Written by Bill Grandi on October 7th, 2025
Poster in my office:
LEADERS ARE LIKE EAGLES, THEY DON’T FLOCK…YOU FIND THEM ONE AT A TIME.
For many years I believed I was a leader. Then one day I realized I really wasn’t. I heard someone once say:
He who thinks he leads but has no one following is only taking a walk.
That got my attention! I have tried to develop into a better leader. I have read tons of books. I have listened to speakers and podcasts. I have attended conferences and workshops. All in an effort to become a better leader. I crossed that word “better” out because I wanted to become a leader first. When I realized that is what I wanted to be, and not just assumed that since I was a pastor of a church I was automatically one, I pursued it. I’m still on that journey and assume I will be until I breathe my last breath.
Last night we had an elder’s meeting/leadership meeting. At this point, the church is served by 3 “ordained” elders and the two pastors (me and our youth pastor, Ryan). A little over a year ago we began the process of the men taking sabbaticals for at least a year (Ryan and I are excluded in that!). 🙂 I love working with these guys! They love Jesus. They love the church. And they love and support Ryan and me. Last night was a case in point where we had good, healthy discussions about several different ideas/events/topics and then closed with each man giving a prayer request that is on their heart. We don’t always agree but we don’t vote. We work by consensus and will sometimes table a topic to get away and pray and think through our thoughts until the next meeting. I love their heart for OVCF. I brought up the need to begin thinking about a special needs ministry, especially since some of the children who attend our kid’s program are on the spectrum, were abused in the foster care system, or have parents who simply don’t care and have had them taken away and have (in some cases) been taken in by a family in the church. Obviously that topic wasn’t going to be solved in one night, but the spirit of “yes, we need to do this” was palpable. I even brought up a couple of hair-brained ideas for making room and they didn’t pooh-pooh the ideas but said, “Lets see what develops with our new building. Maybe that will afford some options for us.” That is what I call caring for your church! Meanwhile, I got the “go” to pursue the special needs idea.
Two hours later, after all had had a long day of work, we prayed and dismissed. I walked away tired from my busy day, but refreshed because of my time with them. In my mind, that is how leadership is supposed to work.
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Church, Cooperation, Humility, Leadership, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection
Written by Bill Grandi on October 6th, 2025
Part of the Scripture reading for my morning devotions today was Psalms 37 & 38. Psalm 37 happens to be one of my favorite passages in the Bible and contains my favorite Scripture. I also like the way it lends itself to a progression in thought that is easy to see. Here is what I mean:
“Don’t worry about the wicked” (v. 1)
“Trust in the Lord and do good.” (v. 3)
“Take delight in the Lord” (v.4)
“Commit everything you do to the Lord. (v.5a)
“Trust him, and he will help you.” (v.5b)
“Be still in the presence of the Lord.” (v.7)
“Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper-it only leads to harm.” (v. 8)
And the finale: “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” (v.23)
Such simple words, but a lot to think about. I leave them with you today. I hope you will take some time to ponder and meditate on these verses and see how you can apply them. There is an old saying: “Let Scripture explain Scripture.” No comment from me. Just let the Scripture speak to your heart this today.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Bible/Scripture, Christian Living, God's Word, Reflection, Scripture look
Written by Bill Grandi on October 2nd, 2025
Because of the glioblastoma and the soon-to-come (now realized) death of my friend, Dave, I decided to reread a book I read about 5 years ago. It is entitled I’ve Seen the End of You by Dr. Lee Warren. Dr. Warren is a neurosurgeon who specializes in glioblastomas, as well as other “nerve” surgeries. I’m not really sure why I read it originally. But I do know why I read it this time. Knowing that Dave was going to die (unless God intervened) due to the glioblastoma that ravaged his brilliant mind, I wanted to know the ins and outs of what to expect. Little did I know his death would be so soon.
IMHO Dr. Warren’s book is a must read. Every pastor, every doctor, every questioning believer/non-believer ought to read the book. His book is based on the idea that he knows how glioblastomas end: death (hence the book title). From quick to some which are more prolonged, death comes. But this is more than a book on glioblastomas. It is a book of questions. And answers. Questions about God, justice, fairness, healing, the results of his time in Iraq, and others. He doesn’t sugar coat anything. Dr. Warren is real and raw in his assessment of God and life. He wrote a book on his time in Iraq as a surgeon and the PTSD which he brought home with him called No Place to Hide (another excellent book). In this book, while seeking answers to questions and coming close to losing his faith, Dr. Warren faced a monumental crisis: the death of his son.
