It’s been a struggle getting this post written. After a long, at times confusing and contentious week, I was ready to hit the “publish” button. And then I accidentally wiped out my post. Ugh.
Fat fingers.
Even amid a challenging week back, I am rejoicing about God’s blessings after an incredible weekend conference in Oklahoma City the weekend before last.
The Blessings of a Christian Blogging Community
One of my big takeaways from the conference is that being attentive to God in your life matters. How is He working? Where is God at work around you? What’s He calling you toward? What’s God doing through you? Who is He putting in your path? Pay attention!
God has taught me much over the course of nearly twenty years of blogging.
There are times when I think I’ve written my last blogpost.
Rainer Bantau
One thing He recently reminded me of is the blessings of belonging to a Christian blogging community.
While I was at the conference, fellow blogger David Duncan and his bride of 22 years took the time to come visit me while I was in their home state. I so appreciate their effort particularly on a weekend that they are celebrating their anniversary.
Life throws us curves. Things happen that we don’t expect, much less understand.
“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.
Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”― Bruce Lee
Belonging to a blogging community is encouraging. I was glad David and his wife Nancy traveled an hour to meet up with me. Relieved neither of us were AI generated psycho killers, we had lunch, talked about blogging, and shared how God was moving in our lives.
I spent some of this weekend working on a a couple of new art projects. I find myself having dreams lately about what I want to create. Weird, huh?
In the meantime, Terri and I are laughing at reruns of “The Big Bang Theory.” It’s a show that never gets old.
Until my next post…
God is good. All the time.
No matter what.
Know you are loved.
Praying for you. Praying for America.
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
#JesusStrong
The Devotional Guy™ 
😀❤️❤️👍
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Amen. Me too. Thank you. 🙏
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Glad to hear that
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Nah. I’m not done yet.
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For a moment there I thought you ,want somwting else whew
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Did it? I’m sorry.
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Your title scared me for a minute.
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Thank you for your kind words and support, Alan. I agree that we should do what the Lord calls us to do. Sometimes it feels like hearing a pin drop. Other times it’s like waiting for aliens to respond from space. But, alas, it’s more about contemplating if I’ve got anything left to say, so to speak. And I do.
You never know about that ocean—we might all just hop in a boat and row over.
I appreciate your honesty and your faithfulness. I’m glad to know you care. Thanks for the encouragement and for reading my posts.
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Thanks, David. I came across the Bruce Lee quote reading “Be Like Water,” a book by his daughter Shannon. It’s a good read that I gladly recommend. The philosophy seems to be very applicable to a number of different situations in my life.
I do appreciate the encouragement, David. For what it’s worth, I don’t believe it’s time to exit the stage just yet. I woke up wondering if I had anything left to say. And I know that I do. In fact, I often find myself screaming on the inside. We’ll just have to wait and see what comes out. Peace, my friend. Again, I am deeply honored that you and Nancy made the effort and took the time to meet in person. Thanks for continuing to read my blog after all these years.
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There have been times when I thought of changing or cutting out blogging, but God always sends someone along via a message to encourage me to keep doing His work. That is the important point: that it is His work and He calls us to do it, and it does effect/encourage brethren in Christ. So I keep going! That was super special meeting up with David and Nancy, they are a lovely encouraging couple. The small matter of an ocean means I will only meet you guys in Heaven…but what a party that will be! 😁
May our Father God continue to guide and bless you and Terri today brother 🙏
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It was our pleasure to meet you for lunch when you were up in OKC, brother! I admit, at first I was wary if it was actually the real Devotional Guy emailing me requesting a meet up. But then I saw your post from OKC—inside the church where you said you’d be—and I knew it was legit.
I love the Bruce Lee quote. It certainly applies to leadership. Almost daily, in my role as an education admin, someone wants me to join them in a proverbial tug of war (battle of the wills). Usually it’s a child, but sometimes an adult gets bent out of shape. Staying pliable, and even curious at such times is critical.
I sincerely hope this isn’t your last blog post. I, and many others, would miss your presence here on WP.
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