Written by Bill Grandi on May 8th, 2024
GOOD LOGS VS GOOD-LOOKING LOGS
You may be thinking: “Say what?” Please read on.
I read recently about a man who visited a logging sight and he saw a man down by the stream the logs floated by on. He had a long pole with a sharp hook and he occasionally would separate one of the logs from the others.
When the visitor asked what he was doing, the logger answered that to the untrained eye the logs may all look the same. But to him, he could tell the difference between the logs that were from protected trees vs those which were exposed to the elements. Those what were exposed to the elements and beaten by the weather had a finer grain and were used for choice work. They were good logs, not just good looking logs.
We might hear someone say, “What doesn’t strengthen you will kill you.” I honesty have trouble trusting someone who hasn’t been toughened by life. Someone once told me that 30 is the magic age for a pastor. When I questioned what he meant, he said something to the effect that “a pastor had very little credibility until he at least hits age 30 because people figure before that age he hasn’t been though enough ‘life’ to earn his chops.” That is not always true, of course, but the sentiment expressed is easy to see. Life toughens us. One would expect a 20 year old to know more about life than a 10 year old; a 30 year old to know more than a 20 year old, etc.
For the Christ-follower, our faith is tested by life. For the Christ-follower, whatever comes our way goes through God’s grid first. His plan and purpose for us will prevail. We may not like it, in fact, we may hate it, but its presence in our lives comes for a reason. James wrote: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4 from New Living Translation). Simple translation: you will be a good log.
It is much better to be a good log-sturdy and strong and well-seasoned-than just be a good looking one with no staying power and strength.
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, God's Plan, Lifestyle, Opinion, Perseverance, Reflection, Scripture look, Story, Suffering
Written by Bill Grandi on May 7th, 2024
Today is “Get out and Vote!” day. Surprise! I have no interest in writing about politics. Instead, I’d like to write about something else: CLOSETS.
Closets you say? Yes. We all have them. If not, our house would be a mess of clothes strewn everywhere. We also have closets in our lives. For many of us, we want to keep them hidden and closed (preferably locked). We would prefer no one see them. Just as some closets are so crammed full of stuff that to open the door spells disaster, so it is with the closets of our lives. We have stuffed them so full of garbage that the spill would be disastrous.
The worst thing in the closet? Skeletons. Not the Halloween kind. Skeletons we want to keep buried (no pun intended) or pushed to the back so they don’t see the light of day.
And those skeletons? WOW! Adultery. An addiction to alcohol, porn, or some drug. Lying. Cheating on an exam. Murder by hatred. Plagiarism. Immorality. A loose sexual past. An abortion. The list in endless.
The sad part is that as long as that closet remains closed and unemptied, and the more we think we have fooled others, the sadder it is for us. That junk in the closet becomes a chain slowly dragging us down and holding us back.
In John 8 the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery (by the way, where was the man?) and threw her at Jesus’ feet. After writing in the sand and watching her accusers leave one by one, He stands and asks her where they are. After she says, “Gone,” he sets her free with a few simple words: “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” {emphasis mine} He was not excusing her sin but He did clean out her closet and set her free.
He will do the same for us. For you. But you must unlock and open that closet door.
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i recently wrote a review of a friend’s book called Sober Cycle. It is the story of Sherry Hoppen’s battle with alcoholism. Her closet, once locked, was opened wide and exposed. You can find that review at my other blog, Cycleguy’s Spin. You can find that review here. Please visit and comment. But more, I’d encourage you to buy the book.
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Tags: Christian Living, Closet Cleaning, Forgiveness, God, Grace, Mercy, Opinion, Reflection, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on May 6th, 2024
Most people, if not all, look for shortcuts from time to time. If there is a way to make things easier, to make things less complicated, we will generally try to find it. And, for the most part, there is nothing wrong with that. After all, some of the best inventions or step-saving ideas have come as a result of people working to speed things up, to make some things easier to do.
But there are some things which cannot be changed or sidestepped. Like life and what we go through. Part and parcel of life is hardship. No matter how smoothly I want life to be, there will be rough patches. I can’t skirt around them. I cant bury my head in the sand and pretend they don’t exist. I can’t hide from them.
