Suffering

The Landscape of Thanksgiving

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
A watercolor painting of a typical drab autumn afternoon

The landscape of Thanksgiving
is a picture of God’s faithfulness
painted from the palette
of our imperfect situations.

Like those times we feel stretched like a canvas,
have a brush with disaster,
are the victim of a stroke of misfortune,
or feel unjustly framed.

At such times
in spite of how we may feel,
the Master Artist is still at his easel.

Much to our amazement,
He uses paints we don’t really care for
to portray His grace
against the backdrop of His glory.

Amid the blustery winds and gray slush
of our wintry world of woes,
the Creator colors our lives
with the brilliance of His steadfast love
and daily mercies.

Great is His faithfulness!

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.

Facing Our Personal Sinai

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
There are mountains we are called to climb

There is a mountain we must climb
just like old Moses did:
meeting deadlines, greeting clients,
taking care of kids.

Nursing needs of aging parents,
battling the blues,
facing fears when cancer flaunts
a short and shrinking fuse.

Finding funds to meet the mortgage,
visiting a grave,
taking stock for starting over
while trying to be brave.

Our current Sinai looms quite large.
It beckons every day.
But climbing with companions close
will help us on the 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 on Greg’s channel.

From Heartache to a Timeless Hymn

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
The storms of life have birthed many beloved hymns

From heartache to a timeless hymn,
from agony to praise,
the pain of sorrow fills the poet’s pen.
Both It Is Well and Day by Day
were birthed in tragedy
as was the treasured lyric What a Friend.

Amazing Grace came from the depths
of Captain Newton’s heart
that once had been enslaved by hate and greed.
And Andrae Crouch’s Through it All
was rooted in despair
as he cried out to God and voiced his need.

Ironically, so many hymns
that draw us near to God
began as wordless groans and whispered sighs.
And yet songwriters filled with faith
and singed by suffering’s flame
have given us God’s truth both sweet and wise.

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.

“Peace, Be Still!”

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
A poignant photo of a solitary sailboat on Puget Sound

Adrift upon a stormy sea,
I hear the Savior say to me:
“I’ll calm the winds and churning waves!
I’ll quell your anxious soul!

“The winds and waves obey my voice
and so can you. But it’s your choice:
to cave to your anxiety
or cast your cares on Me.

“I’ll be your anchor in the storm.
Though drenched by fear, I’ll keep you warm.
And though it seems you’re all alone,
I’m with you all the time.

“Peace, be still!”

* I dedicate this poem to the memory of Clyde Warford who used to sing “Master, the Tempest is Raging” at church when I was a student at Wenatchee High School.

A Lesson from the Banyan Tree

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
The famous banyan tree in Lahaina, Maui still stands following the wildfires

A banyan tree in paradise
stands charred with limbs outstretched
and pictures hope amid grave tragedy.
The spirit of aloha lives
in those who’ve lost their homes
and in the prayers of onlookers like me.

This banyan tree’s a metaphor
much like Christ’s parable
of one who builds their life on rock (not sand).
When trials come (and come they will)
that threaten to destroy,
a rooted life with faith will surely stand.

What stands is rooted neath the earth
where nourishment is found.
What we can’t see accounts for what is seen.
When gale-force winds and hungry flames
envelop us with fear,
what anchors us sustains our faith and dreams.

O God, please comfort those who grieve
the loss of homes and lives.
Provide them with the means to carry on.
And may the message of the tree
inspire us to see
that faith remains when what we loved is gone.