Screaming Out Loud Inside

I wondered if I had anything left to say when in fact my innermost self can be heard screaming inside.

As we approach Advent, I realize next year will bring change. Some of it may even be drastic. Losing my sister-in-law a few weeks ago certainly has proven to be a profound shift in our family dynamics. Things aren’t the same. Nor will they ever be.

Like I’ve said before: Grief is weird.

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When Your Days End In Why

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Coping with grief spurned an art show, after all.

I am honored that the art website Glasstire shared news about my solo exhibition. Birthed in 2001, Glasstire is currently the oldest online-only visual art magazine in America. It focuses on Texas artists, like yours truly, and seeks to expand the conversation about art in Texas.

I am contemplating a blog series on Advent to end this year and guide us into 2025. It will focus and what has come and what is yet to come as we live out our years in the “already, not yet.” Christ’s incarnation changed things. His return will no doubt have even a greater impact.

What are your thoughts? Is a series on Advent something you’d like to read?

Looking ahead, I know that there’s a lot of uncertainty rumbling underneath our lives these days. I can tell because one of my most popular posts these days focuses on uncertainty.

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Feeling uncertain? Here are 3 posts geared to helping you talk and pray through it.

Clinging to Hope in Uncertain Times

What Is A Blogger’s Role During Uncertain Times?

7 Scriptures | Tackling the Unsettling Terror of Uncertainty Together

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I am pleased that my punk sensibilities remain alive and kicking as I advocate for personal freedom, self-expression, and authenticity in a world choking these values to oblivion.

Fear appears to have a stranglehold on our world.

Which again leads me to Advent—Christ’s Second Coming and the hope of a new creation.

In Christ, you and I are made new. We aren’t who we once were. We aren’t even a better version of our old selves. No. Christ totally transforms us. Jesus takes our brokenness and turns it into something that is new, different, and supernova beautiful.

I don’t know about you, but the idea of all things being made new gives me joy and brings me hope.

So when you find yourself screaming out loud inside, know that Jesus is there with you. Trust Him with your storm.

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