Written by Bill Grandi on October 16th, 2024
See if any of these (or those like them) sound familiar:
- I sure hope it doesn’t rain today.
- I hope he isn’t mad at me.
- I hope my car starts with it being so cold.
- I hope my team wins.
- I hope I pass this test.
- I hope you like what I made.
We say that a lot: “I hope.” So much so that I suspect that it loses its oomph. It also loses its strength of meaning.
Look deeply at hope. At your way of expressing it. Your source for hope. Consider this: we are often so intent on finding hope that we lose sight of the truth that the source of hope is right next to us. Hope will never be found horizontally-at least not the eternal kind that God promises us. God doesn’t just promise hope. God doesn’t just give us hope. He is the SOURCE of hope. In fact, God is hope.
Paul David Tripp in his book, O Come Let Us Adore Him” (yes, I’m reading Christmas devotionals 🙂 ), writes:
“It’s true that hope isn’t a thing; it’s a person, and His name is Immanuel. Celebrate hope this Christmas.” (p.93)
Hope is found in the Christmas message. In fact, it is just one of the messages in the Christmas story. But, in reality, you can have hope all year ’round by focusing-not on people, places or things-but on Jesus. Start your Christmas early (Hallmark has already so you might as well join in) by seeking hope in Immanuel, Jesus, the Son of God.
{Note: There will no devotional tomorrow unless I get a wild hair. Braden, our grandson, celebrates his 18th birthday tomorrow as well as Senior Night on Friday as a member of the Worthington Kilbourne football team. We will be in Ohio starting today through Saturday celebrating him and getting to see our daughter and Mike, her significant other. Prayers would be appreciated for safe travel}
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Christmas, God, God's Plan, Hope, Jesus, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection
Written by Bill Grandi on October 15th, 2024
While I work out at the Y sometimes I will find familiar tunes that are in my Spotify Playlist. But sometimes I find what looks like an intriguing listen. Since I am on their WiFi I can listen without downloading. Sometimes it takes one or two songs before I am finding something else. One of those rare finds recently is a group called Lionheart. As I listened to them yesterday, I heard again a song called Flight 19. Intrigued, I decided to investigate what that is and why someone would write a song about it. Here is a brief history:
Flight 19 was the designation of a group of five General Motors TBM Avenger torpedo bombers that disappeared over the Bermuda Triangle on December 5, 1945, after losing contact during a United States Navy overwater navigation training flight from Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale, Florida. All 14 naval aviators on the flight were lost, as were all 13 crew members of a Martin PBM Mariner flying boat that subsequently launched from Naval Air Station Banana River to search for Flight 19.
A report by Navy investigators concluded that flight leader Lt. Charles C. Taylor mistook small islands offshore for the Florida Keys after his compasses stopped working, resulting in the flight heading over open sea and away from land. The report was later amended by the Navy to read “cause unknown” to avoid blaming Taylor for the loss of five aircraft and 14 men. The report attributed the loss of the PBM search aircraft to an explosion in mid-air while searching for the flight. (Information found on several sites. This is from Wikipedia).
Hmmm. Interesting: the Bermuda Triangle. I was glad to see Lt. Taylor was cleared of any wrongdoing. What has never been solved has been what happened to Flight 19. The song by Lionheart has this chorus: “No one’s seen Flight 19/Lost at sea/Wrapped in a shroud of mystery.” It repeats that several times throughout the song.
It got me thinking. Is that not sometimes how the Christian faith is? There are times we know for sure beyond a shadow of doubt the who, what, where, when, and why. But how many times do we not know the WHY? of things? How many times have you or someone you know used that word when questioning God’s work in yours or someone’s life you know? And very often that why question goes unanswered. It remains a mystery. Sort of like what happened to Flight 19. To this day it still has never been found.
There are times we are not to know God’s reasoning. There are times we will never know God’s reasoning. No matter how many times we hear the phrase, “Sometimes you won’t know until you get beyond the issue and look back.” While that may be true in some cases, it is not in all. I tire of asking Why. What I have tried to do (and not always succeeding) is to remember God is God and I am not. He is not obligated to tell me of all the intricacies of His work and will. What He does want me to do is trust Him. Sherlock Holmes I am not. I am, however, a child of His whom He loves very much. He asks me to trust Him.
{And if you get a chance, check out Flight 19 by Lionheart. In fact, I like their whole album.}
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Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Faith/Trust, God's Plan, Historical event, Lifestyle, Opinion, Reflection, Story, Suffering, Trials
Written by Bill Grandi on October 14th, 2024
Not every week, but at least twice a month we open the sermon time with the following saying. I have it put on the screen and TVs so we can all say it together:
WE’RE GLAD YOU ARE HERE!
