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

October 2010 Prayer Letter

October 20, 2010

Dear Zion of Petroleum Valley Prayer Team,

Wow, what a great month. First, thank you for praying for Zion of Jefferson County. They are officially launched! You can see a great video explaining the morning at http://www.youtube.com/user/zionmedia#p/u/0/kJubosKyq9M. Second, our 5th Quarters after the Karns City High School football games have been successful. The students enjoyed themselves and heard a Gospel message. One young man even brought his parents to church the following Sunday (and they’ve returned). We have two more 5th Quarters (10/22 and 11/5).

But, there’s no rest in sight (I mean that in a good way!).

Please be praying for the following:
• Our 40 Day focus, Do you Love Me?, continues. We are studying the first and second great commandments Jesus explained in Matthew 22. Pray for new guests to attend as well as deeper understanding for all of Zion.
• Project Safe Kid happens on October 31. While we hand out tons of candy, we meet so many families in our area. Pray for good contacts and interest.
• At the end of the Do you Love Me? and 40 day focus, we have Celebration Sunday. This year, we plan to apply it immediately. This involves love towards one another and our community with some special projects.
• Zion has three values: Changed by God, connected in community, and committed to service. All three represent a process we are all in as Christ followers. Pray that we will be continually changed. Pray that we will be more and more connected as a church (we use something called “life groups”). Pray that we will commit to be part of what God is doing here locally and around the world.

On the family side, we plan to do some traveling over Thanksgiving weekend. We are looking forward to some time together.

Let me know how you are doing. You can reply by email, mail, or facebook.

Thanks!

Pastor Joe
Zion of Petroleum Valley

September 2010 ZPV Prayer Letter

September 15, 2010
Dear Zion of Petroleum Valley Prayer Team,

This has been one of our busiest weekends…all good and fulfilling. However, I will start with the previous weekend just to update you on items I mentioned in last month’s letter.

• One Day on September 5. All three Zion campuses met only briefly for church and then head out into our communities. ZPV sent two teams to two nursing homes and one team to work on a youth center for an upcoming event. All three teams were fantastic! We just shared some time with the folks at the nursing homes. They were so lonely just to tell stories. At times, it felt like our ears were talked off, but it made a difference. The youth center work involved plumbing, painting, and cleaning. All done well.
• Fifth Quarter started on September 10. We opened up the main room of ZPV for dodgeball after the Karns City Varsity football game. It gave students something to do, a chance for us to present the gospel, and an opportunity to build relationships with them. We had 62 students in all.
• Save a Life on September 11. Our numbers are not confirmed, but we think about 250-300 students attended this community event which included area churches, groups, and individuals who want to communicate that there is hope instead suicide. The one man volleyball team, Bob Holmes, played about six games. He also spoke twice. We were able to establish contact with those students who may need help too.

So, what’s on the horizon?

• FUEL, our student Bible study group, starts on Thursday, September 16. We hope our previous contact with students yields some who want to go deeper.
• Zion’s third campus, Zion of Jefferson County, starts 10-10-10!
• I am also starting some new community contacts in the coming weeks. Furthermore, I have been praying about some new (possibly out of the box) ways for Zion to reach our valley. Please pray for wisdom and boldness.

Some of you know that I wrecked our van last week. After hitting a deer, I lost control, slid on the driver’s side, and popped back up again. The our now totaled van served the Olkowski’s well (222K miles!). But, we need a new vehicle and wisdom on what to buy (yes, I’m ok).

It means so much to know you are praying for us! Drop us an email (joe@zionlife.com) or find me on Facebook to let us know.

Thanks!

Pastor Joe
Zion of Petroleum Valley

ZPV August Prayer Letter

August 19, 2010
Dear Zion of Petroleum Valley Prayer Team,

Thank you for all the prayers and support for Jessyca and me as we made our trip to Prague. Our team did well. This is a closed hearted place, so career missionaries spend months (even years) building relationships to see fruit. We will send out a report letter soon; let me know if you want one (you will automatically receive it if you responded to our initial prayer letter).

