September 2

Written by Bill Grandi on September 2nd, 2025

Welcome to September 2nd. WOW! Time does fly when you are having fun. Wasn’t it just yesterday it was so cold and snow was falling? Well, I guess if you live in Australia that would be absolutely true. I hope you had a good Labor Day weekend and able to take a break from your labor. I came to the office for a couple of hours, had a chance to ride my bike a little over 12 miles, then did yard work off and on the rest of the day. Oh yeah…I also grilled a few steaks and hamburgers. Yum!

Anyway…back to business. While taking a break from my labors, I started reading 12 Crucial Truths of the Christian Faith by Josh and Sean McDowell. I’m only in the the first chapter and it has become crystal clear why they are the braniacs and I am not. 🙂 They are writing about God Exists and it is totally evident that I am out of my league. But occasionally I grasp things. Again…:).  Something struck me as I read and I wanted to share it with you. They are talking about the relational image of God, i.e. how knowing we are relational beings, created in God’s image, is important. They ask a vital question: how do you live out that image in relationship to others? They give 3 answers and to be totally transparent and honest, I know zero. zip. nada. of the Hebrew language.  Keep that in mind as I write this. So…the 3 answers to the question:

1. Know Others. One of the words Scripture uses for lasting intimacy is yada. It means “to know.” We all want to be real and be known. It is like we have one of those sandwich boards around us that says, “Please know me!”  Jer. 1:5 tells us God knew us in our mother’s womb. God knew us intimately before we were born. 

2. Be Known. Proverbs 3:32 says, “…but he offers his friendship to the godly.” Friendship is the Hebrew word sod, which means “vulnerable or transparent disclosure.” God offer his friendship to us and He created us to do the same with others. 

3. Be Involved. One of God’s characteristics is His Omnipresence. That means He knows where we are at all times. The Hebrew word sakan, translated “know,” means a caring involvement. 

All these words show God was deeply involved in our lives from its very beginning. When we were in the womb He was involved and will stay involved until the end. And even then, He is not done! Can you say eternity with Him?  Knowing all the arguments for the existence of God are/may be important to who you are and the people you relate to, but none are more important than to know God wants a relationship with us. Do you know Him?

 

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August 28

Written by Bill Grandi on August 28th, 2025

If we knew the real stories behind the misbehaviors of our students, nine times out of ten, instead of being angry, we’d be heartbroken. (Quote by Annette Breaux, author of Seven Simple Secrets. Cited in Boundless Hope for every child by Kim Botto- p.143)

I have been burdened by the church’s outreach to parents of and children who are special needs. By special needs I am referring to the whole gamut of children/adults-those classified as neurodivergent (anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, hearing impaired, PTSD), those labeled disabled. As I read a book by Kim Botto entitled Boundless Hope for every child I came across many good quotes and ideas-ideas that opened my eyes wide open. When we often come in contact with someone who is neuro we back away. But one of the things Kim says in her book is  

“Being neurodivergent is different, not bad or wrong.”

Or to put it differently: “Different, not less.” (Dr. Temple Grandin- Quoted on p. 50) I was always taught (thank you mom) that everyone is special. Make fun of no one just because they seem different than you.  I was never allowed to call someone, “Retarded” or to even use that word to refer to an idea. I was asking for a sharp lecture if I ever got caught. This was back in the 50s and 60s, long before people understood diversity in mental or physical development in children or adults. We didn’t know what Down’s Syndrome was. I had an older brother who died one day after he was born from an “open spine” is what they called it. It is diagnosed and called Spina Bifida today. Garry William was  born and died in 1951.  (I’m sorry. That is a little off track. “Focus Bill.” 🙂 )

So…why has this caught my interest. Two reasons. One is a quote that sums it up best for me

There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in. (Desmond Tutu- Quoted on p. 22)

Second, the church simply cannot stand by (the one I pastor included) and turn a blind eye, or at least turn the head, to children and adults AND caregivers who find themselves pigeonholed into this category. They can’t help it! Through birth, or maybe an accident, or maybe a sudden sickness lives are changed. Forever. We often talk about the church (Big “C” church) reaching all people and yet a significant part of the population is left behind. I know of a family who has 3 biological children and 7 adopted or foster children, many of them special needs. Can we leave them or the parents behind? Not on my watch. 

