Community

The Three Amigos

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
David McKenna, Greg Asimakoupoulos and Don Argue communing at St. Arbucks

Much like the Holy Trinity,
we’re one in friendship, though we’re three.
We listen to each other’s hearts
and pray for those we love.

St. Arbucks is our chosen place.
It’s where we sip a cup of grace.
Such rich communion slakes our thirst
and nourishes our faith.

Our trust allows transparency.
We own our fears and victories.
Without the need to preen or boast,
we share our memories.

The Three Amigos! Such are we.
A brotherhood. A company.
A triune cadre with one aim:
to spur each other on.

* Dr. David McKenna is the past president of Seattle Pacific University and Asbury Theological Seminary. Dr. Don Argue is the past president of the National Association of Evangelicals and Northwest University. Both men have become mentors to me as we meet regularly to debrief lessons learned on our spiritual journeys.

Skating Together

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
Pairs skating is not just for the Winter Olympic Games

“Not good for man to be alone!”
God said when life began.
“To skate through life with joy he needs a pair.
Someone to share the thrills and spills.
Someone to hold his hand,
a partner by his side when he is scared.”

What God intended from the start
is what makes life complete.
A spouse or friend to navigate thin ice.
When sharing joys and sorrows,
we find meaning in each day.
Companionship is needed (not just nice).

Weeping with Those Who Weep

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
Who can you comfort today?

While slaloming through daily commitments,
other’s expectations
can get in our head
and crowd out our confidence.

As a result, we miss a gate.
We make mistakes.
We question our competence
and replay our regrets.

We temporarily forget that CHAMP
is spelled with an A and not a U.

We long for a shoulder to cry on
and hear someone who believes in us
remind us what we are capable of.

We need to know we’re not alone.
We need to realize that others understand.

And once we realize that the thrill of victory
and the agony of defeat is a common to our race,
we need to be at the finish line (or before)
to comfort those in pain.

Who can you comfort today?

“Rejoice with those who rejoice.
Weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15