Written by Bill Grandi on April 15th, 2025
“You talk at an audience, but you talk with people.” (Quote from The Dancing King by Glynn Young-p.131). I’m going to continue with my thoughts that The Dancing King spurred within me as I finished my reread of Book #3 in the series of 5.
Interviewing for a job with the king, Jay said the preceding quote to King Michael. Previous to that quote, Jay said this: “What struck me (after listening to Michael preach) about all of this is that you’re not a brand, but a person, a breathing, living person, and that comes through clearly in the videos and interview, but especially in the sermons. And from what I could tell, you want to talk with people, not communicate at them. Most communications people think of everyone as an audience, and I hate that. You talk at an audience, but you talk with people. And it seems to me that everything I’ve seen and read about you suggests that you want to talk with people.” (pp.130-131)
As a pastor, as a speaker, that statement hit the nail on the head. I honestly don’t care about branding (whatever that is and entails). I sincerely pray each Sunday that I am not in the pulpit to impress people or to WOW people. (I surely fail in that). What I do want to do is plainly and clearly present the truth of the Gospel of Jesus and His love for each and every one of us. To borrow another quote from the book: “God does not ask me to campaign for social justice. He does not ask me to promote cultural pluralism. He does not tell me to promote inclusiveness as the only virtue left in a country that seems to have been stripped bare of its moral virtues (Note: he was speaking of the UK in the book but…). And he does not ask me to promote tolerance, because he knows that my efforts to promote tolerance will actually create intolerance.” (p.330). And then the coup de grace: “He simply says, find the lost. Serve my people. Preach the gospel. Feed my sheep. Tend to my lambs. Disciple my flock. Watch over my people. Love them as you would love yourself. Love me with all your heart, and soul, and mind. Worship me, your Lord God, and not the false idols you have set up on the altars of your heart.” (p.330)
I was strangely challenged to take stock of my preaching and my love for the people of the church God has asked me to pastor after I read that. I wore a t-shirt Sunday that said, “This Pastor has an awesome congregation.” I firmly believe that. I want to be nowhere else and have no desire to be a mega church pastor. My heart is here. I am blessed with people who love me and have loved me for over 19 years. And I thank God He has allowed me to love them back.
So ends my comments on Book #3. I suggest you read the books for yourself. 🙂
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Tags: Church, God's Plan, Leadership, Ministry, Opinion, Pastor's heart, Preaching, Reflection, Speaking, Story, Thanksgiving
Written by Bill Grandi on April 14th, 2025
Start With Why. That is the name of a book by Simon Sinek that sits on my desk saying, “Read me! Read me!” 🙂 After reading multiple books on leadership for the first two months of the year, I needed to take a break. Sinek’s book was one that hit the “put off till later” batch. From the back cover are the following words: “Any person or organization can explain what they do; some can explain how they are different or better; but very few can clearly articulate why. WHY is not about money or profit-those are the results. WHY is the thing that inspires us and inspires those around us.”
As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am rereading Glynn Young’s Dancing Priest series. I just finished Book #3 and have started #4. In Book #3 (known as the Dancing King) Michael Kent-Hughes has assumed the throne of England. But not before efforts were made by adversaries to thwart that happening. In Book #2 an almost successful attempt was made upon Michael’s life, as well as his pregnant wife, Sarah, and their unborn baby. We were introduced to Michael’s brother, Henry in Book #1 and saw him take a more active role in Michael’s life in Book #2. As part of what was known as The Violence where the attempt was made on Michael’s and Sarah’s lives, Henry life was also affected. In his effort to know more about his brother, Michael found out Henry had been a practicing homosexual but had taken part in a church’s Exodus Ministry. As Michael learned more, the priest of St. Margaret’s church said this to Michael: “The struggle became worse once the two of you had met. He found that, far from rejecting him, you had opened your arms to him. He described it something like this, that all of his adult life he had people who wanted him for his wealth, for his position, for what they thought they could get from him, or for his body, but that you, the brother he had forced away so many years ago, you wanted him simply for himself. At first, he found it hard to believe. Then you invited him to stay with you in San Francisco. And he discovered that you loved him with a heartfelt, brotherly love, and asked nothing of him other than to be with him.” (p.120)
All that to say: people know when we are with them to get something or to just be with them for them. The WHY question is huge. I guess I can’t really stop people from wanting something from me, but I can make sure my motives are pure when I am with others. It should not be for what can they give me or what I can get from them, but to simply enjoy their friendship and presence. I love being with people who want nothing from me but to my friend and visa versa.
