A few years back I went extreme mountain climbing. Okay, it was a hike with a friend in the hills around Tucson. As we were walking, the terrain got a “little” aggressive for me. Not severe for them because they had traveled the trail many times before. I watched to see where their feet were landing and noticed that even though we were side by side some of the time, and on the same path, our routes were a little different because of the rocky terrain. There were times where I would lead and then there were times that they would because of the narrowness of the path in certain places. Different verses came to mind as we walked and talked. I thought about what is written in *Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.* At one point, I could not see where we had started and definitely did not know where we would end up because this was all new to me. I trusted my friend to make sure that I made it to where I was to go and back again. I trusted my friend in a similar way that I trust the Lord every day through this journey I am on called life. I pray often about what is written in *Proverbs 16:9 A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.* As we walked, we talked. Our spiritual footprints became more important than our physical ones as we shared the challenges that we both faced and how our love for our Lord helped us with focusing on His will for each of our lives. I was very thankful for the blessings that I received that day, more than the walk, the encouragement in Christ. I had experienced first hand that day what is written about in *Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].* I praise God for friends who strengthen and embolden me in the Lord, and for all those who say they are my friends and have proved it by being there for me when I am on an unfamiliar and/or difficult path. There have been many times where I have compared the rockiness of my life’s journey to that of others and contemplated why it seems that their lives are so much more blessed and trouble free then mine, then I hear a still small voice whisper to me, “I don’t have that for you, but what I do have for you is a blessing that you will be able to bless others with, helping them to walk on unsteady ground for you have already traveled the difficult and challenging paths many times and survived.” 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