Two weeks plus into the new year, how are you doing with being more compassionate, gracious, kind and loving? As I mentioned in a previous post, 2021 is a year of transition for us at the Bantau household. We are continuing to adjust to our new norms. In a recent conversation with a friend, I was reminded that Sweet T and I first met twenty years ago. Where did the time go?
The majority of our new norms at our home center around my recently accepting a new position as the Food Services Manager for the Dallas-based homeless discipleship ministry Our Calling. Our sweet and gracious Lord presented this wonderful ministry opportunity to me over the holidays.
The mission of Our Calling is to help the over 10,000 Dallas homeless grow in their relationship with Jesus and to encourage them to get off the streets through employing a number of diverse strategies to address a variety of needs.
After several discussions and much prayer, I accepted the offer to join a phenomenal team and vibrant ministry doing much needed work. Having worked in the restaurant industry nearly 25 years, this opportunity allows me to combine my passion for food and love for people to help advance God’s Kingdom.
Ministering to the homeless over the past several years in addition to having briefly experienced homelessness myself, I knew this unique opportunity was something the Lord had put in front of me and that I needed to say “YES!”
I am continuing to work part-time as a workplace chaplain, something that I have spent time doing the past two years. This new opportunity will provide additional avenues to advance God’s kingdom by using food to as a vehicle for sharing the Gospel and the good news of Jesus Christ.
Well, who would have thought I’d actually be blessed with the chance of utilizing one of my own posts?
Daily Scripture | 7 Bible Verses for Starting a New Job – The Devotional Guy™
Reflection Questions:
- What new opportunities is 2021 presenting you?
- How are you doing with being compassionate, gracious, kind and loving?
- Are your new year’s goals and resolutions going as you planned?
- What are some ways you are able to demonstrate the love of Jesus?
- How can I pray for you?
Prayer:
Lord, we thank You for the opportunity to serve You as ambassadors for Christ through the work You have provided us to do. May we do the work You have given us with excellence and heartily unto You, O Lord. Help us be the hands and feet of Jesus, pointing people to Christ in all that we think, say, and do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
May you feel loved and valued. May you be the salt and the light this world desperately needs. Since rededicating our lives to Christ in 2007, Sweet T and I have been on a grand adventure. I’m happy to say that all these years later the glorious adventure continues!
Under Christ, for the Glory of Christ.
Blessings,
The Devotional Guy™
The Devotional Guy™ 
Congratulations on this new position. What a beautiful testimony of how the Lord opens doors to work alongside Him using past experiences and current passions to minister to others. I look forward to reading more about your ministry experiences in future posts.
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Thank you, Beth! God is good, indeed.
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Congratulations on your new ministry opportunity, Rainer! May God continue to bless you as you serve the homeless population of Dallas.
As to my opportunities in 2021, I’m not sure. I prayerfully wrote down some things, but hadn’t thought about them much since. Current events, and the uncertainty enveloping our nation, has taken center stage. I know that probably sounds nuts, but I hate disharmony and the current state of affairs (outside and in the church) really weighs on me.
One prayer request I have is that I will be able to use my pastoral gifts more in 2021. That’s what I really am, Rainer, a shepherd of God’s people, but the break up of my first marriage side-lined me from full time ministry. Actually, that’s why I started my blog. I needed an outlet to help and encourage others in the Lord.
Perspective, Resilience, and Choice, these are my three focus words for 2021.
Col. 3:12-17 is my goal, with verse 17 being the focal point:
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
My wife and I are also determined to try and keep some of our striped down pandemic 😷 lifestyle going after this is all over. We used to eat out a lot and were busy running here and there. It’s been great to be home more!
In 2021 we’ve decided if we can’t say, “Heck, Yes!” to something, then we aren’t going to do it.
God’s best to you and Sweet T.
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Thanks for this, David!
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Congratulations Rainer. This position looks like a wonderful fit for your experience, skills, and outlook. Your faith will continue to allow you to open doors to God for many others. God’s grace and peace continue to lead the way.
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Thanks my friend!
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