attending church

Labor day weekend. Another good reason to skip church. Some folks don't seem to need a good reason, but will lay out anytime it is convenient.

I am tired. I don't feel good. The church always wants something from me. I have other things to do. Ya, ya, ya and on go the excuses.

At WCC we try to teach our folks that church attendance is very important. It is not only important for what you might receive on Sunday, it is important for what you can give to others. Someone is waiting your smiling face, your willing hug, your words of kindness.

Don't feel like being an encouragement? Sometimes I don't either. But, an amazing thing happens when I show up on Sunday morning. The week may have drug me down a bit, but being with other believers lights up my soul. Sunday morning is so encouraging. As I reach out to others, their souls feed me. It is simply just a part of Christian commitment.

There is a great story about attending church:

The story is told of a man named Bob who had once been faithful to attend his church regularly, but had grown lackadaisical recently. The Pastor knew that he hadn't seen the gentleman in a while, so he went for a visit.Bob greeted the Pastor and welcomed him in, directing him to the chair beside the fireplace. He asked the Pastor what brought him to visit, but the Pastor didn't say a word......he simply grabbed the fireplace tongs, picked up a hot coal from the fire, and set it away from the fire, out on the hearth. Both men then watched the coal.While the fire roared on, the coal which had been red hot began to lose it's heat. It gradually lost it's red color, and then cooled off so that it became cool to the touch. The pastor picked up the coal, and handed it to John for a moment.....neither man said a word.Then the Pastor reached out and took the coal back from Bob, and returned it to the roaring fire.... and in just a few short moments, the coal once again glowed red hot, as the pile of flaming coals caused it to heat up again.The Pastor then got to his feet, put his hat on, and shook Bob's hand. At that point, Bob looked at the Pastor with tears in his eyes, and told him "Thank you for coming, Pastor, and I'll be back in church this coming Sunday!"

Thank you all for your commitment to your church. Thank you for the way that you continue to give yourselves to the heart and work of Jesus Christ. Feel free to pass this story on to anyone who is choosing to worship with Pastor Pillow.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.