But this post is not about his book. It is about a quote in it:
Faith is a footbridge that you don’t know will hold you up over the chasm until you’re forced to walk out onto it. (Nicholas Wolterstorrff, Lament for a Son-Quoted on p. 231)
My mind immediately went to the scene in Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade when he is following the clues to find the Holy Grail. After conquering two of them, the third has him having to take a “step of faith” into a great chasm. When he does, he steps out onto a bridge, a walkway, that is seen after he steps out (thanks to the magic of movie making).
Faith is stepping out into the unseen. That is what separates faith from sight. We do a lot here on earth by faith, but there will come a day when our faith will become sight. Permanently. It is called Heaven. Eternity. Until then, we live by faith in the promises of God. That He is who He said He is and will keep His promises. Dave was super-intelligent (think Elon Musk-like). He was way out of my league when it came to smarts. But I have faith I’ll see him again when and where smarts won’t matter. 🙂
{One last thing: pick up a copy of Dr. Warren’s book. You won’t be sorry}
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Death, Faith/Feelings, glioblastoma, God, God's Promises, Ministry, Opinion, Questions, Reflection, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on October 1st, 2025
How does one write a post about the death of a friend?
My friend’s name is Dave. I began a conversation with him in 2016. In November of 2016 I was hit by a hit-n-run driver on a bright sunny afternoon while riding my bike with bright clothes on. I laid on the ground and watched as he drove away without even a tap on his brakes. To this day I believe it was on purpose. Fortunately, all I escaped with was a huge hematoma on my left hip. I began doing some research and found out there was an organization called 3 Feet Please. It’s goal was to lobby every state to put into law that a car must give at least 3 feet when passing a cyclist. My research led me to Dave. We struck up an email conversation and then it went further until in 2018 he flew into Indy airport to meet me personally and to stay at our house. He stayed with me and Jo for a few days, went to church with us, then returned home. We became fast friends. His job allowed him to work remotely and he spent two winters out of the Arizona sun/heat in Maine (of all places). On the drive back home, he always stopped and stayed with us for a day or two.
Time allowed us to deepen our friendship and then one day he said, “First Class tickets have been purchased for you and Jo to come visit Susan and I for about a week.” First Class? Like WOW! Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought I would fly First Class. So in late February of 2024, Jo and I flew to Phoenix and we met Susan for the first time. She and Jo became fast friends, and that seldom happens with Jo. They put us up in a hotel for the week and gave us a car to use for the time we were there. Meanwhile, we spent the evenings together and then three wonderful days in Sedona and the Grand Canyon.
In March of 2024 (less than a week later), Dave called and spoke gibberish. I called back and got a voicemail. He was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma. Life span of those are usually 12-18 months…maybe. Dave tried several medical procedures, all designed to give them more time, Susan said. He has been in ICU the past few weeks and late last week was moved to Lund Home of Gilbert. Susan called yesterday morning to tell me David had passed away sometime in the night. “It was too soon,” she said. But Dave also didn’t want to linger.
Pray for Susan and Dave’s family. Jo and I will go out as soon as she decides she would like us to. We offered all along to do so, but it was not to be. Thanks for praying.
{Note: I purposely left out his last name}
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Death, Death of a friend, Friendship, God's Plan, Love, Opinion, Prayer, Reflection, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on September 30th, 2025
Have you ever wished you could turn back the hands of time? Sort of like getting into a time machine and travel back to alter things a bit.
My favorite movies are the Back to the Future trilogy. If you have ever seen any of them, that is the whole premise. Marty McFly goes back in time and his doing so alters his future. There is a scene in the first movie where Marty is up on a hill watching his 1985 self while “reseeing” the events at the Twin Pines Mall as an outsider. He is watching the time traveler version of himself performing something he has already done. Confused? So was I the first time I watched it. The first time. The 50th? Not so. 🙂 Marty is careful to not allow his 1985 self encounter his 1955 self because he didn’t know what effect that would have. As it is, Marty sees how actions back in 1955 does alter his 1985 life. One example has his 1955 father standing up to the 1955 bully Biff and decking him with a punch. When Marty goes back to 1985 he finds everything changed. His father (who was bullied by Biff) is a just published author and Biff is a car detailer. Goodbye wimp status. Hello self-assured success story!
