And just like that—-we arrive at the last day of August. Today is the end of meteorological Summer. Tomorrow (September 1) marks the beginning of meteorological Fall. Officially, Fall doesn’t begin until September 22.
When I was a kid, we only had one Summer—the one between school ending and beginning. Do you remember looking forward to a new year and meeting new people while connecting with old friends when you were a kid? Boy, I certainly do. Most kids here started back to school already. Me? Well, last night, I started Drawing class!
As I’ve mentioned in a couple of previous posts, I took up drawing as a way to process and cope with stress, including post-traumatic stress, as well as burnout. While I’ve had different creative outlets over the years, they just didn’t seem to be clicking. So, I decided to try my hand at something new.
The last couple of weeks my focus seems scrambled between a variety of commitments and preoccupations. Life gets that way for me sometimes.
Terri and I are off for a few days so hopefully I will get the opportunity to recalibrate and refocus, as well as recharge.
God blessed me with the opportunity to preach a couple of times the past few weeks. Sermon prep is always hard, especially as an itinerant preacher without a regular preaching gig. I am starting to finally find my niche, so to speak, after all these years.
Drawing has reminded me that there are a myriad of ways to communicate the Gospel—-the Good News of Jesus Christ. Someone long ago once said, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.”
I’ve said it before: Sometimes we may be the only Bible someone has the opportunity to read. James, half-brother of Jesus, urges us to be doers of the Word, rather than simply hearers.
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
James 1:22 (New Living Translation)
“Marks”
©2022 Rainer Bantau
My friend, how are you communicating the Good News to others?
Dear reader: what new practice have you taken up recently that helps you cope with life’s challenges?
Until next time, dear reader. May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America.
Walk in peace,
The Devotional Guy™
The Devotional Guy™ 
I have a coworker that told me we can be a witness without even saying anything. And he was right. People take notice of our actions.
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I’m glad you have a few days off to rest, Rainer. I suppose the way to spread the gospel, without words, is to make my life the best Christ-like example possible. Of course, I do this by the grace of God.
“When Paul talks about being “above reproach” he’s pointing to who we represent as ambassadors—Christ Himself.
I need to make more time for my hobbies. Thank you for the reminder.
God Bless!
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Amen. I believe our actions demonstrate our beliefs. Thanks for sharing, Bridget.
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Yes, indeed, David. I’ve discovered hobbies keep things in perspective. Remembering who we are in Christ is vitally important to our walk. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for reading.
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I would love to see one of your sermons. Are they on YouTube?
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Thanks @CatsandCoffee! They are not on YouTube but I will see if I can get share some of them that I know were recorded or streamed. I’ve actually toyed with the idea of a YouTube channel or podcast, but haven’t decided whether or not those are good vehicles for me. Thoughts?
Thanks for reading my blog and for sharing your impressions.
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“I’ve said it before: Sometimes we may be the only Bible someone has the opportunity to read.”
Amenm oh, so very much Amen!!!
In answer to your question, for me it’s not feeling guilty of I haven’t commented on every post from the blogs I follow.
I’ve now let myself off the hook and, rather than save them up for another day (which never happens), I now feel much more at peace letting them slip by until a new post and a new day.
Blessings
Andy B
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Amen!
Andy B
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Guilt is definitely a burden if you let it be. I’m old enough now I don’t feel bad when I yell at the neighborhood kids to get off the lawn. 😂
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Well, there is that 😅
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😆
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They do not that would lead people to believe we are the focus, when it us our Savior who is the one we lead people too.
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