Go back to that first quote and think about your attitude and role toward special needs children. How about their parents? Don’t you think it is time we ALL took an interest in the lives of these precious people? Now…of course…the next step is, “What will I do about it?” And you say??

 

 

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August 27

Written by Bill Grandi on August 27th, 2025

Maiden Voyage.

A ship on its first voyage to sea.

A first cross country motorcycle ride with a group. Or maybe the first time solo on a motorcycle.

Mine? Yesterday was my maiden voyage on my bicycle. You may say, “Wait a second. You go by the moniker of Cycleguy. How can it be? Last November 11th, I had my right knee replaced. Due to my bowed legs (the right one made worse by putting off the surgery…Doctor’s orders) the doctor had to do more work than just replace my knee. He shaved some of my shin bone, moved around some ligaments and tendons and voila! My leg is straighter than it has ever been…maybe since birth. I broke my ankle once playing high school basketball and the doctor told me that if my parents had had money, they could have fixed my legs. Well…they didn’t so I didn’t. 🙂 I was okay with that since I knew love was not based on what my legs looked like. I was always just a bit put-out that my pants never fit right.

Long story short: after 10 years of shots (3 steroid and 1 hyaluronic acid one) the doctor and I agreed it was time (Age 72). So the dirty deed was done and he told Tami I would feel absolutely fantastic in 6 months. I am pain free for the first time in I don’t know how long.  But getting out on the road has been a little more of an ordeal. First the strength in the leg. Then the heat and humidity. Then Jo’s fear of me riding on the road (I was hit once by a hit-n-run driver). But the time had come to ride. I rode a little over 10 miles with a stiff wind coming out of the north for the last 3-4 miles.  I rode just the right amount. More than that…I can’t even begin to tell you how good it felt to get out, feel the breeze in my face and going through my helmet, the burn in my legs (and yes they did), and the sense of A-a-a-a-h-h-h-h when I was done. Oh yeah..and the smile on my face when I got back to the office and the secretary asked how it went. 

I’m not a hiker. I’m not a trail rider. I’m not a mountain biker. I’m not a runner. But I do what I love to do when I ride. I like to echo Eric Liddell (Chariots of Fire) when he says, “God made me fast and when I run I feel His pleasure.” I don’t ride fast anymore but when I’m out there I feel His pleasure. 

I think I will do it again. Soon. But not as soon as I like.  🙂

Note: I will be attending a conference today and tomorrow with some men from the church. I relish your comments and will get to them as soon as I can. 

 

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August 26

Written by Bill Grandi on August 26th, 2025

I feel rushed this morning. 

I overslept. Actually, that is the wrong word to say. I failed to set the alarm. My 3:30 wake up time suddenly became 4:45. I’m not even sure what made me check my phone but I jumped up, showered, shaved, and had my Quiet Time and got to the office about 45 minutes to an hour later than usual. I found this quote by Lewis Carroll I once heard to be true:

The hurrier I go, the behinder I get. 

Nothing worked right. Nothing was going as planned. Even here at the office (especially typing this post) nothing went as planned. I cannot tell you how many times I have already corrected misspelled/mistyped words. Type two keys, go back one. One key, back one. You get the picture. 

Time for a reset. A slow down. A stop and take a deep breath time. I’m already behind my plan for this morning that I had made when I closed up the office yesterday afternoon. What’s another 15-20 minutes. Right?  This song by the late Chuck Girard came into my mind this morning. 

I think I’ll take his advice. 