That is a wordie way to say that even though we may long to go back and change things in our past, we can’t. We all pretty much know what is done is done. Imagine if we could go back and tinker with events of the past. I would never have gone to the Bible college I went to, met the woman who was to become my wife, had two daughters, and had a grandson. I would have chosen to play professional ball and not become a pastor. Do I have any regrets? NOT. A. ONE. Would I change some of my actions? Sure I would. I would have chosen a different motive or response. Even serving a church that I regret going to has turned out to all be part of the lessons of life for me. I am where I am now because God led me on a certain path. And I am who I am because of God’s ultimate plan and work in my life. Proverbs 23:26 says, “O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.” That’s the secret!
I don’t regret my life. I do regret my sin and some of the stupid choices I made. But I’m living a life filled with God’s transforming, amazing, even spine-tingling grace. And for that there is no way I want to take a Delorean and travel back in time. I’ll settle for what God has for me today-a life directed by His hand of grace.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, God, God's Plan, Leadership, Lifestyle, Opinion, Questions, Reflection, Regrets, Scripture look, Story, Time Travel
Written by Bill Grandi on September 29th, 2025
“If you have questions, ask away. Just be prepared when God answers.”
I found that quote by Pastor Craig Groeschel in a book I recently picked up to read again. Several years ago (actually during COVID in 2020) I read a book that changed my thinking. It was entitled I’ve Seen the End of You by Dr. Lee Warren. Dr. Warren is a neurosurgeon specializing in glioblastomas (herein called glio). With my best friend now in a hospice care center being made “comfortable,” and with the mother of one of young men from the church in hospice from a glio that evolved into a gliosarcoma (a very rare form of cancer), I decided to pick Dr. Warren’s book up and refresh my memory of this almost always fatal cancer. A glio is a fancy word for a particular type of brain cancer that has a “shelf life” of one year to 18 months. Unless new stats have updated the information, no person with a glio has lived past 10 years. The mother has lived a little over two years and my friend was diagnosed in March of 2024. Ironically, I sent a copy to my friend, Dave, shortly after I read it because we were talking about it and he said he had a friend who had been diagnosed with one.
I’m not a doctor; I am a man of faith. I firmly believe God has the power to heal anyone of anything anytime He wants to. That is why Pastor Groeschel’s quote is so pertinent. I am often asked why God doesn’t answer prayer. This past summer a young lady in the church lost her life in a two car accident. I have been asked countless times “Why?” “Why her?” “I’m sorry but I don’t have the answer to that question. No one does.” I’m equally sure many have asked that question about the Charlie Kirk assassination. Why? Why him? Again…sorry but I don’t have that answer. I am not privy to the mind and ways of God. In Isaiah 55:8-9 he writes, “‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord, ‘And my way are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.'”
I hope it doesn’t sound dismissive but I can’t answer the questions I am often asked. “Why?” “How come?” “When?” I don’t know and it would be disingenuous for me to pretend I do. Sometimes God says Yes; sometimes No; and sometimes wait awhile. And it would presumptuous of me to think I know the answers. God may choose to heal my friend or the mother (I pray He does for both), but I’m not privy to His answer. I just need to be ready for whatever and whenever it is.
