“Message” – “Sermon” – “Homily whatever term you choose to use may indirectly imply what one hopes to gain from it. As I believe I mentioned, I want my mind to be challenged and my heart stimulated when I hear a message from scripture.

Regarding “Church”. Yes, I understand the community and relational aspect of church. I also understand the commercial aspects of it. My wife attends church with a far different mindset than I. But then she is more relational than me. That makes a difference.

In a disciplesip piece I’ve written one the areas covered is “worship.” In that section I make the point that it is NOT what’s-in-it-for-me but rather my interaction with God that matters most when it comes to worship. And indeed, I CAN do that anywhere. But that is not necessarily the point.

Worship is a verb not a noun. We have made it a noun and in many regards stripped it of its power. Then again, that is a whole other discussion.

This time I was simply answering some questions that I found stimulating.

Sorry it took so long in getting here. I just got back from some badly needed R&R&R. Went to the beach for three nights and four days. I DID NOT WANT to come back. LOL.

As for you blog: Why we go to church reminds me of Hebrews 10:25. I pray that this is not the reason that most Christians go to church. So, with this Scripture notwithstanding, I go to church to fellowship with God.

I am getting better at focusing ON God while I’m there and not the things that are going on around me. Read my blog, “God can use everybody” and you’ll see what I mean. Now when Satan tries to distract me, I shake him off and praise God and refocus on either the worship or message (Psalms 22:3).

When you travel to someone’s house it is to see that person; it is where they live. It is a more friendly and intimate form of relationship than just saying hi to them on the street.

Can we worship God at our house by ourselves or as you say, “What do I get there that I cannot get somewhere else or on my own?.” Why would we want to be on our own is beyond me? We are not meant to be separatists.

We are the body of Christ. Can a hand say to the foot that I have no need of you? The Lord loves it when we go to His house just to see Him for He is a God of love and relationship.

“What can I get there. . .” is the subject of a blog series that I soon intend to run. I am all but done with the first of four in that series. I’ll keep you posted. Anyway, back to your blog.

Norm, I do not know what denomination you are so I pray that this does not offend you – and if it does, please forgive me because it is the last thing on my mind. It is only a comment as to what I feel and believe. Anyway:

I have never liked the word “sermon.” It sounds too mechanical. It sounds too cold. It sounds like something that a pastor would preach “down” to the congregation. Like I said earlier, God is a God of relationship and is a God love. As a matter of fact, God IS love.

When I go to church I don’t really want to be preached DOWN to unless I need it. I’ll leave that in God’s hands. Instead, I would hope that the pastor had a word from God that he was going to relay onto us by way of a “message.”

(I know we’re probably just talking semantics here but, to me, I don’t think so.) A sermon gives the connotation of finger pointing, whereas, a message, gives the connotation of a friendly and loving communication from God. My opinion.

All in all, I go to church to get closer to God. To develop a closer relationship with Him. If we want to be friends with God, then we need to show ourselves friendly. In other words, whatever you want. . .give away.

The Lord is coming back SOON for His Bride and we need to all be in unity and together as one. We can’t do that with some of us separating ourselves from the body while others are in God’s house.

The word “unity is a message all by itself. Means different things to different people. I plan on doing a blog on unity soon.

Again Norm, these are just comments and I hope I haven’t inadvertently offended you with any differences in vernacular that we may or may not have between us.

God bless you brother and have a great week. As usual, a thought provoking blog. It is good to stimulate the mind, right?!