One of my purposes in writing what I do is to try to encourage my brethren to stand firm in the trials and tribulations that come their way and to hopefully help unbelievers and pagans come to believe that God is alive and active in our lives today. My life has never been overflowing with blessings as the world would see it. I have been blessed with a loving family, a roof over my head, clean clothes, and food to eat. I also feel that I have been called to suffer in ways that the world around me may never understand. My work has been demanding, my relationships have been challenging, my talent has been lacking, my heart has been broken more times than I can count. I share my experiences, my joy, my sorrows, my pain, my blessings, just about every aspect of my life, in hope that my world will see how great and mighty God is in the midst of life’s challenges. The very first book of the Bible that I studied as a new Christian was Job. I never related to the blessings he had in the beginning, but felt deep in my heart what seemed like the testing of his faith throughout the rest of the book. I regularly reflect on the words spoken in *Job 1:21…“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”* Over the years my family has struggled at times financially to pay our bills. When I quit working in automotive repair I took to the streets in search of discarded furniture during bulk pickup, and also helping others lighten their load of burdens from their homes. Not all of what I picked up had value so some went to the dump and some was ruined by the weather. Even though the storms in life came, one thing I noticed in the destruction and debris was that a path was cleared. We definitely live an unconventional life, but because of having special needs children in our home, living like we do helps us to help them while helping others as well. My Beloved, I ask that you would please pray that the Lord strengthens and establishes my family, and that we are able to endure eagerly and faithfully the difficulties that come our way no matter what they may be, financial, physical, emotional, and most importantly spiritual. My desire is to stand firm in my faith, entrusting myself to God no matter what comes my way. I am honored for the call I have received and more importantly for all of the grace required to endure it. My prayer: “Dear Lord, continue to test my faith even through extreme duress if need be for You work all things together for my good.” My friends, please join me in saying no matter what comes our way, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In Christ Love, douglas.

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me in financial support of the ministry activities that God has entrusted to me at pastord.blog@gmail.com