The End of Cute

Cute isn’t what it used to be. Perspectives change. Five years ago, for example, raccoons looked like cute, furry guys with some nice Bible lesson to teach. Very cartoony and friendly. My dad’s friend had one as a pet (with claws removed). While living in the San Jose suburbs, we gathered around the window one night to see a “cute” little raccoon wash the beetle he caught in a puddle. So sweet! Last week, I shot one at point blank range. My only regret: I had to dig a hole deep enough to keep the dogs from finding him and preventing the smell. Why the perspective change? The latter raccoon killed six of my chickens. He tore five little chicks from their coop. Jerk. He later got one of the adult birds. I learned the carnage will stop once one of two things change: the raccoon dies or runs out of chickens. Some of you will think me cruel. Others get it. Come and raise your pets, invest time, invest money, and see how it is to have a pest (yes, a vermin) destroy over half in a few days. That changed my perspective.

In following Christ, our perspective often changes too. I do not mean so much in the area of core doctrine. I started following Jesus over thirty years ago. He has not changed, but my perspective in me certainly has. The truths are still there. I have always marveled at the blessings I have in Christ (read Eph. 1). I cannot get over how much I do NOT deserve. On top of that, as a believer, I receive honor far beyond comprehension and worth. If following Jesus meant only salvation from hell, I would take the deal in a heartbeat. We get more…way more than we deserve. This is true, but it’s not the end game. While we acknowledge the personal blessings, the perspective should change.

It’s all about Jesus. I do not receive all things from him just because. I need to shout it from the roof tops. I need to encourage those who already follow him. I need to tell those who don’t how great he is. The perspective changes from “Look what I got” to “Look who he is!” None of the truths change. Raccoon statues still make cute lawn ornaments. But, my life counts beyond me, myself, and I. I want to see people far from God discover new life in Jesus. Let him get all the credit. The Apostle Paul understood this when he wrote about his imprisonment, “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel” (Phil. 1:12). Regardless of his circumstances, he wanted Jesus to get top bill. That’s a life perspective.

What?! What happened?

All kidding aside, I cannot get this end-of-the-world talk out of my mind. I have not said anything publically about it for a reason: I have felt a little embarrassed. I have friends and family who do not believe as I do in regards to Jesus and his return. I can understand someone saying, “Is THIS the kind of nonsense you believe?” Well…no…wait…yes, but I want to explain.

Let me provide an example first. Let’s say you were walking along the street and spotted a $50! How exciting. You head off to Walmart and purchase that new combination fishing pole & bottle opener. When the clerk checks the $50, she announces, “Sir…this is phony. I can’t accept it.” You blunder out an apology and explain that you found it and leave the store. How embarrassing! Out of frustration, you head to your bank, withdraw all your cash, and toss it in the trash…right? No. Just because you found one bad bill does not mean that all bills are bad. Frankly, sometimes we get it wrong in the church. It does not mean everything is wrong or even that a particular teacher is always wrong.

Fortunately for the church, we have Jesus on whom to fall back. He did not make mistakes. Really. Look it up. Find one. So, while one of his followers may say or do something bad, stupid, or crazy, it does not automatically mean Jesus is disqualified. We fail, but Jesus does not. This is not an excuse but a reality. I, and all who follow Jesus, am in process. Even the Apostle Paul said he was in process in becoming more and more like Jesus (check out Phil. 3). As much as it pains me, I wish my failures and mistakes did not reflect on Jesus. I can admit them and strive to do better with his help.

So, what does Jesus say about his return? By his own words, he said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matt. 24:36). The angels don’t know. Jesus does not even know the day he returns. If we break down the expression “no one knows” in the original Greek text, it means, “NO ONE KNOWS!” I find it presumptuous to make claims on the day when Jesus did not know it himself.

Do I believe he is coming back? Absolutely! Read the last chapter in the Bible. Do I know when? No, but it could be today, next week, next summer, or a thousand years from now. I do wonder and hold the opinion that it may be sooner than later. But, I don’t know for sure. The question we need to answer is, “Will we be ready?” Do you know him? Will his return be joyful or horrible for you? If you know him, you look forward to that day. Please…listen to him even if we, his followers, sometimes open our mouths a little too much.

Getting through it all

Over this past week, our Life Group members have been hit from all sides. Others within Zion face struggles and bad news too. Seeing Life Group members rise in support warms the soul. And for those hitting the struggles head on, you amaze me. Yes, these issues keep you up at night and weigh heavily. At times, you had no idea where to turn and what to do. Your “Why?” questions seem to echo unanswered. But, you know your God and persevere.

We often bring up Job at these times. After hearing his life and family are shattered and gone, we read, “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.’ In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:20-22).

Notice that Job mourns (the robe and shaving part is mourning). Yes, there is pain, and it is no threat to God to acknowledge it. Then, he worships. In all his pain, he declares to all people and demonic kingdoms, “I will praise God.” And finally, Job does not use his hardship as an excuse for sin. He remains faithful. As we read the rest of the book, Job’s heart reveals his dedication to the Lord despite the arguments from his friends.

We often say that our purpose in life is to glorify God. When we worship and trust him in the darkest hours, it honors him.