How about you?
{There is more coming from Book #3 but you really ought to read the whole series} 🙂
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Tags: Christian Living, Friendship, Generosity, Humility, Kindness, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Motives, Opinion, Reflection, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on April 11th, 2025
I talked a little bit about the life of David last week. This week I’m going to take a deeper dive into his life. In fact, last week I compared Saul to David-the arrogance of Saul vs the humility of David. (You can catch that sermon on YouTube). Last week was a really strange week due to having to cancel in person services because of the flooding in our area and the county commissioners putting us on a RED travel alert. A RED meant only emergency personnel were to be on the roads. Since I live 2 miles from the church building and it is all highway, I was able to come to the office and prepare for a live stream. But we chose to err on the side of caution and ask people to stay home.
This week will different. Not only will be meeting in person-Lord willing- my main focus will be on David. I’ll start by looking at Psalm 139 (a fantastic passage that blows the abortion advocates out of the water that the baby is just a blob of tissue), then move onto specific actions in David’s life. I’ve titled the sermon Hero and Zero because David was both. Specific actions in his life show him as a hero; specific actions show him as a zero (not worthless but a mistake-maker).
One of the things I like about the Bible is that it paints people as people-warts and all. No whitewashing. No skipping over the bad parts. David is no different from me. I’d like to invite you to join us in person at 9:00 and 10:45 AM. If you are unable to, please join us via our live stream via our Facebook or YouTube channel. You can send a request to join our Facebook Group at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship or view our public page at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship-Spencer, In. Or you can watch via YouTube at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship. I look forward to seeing you or hearing from you online. And let me ask you to do me a favor: please let us know you are watching and then feel free to comment-yay or nay. If you have any questions, please ask and I will get back to you. Thanks. And thanks for praying for us.
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Tags: God's Word, Reflection, Sermon Series, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on April 10th, 2025
“God doesn’t really care.” If I have heard that once, I’ve heard it a thousand times. (It may or may not have slipped from my lips a time or two in the past. Just sayin’) 🙂
Last night during my Wednesday Night Conversation class, this was the topic of discussion. Everyone there acknowledged what I just said: they had heard (or used) it before. We also came to realize that much of the belief in that lie is too many think that God is just like we are. He has failures, limitation, and weaknesses…just like us. We sometimes give off the idea that God is prone to doubt, questioning His actions, and even prone to regrets that He could/should start all over again. Here’s truth: God is not like me. God is not like you. He is God, and I am not, neither are you (even though we act like it sometimes).
With that in mind, let’s take a look at what God is like. I called these 3 non-negotiables + one:
God is Omnipotent. God is all-powerful. He can do everything-possible or impossible. He is not limited. He never gets tired. He never forgets. Take a moment to pick up a Bible and read Psalm 115:3 or Isaiah 40:28.
God is Omnipresent. This is an easy word to figure out. God is all-present and everywhere present. He cannot be confined, either in heaven or on earth. He is not confined to a building, nor is He removed from our lives. Wherever you are He is there. Psalm 139:7-12 will blow your socks off.
God is Omniscient. He is all-knowing. He knows all that can be known. He knows all thoughts, all desires, every unuttered secret (hence my mom’s words: “You can’t hide, Bill. God knows what you are thinking.” (Thanks mom for keeping my “guilt alarm” on high alert!)
God is Omnibenevolent. Yeah…I know it isn’t a word. God is all-loving. He loves perfectly and is full of love. His love never runs out and never lessens. He doesn’t need us to feel satisfied, but we need Him to be fulfilled. “For anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (I John 4:8 NLT)
So what does this all mean to me, to us? Four things:
- God has proven Himself. He has nothing more to prove to anyone.
- God always keeps His promises. Take that to the bank. What He says, He will do.
- God has come and will come again. The first time He came as a baby; the next time He will come as conquering King.
- God’s presence always brings a presence of peace. In spite of the circumstances, His presence will being peace and calm.
I hope this encourages you today.
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Tags: God, God's attributes, God's Word, Love, Opinion, Reflection, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on April 9th, 2025
As a parent, I think one of the hardest things to endure is a child disengaging from you, and the worst case scenario, the faith you raised them in. I’ve had occasion recently to read of two such incidents in the Bible where this happened. Each time the son went off the rails.