Another summer is coming to a close. With school starting, let’s focus on students:

• While the situation has improved, we may not start school on time (Sept. 1) due to labor negotiations. Pray for final contract issues to be resolved.
• 5th Quarters start on Sept. 10. ZPV is a fourth mile from the high school, so we open up the building after home varsity football games for fun, food, friendship, and some Bible. We build relationship with students by giving them something to do after the game.
• FUEL starts on Sept. 16. This is our small group study with students.
• Save a Life! If you recall, last spring I reported that a teen, whose mom attends Zion, committed suicide. It was a difficult time. But, our God raises amazing things from ashes. Save a Life starts as an event on 9/11 at the Petroleum Valley Youth Center – not far from ZPV. This is a community wide event with several organizations and churches involved. The goal is to provide students hope in Christ and life resources that they may not turn to suicide. Please be praying for the students to hear!
• I hear good things from students. Many reported stories to me of what God accomplished in their lives over the summer. They made commitments to living godly lives, making a difference on their campus, abandoning hypocrisy, sharing their faith, and considering the ministry as a career option. God is working in our next generation.

And, please pray for One Day on Sept. 5. All three Zion campuses will be out of the buildings and into the communities serving where we can. This includes projects for communities & individuals as well as visiting nursing homes.

One more…Zion of Jefferson County launches 10-10-10!

Feel free to send me a note of how I can pray for you at joe@zionlife.com or snail mail to the address below. Thank you for supporting Zion!

In Christ,


Pastor Joe
Zion of Petroleum Valley

Czech Log August 6

August 6, 2010

Rain put a damper on ministry opportunities today, so not much to report on that front. We visited a castle, and I did get a chance to invite the tour guide to our English classes.

We (by “we” I include us all – not just this team) can start praying now for Steve, his family, and his team. These are solid people. Beg God for his Spirit to come upon Prague. Pray for their witness and the continual building of relationships. Pray for Bridge Community as they utilize their new facility.

Zion’s Prague Team will be back in PA Saturday night. We should see you Sunday.
Thank you for supporting and praying for us!

Pastor Joe

Czech Log August 5

August 5, 2010

So Pilate asks Jesus, “What is truth?” Now Pilate did not know that his question would one day describe the people of Prague. We spent some time speaking with Maggie tonight as she showed us the city at night. What a beautiful place, and what a dark place! It used to be that we only had to answer the question, “What is true?” We would present the facts and apologetics of the Bible, Jesus, and creation, etc. and win the argument. Not so fast in Prague. Before we can even get to the place of figuring out what is true, we need to back up a step and convince them that truth actually exists. We can really know that we do NOT live in a computer generated matrix. Truth must become a reality before any progress can be made.

So, if this is the case in Prague (and it is), how effective is it to blitz a city with a bunch of Bible tracts and eager college students? If Prague citizens do not even accept truth, tracts and American style evangelism falls woefully short. Slowly, the blindness needs to erode away. Because of all this, I’ve learned three things this week.

1. It takes relationships. Months and years need to be invested into people here. Trust must be developed. And, you have to be happy with low levels of fruit. Many Muslim countries have higher conversion rates than Prague along with flourishing (albeit underground) churches.

2. The people of Prague have nothing. While their economic status has improved since I drove through the country in 1990, there is not even an inkling of Jesus as children grow up. No Bible stories. No Sunday schools. No prayers around the dinner table. Again, if they’ve rejected even the notion of truth, they cannot easily reach the truth of the Gospel. So, that leaves them with a whole lot of vanity: sex, humanism, materialism, hedonism. Not much hope with these idols.

3. I need to be praying for the missionaries here. Steve, his family, and his journeymen (and women!) run into this concrete wall everyday. How would you hold up as the months go by? After a week, I’m tired. All I got for my efforts is one young man saying today, “I reject Christianity.” But, God knows the hearts. When we present the survey questions, most of the respondents have never thought through them before. In the quietness of their hearts, they wonder if there is something more.

