I want my writing to be up-close, raw, and personal. We’ve all experienced the tension that exists before peace.
I’m not writing to impress or to sound spiritual. I’m not writing to sound wise.
I hope my writing invites you to listen to my thoughts and experiences out loud.
Confusion comes before clarity, just as doubt precedes faith.
Making one’s own wounds a source of healing does not call for a sharing of superficial personal pains but for a constant willingness to see one’s own pain and suffering as rising from the depth of the human condition which all men share.
Henri J. M. Nouwen
I write with honest language. I hope you feel real emotions. I want you to sense my humanness.
Specificity creates intimacy. When we share specific details people feel closer to the story. Readers connect more concretely when we forego the generalities guarding our frailties.
I want you to see my soul, as is, not curated. As a friend of mine likes to say, “I’m just one beggar pointing another beggar to the bread line.”
Here are a few of #Lent26 posts from a few of my friends.
Until my next post…
Be salty, stay lit.
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
#bgbg2#BibleGateway
The Stigma Stops Here.
#mentalhealthmatters
© 2026 Rainer Bantau | The Devotional Guy™ | All Rights Reserved
The Devotional Guy™ 
Thank you, Father Nic! Your words mean a great deal to me. I’m grateful if my writing helped you in any way, especially giving you the permission to be raw. I agree that real connection often happens when we stop trying to polish everything and simply speak from the soul.
In many ways, this blog is a place for me to bear witness to what I see, what I struggle with, and what God is teaching me along the way.
I’m honored that it resonates with you. May God continue to bless you and your ministry.
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Hi, Brother!
I love your writing style… yes, it is raw. Love it and so thankful to you because you actually taught me how to be raw. At first, I refused to be raw, always trying to soften my language as I might hurt. But truly, we make connections in being raw. Especially when writing and speaking in our native language. It comes from the soul. Thank you so much! God bless you more!
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Thank you for this thoughtful response, Richard. Amen 🙏
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Blessings Rainer. I find the Lord’s grace acting as heavenly mortar with the peace expressed with your every testament. God’s light guides every emotion.
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Thank you for your kind and encouraging words, Mervin. Write on!
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You are not writing to impress but I am impressed by the blend of creativity and passion in your writing. Whatever happens, don’t stop writing! Keep encouraging, keep inspiring!
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Thank you 🙏, Eileen.
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I do enjoy reading your blog it is simple to read and understand and your writing has touched my heart in many ways.
Thank you
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Thank you, Barb. That means a lot.
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Your writing is a blessing.
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