I want to sincerely say “thank you” to everyone who has prayed for me, encouraged me, checked on me, or simply kept me in your thoughts, without fully knowing what has been happening in my life. Some of you know that I regularly face challenges physically, emotionally, organizationally, financially, and most of all spiritually. There are days when the weight of everything feels overwhelming, and I struggle just trying to stay encouraged in the Lord. Yet, through it all, there has never been a day that I forget that I belong to God and that He is Sovereign. Even in seasons where life has felt uncertain, painful, and exhausting, I have witnessed that God has remained faithful. I have been asked why I still praise Him the way I do after all I have been through and continue to endure. The answer is simple: because He has been with me every single step of the way. Through disappointment, hardship, closed doors, loss, and silent battles that many people never see, God has continued to carry me. There were moments when I truly felt like giving up, but somehow His strength kept meeting me in my weakness. I have learned that peace is not the absence of problems, but the presence of God in the midst of them. God has never wasted my pain, and even the hardest seasons have drawn me closer to Him. I often reflect on *James 1:2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. 3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.* Those words continue to remind me that every trial has purpose. Every difficult season teaches endurance, humility, dependence on God, and trust in Him even when life does not make sense. I know who I am. I am God’s man. I am not my own. I owe Jesus my worship, my service, my praise, and every part of my life. I have been through far too much to not worship Him. There is an irony in living for God because it often requires painful sacrifice while somehow producing blessings, growth, strength, and an indescribable peace that only He can give. I read these words quite often: “At my lowest, God is my hope. At my darkest, God is my light. At my weakest, God is my strength. At my saddest, God is my comforter.” That speaks deeply to my heart because I have lived those moments far too often, and far too recently. My prayer in this season is simple: “Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for looking deeper into me than what others may see, and for recognizing the potential in me to glorify You even when I struggle to see it myself. Please help me trust that You love me just as I am today, while continuing to mold, change, transform, and sanctify me into the person You created me to be. Help me trust Your plan even when I cannot see it clearly. Let the reflection of Jesus be seen in my life. Strengthen all those who are struggling around me, encourage those who feel weary, and remind every person reading this that they are never beyond Your love, grace, mercy, and that You have a purpose for each of them. In Jesus’ precious and powerful name we pray, Amen.” To anyone silently carrying burdens, fighting battles nobody knows about, or struggling just to make it through the day, please know that you are not alone. God sees every tear, hears every prayer, is aware of every sleepless night, and sees every moment when you are trying your best to just hold on. May we all genuinely show one another grace, compassion, patience, understanding, and love because we never truly know what someone else may be facing. No matter what season you are in, never forget that God still sees you, loves you, and has purpose for your life. May you find reassurance that your life is not random, but held firmly in God’s loving hands, even in the moments that feel uncertain or unseen. I believe that every step forward, no matter how small or painful, is being shaped into a testimony of hope that will one day encourage others and be used as a ministry to those who are walking through similar valleys as you have.Think about it, Fruit is grown in the valleys, not on the mountaintops.

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.