I worked on a sermon recently where I studied about Hezekiah, the father, and his son, Manasseh. Hezekiah was a good and godly king who brought much-needed reform to Judah. His major glitch happened after a sickness that was to kill him was healed, after he begged God to let him live. (Okay, he whined). He lived 15 more years. During those 15 years Manasseh as born, but it was also when Hezekiah allowed his pride to get in the way and he opened up the temple stores to brag about his wealth to visitors. When he died, Manasseh took over and the Bible says he was one of the most wicked kings ever. 55 years of ungodly practices, witchcraft, sacrificing children to a foreign god (including his own son), and much more. If Hezekiah had lived to see that he would have probably rued the day Manasseh was born. His life was totally off the rails, unlike his father’s in every way, especially in his faith.
The other is Absalom, the son of David. He avenged the rape of his sister by Amnon, his and her half brother. I get it. David did nothing to punish Amnon. N.O.T.H.I.N.G. A father should defend the honor of his daughter. What David didn’t do, Absalom did. The result was banishment from the kingdom and even after Joab convinced David to let him back in, David refused to talk to him. For two years! Eventually, Absalom rebelled against his father and David went on the run. In time, Absalom gets his hair got caught in a tree and Joab makes sure he never breathes again. David hears about Absalom’s death and only a father can sense the anguish in his cry, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.” (2 Sam. 18:33 NLT) There is some debate as to why David was this remorseful, especially when he banished him and then ignored him. I simply take it as a father who loved his son and missed him, maybe lamenting the way he treated him. I know plenty of fathers who fit that last statement.
Not always does life, or people, turn out the way we planned or wanted. All a parent (or relative/friend) can do is to ask God to help them leave a legacy behind that is worth seeing. I have a daughter who will soon be 50 and another who will soon be 46. I have a grandson who is 18 and a multitude of people who call me pastor. I pray I have left a godly influence and my legacy says I had a heart for God.
And you?
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Tags: Choices, Christian Living, God's Plan, Leadership, Legacy, Ministry, Opinion, Parenting, Rebellion, Reflection, Story, Wickedness
Written by Bill Grandi on April 8th, 2025
A very common thought, especially in today’s culture where there seems to be very little boundaries, is “How much can I get away with and not get caught?” or “How much can I get away with and not pay any consequences?”
For example, a young Christian couple gets too close and play with fire and she ends up pregnant. Horror and remorse sets in, let’s suppose, for both. They tell their parents. Decide to put the baby up for adoption (or to keep it). They repent and ask forgiveness for their sin. They are assured they have received God’s forgiveness. Does that take away the consequences of that sin? The answer is, obviously, no. She didn’t suddenly become un-pregnant. The baby didn’t miraculously disappear from her womb. The evidence of their sin will be obvious over the next 9 months or so. The forgiveness and grace of God will also be evident as she and he heal from the recklessness they exhibited.
I know that seems like an extreme example to use, but it isn’t really. All you need to do is go to 2 Samuel 11 for a real life example in the Bible. Two names: David and Bathsheba. The story is pretty well known. David sleeps with Bathsheba and she tells him she is pregnant. David takes it a step further. He has Uriah, her husband, murdered by having Joab, his general, pull back while in battle. That left Uriah unprotected. It was also supposed to give David a clear view of being with Bathsheba. But the prophet Nathan told him a story that fried David and Nathan pointed his finger at David and said, “You are the man!” David was contrite. He fasted and prayed when his son got sick and died. He wrote Psalm 51, a penitent psalm if there ever was one.
But one thing it didn’t change was Bathsheba’s pregnancy; his guilt and shame over Uriah’s death; and the prophecy that a sword will be in his family forever. It found its fulfillment in the rape of his daughter, Tamar, by her half brother, Amnon. Such ugliness from sin. And yet, David prayed and asked forgiveness. David received that and more. But the consequences!!
That same principle applies to me and you. We sin and think no one knows. After all it was done in secret. No eyes saw or witnessed it. Like the embezzler who thinks no one will find out, sin comes to roost. I guess the best thing to do is to not lay the egg to start with. God’s grace is great. God’s forgiveness is matchless. But let’s not take advantage of it nor take it for granted.