 

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August 25

Written by Bill Grandi on August 25th, 2025

I had fun Saturday! 

No, it did not involve me directly. I was a spectator. This past summer Jo and I spent a lot of time at the local ball fields watching both girls and boys playing ball. Some you could tell had never had a baseball in their hand. They struggled throwing and catching and certainly didn’t know what to do when/if a ball was hit to them. The coaches showed great patience. The parents were there to support their child or grandchild. There was, for the most part, with a few exceptions, an atmosphere of fun and laughter and pride as their offspring did something besides stare at a screen. 

Meanwhile, Jo and I made our way from field to field watching different children from the church play ball. I got to see the kids play; chat with the parents/grandparents; cheer them on whether they batting or playing the field. I even had a chance to renew an old friendship with someone I hadn’t seen in years. I met his wife and 3 children (all since I had seen him last), laughed a lot, and even welcomed him back as they visited the church I pastor. 

This past Saturday it was more of the same. I had gone the previous week by myself (it was stifling hot and too much for Jo) to watch 6 of our kids play Upwards soccer. I hit the jackpot when 4 of the kids played in the same game. I spent game time encouraging all 4 and didn’t have to show any bias. 🙂 This past Saturday I not only watched the other two play but the way the fields are laid out I also had a chance to watch all 6 of our kids. To make things even better, 4 of them scored goals and the other two were in the thick of things. 

This is as it should be. Kids being kids. When I was young I didn’t worry about where my next meal was coming from or who I was going to have to hide from or who or whom could I not trust? There is a certain innocence inherent in children that should never be ruffled or messed with. Parents who want their kids to excel so they live their life through them. Demanding excellence instead of playing for the sheer fun of it. Should they learn to compete? Sure. But within limits. It is ruined by parents fighting with other parents (what a great way to show maturity). Or parents and coaches teaching cutthroat competition. I read recently about two rival schools playing a hotly contested soccer match. One team kicked the ball into the goal but the ball went through a hole in the netting and the referee didn’t see it and called it a missed goal. The opposite team’s coach corrected the referee, the goal was given, and the coach’s team lost by one. But I’ll tell you what! I want him to coach my child. 

Let kids be kids. Step aside parents and be the leader your kids need. 

 

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August 21

Written by Bill Grandi on August 21st, 2025

Have you ever gotten so tired and worn out that all you wanted to do was to just sit or lay down and not be bothered? In your mind you may think. “Please don’t bother me for hours, maybe days. All I want to do is just veg.” That sometimes happens when you “Go go go” until all your strength is “Gone gone gone.” If you keep at it there will come a point of burnout. But for most of us it is just the point of “I want to sit/lay and just be left alone.” You have been burning the proverbial candle at both ends and your body says, “Enough is enough. I want sleep. I want some rest.”  On a very minor scale that happened to me earlier this week.  For the past what seems like 100 years (slight exaggeration since it has probably only been the past month) we have been in the throes of 90+ degree days with humidity off the chart. Typical Indiana weather for the “dog days” of August that began in the latter days of June! I have been baling my field…I mean mowing my grass…each week. The heat and humidity has caused the grass to grow like someone has been standing over the yard and saying, “Gr-o-o-w, gr-o-o-o-w, gr-o-o-o-w!” And doggone it the grass has heard and complied. And each week I have done my “duty” by cutting my grass, drenched to the gills in sweat and wiped out when I’m done. You see, I still walk my yard. If I walk fast and don’t weed eat I can get done in about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes. This past Tuesday I went to the Y and since I was already sweaty I decided to mow the grass. I have an electric trimmer so it lasted for part of the yard and then I mowed the part of the yard I had trimmed. I was done with the front and outside the fence when I came in to drink and Jo asked me if I was taking a break. I said, “Yes, I’m done.” “Done?” “Yes, done for the day. I’ll finish another day.” I have NEVER done part of the yard before. It has always been all or nothing. 