Accept no substitutes.

On one hand, we try to purchase the least expensive product. Many generics are just as good as the name brand. On the other hand, some substitutes don’t cut it. I buy a name brand garbage bag that maybe more up front, but I use only one bag instead of doubling or tripling the cheap ones. Sometimes, we go with the name brands because we must.

Paul writes a heartbreaking passage for him to write and us to read in Phil. 3:18-19, “For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.” Even in the early church (historically and geographically closer than us), people fell away. They became enemies of the cross of Christ. Time and space does not allow a discussion on losing salvation. So, regardless of one’s view, look at the description of those enemies. They have settled for a generic instead of the Name brand.

They traded down to a destiny of destruction. They replaced the God for another god: their stomach. Paul could easily be referring to their desires and not just food. God’s glory is replaced with shame. Earthly mindedness replaces the heavenly mind.

How? Why? The explanation can be found in the Parable of the soils. Some of the word just got choked out. Others had no root. Paul warns them in the previous verse to follow his example. Be diligent. It can happen. We can settle for cheap imitations. Chilling. I want the brand name when it comes to Jesus. I need to be on guard against cheap hucksters who over promise with cheap facsimiles.

Bunny travel

Time to hippity hop down the bunny trails.

I continue my journey through Philippians. I love Paul’s not so subtle conclusion after he encourages to forget what lies behind and press on (persecute) to what lies ahead. He then writes, “All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you” (Phil 3:15). So, if I’m immature am I off the hook? Well, we like to think of ourselves as mature, so we had better agree. But, if you do not think accordingly, GOD WILL DEAL WITH YOU!

Here, my thoughts travel the bunny trails.

Trail one: God loves me enough to correct me on this issue. The underlying principle is that he loves me enough to correct me on all issues. He will make clear how I need to mature. Nice.

Trail two: Zion has been working on Generosity to start 2011. Just because one preaches a topic, does not mean one has “arrived” there. This series causes me to think hard about my own heart when it comes to generosity. I have thought differently before, but now God is making it clear. His grace inspires more generosity. I will reap what I sow, so why not sow all I can into God’s kingdom?

Trail three: How can I do that? Am I holding on to my time, abilities, and money where I should be generous? Where am I investing these resources that come from God in the first place? And most of all, will I stick my neck out, sow what I have knowing that there will be a harvest?

Pastor Joe

I want to persecute

Yes, I know…what’s the point of having a blog if I never update it? Sorry…I will try to improve my diligence. But, I noticed something in my devotions this morning I thought challenging.

I’ve been on a tweezering through Philippians. In chapter three, Paul writes, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (3:14). He uses the same word for press on twice earlier in the chapter, but it is translated differently in one instance. He says in verse 12 that he presses on to take hold of what Jesus took hold of him. Ok, that fits. But the other time is in verse six: “…as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.”

What? Don’t see the expression press on in verse six? Paul is explaining his previous life before Jesus. He has quite a pedigree including persecuting the church. Wait, there it is: persecuting. In all three verses, Paul uses the same Greek word, dioko (dee-o-ko). It’s a very strong word. One does not persecute something half-heartedly. You go for it. You chase it down. You become obsessed.

Now, think of the two latter verses. “I persecute toward the goal…” and “I persecute to take hold…” Yes, it can be press on, but is Paul saying, “I now use all my energies to pursue after this prize with the same vigor I used to persecute the church”? Maybe.

I want that heart in my own life. I want to vigorously pursue the goal and prize that God has laid up for me. May it consume us with persecution vigor!

Pastor Joe
Zion of Petroleum Valley

PS Don't forget: The Generosity series starts this Sunday! We can see how to "perscute" after a generous heart!

ZPV November 2010 Prayer Letter

November 20, 2010

Dear Zion of Petroleum Valley Prayer Team,

Over the past 40 Days (or so), we have been looking at Jesus’ commands: Love God and love your neighbor. This Sunday, we will put some legs on what we have been teaching. We are collecting Walmart cards for families within Zion, food and coats for our local community, toys for families at Christmas, shoes for the Philippines, and our Celebration Offering to help continue the ministry at Zion here and around the world. Phew! Later that night, we will gather to celebrate with all three campuses meeting together. That should be fun!

Please keep praying!
• Thank God for the people at Zion. Just this last week I heard, “There is something different here” and “The people were so nice and friendly.” Buildings and programs are just fine, but people bring others into the community. I really appreciate them.
• Our Third Annual Polish Christmas Dinner is December 4. Yes, we based a dinner on a Veggie Tale song about Polish food and made it into a potluck and outreach. Pray for new faces to come. We have tons of fun (good food too: Perogi, Gaumki, Kielbasa, Bigos, etc.).
• Continue to pray for the youth of the valley. There are many who are making some strong stands. Others are making poor and harmful choices. Pray that Zion can respond and support where needed.
• We have also had a rash of injuries and surgeries.
• Our planning for 2011 has begun. We need wisdom.

The Olkowski’s are doing well and always appreciate hearing from you. Our Christmas card will include a photo, so send me an address if you’ve not received one before.
Thank you!

Pastor Joe
Zion of Petroleum Valley