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Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Forgiveness, God's Plan, Grace, Mercy, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Sin, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on April 7th, 2025
For those of you who don’t live anywhere around here, I can just put the weekend into one word, no make that three: RAIN and MORE RAIN. The river in our town is supposed to crest today around 25′. In ’08 it crested at 26.8′. The highest? 28.5 in 1913. The RED travel advisory means Emergency personnel only so we cancelled church yesterday and school is cancelled today while in an ORANGE. Reason? Flooded roads. Like a lot of them. I heard over 50.
So…rather than talk about that, let’s talk about something much more fun and meaningful. Last week I mentioned that I have begun rereading a series by Glynn Young called The Dancing Priest series. I finished #1 and find myself more than 1/2 way through #2- A Light Shining. #1 found Olympic hero, Michael Kent, ordained into the Anglican church and being sent to St. Anselm’s in San Francisco. Across the street from the church building was a warehouse which housed several children, the oldest being Jason, Age 15. He was the “father” to the 6 kids who lived under his care. When Michael decided to do something about it he sat down with Jason, who had just accepted Christ. Following is the conversation which ensued:
J: “So why’d you do it in the first place? Why do you have this class we go to on Sunday’s?”
M: We’re trying to reach out to you.”
J: “Everyone else ignores us, except when the shop people think we’re stealing or the cops decide to hassle us. Why don’t you just ignore us?
M: “Because you matter. You matter to God. And because you matter to God, you matter to us. Jason, God sees you as something valuable. You have great value in His eyes.”
J: “I’m a piece of crap, Father Michael. That’s all I am. I steal when I have to. I’ve done drugs, all of them. I hustle tricks to make money. There’s no value here. I’m a piece of crap.”
M: “That may be what you think. And that may be what a lot of people might think. But it’s not what God thinks. And it’s not what Father John and I think. Jason, you and maybe others see what’s on the surface. And what’s on the surface may be ugly, to you and to a lot of people. But what really matter is what’s inside and what’s in our heart. What God sees is the man He created you to be.” (pp.8-9)
There is more to the conversation. I have edited it to fit the format, but what it does say is that each one of us matters to God. He sent Jesus to die so that we could be forgiven. While a story written by Mr. Young, the conversation is heard all over the planet. Every person has value and merit. Each one matters. We are all sinners, for sure, but we still matter to God. I hope you will carry that with you today.
(May I also suggest you read this fantastic series? It can be found on Amazon. Start with Dancing Priest)
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Tags: Book quote, Christian Living, Faith/Feelings, God, Opinion, Reflection, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on April 4th, 2025
There used to be a show when I a kid called The Dating Game. It was a dumb show. They would have 3 men behind closed doors and one woman (sometimes visa versa) asking questions to see if they were compatible and which bachelor/bachlorette he/she would like to go on a date with. I guess in some ways that would be considered the ultimate comparison game.
My sermon Sunday is a comparison game- comparing King Saul and King David. It is actually a game of contrast as I contrast the two individuals and their ways of dealing with people and with God. It is my opinion that we would hard-pressed find two men who are more a contrast to each other than these two. From the very beginning there was something different about them. From their anointing to the choices they made, their attitude showed. Saul’s show his arrogance; David’s show his humility. Saul’s show his reliance on self; David’s show his willingness to submit to God’s plan.
I’m also excited that the group who took the trip to work in east Tennessee over spring break will be speaking about their trip. Expect about 15-20 minutes for live reports and also pictures of the area in which they worked and what they did. Join us Sunday morning at 9 or 10:45. If you are unable to be with us live, then please join us via our Facebook or YouTube channel. You can send a request to join our Facebook Group at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship or view our public page at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship-Spencer, In. Or you can watch via YouTube at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship. I look forward to seeing you or hearing from you online.
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Tags: Christian Living, Humility, Leadership, Opinion, Reflection, Sermon Series, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on April 3rd, 2025
I have a habit of rereading some books, mostly fiction, especially when I need a break. Every day my mind is spent studying and reading books that challenge my thinking, add to my learning, or for use in sermon prep. So every once in awhile I like to read something totally not associated with my “serious” mindset. So I will often pick up a fiction book and read it again. I did that early this week. I picked up The Dancing Priest by Glynn Young. Glynn blogs at Fact, Fiction, Friends and I cannot tell you how long we have been reading each other’s blogs. The Dancing Priest is #1 in a 5-part series.
