A preacher went to see a church member who had not been to services for some time.  It was a winter evening and the host invited the preacher to join him around a cheery blaze he had lit in the fireplace.  After some small talk the preacher finally confronted the man: "Why haven't you been to church in a while?"   

The man replied, "I don't need to be around all those other people.  I can worship God just fine here at home."

The preacher was silent for a moment, then he picked up a nearby poker and used it to separate a hot coal from the rest of the fire.   For a minute or two, the coal continued to glow red.  Then, slowly, it lost its glow and finally turned black.

The host got the point.  A coal remains hot, vibrant and alive as long as it remains in the fire.  Separate and alone, it quickly dies.   

The man was back in his old pew next Sunday.

With Spring , and Summer not too far off, it is easy to skip a Sunday or two (be honest: some of you....and you know who you are....have already gotten started on your absences!).   

The Book of Hebrews, Chapter 10 vs. 25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the day approaching.”

Consider the lesson of the single coal.

And by the way....I'll see YOU Sunday!