Pastor Joe

Czech Log August 4

August 4, 2010

Let me tell you about the surveys. Most Czechs never give God a thought. The surveys put the thoughts in their minds by asking them their opinions about Jesus, the Bible, the church, and Christianity. There is also a section about their interest: would they like to discuss the Bible, attend a sports event, come to church, hear a lecture/debate, do something in nature? And, we ask them if they would like a Czech New Testament. Many just fill them out and hand them back. However, the key is that they start thinking about these questions. They’ve likely not done so before. Is there a God? Who is Jesus? What is the point of the church? And, what does this have to do with me? As with all people, they need to wrestle with these issues.

Here’s what happened today with the surveys.
• We completed a total of 30 (a good day!).
• One lady was in the park getting some fresh air. She wore a hospital band. She thought it was too late for her. We left her with a Bible and a promise to pray (which we did). Some tears welled up.
• A homeless man became very interested in coming to our services. He even stopped us late to make sure he had the time and date correct.
• A teen gave one of our workers a contact number to follow up with English classes.
• A man blinked in unbelief as we were able to hand him a Czech New Testament. After all, he indicated he would like one on his survey. He was excited about any volleyball games we would be playing.
• A college student from Holland wants a team to go to his home country.
• And, we distributed six Bibles…most days, no one wants one.

While we again did not have students for English classes tonight, God can work anyway he wants to work. We will hand out bottled water tomorrow as a promotion for the classes too.

Keep praying!
Pastor Joe

Czech Log August 3

August 3, 2010

The rain fell today, so we took some time to learn about the Czech Republic and her history. From the Crusades to the Inquisition to Communism, the church has pushed Christ aside for simple (yet shallow) religion. While the cathedrals still stand and Huss is honored in the square, this nation has no room in her heart for God. Knowledge of the Bible is miniscule. Jesus, that cute baby, brings presents at Christmas, only. While I realize my comment is subjective, their faces reflect a vacuum of spirituality. Wake, work, come home, repeat. Just exist in purposelessness.

With the bad weather, we could not do any surveys or handout flyers for English classes. Sadly, we again had no students tonight. But, we will try again tomorrow. We will deliver more flyers, conduct more surveys, and pray for some students to come for English classes. We would appreciate your prayers too.

Pastor Joe

Czech trip, Day 2

August 2, AM: This is our first day of many firsts. We will go out with the surveys for the first time. We are not the first group ever to do this, but it’s our first try at it. And, we will hopefully have some students for English classes today.

The team seems in good spirits and is adapting when and where they need to.

August 2, PM: In our morning meeting, we discussed how hard it is to reach the Czechs. In our survey when asked about church, some wrote it reminds them of the inquisition or harming children. Many have almost no thought of God…period. They simply go about their day making the most of it. There’s really no joy or even happiness – just existence. So, the goal is to show them Jesus and disassociate from poor examples in the past. As an example, reaching Prague is not just plowing in concrete but plowing concrete with a toothpick. It takes quite a bit of patience to work here.

In fact, we handed out 400 invitations for English classes today. No one showed. However, it is very common for first nights of English class to be like that. No one wants to be the first one there. We did get some firm contacts and look forward to tomorrow. We will hand out even more invitations too.

We also conducted spiritual surveys. Most went well. Kelly and I approached two young moms. Not only did they not speak English, they were deaf. The next couple we tried speaking to were obviously in the middle of a big fight. Pat, Maria, and Jessyca were more successful. We will have more chances later this week.

So, pray for students to come on Tuesday!
Pastor Joe

Czech Log, Day one

So, for the next week, this is my new Czech blog. Check (hopefully daily) for updates.

August 1, AM: We arrived safely with very little travel setbacks. One of our boarding tickets would not scan, we received a bag of cookies instead of the lunch listed on our itinerary, and our eight hour layover was not that bad. We found some lounge chairs in one part of the airport that allowed us to sleep.

