January is recognized as Sanctity of Human Life Month, and many Christians are facing difficult

questions about the life of the unborn, care for women in difficult situations, and the providence

of a God who moves in mysterious ways. Fearfully made is a free, 30-day devotional that will

walk you through how to think and pray about this topic from God's

Word. Each day draws you into scripture and thoughtful prayer for those who are anxious,

hurting, or vulnerable in a culture that's unsure on how to value human life. Download your free copy

today at solarmedia.org slash offers. Is it a big deal to skip worship on Sunday? Last year,

Pew Research said that only 50% of evangelicals attend church weekly compared to 29% of Catholics.

The vast majority of the religiously affiliated don't go to church weekly. And while it makes

sense that something like an illness might keep you from congregating, is it go to church weekly, and while it makes sense that something like an illness

might keep you from congregating, is it legitimate to skip church for other reasons? Let's say a

sporting event like the Super Bowl or a concert, or maybe you just would rather sleep in. Do you

have to go to church.

I know what you're thinking.

We don't go to church.

We are the church.

I don't know who came up with that slogan, but I'm not the biggest fan.

Actually embedded in the word church, it's the Greek word ecclesia, is the idea of an assembly or gathering. You are a part of the

church. No individual is the church. Paul said, we're each members of the body of Christ in 1st

Corinthians chapter 12. You might be a hand or a foot or an eye, but the body is only healthy

insofar as it operates as one. Years ago, I was an intern at a church, and I've got to confess that at the time, even though I was an intern,

like many of my college-aged peers, I still had a pretty low view of the local church.

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