1. A call to prayer for Zimbabwe

2. Grace and the first pitch

 

A call to prayer for Zimbabwe

Several years ago, God called the people of LPC into a missional partnership with the people of the Presbyterian Church in Masvingo, Zimbabwe.  Our Mission Committee and others continue to struggle with the best ways to share our resources and blessings with our brothers and sisters 7,000 members away.  The logistics are sometimes daunting.  But there are no visas, inoculations, airfare or tariffs required to pray for one another.

Tomorrow the people of Zimbabwe go to the polls in the first round of presidential elections (if no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, a runoff election will be held later).  84 year-old Robert Mugabe has been president of Zimbabwe since the country won its independence 28 years ago.  His rule has become increasing corrupt and oppressive and many question the possibility of fair elections as he runs for another six-year term.  Here is more information on Zimbabwe, its economy, and its elections (from the BBC – here and here - and Human Rights Watch).

Any who are able are invited to gather tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. to join in a half hour time of prayer for Zimbabwe, its elections and the people of Masvingo Church.  We’ll gather in the chapel for prayer and any men can then join their Bible study group at 7:30.  

 

Grace and the first pitch

The Phillies begin their 2008 campaign on Monday with a home opener on a day that looks to be gray and dreary.  Hopefully it’s not a sign for how the season will unfold.  There’s been a lot of speculation on the team’s prospects in the new season and there is optimism in the air.  Will they hit as well as they did in 2007?  Can they edge out the Mets and the Braves for another divisional title?  Of course nobody knows.

The fact of the matter is that the Phillies go into the 2008 season with an 0-0 record just like every other team.  Last year is over and doesn’t matter.  Defending champion is a hollow title.  Like the Apostle Paul, the Phillies must “forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead.”  No, they don’t forget the joy of a surprising first-place finish last year, but they know it means nothing for this season.  On Monday they start all over again.

Grace is something like that.  In Christ we are called to start all over again.  Our accomplishments – and our failures – of the past will not save us, and, as we confess our trust in Christ and his grace, they cannot damn us.  Neither self-deluded pride nor self-denying shame can stand before the Throne of Grace.

I’m hoping that the Phillies do well this year (it won’t be all that hard to switch my allegiance from the long-suffering Pirates), but one thing I know for sure: they will not finish the season 162-0.  Not every pitch will be a strike, not every fly ball will be caught nor will every attempt at a stolen base be successful.  Errors will be made.  The fans will get mad.  But that’s okay because a team can win the World Series without being perfect.

One thing I know for sure about my life today: errors will be made, that is, I will fall short of the glory of God. But my dilemma is that I cannot please God without being perfect.   That’s not okay, and there’s nothing I can do about it.  The good news of the Gospel is that God has done something about.  God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)   That’s grace, amazing grace. 

The forecast for Monday is gray and dreary.  The forecast for eternity is bright and hopeful.  Thanks be to God.