Today is one of those days when I really need prayer. Lately I have not felt okay, and I am not really sure why. I don’t feel like myself but nothing has really changed. Maybe the obstacles and busyness of life are catching up with me at my age. I feel drained but I am still taking care of what needs done, at least the more important stuff. I trust God to calm my mind, heal my heart, and take away my worries as a general rule, but it doesn’t seem like all the time. My life has never been easy, there have been challenges, situations, and difficulties that I have faced over the years where I have been asked, “Why do I always insist on taking the hard road?” My response is simple and to the point, “What makes you think I see two roads?” Lately my family is feeling the effects of what we believe is intense spiritual warfare. We have been facing misc. health issues, challenging family dynamics, unpleasant character attacks, economic burdens and distress, major time management problems, in simple terms trying to find balance in an unsteady world. Recently I asked my daughter if she thinks that I take on too much? Her response was yes she does. I then asked if she thought if there is anything I am doing that she believes God does not want me to do? And her response was, no, she believes that I am doing all that I am supposed to do. In the eyes of man it is a lot, but by the power of God, He gives me the fortitude to do all that I do. I have been told that if I keep doing all that I am doing that I will burn out. My thought is that if I am doing what God wants me to, I will shine bright for Him, fulfilling the calling He has given me by His power and strength. The world sees an impossible workload, I pray God sees a willing, humble servant. With all that I have going on there are many nights where I get very little sleep for one reason or another. My prayer life has definitely increased though. One thing my family can boldly say is that we have seen the faithfulness of God in providence, provision, and most importantly His presence in our lives and in our home. In my most recent events, I see the hand of God involved in a very powerful way in the work that He has done through my family in seeing lives transformed in those we have the privilege to minister to. Some of the people around us have been drawn to Jesus and even had a few accept Him as Lord and Savior. I have been able to share with many unbelievers the glory of God, and pray and encourage others to continue to draw near to Him. My hope is that the way I live my life, by what I believe is the Lord’s leading, makes my life not appear in any way to be about me, but all about Him. My life verse is written in *2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.* There are times when I question God and ask, “Why do you use a broken man like me?” The response that I keep hearing is, “Broken people have a hard time hearing from someone who has never been broken, so they can definitely hear from you.” Charles Spurgeon said something that I ponder quite often, “It would be a very sharp & trying experience to me to think that I have an affliction which God never sent me, that the bitter cup was never filled by his hand, that my trials were never measured out by him, nor sent to me by his arrangement of their weight and quantity.” I believe that everything that I am going through is preparing me for what I prayed for…to be more like Jesus. My Brethren, I covet your prayers for endurance,  peace, and the joy of the Lord, and I pray this for all those who read these words as well.

My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, 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 support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. 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 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.