Journey into Outer Grace

On this side of the "Pond" called the Atlantic, the excitement is mounting as the World Cup football competition nears.  The only time you can always find flags and patriotic bunting, etc. is at major sporting moments like this when they are everywhere.  At other times, the British are almost embarrassed it seems to fly their flags.  So I was amused to find another sign of the British devotion to the cause: The Mars company has made a limited issue candy bar, with the title "BELIEVE"… showing that the appropriate and natural object of faith, instead of patriotism, is national sports.  More and more "religious" language is being used to describe our love for sports–the other day a newspaper here referred to an old football stadium as the spiritual home of the team.  I have the feeling that this is relevant on your side too…

It was in April 2003 that we held the first Grace Fellowship Church service.  It has been a tremendous odyssey for us all, a journey of grace where we had front-row seats to one of God's creative wonders, the making of something out of nothing–a church!  A gathering of people: simultaneous sinners and saints, called by His name.  We had no idea how this would all unfold… and now I am so thankful for the experiences in between these four Easters.  We have grown from a handful to a little "tribe".  But the increase was not to our credit–Deus dat incrementum. And to God be the glory!