“The True Church can never fail. For it is based upon a rock.” T.S. ELIOT, The Hippopotamus
Today I am staying home from church. The wind chill in Minnesota is currently -26 degrees. I know that’s a poor excuse for not attending church, but I’m an asthma sufferer and temperatures like that usually put me out of commission for at least a month.
When I miss church, something disappears from my week. It’s an empty feeling. When you have a solid fellowship with other Christians – when encouragement comes from others, or you can lift someone up with your prayers and compassion – when the Word is taught in truth and purity and you are nourished for a week- when you can praise God openly for the blessings you’ve been given – when you can approach the throne of God directly with your requests, why on earth wouldn’t you want to go?
It’s supposed to warm up into the 20s by Wednesday. A special children’s Advent service will occur at my church and I should be able to brave the cold.
It’s OK if you miss a service once in a while. God doesn’t judge us on our deeds. Instead He sees only what Jesus has done for us. When we feel guilty for not attending church, we are putting the focus on ourselves and what we are doing.
The church’s real foundation is based on the living water, the nourishing meat and potatoes of God’s Word, and the rock (Jesus) upon which the church is built. Everything else is strong fellowship with others who share your faith.
atimetoshare.me 
Kathy, I hear you. Of late, we have found it “easier” to watch our services streamed live online, but it just isn’t the same as being in the sanctuary. We began to go yesterday for a special service at 4:00 pm only to discover that I had forgot my keys and we were locked out of the house. So once rescued by our son, we ended up watching the 6:00 service at home. It’s just not the same.
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Live streaming is great for those of us who can’t go out in this weather, but I understand how people can get used to it. Still there is nothing like being in a church.
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I like your statement that when we feel guilty for missing church we are putting the focus on ourselves and what we are doing.. I never thought of it like that before but it’s true. We left our church of 4 years since we moved to this island 1 year ago because of emergent teaching and elders who would not listen or communicate with husband when he expressed his concerns.. We break bread at home each Sunday and have fellowship with a few of the people from that church.. but still I feel guilty.. your statement regarding feeling guilty really spoke to me.. thank you for that.
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I’m glad that you were touched in some small way. Have you thought about attending another church. I think you have a valid reason for leaving your past church. Sometimes it takes a while to heal from an incident like you experienced, but don’t miss out on the joy of corporal worship.
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unfortunately every church in the valley where we live, plus the bible schools in the area have become involved with emergent teachings.. it is really sad.. as for now, we listen to sermons online at Sermon Audio and we pray that things will change at the chapel we used to attend so we can go back.
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I’ll pray along with you ❤️
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thank you very much..
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