Tomorrow is a very special day for me, it’s my Spiritual birthday. It was Father’s Day on June 18th, 2000, when I had my come to Jesus moment. Father’s day had always been something special before that day because of my children and their love for me, but that day I was changed in a way that has affected the lives of others in a good way. The sad truth is that I wasn’t a “good” father before, I was a drug addict doing what I could to survive, not overly concerned if my children would or not. That day my children were nowhere to be found because of the drama and trauma of my life due to my poor choices. In spite of who I was and what I did, I received the greatest blessing of my life that day. I called out to a Father that I didn’t know and pleaded for His help and He met me there. I did not know how to go on anymore and even though I didn’t want to die, I tried to end the pain and suffering I endured time and time again and failed. That day my heavenly Father sent His Holy Spirit to lead me to His Son, my Lord Jesus. I remember it like it was yesterday. I had let meth take control of my life, it consumed me and destroyed my marriage, my family, my life, and almost my very soul. I was all alone, broken and on the edge of death by my own hand in my children’s bedroom. I cried out to God and He met me there. It was just me and Jesus, then at one point I heard a voice from the T.V. in the living room that said, “There is a man in Tucson Arizona that has a drug problem and God is going to help him with it”. That day God saved my life and rescued me from the gates of hell. The next day was better because the spiritual change had already started to happen, but there were still consequences coming that I had no idea of. One thing that I can say for sure is that God met me there to encourage me and continued to use every circumstance in my life to draw me closer to Him. The day after the day of my salvation I got arrested for domestic violence, reckless endangerment with firearms, it was self defense, but that is another story. The Police officer that arrested me shared Christ with me and told me about Calvary Chapel while I was handcuffed in the backseat of his police car, I was a captive audience. The newspaper article read, “Man holds wife at gunpoint”. In the days that followed I thought I lost everything, no job, no home, no contact orders for wife and children, no family support, every earthly comfort was taken away, but the one thing God did get from me was my attention and then everything began to change. I got a Bible and started reading it. Certain verses came to life. As I was reading I came across what is written in *John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”* I knew one thing for sure, I wanted to experience the kingdom of God, because I visited the gates of hell many times and had many conversations with the devil in person. After I got saved I was changed from above, my desires changed, my goals changed, my purpose changed, my outlook became to know Him more and to make Him known to all that would listen. As I read my Bible I looked at so many people in the Scriptures and wanted to be like them. I looked at Paul and wanted his boldness. I looked at Barnabas and wanted to encourage. I looked at Andrew and saw a man who had such an experience with the Lord Jesus that he would bring everyone he came across to meet Him. There are many people who profess Christ and tell no one about Him. They would rather talk about their family, politics, sports, movies, or their job, then have the name of Jesus come off their lips. Charles Spurgeon said. “You have never truly found Jesus if you do not tell others about Him”. The message that Andrew shared is the message I pray for boldness to share everyday, “We have found the Messiah” and then invite all who are willing, even a little bit, to meet Him. Closing thoughts: Looking back, I realize that God was often working on my character while I was focused on my circumstances. I wanted a different situation. He wanted a different version of me. If it wasn’t for the struggle, I wouldn’t have had the strength. God was always building me even when it seemed that He was breaking me. One of the most comforting things about God is knowing that even when I am confused about my future He is not confused at all. My Beloved, may our God give all His children a genuine love for the lost and broken of our world and share the greatest gift our world has ever experienced with boldness, the Lord Jesus, in His precious and powerful name I pray, Amen.  

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.