Compassion

John 5:5A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, "Do you wish to get well?" 7The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me."
8Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your pallet and walk."

I like to pride myself on being productive. I love getting things done well and then crossing the item off on my Office task list. Efficiency and productivity are very very important for society. But some of us may miss the importance of ministry, or relationship building if we focus on speed and completing "tasks". Jesus asked the invalid a closed ended question but the man responded with information rather than a yes or no. Do we find ourselves asking alot of closed ended questions so we can move on? Jesus took time to learn of the man's situation before dispensing a miracle. Do you have the patience to listen to answers that you may not have asked for? Take time, listen, and learn. May God bless you each day.

Mighty Me

A few weeks back, I thought to myself...man, I am in awesome shape. I was training for a half marathon, just ran 6 miles and then biked another 45 minutes the next day and then boxed an hour and declared myself the most fit I have been since my 20's. Then a couple of days and two kids' parties later, I came down with a bug. It wiped me out. I bounced back and went to work. Then I found out I had pneumonia and had to rest. I was bored, not devestated but very annoyed. What am I going to do sitting at home (other than post on Facebook, Twitter, watch ball games, etc.)? Well, I realize that the God I worship did not smite me but this whole sickness bout is a healthy reminder of how God has blessed me with good health over the last several years but He wants me to serve Him regardless of my state of being. And maybe in this time of busyness, he wants me to know His spirit has to be there before things get accomplished. A hard lesson sometimes for Mighty Me. Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.