Posted in InTheShadow | 10 Responses »
Tags: Brain tumor, God, God's Plan, Health, Ministry, Opinion, Prayer, Reflection, Scripture look, Story, Trust
Written by Bill Grandi on September 25th, 2025
The church I pastor has been making its way through the Everyday Gospel Devotional by Paul David Tripp this year. Each day has specific Scripture reading and a devotion relevant to that Scripture. The uniqueness of this devotional is that it is the whole Bible. Beginning with Genesis 1-3 on January 1st, it will conclude on December 31 with Revelation 20-22. To encourage the people who were willing to pay $10 for this book to continue reading (and not give up), I have been preaching on the previous week’s reading every Sunday. This week, for example, began with Habakkuk 1 and ends on Saturday with Matthew 4. So this coming Sunday my sermon will cover that Scripture. Since I like to limit myself to 20-30 minutes, it has been quite a challenge to do so and has required some unique approaches. I can honestly say it has been the ride of my life. I preached out of Old Testament books that I had never preached from. I have had to capsulize some things, highlighting only the important verse or verses in a section of the Scripture. BUT. IT. HAS. BEEN. WORTH. IT. I would not trade this mind and heart maturing process for anything in the world. I studied and hammered away, sometimes feeling I was in over my head. But God was equal to the task in answering my prayers. And here is something that may shock you or put a smile on your face: I did not use AI for any of it. If someone asks what AI is I will say, “It is a city that defeated Joshua after the walls of Jericho fell and they were confident in themselves and not God.” I personally think it is a crime and a slam against the Holy Spirit to rely on artificial intelligence to prepare to preach God’s Word to God’s people. It smacks of laziness on the part of the pastor/preacher to use AI to prepare their sermons and to even write prayers. I feel so strongly about this I am even shying away from music when I find out it is AI generated. (Okay, off my soapbox) 🙂
Long story short, today’s reading ends our time in the Old Testament. Tomorrow begins our foray for the rest of the year in the New Testament beginning with Matthew 1. The unfolding mystery of the Old Testament becomes the revealed story of the New. (Can you see me jumping and leaping over here?)
{Note: One of, if not my longest and most faithful readers, is Martha Orlando (no relation to Tony). She posted Monday about her husband’s, Danny, upcoming surgery. That surgery is today. It does involve his heart but I will let Martha tell you directly what exactly it is. You can read her post here. I would like to ask you to pray for Danny and Martha as he goes through this procedure today. I will say thanks ahead of time}
As for Keaton (posted yesterday)? The doctor is saying the surgery was successful. Thank you Lord.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Bible/Scripture, Church, God's Word, Leadership, Opinion, Prayer, Reflection, Sermon Series
Written by Bill Grandi on September 24th, 2025
FEELINGS ARE DECEPTIVE!
I don’t know how many times I have written or said that. It came back to me this morning (again) as I read Psalm 13 during my morning devotions. Please follow along with my thoughts with an open Bible to Psalm 13.
David writes, “O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?” (Verse 1a). But then he writes, “But I trust in your unfailing love.” (Verse 5a)
David writes, “How long will you look the other way?” (Verse 1b). But then he writes, “Because he is good to me.” (Verse 6b)
David writes, “How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day?” (Verse 2a). But then he writes, “I will sing to the Lord.” (Verse 6a)
David writes, “How long will my enemy have the upper hand?” (Verse 2b). But then he writes, “I will rejoice because you have rescued me.” (Verse 5b) (All Scripture is from NLT)
How could David sound one moment like a lost sheep, then turn around just a few verses later with confidence and assurance of God’s presence and love? The answer is David feelings said one thing; his faith and belief said another. David felt lost and defeated. But those feelings we deceptive and wrong. We must stop relying on our feelings to rule and determine our beliefs and outlook. Instead, we need to trust and KNOW and BELIEVE that God is so much greater than our feelings.
{On another note: This morning at 9:00 a young friend named Keaton, whom I have never met, but who is friends with one of our young men, has fought cancer since he was 7. He is now 14 and today he is having surgery at Riley Hospital for a tumor wrapped around his spinal cord. Please pray for healing if it is God’s will to do so. Interesting fact: a little over a year ago I lost a dear friend to prostate cancer. Jim and I had been friends for 30+ years. We put many miles on our bicycles riding and talking. He fought bravely for 15 years. I had failed to make the connection until it was cemented yesterday that Keaton’s mom, Jessica, is Jim’s daughter from his first short-lived marriage. Your prayers for Keaton and family would be appreciated}.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Faith/Feelings, God's Plan, Opinion, Prayer, Reflection, Scripture look, Subjective feelings
Written by Bill Grandi on September 23rd, 2025
When I was young (many moons ago) and growing up, my parents, especially my mother, taught me the value of the dignity of every individual. Everyone mattered because they mattered to God. True, I grew up near Pittsburgh, a melting pot city of different nationalities, races, and religions. We even had our own language called “Pittsburghese.” Even today at the age of 72, and having been away since I was 18, I still speak some of that special language. 🙂 I had friends of all colors, nationalities, and religions. I honestly wasn’t much aware of the differences until I was older. I remember wondering why Catholics didn’t eat meat on Friday. But I also didn’t care. I saw the different spelling of last names that (I now know) spoke of past relatives from places like Czechoslovakia, Italy (yours truly), Germany, and parts unknown. In high school the “Black Power” riots arose and several of us would stand in the school lobby and look out the windows as former friends fought. The group was made up of Jeff Goldblum (Jewish); Bruce (a young black man who dreamed of playing violin in the Pittsburgh Symphony); John (a Catholic young man who wanted to be a doctor…and succeeded); and me (a white Christian who wanted to play professional baseball or basketball but who ended up as a pastor). All different but we didn’t care.
