There is a huge difference between being friends and just friendly. There are many who are so busy with what is going on in their own world that they don’t look to find the truth of the matter in anyone else’s. For scriptural clarity I reflect on what is written in *1 John 3:16 By this we know [and have come to understand the depth and essence of His precious] love: that He [willingly] laid down His life for us [because He loved us]. And we ought to lay down our lives for the believers.* As others have been there for me at times in my past I have determined to be there for others as much as possible in the present, as the Holy Spirit directs me. There have been times when I was intentional about trying to be a friend to different people that I believed God led me too. I made an effort to help them, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, encourage the downtrodden, and attempted to strengthen the faith of the lost in different aspects of their lives. Then, when their circumstances changed for the better, I was made drastically aware that even though I was being purposeful to be their friend, the other person was only being friendly. When I fell in need, I quickly came to understand that very few had any intention of being “my” friend in any way shape, or form. I had no idea how much heartache that would bring. How can someone go from saying that they “love you” as a person one day, to asking, “were we ever really friends?” the next? This is one of the most difficult questions that I have ever dealt with and I doubt that I will ever get the answer to in this life. A lot of things that have broken my heart also fixed my vision. The truth of the matter is, that we may have known who each other were, but we really didn’t “know” each other. I definitely didn’t know their heart before God. Not everybody is what they seem. I have determined that I will continue to reach out to those that I believe God leads me to no matter how much hurt I may have to endure. I am determined to keep on loving others the way Jesus has loved me, because it is not about their love for me that matters most, but about Jesus’ love for them through me. My heart is to be more than friendly to those I cross paths with, I want to be actively consistent in being a friend to others. To all those who have reached out to help me, those who genuinely care about my family and I, those who pray for us on a regular basis, I want to say thank you, I do love you and value who you are. I am thankful and grateful to have you as my beloved friends. My BeLoved, 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. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to give either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis in support of the different ministries God has entrusted to me. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.* 

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.