If you are happy we want to celebrate with you.
If you are tired and need rest;
If you are hurting and need comfort;
If you have failed, feel guilt and shame and wonder if God still loves you;
If you feel you are at the end of your rope and need a lifeline;
If you think you are too great a sinner and feel hopeless;
If you are here but can’t raise your eyes, head, or hands in worship…
That’s okay. We want this to be a place where you find strength to go on. Let us pray for you, stand beside you and even carry you to God’s throne where you can find new hope.
I firmly believe this should be what every church says to every person who walks through their doors on a Sunday morning. In fact, it would be a great thing if the church was known for this every day of the week. People will know we are Christ-followers not by our religious sounding words, our American Idol Sunday morning productions, our promise of prosperity, or fancy buildings. They will know we are Christ-followers by our love. That is exactly what Jesus said in John 13:34-35:Â “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each others. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT)Â Love each other. I see no qualifiers there. I see no “be like this or don’t be like this” in those words. We are to simply love. Nothing more; nothing less.
To love like this is the church being the church. It is also the church being like Jesus. What are you doing to make this happen?
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Tags: Christian Living, Church, Friendship, God's Plan, Grace, Jesus, Leadership, Love, Mercy, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on October 10th, 2024
Have you ever been sitting in a chair or laying in bed and then your mind starts to wander? Not just random like a pinball, but it seems to focus in on events or circumstances of your past. Just this morning as I was praying and trying to prepare my mind and heart for my time alone with God, off it (my mind) went to the past. It focused in on failures of my past when I behaved and spoke in a way that brought disrespect to the name of Christ. I almost started replaying scenarios when suddenly God’s Spirit intervened and said, “No! Not now! That’s forgiven.”
Then I read about Abraham, God’s chosen man to be the father of the Jewish people. In Romans 4 Paul uses Abraham as an example of faith. In protest we might say, “Yeah. Some example of faith he was. He failed to believe God’s promise and wait, and now we have the Arab people as a result of his tryst with Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid.” Abraham even laughed in unbelief when told he would have a child in his old age (Gen. 17:17). What gives?
To borrow a phrase: “This is not a ‘spin job’ on Abraham’s life.” It’s not a whitewash as if Abraham never sinned, never failed, or never doubted. What it is strikes us: we get to see God’s final gracious perspective of Abraham’s life. Beyond the failure. Beyond the tragic impatience. Beyond the tragic “I’m going to take this whole matter into my own hands.” Beyond the tragic “God is taking too long.”
Then it hit me. If God could take this huge act of impatience, disobedience, i.e. sin in Abraham’s life, forgive him and bring about His purpose, surely God could do that for me. That is not excusing sin-misspeaking, wrong actions, hurt feelings, totally degrading His Name, etc.- but it does show the real magnitude of His grace. The enemy’s plan is for me to wallow in shame and humiliation. God’s plan is for me to know and experience His love and grace.
I learned a good lesson today: when Satan knocks on the door, send the Holy Spirit to answer it.
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Tags: Christian Living, Forgiveness, God, God's Plan, Grace, Jesus, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Sin, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on October 9th, 2024
Famous people born on October 9th. Tony Shaloub (OCD Monk). Jackson (“Doctor my eyes” & “Mr. Bojangles”) Browne. John Lennon (Ever heard of him?). Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap and Star Trek: Enterprise…See a pattern? NCIS: New Orleans). Sharon Osbourne (oh…yay). And others.Â
Famous people who died on October 9th: Oskar Schindler (a hero to many). Jacques Derrida & Che Guevara (I should be sad to them gone why?). And others.
One more: Me. 🙂 It is funny how perspectives change…but then again, they really don’t. Life is just looked at from different angles. When I was a young boy and my parents were in their 30s and my grandparents were in their 50s, I thought they were ancient. 🙂 As I aged, so did they. My mom had medical issues in her 40s that required surgery; my dad had a heart attack at 48; my grandfather had a knee replaced in his 70s. His job with USS and his bowed-legs did him in. I’ll soon be joining his club due to my own bowed legs and playing sports (especially basketball) way past my prime. My age and his are eerily close. My mom went to be with Jesus one month shy of her 72nd birthday from a rare form of lung cancer which struck woman who were non-smokers. My grandmother died of lymph node cancer. My grandfather lived to be close to 90. My dad died at 90 with Alzheimer’s.
