years old, the lady next door said to his parents, “That kid is going to be pope some day!” And time proved her right! My prayer is that time will prove Pope Leo XIV truly is God’s choice to lead a renewal within the Roman church.
Looking back on my seventy-three years of living, I have seen a major shift in my personal perspective toward the Roman Catholic Church. I grew up in a fundamentalist subculture that was quick to question whether my Catholic classmates and neighbors were really Christians in the way I defined the term.
Praying to saints and practicing of penance was foreign to me. So were the concepts of indulgences and purgatory. Whereas my belief structure celebrated salvation “by grace through faith,” my Catholic friends seemed to focus on earning God’s favor. Our doctrinal focus appeared at odds. Gratefully, my limited understanding began to grow as I started to see evidence of God’s grace in the lives of those who saw the mysteries of faith differently than I.
One of the means God used to guide my changing perspective as a youngster was an interfaith program on a local Seattle TV station that featured a Catholic priest, a Jewish rabbi and a Protestant minister. Father William Treacy, Rabbi Raphael Levine and Dr. Robert Fine dialogued about where Judaism and Christianity overlapped and differed. The respect and honor they afforded each other was noteworthy. At the time I had not idea that Rabbi Levine’s sister would become a treasured friend and confidant.
Another means the Almighty utilized to undermine my misconceptions of the Catholic wing of the Church was Bishop Fulton Sheen. As a teenager I would watch this effervescent cleric on television with great interest. I sensed his joy and integrity.
In time I realized that some of my preconceived notions of what Catholics believe were naïve and uninformed. As a chaplain serving a faith-based retirement community for a decade, I had the privilege of shepherding an ecumenical flock. That experience broadened my horizons and expanded my understanding of God’s grace. I came to see that the mystery of God’s grace is beyond my ability to categorize in tight theological boxes.
As I watched the events unfolding from the Vatican with the rest of the world, I opened my laptop and composed a prayer for the pope. I invite you to pray it with me.
Heavenly Father, fill the Holy Father with an abundance of Your truth and mercy as well as Your humility and love. May this one who grew up in the Windy City, find the winds of the Holy Spirit blowing through St. Peter’s Basilica (and beyond) with gale-force strength. Give Leo the ferocious heart of a lion that will beat strongly and consistently for justice and righteousness. Help him to hear Your still small voice as he verbalizes hope to the least and the lost.
May this one who advocates for the marginalized and misunderstood hold the powerful accountable for their misdeeds. Hold him close to Your heart that he might daily hear the pulsating evidence of Your grace. Remind this one who carries Peter’s staff of that ancient call to feed Your sheep. Remind him of Your timeless call to do justly, and love mercy and to walk humbly with You. Remind him of the essence of the Gospel that is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone. In His name alone I pray. Amen.
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.
Greg Asimakoupoulos and his late mother Star at the Owl Soda Fountain
Although Jesus called you Father, You are like a mother, too. You’ve been gentle, kind and merciful to me. Like a mother hen You gather me within Your outstretched wings. Like a nursing mom You nourish tenderly.
Precious Lord, forgive my failings. With compassion, hold me close. Take my hand and calm me from the things I fear. Whisper that You’ll never leave me, that You’ll shelter me from harm. Like a mother, please assure me You’ll be near.
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 YouTube by going to My Rhymes and Reasons.
My wife’s father never knew his mother (or his dad). But lest you think he had it bad, Hugh was hewn out of the kind of quarry that is known for priceless stone. Rock that is not easily crushed. Rock that reflects beauty having been polished by pressure. Rock on which legends are built.
Although he’d never know his birth parents, and although he was treated as a Cinderfella by his adopted family, he knew a Heavenly Father’s love.
Spiritually Hugh grew deep in his understanding of God’s grace and guidance. Physically, he grew tall and strong towering over his adoptive family. Intellectually he grew weary of weak logic and short answers while contemplating life’s mysteries. Socially, he grew increasingly uncomfortable in large public settings, punctuated by small talk.
He grew to love solitude with his countless “friends” that lined the bookshelves of his beloved office. And speaking of books, he authored 35 (mostly biographies) in addition to hundreds of magazine articles. To research the content for his various publications, Hugh traveled internationally often for weeks at a time.
Although denied a traditional home life, he with his wife of nearly 74 years created a loving legacy celebrated by four children, eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. And when you add it all up, the bottom line is clearly the measure of greatness.
* Hugh Steven passed away a few days after Resurrection Sunday 2025. Peace to his memory!
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.
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