The Apostle Paul wrote some interesting words to Timothy in 2 Tim. 2:3-6: “Endure suffering along with me, as a good solider of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor.” He mentions soldiers, athletes, and farmers. Soldiers stay focused. Athletes stay committed to the rules. Farmers work hard. Neither of them can take a shortcut to reach their goal. Soldiers can’t dilly dally and not train to expect to win the battle. An athlete can’t short circuit his training, either by drugs or laziness. And a farmer can’t expect a harvest without putting in the proper field work.
Life is hard. Life is tough. There are no shortcuts to getting around that. And frankly, IMHO, life is appreciated a whole lot more-the reward is sweeter-when the proper attention is given to the process required for the long run.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, God's Plan, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Perseverance, Reflection, Scripture look, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on May 2nd, 2024
“You are getting too big for your britches.”
Back when I was young (and yes, that was a long time ago), one of the favorite expressions of people-and my parents were no exception- was the above statement. It usually preceded some type of discipline- a spanking when I was younger, an exclusion from an activity, a grounding, or something else. It’s not hard to know what it means.
I’ve been reading a book by Katelyn Beaty entitled Celebrities for Jesus. It is subtitled “How Personas, Platforms, and Profits are hurting the church.” I’m two years past when it was first published and first hit crashed on the scene. I’m just under halfway through and it has exposed the ugly underbelly of the “celebrity culture” the church has found itself in, particularly in the megachurch world. Sadly, we have embraced (and enabled)-wittingly or unwittingly- the whole “the pastor is a celebrity and can do no wrong” thought process. Walking hand in hand with that idea is the inability to confront, challenge, or question said celebrity pastor. Ms. Beaty speaks highly of Billy Graham and his attempts to safeguard himself from any moral scandal by his complete transparency. (It was known as the “Billy Graham Rule” which simply said he would never be alone with a woman who was not his wife). His Modesto Manifesto called for complete honesty, accountability, and transparency. Ms. Beaty contrasts that with the shortfalls of some megachurch personalities.
I was reminded of my reading of the book when I read the following from I Timothy 4:11-13 this morning: “Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.” That highlighted section is important to remember.
No way would Paul embrace or be on board the “celebrity culture train.” Read his words-not just here, but elsewhere. Integrity, transparency and HUMILITY were big in his eyes. But here is an important fact to remember- Megachurch Pastor, CEO, Owner, Manager, Worker- integrity, honesty and humility are essential to all and cannot/should not be dismissed.
No one has any business getting too big for their britches.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Church, God's Word, Honesty, Humility, Integrity, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story, Transparency
Written by Bill Grandi on May 1st, 2024
“Being a leader is not about you, it’s about the people you’re serving.” (Quote from Lead Like Jesus by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges. Quoted in Living With Hope by Michael Panther-p.143)
Leadership, in my view, is sometime a tenuous position. While the goal of leadership should always be to enrich the lives of others, every leader fights the draw of the flesh. As the quote says, as a leader my #1 priority should be the care and well-being of others. But far too often the primary target is me. How will this make me look? How will this benefit me? How will this advance my name or cause? Not that those questions are totally bad or wrong, but most often they are totally self-serving and self-focused.
As a pastor I have to ask myself on an almost daily basis, “Is this advancing me or the kingdom?” Even if you aren’t a pastor but consider yourself a Jesus-follower, you must ask yourself the same question.
Let’s take it away from that completely. Every leader, every manager, every shift foreman, must ask themselves the question, “Is what I’m doing or suggesting or planning going to advance this company or just me?”
We have heard a lot down through the leaders about servant leadership. Religious or “secular.” I’m unable to count the number of times I have been told or heard a speaker say, “Remember leader: the greatest thing you can give your people/coworkers/employees is to be a servant who seeks their good.” Of course, it should be a given that integrity and honesty should be a quality every leader exhibits, but being a servant is the cornerstone.
Follow the example of the Greatest Leader ever: Jesus. Be a servant, not so you can get back or advance, but because true leadership looks out for the good of others.
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Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Humility, Jesus, Leadership, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection
Written by Bill Grandi on April 30th, 2024
TROUBLE WILL VISIT ALL OF US!
What I just wrote is nothing new to anyone. To borrow a common phrase: “Stuff happens.” (I don’t talk the other way. 🙂 ) We ALL KNOW that sooner or later we are going to hit a rough patch.