The word I would use is RESPECT. We had respect for each other. I didn’t know Jeff wanted to be an actor. I didn’t know John wanted to be doctor. I did know that Bruce wanted to play violin. But those things didn’t matter to either of us.
As I have mentioned before I have been reading several books helping me to understand the need for a ministry to special needs people. This past weekend I started reading Same Lake Different Boat by Stephanie O. Hubach. She and her husband’s second child was born with Down Syndrome and she tells how she found herself wrapped in the special needs ministry. I’m reading now about Respect and she says this, “Being pro-life is about what we are for, not what we are against.” (p.52) She is not talking about pregnancy centers or that issue. Stephanie goes on to write this: “We honor the image of God within when we serve a neighbor who has AIDS, when we meet the needs of our spouse with cancer, or when we care for a family member with dementia. The concept of the sanctity of life is immense and broad, and it motivates us to engage others in God’s name in whatever we do.” (p.52)
Each person should matter to us because they matter to God. “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight” is what we used to sing. The image of God is what it is all about. We are all made in His image. Let’s respect that and treat others as we would like to be. I believe I know SOMEONE who modeled that.
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Church, Friendship, Grace, Kindness, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Respect, Special needs people, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on September 22nd, 2025
As the chaplain for the Owen County Sheriff’s Department I have been called out for various reasons. Two years ago when a tornado ripped through McCormick’s Creek State Park just a mere mile away from my house, I was called out when they found a couple dead from a fallen tree. They had not responded to the emergency “find shelter!” even though law enforcement and park personnel went from camper to camper knocking on doors and yelling at the top of their lungs. I was called to the scene. A few days later we had an “intervention” for first responders where they were able to express their thoughts and latent reactions in a safe environment.
I was called to the scene of a car accident where a young lady lost control (they are not sure why she was driving there) and went over an embankment. I was called to be with the family and friends to somehow offer help. (Sadly, I don’t think I did very well with that situation).
Late yesterday evening I was asked to come to a house where a young man had taken his life. A friend found him after the mother and brother had received an ominous text. The mother was not home and the brother is in another state vacationing probably 13-14 hours away.
I’m not going to give any more details. It is not necessary and I don’t want to betray any confidence. What hurts me is what seems to be more and more common these days. The reasons are various as to why someone-male, female, young, old, healthy, not-so-healthy, well-adjusted, or people with mental issues-see suicide as a way out. I’m not speaking about those who shoot up a scene or target someone and then turn the gun on themselves. I will reserve my comments on them. It is those who act alone, maybe on a whim or after contemplating for awhile, who think life isn’t worth living, that do this irreversible deed.
As a pastor I am often asked about suicide. I had someone just recently, after a suicide touched his family, pose this question to me: “I was raised (gave the name of a church group) and was always told suicide was a ticket straight to hell. What do you think?” My answer was simple: “I don’t agree with that. The taking of a life is serious, but I am not in that person’s mind or shoes. There are compound reasons for that to happen. Only God knows and I will allow Him to be the judge.” I would say the same about this current situation. I did not know the young man or his family. I did hear of some heart-breaking history, but again, I am not the judge.
Be careful judging. Remember there are always two sides to every story. Instead, I would ask you to pray for this young man’s family and friends.
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Death, Grace, Love, Mercy, Opinion, Prayer, Reflection, Scripture look, Story, Suicide
