This year has been a year of hard lessons for me; I learned who to trust and who not to, who is there for me and who only wants me there for them, and more importantly who doesn’t care one way or another if I even exist. Over my lifetime I have tried to force the wrong people to care for me the right way and I almost always ended up disappointed and/or brokenhearted. I used to get frustrated, but not anymore, now I get quiet. I determined that it is useless to keep talking when the person that you want to communicate with just can’t or won’t hear what you have to say. Certain verses stab me like a knife, like what is written in *2 Timothy 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. 2 For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, 3 [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.* I am learning to stop trying to help those who don’t ask for it even though they need what I have to share so desperately, the knowledge of Jesus and God’s love for them. I need to understand that if they really wanted my assistance, if they really wanted me to be a part of their life, they would seek me out, they would ask for my aid, ultimately, they would reach out to me more than I do to them. It is challenging, but I’m grasping the concept. I’m doing better at letting the consequences of others end up where they may. For many, they need to understand that their lack of planning doesn’t make it my emergency. And on the other side of the problem is when someone won’t let you in, eventually you have to stop knocking. What is on the other side of that door evidently isn’t meant for you. It gets to the point that red flags are no longer red flags, they are deal breakers. One of the greatest challenges of mankind is understanding that communication is not about saying what we think, communication is about ensuring others understand what we mean and not so much about their reply to what we’ve said. I have come to understand that when someone else is there for me and ready to help me when needed, that those types of people are too important to lose, and that is why I let them know how much I value them. I pray that we all understand how short time really is and also how precious it is as well. My Beloved, invest your time wisely, you may run out of it before you know it. 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.