All of that seems surreal when one is young and looking through the window. But, in time, that window becomes a mirror. At 72, I’m not ready to cash it in. I’m not ready to retire. I absolutely love what I do and don’t see myself doing anything else (especially being a Walmart greeter). 🙂 But I also realize my time is not in my hands. My favorite verses of the Bible are found in my favorite chapter: Psalm 37. They have sustained me and are my go-to verses. “Trust in the Lord and do good…Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you….Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act…Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper-it only leads to harm.” (verses 3-8). Verses 23-25 says, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned.” (NLT)
I, you, have no control over our future. My DeLorean can be packed and ready to travel but no time machine can change God’s plans and timing. Yes, I am 72. I have less years left than I have lived. But I know, while I have no control over how many, I do know I want to live them full tilt. While Jo wants me to retire, or at least slow down (to a crawl), that is not my plan…unless God says otherwise.
Have a full and blessed day my friends. I certainly plan to do so. As an old song once said, “The longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows.”
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Death, Full life, God, God's Plan, Ministry, Old age, Opinion, Perseverance, Reflection, Scripture look, Story, Thanksgiving, Worship
Written by Bill Grandi on October 8th, 2024
There are some stories that make me smile and chuckle, but also mess with my mind at the same time. The daily devotional, Our Daily Bread, had the following story in today’s devotion:
“When people think about the 100-meter dash, current world-record holder Usain Bolt comes to mind. But we can’t forget about Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins. In 2021, Julie crossed the finish line before all other runners to win the 100-meter dash in the Louisiana Senior Games. Her time was a bit slower than Bolt’s 9.58 seconds-just over 60 seconds. But she was also 105 years old!
Now, honestly, doesn’t that bring a smile to your face and make you chuckle just a bit?
There’s a lot to be said about a woman “running sprints” at the age of 105!! I turn 72 tomorrow and I’m not ashamed to admit that she would outrun me. I certainly ain’t the man I used to me. 🙂 With the prospect of a knee replacement in my not-so-distant-future (about a month), her feat is even more astounding. I’ve been told that after the replacement I won’t be allowed to run (as if); jump (double as if); or lift more than 40 pounds (that is bending down and lifting with my legs, like squats (again…triple as if). Individual dumbbells are okay…but I’ll try to restrain myself, lest I show off. 🙂
All kidding aside, I simply cannot imagine doing what Julia did.
To be honest, I’m more concerned about running the race of faith, of standing firm and true to Jesus, no matter my age. Whether 71 (for one more day); 72Â or more for years beyond; staying true and running the race with perseverance is on my radar. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” (NLT)
Run the race…no matter your age. Persevere…no matter the circumstances. Win the prize…no matter the challenges!
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Tags: Christian Living, Jesus, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Perseverance, Reflection, Running the Race, Scripture look, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on October 7th, 2024
Have you ever tried to understand something and after awhile you thought your mind was going to explode? I had one of those experiences last night, although my mind fell short of exploding. In our small group last night we are beginning a short study on Essential Doctrines that are the core beliefs to our faith. You might be thinking, “What are you studying those topics for?” We spent the previous months discussing topics the young people had asked Ryan, our youth pastor. He shared those questions with the elders just to show what our young people had on their minds and Wayne, one of the elders and our small group leader, decided to use them in our small group. Some of the questions were related to our core beliefs as a church body so it was a good study to stimulate our thinking and our faith. To counter some of the questions, Wayne decided to tackle some core doctrines that “make Christianity Christianity.”
First up: THE T.R.I.N.I.T.Y.
Yes, you read that right. What a subject to start with! I must confess that I am a self-professed “I don’t want to talk about it” junkie when it comes to this particular topic. Understand: it is not because I don’t believe it. I most certainly do believe in the Trinity: that God is Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. But ask me to understand and explain it? My eyes cross, my head spins (like an owl’s) and my mind goes into convulsions. My finite mind cannot understand the infinite.
And that is the problem. Finite trying to understand the infinite. In my words: it ain’t going to happen. I proved it again last night. It’s not that I’m totally in the dark. I mean, I do understand some of it. Greater theological minds out there (the vast majority much, much greater than I ever dreamed of being) wrestle with it. Some of those who wrestle with it have forgotten more than I can remember. Maybe I’m naive, but while I understand some of it, I prefer to take some things on faith. Knowing God is essential to our faith. Knowing all there is to know about God is impossible. Isaiah writes, “To whom can you compare God?…’To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?’ asks the Holy One.” (40:18,25 NLT) I have come to the (awkward but humbling) conclusion that there are some things I am not to understand or simply cannot grasp.