Until this time when my body said, “Enough is enough. It is 90+ degrees out. The humidity is off the charts. Besides, you are 72. Quit acting like you are young and stop while you can…on your own.” So I did. I’m glad I was smart this time. 

That can happen spiritually as well.  We can go, go, go until we have nothing left. Many reach the point of burnout. Others quit just in time. Fortunately, I pastor a church where I have the blessing of the leaders and others who say, “Take a break. Don’t feel guilty for taking time to slow down.” I’m eternally grateful for that. 

Now all I need to do is finish cutting my grass this afternoon. 🙂

 

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August 20

Written by Bill Grandi on August 20th, 2025

FAITH OVER FEAR!

We heard it a lot during the early COVID years. We heard it a lot during the mid-COVID years when the virus really ramped up. We hear it even today, only not so much because of COVID but because of life and all that it brings. I even have a t-shirt my daughter made me back in those early years that diagrams it this way:

FAITH

___________

FEAR

Leaving the idea of COVID behind, there are many people who do live their lives in fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of taking chances. Fear of adventure. Fear of stepping out in faith. And it could go on. So, let’s take this idea of fear and ask what we might be hearing in our hearts and minds?

  • Am I afraid of falling behind on my faith journey?
  • Am I afraid of abandoning what I have known for so many years?
  • Am I afraid of being challenged for what I believe?
  • Am I afraid of being compared to someone else and either they or I realize I’m not growing very fast or very consistently?
  • Am I afraid to trust God completely with everything? 
  • Am I afraid of abusing grace or-the opposite-of not living to the letter of the Law?
  • Here’s one more: Am I afraid I will disappoint God with my lack of faith?

Like I stated earlier, the scenarios are endless. We live in a fearful society. We live in a fearful “spiritual environment.”  Fear thrives on hesitancy. On waffling. On worry about pain. On anxiety about the future. Whether you live by yourself or not fear is worried about loneliness. 

The Faith over Fear moniker is a reality that we need to practice. The enemy of our souls does not want us to branch out. He does not want us to trust. He does not want us to stretch our wings. He does want us to hunker down. He does want us to cower. He does want us to settle for less that God’s best. And his ultimate goal is to devastate our faith. He wants us to live with Fear over Faith. That stymies us and our witness. 

Above all, it hinders our trust relationship with the Father, the Good Shepherd. “I am the Good Shepherd,” He says. “My sheep hear my voice and they know me.” Sounds like He is calling us to faith and to trust Him to lead us to green pastures and still waters. For a refresher, read again Psalm 23. “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.” (NLT) That is called faith. 

And THAT is a promise from the Good Shepherd Himself. 

 

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August 19

Written by Bill Grandi on August 19th, 2025

If there is one thing I think all of us could (if possible) or would do without, it would suffering. NONE of us like to suffer. The thought of long-term suffering keeps many awake at night out of worry. While I have never stayed awake worrying about suffering, I would be lying if I didn’t say that I have laid awake at night in tremendous pain at various times. After getting hit by a car (hit-and-run) while riding my bike in November of 2016 and then going over the handlebars while going down a hill in February of 2017, I suffered back pain like I never had before. Surgery alleviated that by a simple procedure of taking a bone fragment off a nerve. Such relief! Those same accidents gave me a huge hematoma on my left hip (Accident #1 where he hit me) and a broken collarbone and 3 broken ribs (Accident #2). I tell myself it could have been worse. I could be crippled (Accident #1 & 2) or brain dead if not for my helmet (it split in three places in Accident #2). But the pain of suffering was real. I slept 2-3 hours a night and then roamed the house the rest. I could barely put my socks on. My pain was alleviated, ironically, when I got on my bike to ride. 

I’m also aware, though, my suffering is nothing like someone from the church I pastor whose daughter died in a car accident about two months ago. Or the spouse who is watching their soul mate waste away to nothing because of cancer or not know who they are due to dementia or Alzheimer’s. In many cases, suffering is relative. Some handle it better than others. Some are devastated by it. 

