I grabbed a rare Saturday off yesterday. It was great having an opportunity to relax and recharge. Typically, I spend Saturdays working at a local ministry serving the chronically homeless. I’m reading the book of Jude to prep for a Bible study on Tuesday and a sermon on Wednesday. Time with Jesus in the morning, sipping coffee, and sitting outside on the patio is rejuvenating. It’s also healing. I’m finding I’ve got a lot of hurts lately.
For most of my life, creativity of some form helped me stay sane in an increasingly insane world.
The past few days, I’ve been reading pieces from Danny Gregory’s new book, “You do you.-Essays on being creative”. It is profoundly insightful. Two of his essays—“How not to give a damn.” and “How to be a weirdo.” —both resonated strongly with me. All that to say, if you’re the least smidgen creative, I highly recommend reading David Gregory’s new book.
“When the global supply chain is built on round holes, you’re going to pay dearly if you want weird, square pegs.”
Danny Gregory, “You do you.”
Music is also something that I find healing—playing it and listening to it. Saturday morning, I sat at my baby grand piano —a gift from an old friend and longtime mentor (it belonged to his late wife and he believed that she would want me to have it)—playing “So What?” a jazz tune written by Miles Davis. It’s from his iconic 1959 album “Kind of Blue”. I’ve spent much of last week listening to Miles, in part, because I am feeling a bit blue. Thankfully, music heals.
Saturday morning, I sat on the patio enjoying the cooler temps on an overcast morning teasing rain, sipped my coffee, and drew in my sketchbook. Keith Jarrett played in the background.
What are you listening to right now?
I look forward to seeing you in the “comments”!
Abundant Blessings,
Rainer Bantau
The Devotional Guy™
#bgbg2#BibleGateway
The Devotional Guy™ 
I love silence. And AC.
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There’s something to be said for that, Beth. Although T and I don’t have kids, I think that’s a good season to find oneself in.
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I’m in the season of my life where I’m listening to whatever playlists or radio stations my teenagers have going.
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Right now, I am listening to silence and the quiet hum of my A/C.
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Andy B is knocking it out of the park, no doubt Alan. Indeed, music is a beautiful gift from God. Thanks for sharing, Alan.
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Music is such a great therapy for the soul : a wonderful gift from Father God. Like David I listen to classical music often (Classic FM) on my Bose. At present I am listening to the BerryBunch on Pure24/7 radio 😁
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Thanks for your response, David. I always enjoy reading your comments. I’m with you on the music without words. Especially lately. I think my ears are just exhausted by the time I get done at work, so I find myself enjoying the silence—or the lack of words. Good stuff.
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I like to sit on my back porch, too. My Bluetooth speaker is a Bose, and it’s usually set to classical or smooth jazz music—without words.
Visual art has never been a strength for me, but I enjoy playing my guitar and writing micro poetry.
I also meet God, for a quiet time, on my back porch every morning. There with me are a few favorite devotional books, my Bible, and journal. The Lord always gives me something to write down, which helps guide my day.
God Bless you, my brother. I’m glad you got a rare Saturday off, to rest, recharge, and contemplate. Blessings to you and Sweet T.
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