I once had a man tell me that the reason he could not come to church was because it was to bright in there.

Had one lady tell me a week before that she could not be at church the next Sunday because she would be sick. You know it is amazing how many sick people you can run into at Walmart on Sunday's after church. She came a scooting around that corner with that buggy loaded up. It is also amazing how sick they can look when they run into the preacher! Of course I got this long story how she had to drag herself out of the house to get some things that she had to have. (Like those candy bars and potato chips that I noticed in her buggy). I use to say that walmart must be the healing place, because those people that was not able to go to church, could make it to walmart. Most of the time we are able to do what we really want to do. Most preachers would rather the those would just come out and tell them that they do not want to come to church and would rather get out and run around.

I have had folks to tell me that the reason that they were not at church is because one of the family didn’t feel good. Amazing how it often takes 5 or 6 to take care of that one.

Jesus says in Lu 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. What excuse will the give God. Jesus gives us an example of these things in Lu 14:17-24And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

This is an earthly example of spiritual things. These excuses might brush the preacher off, but they will not stand before God. Someone once came up with some ideas for having excuse Sunday. It goes like this.

Cots will be placed in the foyer for those who say, "Sunday is my only day to sleep in".
There will be a special section with lounge chairs for those who feel that our pews are too hard.
Eye drops will be available for those with tired eyes from watching TV late Saturday night.
We will have steel helmets for those who say, "The roof would cave in if I ever came to church."
Blankets will be furnished for those who think the church is too cold, and fans for those who say it is too hot.
Scorecards will be available for those who wish to list the hypocrites present.
Relatives and friends will be in attendance for those who can't go to church and cook dinner, too.
We will distribute "Stamp Out Stewardship" buttons for those that feel the church is always asking for money.
One section will be devoted to trees and grass for those who like to seek God in nature.
Doctors and nurses will be in attendance for those who plan to be sick on Sunday.
The sanctuary will be decorated with both Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies for those who never have seen the church without them.
We will provide hearing aids for those who can't hear the preacher and cotton for those who can!!