Lack of encouragement often brings discouragement to people who are hurting, broken, or lost. Whether we acknowledge it or not, the truth of life is that there are a lot of people who are going through the motions, trying their best just to make it through the day without much hope for tomorrow. Everyone has something going on, but still in the busyness of our own lives we need to remember that one kind word, a simple text message, a phone call, may help change someone’s life, maybe not forever, but at least for a moment. Barnabas was an early leader in the church and is a man that I admire because of his character that matches the meaning of his name, Son of Encouragement. I get inspired as I read about him as written in *Acts 11:23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God [that was bestowed on them], he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with an unwavering heart to stay true and devoted to the Lord.* In the song by The Sidewalk Prophets, “Save My Life” it says, “Tell me what I need to hear / Tell me that I’m not forgotten / Show me there’s a God Who can be more than all I’ve ever wanted / ‘Cause right now I need a little hope / I need to know that I’m not alone / Maybe God is calling you tonight / To tell me something That might save my life”. I know from personal experience that sometimes people are hurting so badly that they need more than to have someone preach a message to them, they need someone to be the message to them. The reason I try so hard to encourage others is that I have been on the other side far too often and way too long. There is another part of the song that impacts me deeply, “I’m the pastor at your church / For all these years you’ve listened to my words / You think I know all the answers / But I’ve got doubts and questions too / Behind this smile I’m really just like you / Afraid and tired and insecure”. My brethren, may God give all of His children the desire, but more importantly the willingness to look past the “façades” of others and be able to encourage them to “stay true and devoted to the Lord” and from our heart’s be able to genuinely say to them, Jesus loves you and I love you too! I do want to thank all of you who have reached out to encourage me over the years without knowing all the specifics of what is going on in my life, you are truly valued above measure, and you are my beloved. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

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 with financial support for the ministry activities that God has entrusted to me at pastord.blog@gmail.com