I have learned over time that when I change the way I look at things, the things that I look at seem to change me. There is a question that I have struggled with since coming to Christ, “Why did God choose me?” I would’ve never chosen me for anything, especially ministry. I am not overly handsome, not eloquent in speech, and my intelligence is average at best. I am not athletically inclined, I am musically inept, I am not cultured or refined. There are days when I wake up in the morning with my head full of regret, my heart broken over my failures, and I have tears running down my face because I know the man in the mirror is just a broken little child doing whatever he can just to get a hug at the end of the day. I get tired, I get weary, I am torn between what my flesh desires and what I feel my heart needs. I feel storm tossed regularly. Then as I read the scriptures I am encouraged to endure when I reflect upon verses like what is written in *1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”* As I read and re-read that verse, it causes me to wait expectantly for what God has prepared for me because I do love Him, I love Him more today than I ever have and I trust in His promises. Recently I have seen God accomplish many things for the kingdom through me that I would’ve never expected. We have a potluck at church on the First Friday of the Month, which is next Friday by the way, and a little while back we had some people show up who were drawn closer to God by what went on at the potluck and desired something more. A few of them showed up to our Sunday night group entitled Iron Sharpens Iron, a spiritual support group and got plugged in. I have come to understand that in ministry, “Healthy sheep help produce healthy sheep.” I love what I get to do but there are many challenges that I face because I do what I do. I believe that the more a person does for the kingdom, the more the enemy will attack and sometimes the attacks come from the people you would least expect, those in the body of Christ. Recently the attacks seem to be ferocious and the one thing that keeps coming to mind is that the safest sheep are the ones who stay close to the Shepherd, so that is my goal in life, to stay close to the Lord Jesus. There are many days that I preach the word of God to myself because I feel that I need it more than just about anyone else. Recently I have been drawn to the Letters in Red. I need to hear the words of my Lord to guide, direct, strengthen, encourage, and convict me. The Point, the End of the Matter is this: I don’t have to be a famous preacher, a missionary in a foreign land, or die a martyr to be loved by God. I am loved by God because He is God, and you my Friends, you are loved by God for the same reason! My prayer today is a simple one: “Heavenly Father, I’m overwhelmed by Your powerful never-ending love for me as well as Your grace and mercy. I offer my life as a sacrifice of love back to You. Use me Lord, continue to show me how to take who I am, what You have equipped me to do, and use it wholeheartedly for the furtherance of the kingdom to glorify Your name and not my own in any way. Help me to be more and more kingdom minded every day for the time is short and Your return is imminent. I do love You, help me to love You more. Use me to love others to the kingdom, the way You loved me to the kingdom. I pray this in Jesus’ precious and powerful name, Amen.” In closing: As I continue to walk this road of faith, I am learning that God has never asked me to be perfect, only willing and obedient. I am convinced more than ever that the Lord delights in using broken people like you and me to help broken people like you and me, so that His strength, His grace, and His glory are what shine through our lives.I like what Charles Spurgeon said “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” Normally, nobody loves the “waves” of life. We resist suffering because it hurts. But Spurgeon is saying he learned to “kiss” the wave — not because the suffering itself was good, but because it pushed him into deeper dependence on God. The hardship became the very thing that drove him to the safest place possible: Christ Himself. No matter what comes against me, I will continue to stay close to the Shepherd, love people well, and press forward with confidence knowing that the God who called me is faithful to complete the work He began in me and you as well if you let Him.

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.