Some people look at me and can see that there are some things going on and then say that I don’t look happy, and I hate to admit it but they are correct. To me there is a big difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is affected by what is going on around you, whereas Joy is all about what God is doing within you in the midst of what is going on around you. My verse for today is found in *Psalms 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.* Yesterday was a day that got away from me from the moment I opened my eyes. Lately, it seems as though I have been running just to catch myself. There are so many things that I need to get done that just don’t for one reason or another. My ability to accomplish simple tasks are few and far between causing other hardships and difficulties to follow. The weather causes me to have seasonal depression and I have noticed that I have been inconsistent with my time with the Lord. I am reading some, praying at times, and worshiping a little every day, not as deeply as I think I should, but in a way that works for me at this time of my life. I feel like I am trying to spin 50 plates at the same time and they are starting to fall off the sticks they are on one by one causing my stress and raising my anxiety level through the roof. By the power of the Holy Spirit I have still been able to minister to the lost and broken around me with some consistency. My family seems to be constantly going through trials for which God carries us and supplies all of our needs and for that we are grateful beyond measure. Some of the people that God has me ministering to and praying for, have circumstances going on that are heart-rending and challenging. Through all that I am going through, I have peace in the trials, joy in the brokenness, and strength to endure the tribulations with hope, all because of who Jesus is in my life and what He is doing. For all those struggling, my prayer for you is found in *Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.* My Beloved, may we all say with excitement and expectation; Maranatha, Come quickly Lord Jesus. 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