Our team met our missionary leader…Steve and his family. They are putting the long, hard days, weeks, months and years necessary to reach these people. They are so concerned for them. Over the generations, “church” has become something to be distrusted. It takes time to develop relationships so people will let their guard down and see what Jesus is all about. Our goal this week is to help start those relationships through our English classes and other interaction.
Today, we learn. We familiarize with the materials we will be using, learning more about the culture, and how we will work together.

August 1, PM: We saw a castle today. Amazing what man can build. Speaking of which, we did not have time to go inside (maybe Wednesday), but we stopped by St. Charles Cathedral. Breathe taking. I wonder if this is the kind of thing Jesus really wanted built. But, I heard an interesting presentation about architecture in the Bible years ago. The Tabernacle and the Temple were exquisite. God does love creativity. I just wonder about this tension though.

The strategy here is to build relationships. We will do this by starting with a survey about spiritual matters. We will then invite them over for English study in the evening. From there, the church can continue contact. The relationship and community is vital for a Czech. It often takes over a year before someone commits. We will be part of that chain.

We enjoyed the first service for Bridge Community at their new location (which also happens to be where we are staying). Most of the service was in English, but we sang some of the songs in Czech and the passage was read in Czech too. Since it is common to take one’s shoes off before entering a home, we had our church service in socks or bare feet. I’m going to try that some Sunday at Zion just to see what happens.

Finally, it was almost 8PM and our team had no supper yet. We head to the mall for a quick bite. We ate at a place called McDonalds. A big mac is a big mac is a big mac wherever you go. The mall has shops of the very expensive to the somewhat expensive. I drove through Eastern Europe (including Prague) twenty years ago. The change is drastic from a cold war era grey town to one filled with commerce and color. But overall in terms of Jesus, they are no better off. This is a tough place to work.

Pastor Joe

Are we there yet?

“Are we there yet?” As a joke, my kids usually say that the moment we leave the driveway for a big trip. So cute. We want things now. We are suckers for get rich quick schemes because we don’t want to do the hard work. We would rather take the pill to shed 15lbs off in one week rather than the slow, steady, and wiser 3lbs a week with diet and exercise. Slow and steady does win the race, but we don’t have the patience. This is especially true for our walk with Christ. We are not there yet. And like the child who has no idea how long it takes to drive 1200 miles, we ask Jesus, “Are we there yet? This is hard. How about taking a break at the next rest stop? Or better yet, let’s check in at a nice hotel with a pool and finish the journey later.”

At Zion, we like to use the term “Christ follower” instead of “Christian.” It’s just a more descriptive word in our culture. I like it. It describes who I am and what I am doing (we also could use the term “disciple” too). So when I say I’m a Christ follower, I should mean that I will go where ever he goes and obey where ever he tells me. Much of the task is joyful and exciting. Sometimes, there are the long trips that take long hours that stretch into long days, months, even years. He has work he wants to do in me. And, he has work he wants me to do (Eph. 2:10). I like what the Apostle Paul said as he looked at his life journey. He wrote in Phil. 3:13-14, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” So, one of the great heroes of the New Testatment says, “I’m not there yet.”

Paul would often meld two ideas into one and make them inseparatable. He says there is one thing he does, but he lists two items. He takes them together like ham & eggs. He forgets the past and strains forward. That’s what a Christ follower does. We forget not only our past failures but our successes too. We also strain forward. Where does Jesus want us to go? Forward. How hard to we try? Strain. Yes, I know, it’s a work of the Holy Spirit. But following Christ is not passive like sitting in the back seat of the car.

Are we there yet? No, but watch out for the comfortable hotel stops. We can, however, keep straining forward no matter what. It’s what a Christ follower does. It’s what a disciple does.

ZPV June 2010 Prayer letter

June 16, 2010
Dear Zion of Petroleum Valley Prayer Partners,
In high school, I attended a youth group that often had games and competitions. One week, we wanted to see who could eat the most bananas…blindfolded. Three of us went up front, but after the first banana, the other two guys were excused. I continued to allow bananas crammed in my mouth to the cheering crowd, “They’re catching up…keep going, Joe! Don’t let them beat you!” Little did I know I raced against no one. I swallowed large bites without chewing. But, when the blindfold came off, I saw it was all a game. It seemed real, but I made a herculean effort for nothing.