C.S Lewis is famous for the following quote:

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. (The Problem of Pain quoted in The Path-p.216)

I’m not a super saint. Not even close. I sometimes gripe and complain when suffering hits. Trust me when I say I cried out to God numerous nights as I wandered through the house in such excruciating pain that would not let me sleep. But as I look back, I see the wisdom of Lewis’ words. My pain drew me to the Father. I cried in His arms. As I sat awake (I could not lay) at night, I wept for relief and prayed for healing from the pain. But I also found myself being drawn to Him ever closer. Do I want that pain again? Honestly? No. But to have that closeness? It gives me pause. 

I don’t know what kind of pain you may be going through-physical, emotional, social or even trauma-induced. What I do know is that God will speak and you will hear if you listen. 

 

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August 18

Written by Bill Grandi on August 18th, 2025

I asked a question at the beginning of my sermon yesterday that I honestly feel is one many have asked or are asking: “What is it that God wants me to do with my life?” Another way to phrase that question is, “What am I searching for?” If we are honest, we will admit that we are searching for something. We feel like we are missing that “it factor” but we aren’t sure what the “it” is. When I realized my dream of playing professional baseball then basketball was nothing more than a pipe dream, I asked that question. A teenager wants a good job or a good school to attend so he or she can get a good job. A career mom or a mom who has spent all her time with babies, bottles and brunches often wonders, “Is this all there is? What am I missing out on?” A middle aged man going through what is often called a mid-life crisis will wonder, “Is this all there is to life?” The answers which haunt us are often those things we think will make us feel good or feel satisfied, i.e a little more money, a better job, a different family. Bad questions to ponder.

We think jumping from one relationship to another, from one job to another, from one adventure to another will satisfy. One word answer: N.O.P.E. That is what people do though. But eventually the high fades and we are looking for the next best thing to capture our attention. 

In the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon says he tried it all and found out it was all “Vanity.” His words: “Everything is meaningless, completely meaningless.” (Eccl. 1:2 NLT) A little later in the same chapter he says, “History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.” (v. 9)  We have all kinds of voices telling us differently. Those voices play off our unhappiness, our insecurities, our lack of stability, and other weaknesses to play havoc with our peace and contentment. 

News Flash! Peace and contentment will not and cannot be found in temporary things. It can only be found in the words of Solomon: “Fear God and obey his commands for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.” (12:13-14). That is where true contentment is found. 

 

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August 13

Written by Bill Grandi on August 13th, 2025

I know. I said yesterday’s post might be the last of the week due to Jo and me traveling to celebrate Janna’s birthday. It really isn’t until the 23rd but that is a Saturday and since I have some kind of responsibility on Sunday morning 🙂  and then most of next week, it worked out best for us to go early. Unfortunately, we will not get to see Braden, our grandson. He is in Canada hiking with one of his other grandmothers (he has three) and her husband. And trust me when I say he would not be hiking with Jo! Lord willing, we are there even as you read this. 

I had no plans to do another post but while cutting grass Monday night (It was 7:15 and still 90 degrees) I had my headphones on as I normally do. A song came on in which the lyrics really stood out to me because of their truth. I’m going to simply ask that you take a few minutes and listen. Some of you are familiar with my music and immediately shudder thinking, “Oh no!” But this is not one of those that will make your ears cry out for relief. Promise!  I had someone listen to it and he said, “It is so ’80s.” Yes, it is. I liked and like ’80s music. 🙂

https://youtu.be/nF1Gl61rSRg?si=xklyjm1Gvr83eRuQ

And just in case YouTube decides to go all wonky on you, it is called Road to Eternity by Hearts on Fire. I’m sorry the lyrics are not embedded in the song, but he sings clearly and you should have no issues understanding him. I hope you will give it a listen and then remember what it says.  Have a great day today! 

 

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