Recently, while reading another book, I read about CURE Hospital, a series of hospitals established in places like Kenya and other hard hit areas. Sort of like Doctors Without Borders and Mercy Ship, CURE was established for doctors to help “the least of these.” One such person was Michael Panther. Michael was an active boy who would soon be training for the Sudan army when his legs grew weaker, then quit working. The civil war in South Sudan displaced him, and to make a long story short, he ended up in a CURE hospital where he was diagnosed with tuberculosis of the spine. To make another long story short, Michael spends his days in a wheelchair. But he has not allowed that to stop him following God’s direction, help and work. Michael now makes wheelchairs available to people in other countries who need them through his non-profit, Living With Hope. (You can read his fascinating and inspiring story in his book Living With Hope by Michael Panther).
During his “expansion” period, when the dream was born in his heart, he met Joni Eareckson Tada, the “champion” for the disabled who was paralyzed as a teenager from a diving accident. He had the chance to not only meet Joni, but to work with her ministry, Joni and Friends. In his book, Michael wrote down some of Joni’s statements that day. Here are three:
“God permits what he hates, to accomplish that which He loves.”
“I realized that God does not take pleasure in my spinal cord injury, but He loves the way He is changing me in it and encouraging others through it.”
“God has not abandoned those with disabilities. No, He is working through them.” (All quotes from pages 141-142)
All of us-no matter our lot in life-have a purpose. Healthy or whole. Mobile or in a chair. Unencumbered or disabled. We all matter and we all have a purpose. Find yours. Fulfill it.
Posted in InTheShadow | 10 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Disability, God's Plan, Lifestyle, Love, Mercy, Ministry, Opinion, Perseverance, Purpose, Reflection, Story, Suffering
Written by Bill Grandi on April 29th, 2024
Peace…in spite of.
Have you ever wondered what makes some people be as “calm as a cucumber” while others are frazzled to the bone with the same situation?
How can some be relaxed while others can’t stop wringing their hands?
How come the first move of some is to run to the doctor for a med at the first sign of stress while for others the first response is to drop to their knees in prayer? (Please don’t take that as me saying I’m against meds that serve a purpose).
Much has been made of the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is dependent on circumstances; joy is in spite of the circumstances.
Peace is the same. There is a settledness, a peace that some people have in spite of their circumstances. There is a well-told story about a lawyer named Horatio Spafford. He, his wife, and four children had booked a passage to Europe for a much-needed vacation, but at the last minute something came up that required his immediate attention. He sent his family ahead with the intention of joining them as soon as possible. The ship collided with another and sunk and only his wife survived. She sent a wire to him: “Saved alone.” In his grief, he booked the next passage to meet up with his wife. When they came to the spot of the shipwreck, the captain pointed it out to him. Mr. Spafford penned these words: “When peace like a river attendeth my way/When sorrows like sea billows roll/Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say/’It is well. It is well with my soul.'”
What kind of peace could lead Mr. Spafford to pen those words when his heart is breaking? A peace that is not dependent on circumstances. That kind of peace comes from the ONE who is bigger than the circumstances. Jesus once said, “My peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.” That’s the kind of peace I want. How about you?
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Circumstances, Faith/Feelings, God, God's Plan, Love, Opinion, Peace, Reflection, Story, Suffering, Thanksgiving
Written by Bill Grandi on April 25th, 2024
Standing back-to-back.
One of my favorite movies is Gladiator with Russell Crowe playing Maximus Decimus Meridius. At the very beginning of the movie the Roman army, led by Maximus, is fighting the barbarians. The focus goes to Maximus and at one point in the hand-to-hand combat he turns to put his sword through an enemy only to find he is batting back-to-back with one of his own men.
That scene came to my mind as I read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 this morning (I’ve included reading through Ecclesiastes in my daily Bible reading). “Two people are better off that one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated. But two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (NLT) I’ve highlighted the phrase that drew me to that movie scene. That is indicative, in fact, of that whole passage. We cannot and were not meant to do life alone. The one who thinks he/she needs no one is in for a rude awakening.