Why am I telling you this? When Christ-followers and churches talk about “discipleship,” it is really just a game. Performing. Educating. Doing. Busying. Often, we are about activities that are profitable, but sometimes we do not want to see the less comfortable side of following Christ. Just give me a Bible study and some good works to do, and I’m ok with that. As one author wrote, “We really just want a few friends and a sermon.” Being and making disciples is becoming like Jesus. Often, that road is not just hard, but it requires deep soul work well beyond the shell.
Zion has started probing into discipleship and what it means to follow Jesus. What does it mean to be a disciple? What does it mean to make disciples? God continues to solidify the answers in our minds and hearts. Clearly, the blindfold has come off, and we reject playing of the game. I do NOT mean that we have been failing at all. But, God is at work.

So, this makes our prayer list shorter than other months but not short in significance.
• Pray for all three of our Zion campuses (Zion of Jefferson County opens 10/10/10!) that we would continue to grow and be disciple making campuses.
• Last Sunday, we challenged our folks to listen to God for their Mt. Carmel moment (Read 1 Kings 18). Disciples follow Jesus to places where God just has to show up. We cannot rely upon ourselves.
• In July, we start an eight week series on discipleship.

There are other activities and ministries at Zion of Petroleum Valley worthy of prayer (Zone56, life groups, youth activities/outreach, camps, and Family Fun Fest). You can learn more about them on www.zionlife.com. But, for this month, please pray for this exciting time at Zion to focus on what Jesus left us to do, “Go, make disciples…”
Thanks!

Pastor Joe
Zion of Petroleum Valley

Lesson from the cat

I have a cat. This shocks some of you who’ve known me for years. I generally don’t like cats, but I like Jazzy (aka, Fat Jazzy, Jasmine). I like Jazz because she is feisty…when she’s not napping. She likes me too. She’ll come up and say hello wanting her ears scratched (again, when she’s not napping). But, my previous history of cat teasing just has to come out. So, Jazz will be sleeping, and I poke her or tug on her whiskers. She gives me the I-really-hate-you-sometimes look but does nothing. Then, Jazz reaches her limit. The claws come out, she grabs my hand, and bites me. That’s kitty for, “Knock it off, jerk!” It is not in Jazz’ nature to put up with it forever or retreat. She will fight back.

Don’t strip any gears on this subject change, but if we want to advance the Jesus’ kingdom, become more like Christ, spread the mission, free the prisoners, and be filled with the Spirit (add your own cliché here), we will face opposition. Like Jazzy, Satan will fight back. The world will fight back. Our own flesh will fight back. None of those things are passive. In other words, there will be costs.

So, do we bag it? Will it be too hard? Stay comfortable? No way. We just cannot be surprised when it comes. Watch out for it. When we pull on Satan’s whiskers (or worse), he will respond with shocking ferocity. Since the world hates Jesus, it will hate his followers. Let’s go for it, but we cannot be surprised by opposition.

Ultimate apologetic

I had a friend who’s car suddenly stopped dead. It ran perfectly moments earlier. He popped the hood and checked a number of possibilities. Others came to help and mentioned that their car did the same thing and it was this or that. Fill in the blank. None of it corrected the problem. Wait…could it be? Yes, he ran out of gas. Hours were spent on the possible solutions at the neglect of the obvious.

As Christ followers, we spend tremendous time on good things, but sometimes we forget the obvious. But, it’s a pleasure to see us account for the obvious. Last week was a tough week for the family. One of our members experienced a tragic loss. The body sprung into action and genuine concern. Not only did this begin the long journey of healing for one of us, it spoke to the community. They saw more than just activity or program. They saw what Jesus said they should see: By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35).

I support all we can do to minister to one another and reach our community. But, I am especially pleased to see when we don’t neglect the obvious. God is among you, Zion. Keep shining.