My life has never been what the world would consider blessed. I have lived a life full of misguided goals and unrealistic expectations because that is just the way my brain works. To acknowledge that I believe God has a good purpose in all my suffering goes against what the modern church teaches but has been evident in the writings of many dead saints. I probably relate to Charles Spurgeon and his struggles more than just about any other. Spurgeon said, “I am afraid that all the grace that I have got of my comfortable and easy times and happy hours, might almost lie on a penny. But the good that I have received from my sorrows, and pains, and griefs, is altogether incalculable. . . . Affliction is the best bit of furniture in my house. It is the best book in a minister’s library.” I feel that because of the struggles that I have endured, it has helped me become better prepared for the spiritual battles going on around me, and has molded me to be a more compassionate pastor, to be able to minister to the broken and downtrodden with an understanding heart. Affliction has enabled me to write devotionals from a different perspective than many other spiritual leaders, one that is real and touches people’s hearts on a variety of different levels.  I pray often about what is written in *1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,* To help others understand and endure God’s purpose in different trials and tribulations is one of the greatest privileges I have ever experienced. The thought that others might actually profit from the pain of my life no matter how bad it may be for me is humbling. It is quite clear from Scripture that through a believers’ suffering, God refines them like gold in a furnace. I like what Spurgeon wrote on the subject, “when the gold knows why and wherefore it is in the fire…[it] will thank the Refiner for putting it into the crucible, and will find a sweet satisfaction even in the flames.” Brethren, it is only through the repeated heating process of gold and our lives that the impurities rise to the surface. It is only after the impurities are removed that the refiner can see His perfect reflection in the gold, and you my Beloved are more precious than gold. May God be glorified through my suffering and yours. Amen. May the grace of the Lord Jesus, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all 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 or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.