What brings you joy? Where do you have the most peace? Where is your happy place? I ask these questions because of the love that I have for those who read what I write and hear the words I speak. There are many that lose their lives chasing the world, trying to get the next new thing, and find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of events causing them to not be able to simply enjoy the moments, the blessings that God has given them. It goes from being too young with our whole lives ahead of us and before we know it we’re too old and wasted our lives chasing after insignificant debris, sometimes causing us to have to deal with trauma that God never wanted for us because we did not embrace the blessings right before us. Lately, I find myself even putting off things “I have to do” to just enjoy the people around me, the individuals that love me for me. The things I have to do will always be there but my family, cherished friends, and all the special moments that I might miss won’t. I think about the people that have  poured into my family, and I pray for them steadfastly because I know that they will not be near forever. In a very short time, some will move on to the next seasons of their lives and we will most likely only see them in passing, if that. My heart is sad, but at the same time I feel blessed to be able to get to know them the way that we have. My family has come to know certain individuals on a different level and value them more than they will probably ever know. To know them as dearly loved, prized individuals, as family. For those that have poured into my family, thank you for leaving a little bit of yourselves with us, and we pray that when you move on, you take a little bit of us with you. We would like you to stay a little longer, so for now we will hold on a little tighter today, because tomorrow isn’t promised. My encouragement to all who are cognizant of theses feelings and emotions, live every moment for the glory of God and when you find a place where you have peace and joy, a place where you feel that you belong, enjoy every second of it, you never know how soon life will change and it will all end. Understand that Big love happens in the small moments. Our prayer for those who have touched our lives is found in *Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight, 10 so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin]; 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God [so that His glory may be both revealed and recognized].* I think the times we are closest to heaven are in the moments we draw each other closer to Jesus through fellowship with the Holy Spirit, and in those times I have peace, joy, and am encouraged in the Lord. 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