I know there are those who proudly say, “I can do this without your help.” Little kids are prone to say that and even push their parents’ hands away with words like, “I can do it.” Maybe. Maybe not. But that is a dangerous philosophy when facing life’s daily grind. No one is an island. And NO ONE can do life alone. One of the most miserable men on the planet was multi-millionaire Howard Hughes who lived as a virtual recluse because he was foolish enough to think he didn’t need or could trust anyone else.
Listen to Ecclesiastes 4: “Two people are better than one…but someone who falls alone is in real trouble…but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.” Find someone you can trust and do life together. Don’t try it alone.
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Tags: Christian Living, Friendship, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Needing Others, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story, Togetherness
Written by Bill Grandi on April 24th, 2024
A fragile (and temporary) peace.
I read recently that on December 30, 1862 the Civil War raged. Union and Confederate troops camped 700 yards apart on opposing sides of Tennessee’s Stones River. As they warmed themselves around campfires, Union soldiers picked up their fiddles and harmonicas and began playing “Yankee Doodle.” In reply, the Confederate soldiers offered “Dixie.” Remarkably, both sides joined for a finale, playing “Home Sweet Home” in unison. Sworn enemies shared music in the dark night, glimmers of an unimaginable peace (Sort of like me playing my rock music and someone else playing country and both of us tolerating the other’s choice). 🙂 The melodic truce was short lived, however. The next morning, they set down their fiddles and picked up their rifles and when it was all said and done 24,645 soldiers died.
Reminds me of the WWII story of the German and British soldiers celebrating Christmas by laying down their weapons, sharing what they had, playing soccer together, exchanging laughs, and acting (and maybe wishing?) like the war was over. You can hear the story in this video.
Peace is fragile, as well as temporary. Try as we may, man will never be able to bring about true or permanent peace. All our treaties. All our papers. All our promises are, in reality, fragile and temporary. Treaties are made to be cast aside. Papers are torn up or burned in rebellion. Promises are broken. We see it in school/childhood friends. We see it in marriages. We see it in communities. We see it in countries. And yes, we see it in churches.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but true, lasting peace is never found in man’s or men’s promises. And while it may last for a short period, it will never last for long. And certainly not forever. The only personal lasting peace is found in Christ, and the only true peace will be found in God’s new kingdom when Jesus returns and establishes it.
Until then…all efforts of peace are fragile and temporary. But we can still try. It begins with us! As the song says, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Church, Forgiveness, Friendship, Love, Mercy, Ministry, Opinion, Peace, Reflection, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on April 23rd, 2024
Maiden voyage = sore and achy muscles
So yesterday I was able to do what I have been chomping at the bit to do for several weeks months. To get outside and ride my bike. I’ve been riding all winter on my inside trainer. Several words come to mind when I think of that: Not the same. Very little challenge (except to keep going). One big one: B.O.R.I.N.G. I don’t have the fancy ZWIFT or any other type of trainer that allows one to hook up and then program a simulated ride. One word for that: $$$$$. So to ride a trainer inside is about exciting as watching grass grow or in my case to stare at it looking for some confounded mole activity. Riding outside is the ideal scenario (even given the crazy drivers). But weather, time, and the need for new tires and some maintenance slowed my getting outside to ride. Until yesterday…
It was still a bit chilly, especially with the wind coming out of the west at about 12-15 mph. But I have clothes for that so I was toasty warm (except for the side of my face the wind hit). I rode 11 miles in exactly one hour. I refueled properly when I stopped. I used a roller to help get the lactic acid out of my muscles, but at the end of the day I was still a bit on the achy side. But it is a good ache and sore because I got it doing something I love to do.
I’m sure you have experienced that as well. Your first hike. Your first canoe/kayak effort after being cooped up all winter. Your first run after the treadmill. That first ball practice. Stretching and using muscles which had, for the most part, laid dormant for too long. But even as I worked out at the Y all winter, I used different muscles and found sore spots last night that I forgot existed. 🙂
The Bible speaks often about flexing our muscles. Not in a power grab sense but in following Him. In fact, Paul encourages us to “Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong…” (Col. 2:7). Each time I ride it will get easier with a little less soreness as I establish a base and foundation. The soreness will leave and the distance and riding time will increase.
Sounds like a recipe for growth, strength and a whole of fun on and off the bike.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Christian Growth, Christian Living, Cycling, Humility, Jesus, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Story