I accept the hard teaching of the Trinity. Understand it all? Nope. But I have decided to let God be God. Understand what I can. Accept in faith what I can’t or don’t.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Core Beliefs, Doctrine, Essentials, Faith/Feelings, God, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Trinity
Written by Bill Grandi on October 3rd, 2024
“I’m nobody.” “I’m inadequate.” “I have no status.” “I have no talents or skills.” “I have nothing to bring to the table.” And the penultimate: “I can’t.”
Those are often short little comebacks we use when asked to do something out of our comfort zone, or when challenged by something out of our wheelhouse. We often shrink in fear because we just don’t think “we got it” or to put it another way: we think we don’t have the “it” factor (whatever “it” is).
Step back for a moment and take a breath. Imagine if some of the Bible characters said that and were paralyzed by fear:
- David was the runt of the litter. Not even his dad thought he could be a candidate for the next king.
- Gideon was hiding, crushing grain while in hiding out of fear of the Philistines, when the angel appeared to him and called him a “mighty man of valor.” 🙂
- Deborah became the only female judge because she was willing to trust God (unlike Barak, her counterpart).
- Peter was a blue-collar fisherman trying to keep his head above water (pun intended) making a living.
- Caleb and Joshua stood against the odds (10 other spies) to say, “We can do this. We can take this land.” They spent the next 40 years wandering the wilderness because the other 10 spies were able to convince millions of people to be afraid.
This brings to mind verses in I Corinthians 1. Verses 27-29 say, “Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.” (NLT)
The world see humility and trust in God as silly, as a sign of weakness. Foolish is the word Paul uses. Little do they know God’s presence and power make all the difference in a believer’s life.
So…step out today in faith. Take that step which seems so scary, so unsure. Your nothingness, your inadequacy, becomes much in God’s hands.
Besides…can’t never did anything.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Faith, God's Plan, Inadequacy, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Perseverance, Reflection, Story, Surrender, Trust
Written by Bill Grandi on October 2nd, 2024
The life of a Christ-follower is a life of struggle. If anyone says anything differently tell them to take a hike. The whole idea of an “easy life” is nuts. The whole teaching that a follower of Christ is to never struggle and live only in victory is whacked. It has been my experience that to live for Christ is difficult. Not impossible, but difficult. It is hard. It is a constant ripping at the heart, the very fabric of my soul. If, according to the health/wealth false teachers or the New Apostolic Reformation so-called “apostles and prophets,” I’m messed up, then so be it. Jesus suffered; I will suffer. Jesus felt abandoned; so will I. Jesus felt alone; guilty.
The good news is that I am not alone; I do not suffer alone; and I’m not left defenseless. Listen to these words from Psalm 119. See if they don’t challenge and encourage you:
“Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!” (v.5)
“How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.” (v.9)
“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (v.11)
“Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” (v.37)
There you have just 4 verses from my reading of verses 1-40 this morning. If I was to “organize” them into thoughts I would say:
- Be consistent.
- Obey the Word.
- Stay in the Word.
- Focus on Him.
I wish more than anything that I could say, “Do these four things and you will never fail!” While in theory that may be true, in reality it won’t happen. Stumbling is a reality; failure (giving up) should not be.
Be consistent. Obey the Word. Stay in the Word. Focus on Him. Easy? No. But worth every moment. May the words of this Scripture be your guide today.Â
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, God's Word, Jesus, Leadership, Lifestyle, Obedience, Opinion, Perseverance, Reflection, Scripture look
Written by Bill Grandi on October 1st, 2024
Every once in awhile-not often but once in awhile-I hear someone say, “God doesn’t care about me.” I could argue the point from Scripture, but for the most part, when a person’s feelings and emotions get involved that is almost an effort in futility. But, then again, that is my go-to. I can’t argue subjective feelings. And that is why we have such messed up ideas of what is right and what is wrong. Subjective feelings vs objective truth. Many don’t want to hear or follow what the Bible says because the objective truth of the Word goes against their subjective feelings. Way back in the late 70s there was a song called “You Light Up My Life” that had the lyrics “It can’t be wrong when it feels so right.” That’s it in a nutshell.
If someone is governed by their feelings how do you/how can you point out right and wrong? “The Bible says” loses out to “But I feel.” I read Psalm 118 this morning. Here are some words that set us on the right path: “The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” (verses 6-9 NLT).Â
I want to add two more verses to that: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust my feelings. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to follow my heart.” Yeah…I know you are not supposed to add to the Word, but I’m not advocating that. I’m taking the current way of thinking and showing how it would work.
Objective truth vs Subjective feelings. You choose. I know which one I do.
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Bible/Scripture, Choices, Christian Living, Faith/Feelings, God's Word, Miscellaneous, Objective truth, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Subjective feelings