It is the story of Michael Kent, who through a series of events finds himself on the front page of TIME magazine and a Tour de France hero. He is also ordained into the Anglican Church as a priest. Glynn has weaved together a wonderful story that even a non-religious person would enjoy. Even though Michael is a fictional character, one begins to admire this young man and his passion for life. Grounded without being preachy, The Dancing Priest is a wonderful story of faith, hope, caring for others, putting other’s interests before your own, and being sensitive to those around us. Following his ordination, Michael finds our where his pastoral assignment is to be. (I will not tell you because that would be unfair if you have never read the book and decide you want to). Let me just say his heart is in Malawi, Africa and working with kids in an orphanage.
The day he learns his assignment, Michael was speaking with the archbishop of York. (I plead my ignorance on how this denomination works since it is foreign to me. But it really is irrelevant to this story). Anyway, the archbishop tells Michael something that is relevant for all churches. He says, “Michael, the future of our church is in grave doubt. If there is a future, then you and others like you are that future. It will be better for you to be on the periphery than at the center because the center is rotting and collapsing. The future of the church is at the edges, and there you’ll find a willingness to abandon what’s dead, to meet the spiritual needs, to fearlessly preach the gospel-that is our way of survival.” (p.163). A little later in the conversation Michael is told, “You are a remarkable young man. You will do great things, Michael. not as the world defines them, but great in the way God defines them.” (p.164)
The church is one generation away from extinction. If I was a younger pastor (and not 72 years old), I would “fight” to be part of the solution, not the problem. I would not want to be part of the collapse and rot but part of the building up and preservation of the truth. Yes, the story is about Michael Kent. But it is also about me…and you. Let’s be part of the resurgence not the decay of the church.
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Tags: Church, Fiction, God's Plan, Grace, Humility, Opinion, Reflection, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on April 2nd, 2025
What do you do when your finely tuned approach to Christianity and your faith is rocked? For sure it wipes out the whole idea that following Jesus is a walk in the park. “Biblical faith involves not just your mind; it also requires a commitment of our heart that radically changes the way you think.” (Everyday Gospel Devotional-Tripp-p. 114) What a shocking wake up call when one finds out the Christian life is not one of ease, but one filled with difficulty, experiences that rattle your cage. I will admit that I get upset when I hear of those shysters who simply want to take advantage of people to line their own pockets.
A recent incident/teaching has got me a little riled up. The teaching is by prosperity teacher (I refuse to call her a pastor) Paula White. It is called Paula White’s Passover Promises. Here it is in a nutshell:
Paula White, televangelist and spiritual advisor to President Donald Trump, has suggested to donors who give at least $1,000 to her ministry between April 12 and 20 that God will release seven supernatural blessings upon them. “[W]hen you honor God on Passover…you can receive these seven supernatural blessings, for you and your house, according to Exodus 23.”
The blessings she claims donors can release from God with their gift include:
- An angel assigned to them;
- God being an enemy to their enemies;
- Prosperity;
- Sickness removed from them;
- Long life;
- Increase and inheritance; and
- A special year of blessing.
She ties these blessings to a passage from Exodus 23 where God commands the Israelites to celebrate the Passover (verse 15).
Question: Can I throw up now or later?
I spent some time at the local hospital on Saturday, Sunday and Monday visiting a man who has really struggled with diabetes and an infection they say they can’t find. This is not the first time he has been in for the same thing. I went to the hospital yesterday (Tuesday) after receiving a text from his wife that he had passed away. He had gone from only moaning on Saturday, to sleeping (finally) on Sunday, to being fairly alert and able to take dialysis on Monday, to having a very talkative morning only to pass away just moments later. They were both godly people and had raised 6 children to love Jesus. So…please tell me Mrs White-Cain, where your spiel comes in at? Oh yeah, that’s right! They didn’t send you a $1000.
People, be on the lookout for hucksters and shysters like her and others of her ilk. Fortunately for Tim, his salvation was not determined by works, or giving money to shysters, or “naming it and claiming it.” He is now dancing on streets of gold (he had a leg removed to his knee due to complications with diabetes). And he is singing his country gospel at the top of his lungs-on key.
I’m grateful God is not tied to hucksters and shysters but is simply full of love and grace. (And yes I know this post is a bit snarky).
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, False Teaching, God's Word, Health/wealth teaching, Jesus, Opinion, Reflection, Truth Telling
