Friends, I don’t know about you, but I am truly grateful for the blessed week that I’ve enjoyed. As I continue to heal and recover from post traumatic stress and complex grief, I can testify that I am making progress. As I shared with Terri, I feel like I’m turning the first corner of the starting lap on the treadmill (or on the track). While the weather in Texas remains unpredictable this time of year, I managed to get in several walks (30+ miles, 6 days), two trips to the gym with Terri, and a yoga class. I’ve never tried my hand at yoga, but I’ve read that it’s good for better sleep, improved heart rate variability, and peace of mind. Terri has been gently encouraging me to give it a try as she’s seen me struggle with my mental health issues and my sciatic nerve. Fitness is one of the key components of my journey back to wellbeing. To clarify, by fitness, I mean holistic fitness—-mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. My hope is that I will be able to continue sharing updates on this journey with you.
It’s been a great week for the blog as well, gaining nearly 100 new followers. AMAZING! I’m so grateful that people are enjoying what they are reading enough to sign up for email updates and share this blog with their friends and colleagues.
Today marks the unofficial start to Summer, since school let out in the Richardson and North Dallas area, as well as other parts of the Great State of Texas. As I was walking yesterday, I saw several schools dismissing their kiddos and wishing them the best on their next phase of life. Six graders everywhere graduated and will be entering junior high in the Fall. This Summer will mark a great time in their lives and be one they will remember.
The Indy 500 runs tomorrow (Sunday) and I’m excited about that for the first time in a long while. As a kid, I was a racing fanatic, particularly when it came to the Indy 500.
I’ve got some ribs and corned beef cooking in my Pit Boss smoker. The corned beef is for fixing corned beef hash tomorrow for our weekly breakfast with Terri’s parents. The ribs will be for dinner tomorrow. Another key component of my wellbeing journey is family.
But, Memorial Day isn’t just about all of these things, as much fun and as good as they may be. Memorial Day is about honoring the sacrifice of thousands of men and women who laid down their lives so that we might enjoy the freedoms that come with being an American. Too often, we take these freedoms for granted, as we do those who give their all for us to live free.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13 ESV
Jesus exemplified what it means to love so much that He gave His life for ours. He redeemed us through His sacrifice.
Jesus as the ultimate Servant and perfect Sacrifice, demonstrated more than an abstract comparison and more than a mere human gauge of love. Christ measured love according to its divine, original, and eternal purpose and intent. His is a sacrifice that emanates from deep-rooted affection. Jesus gave His life to save a thoughtless, unbelieving world. As believers, you and I are called to emulate this sacrificial love by embodying the spirit of Christ and through fulfilling His commandments.
When you consider Jesus as the ultimate Servant, what comes to your mind?
When you think about Jesus as the perfect Sacrifice, what weighs on your heart?
The men and women of the American Armed Forces get up everyday to keep us free. An incomprehensible number of those that served gave their life for us, just as Jesus did on that Cross on Calvary. We owe them a great debt of gratitude, in the same sense that we owe Jesus our gratitude. Because of sacrifice, you and I are able to enjoy a world of endless possibilities. We are blessed, no doubt about it.
Faith is also a pillar of my wellbeing. Apart from it, I would be unable to do anything. It’s only by God’s grace that I can live the life that He has prepared in advance for me. That’s true for you too, my friend.
As you celebrate and enjoy this Memorial Day weekend, please remember those who gave their all. It’s not a day to thank a Veteran, as much as it is to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty. It’s because of their selfless act that we enjoy the freedoms we have today. Freedom isn’t free.
Praying you live well and love well.
Until my next post…
Be salty, stay lit.
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
#bgbg2#BibleGateway
The Stigma Stops Here.🛑
#mentalhealthmatters
The Devotional Guy™ 
Mission accomplished then!
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I’m glad my content speaks to you as gives you food for thought, Jodi. The instructor encouraged us to “modify, modify, modify” based on our skill level and confidence. Terri and I sat front and center—this takes place outside on Saturday mornings and is taught by a retired lady who’s been practicing yoga for years. I’m encouraged enough to do some additional stretching and practice poses and movements during the week. But, I plan on taking it one day at a time. Thanks for reading and dropping a comment. Blessings 🙏
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Jesus definitely set the prime example for us to follow. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and insights. Thanks for reading!
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Thanks, Cindi. I appreciate your support and encouragement. I agree—cooking “from scratch” beats eating out of a can any day. Breakfast turned out great based on the feedback I got from Terri and her folks (Gary & Joyce).
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I am so excited for your blog reaching more folks for Jesus! And your recovery process coming along! We just did up some corned beef and potatoes to make hash out of along with fresh eggs from our ranch. Beats what you can get in a can every day of the week!
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When I consider Jesus as the ultimate servant, I see a leader who was willing to carry out His heavenly mission—much like a soldier who dies for his country.
An exceptional boss is also a great follower, and Jesus is one of these, too. He followed God’s will for His life, from being born here, dying for mankind, and coming back to life again.
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Thank YOU for posting such thoughtful provoking content!! And, on your yoga journey, be gentle with yourself – I started in bed, and now I have lost over 80 lbs – seems like accidentally – and it’s just really helped.
Namaste 🙏
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Beautiful response! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for reading my post.
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When I consider Jesus as the ultimate Servant…
I think of barefoot humility.
Of calloused hands that washed the feet of friends
who would betray, deny, or fall asleep on him when it mattered.
I think of love that didn’t perform,
but poured … quietly, thoroughly, without expecting applause.
I think of leadership that knelt.
Of power that didn’t posture.
Of the kind of strength this world STILL misunderstands.
He wasn’t too holy to touch the bleeding.
Not too important to eat with the broken.
Not too divine to sweat, cry, ache, and carry.
And I think… if God could do that,
what excuses do I have?
When I think of Jesus as the perfect sacrifice, it becomes a model for living.
Not just the scene on a cross,
but a way of really “being” in this world.
A radical invitation to show up fully … even when it costs.
Especially – when it costs.
It’s not about martyrdom for the sake of pain.
It’s about love with skin on it.
Love that breaks bread,
pours itself out, stands in the gap and says …
“Here I am – take my time – take my heart – take what heals.”
Sacrifice, to me,
isn’t about dying … more about choosing.
Choosing to stay present when it’s easier to numb.
Choosing to forgive when bitterness is more familiar.
Choosing to plant peace –
even when the soil is hard and full of stones.
Jesus didn’t just die for us –
he lived for us.
And every step was a surrender.
Every act of service was a crucifixion – of ego.
Every embrace of the outcast
was a DECLARATION that love … refuses to draw lines.
So when I look at his sacrifice,
I don’t just mourn …
I listen …
I ask …
what does it look like to be “poured out” in this life – not to lose myself, but to offer myself?
Not because I have to,but because love…
GETS to!
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