Two serious sins

Twice the Lord convicted me of two serious sins a few years back.

1) "Patrick, you love the ministry, but do you love Me?" (I had put "task" in front of my friendship with the Savior. Our Master is a jealous God.

and

2) "Patrick, you love the new churches, but do you love the sheep within them?!" (I loved the ministry, but did not love my brother?)

This tension exists: to focus on the work -- for our livelihood, for our ego, for the thrill of expansion. Yet, I must also stop and smell the roses of relationships with my brother. Loving him, and not simply ministering with or to him. That is sometimes not easy.

Our spirits desire to relate, yet complexities within our past obstruct. It may be a miracle-thing to get past this. Our miracle maker, who lives with says "Ask an it shall be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened."

Thanks! Patrick