A Musician's Faith: With Praise for Our Composer

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Songs in the Night
A Pipe Organ of Praise in a High-Tech World
Psalm 150:1-6
Comfort from God's Word: Psalm 44:3 . . . . . . . Psalm 27:1-11 (NIV)

"I call to remembrance my song in the night...(Psalm 77:6)

"Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise (Psalm 33:3).
"Praise him with the timbrel and dance; praise him with stringed instruments and organs (Psalm 150:4)".

"Oh, sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvelous things; his right hand, and his holy arm, have gotten him the victory (Psalm 98:1).

to Mark's Recital...a Melody of Praise through Pain!
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The Awesome Story of Mark Thallander, Organist
A Missing Arm and a Present God

"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms...(Deut. 33:27)

Rev. Greg Asimakoupoulos, of Naperville, Illinois, (USA), reveals a depth of praise known only through pain, as he dedicates this poem to Mark Thallander, former organist of Crystal Cathedral (Dr. Robert Schuller). Mark was involved in a tragic automobile accident on a rainy highway, his left arm caught in the seat belt, mangled beyond repair. As a result, he, an accomplished organist, lost that arm. A devastating blow to be sure. Surely it would play the remainder of an organist's life in a minor chord?!

No way! Now with one arm and two feet, praise resounds from the pipe organ; a specially designed prosthetic plays along with Mark in a glorious melody of praise. Read Mark's testimony at the links below and join Mark, a courageous Christian, in praise to HIS composer who understands and has a plan to bring glory out of suffering. God bless you, Mark; we love you - you are our hero!

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Amputee Makes Organ Talk - with One Hand and Two Feet!
Mark Thallander Website
"Man's Triumph Strikes a Chord"
"Amputee organist to perform at Crystal Cathedral"

With Praise for Our Composer
Sometimes our lives appear destined to be played in a minor key.
When major traumas cause us to pull out all the stops
and still our best efforts are not enough,
we grieve (and for good reason).

God can seem silent.
But, listen.
The one whose steady hand
takes delight in scoring the melody line of our lives
is holding us with everlasting arms
that will never let us go.

Mark, His Words...

"Nothing can separate us
from the love of God
that is in Christ Jesus our Lord..."

Even when all that is left is our right hand,
the Master Composer envelopes us
with his calming (yet confident) presence
as He proceeds to make sense of the bass cleft
and incorporate a counterpoint melody
alongside our best offering.

Mark, His Words...

"My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness..."
In our silence, His beauty is heard.
Through accidentals and unexpected passages,
the beauty of the entire composition is clarified.

Copyright 2005 by Greg Asimakoupoulos, Naperville, IL .

Other writings from the pen of Pastor Asimakoupoulos

Notes from God's Word
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away (Revelation 21:4 KJV)."
"In the day of my trouble . . . . . . . . . . I will call upon thee (Ps. 86:7)."
Finding Oceans of Love...Oceans of Praise in the Storms of Life!

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me?
Hope thou in God; for I shall yet priase him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God (Psalms 42:11 KJV)."

Someday the last question will be asked. The last injustice and calamity will be inflicted upon humanity. The Lord, will have the last word--a word of authority, casting down dominions and powers and evils from the beginning of time, and for all eternity. This fallen world will be renewed--and HE shall reign forever and ever.
Until that day, we believe. We trust. We wait, knowing the ultimate answer is in His keeping. And all is well!
Prayer: "Lord, I am full to the brim with unanswerable questions, both for my world and for my life. There ARE no answers, only YOU. Help me to know that You are enough; where there has been unspeakable trials, there will be unspeakable grace. I trust You, and commit the unanswered questions of my life--and theirs--into Your safe keeping. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Note: Read the full article, "Where in the World ARE You?" - by Peggie C. Bohanon.

Highlighting: "When Disaster Strikes"
"A Grief Observed" - C. S. Lewis' thoughts on grief, pain, suffering
"How to Handle a Crisis
"Where is God When Bad Things Happen?" - Luis Palau on the 9/11 tragedy
"How to Pray in a Crisis"--by Jack Hayford, Church on the Way

"How to Pray in the Midst of Crisis"--by David Sanford

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Music resources at Peggie's Place
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Daily Tower of Strength devotionals from Peggie's Place
A collection of contemporary devotionals for crisis times!
"Tower of Strength" will motivate you to reach for the Word in the crisis YOU face!

With thanks to Songs of Praise for the beautiful music playing on this page.
The song is entitled "I Believe."
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Please note that while I strongly adhere to major tenets of the evangelical Christian faith, I may not personally agree with every specific doctrinal belief set forth in other Christian pages. I do want to provide a diversity of links and resource material for the entire Body of Christ to enjoy, and trust you will view it as such.
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