ECHO

Tolerating Tolerance?

2012-01-22T17:15:00.000-06:00

"Tolerance", according to Webster's, speaks of "sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own... the act of allowing something". In a sense it is a "making room for", even if you don't agree. Our culture seeks "tolerance at all costs", it seems to be a high value to many. In a world of “tolerance” many would love to see it extend towards religion also. Many say, "Well, they all are basicly the same... they are just different paths to the same goal", so we should be tolerant enough to allow this "religious smorgasboard". As I ponder this, I realize that perhaps all religions "are the same"...as some contend...let me explain. All religions acknowledge one central truth that seems universal to the human condition. Man is not “good enough”. Man has fallen short and needs to grow in His spiritual disciplines to be acceptable to god or even to become more in tune with god. All religions offer this concept as its core motivation. Apparently, humanity, at its deepest core, senses that we are out of favor with our Creator. We know we have sinned and come up short. Hindu’s, Buddhists, Muslims, Taoists, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, ancient Egyptians, ancient Greeks, American Indians, Wiccans, Jews and yes even Christians all agree. We are not who we should be, and we need to grow, get in tune, and become "more" than we are. What’s fascinating, is that each of the world’s religions, past, present, and I assume, any we’ll dream up in the future, realize this and are built around “how” we get beyond our fallen-ness, and our human-ness. If you examine them all, they all tend to say similar things about right & wrong, it's quite fascinating really! To summarize some of the common religious beliefs, according to CS Lewis, we all basically agree that:

“-we are to not do harm to others in what we do or say (Golden Rule);

-honor your father & mother;

-be kind to brothers, sisters, children & the elderly;

-do not have sex with another’s spouse;

-be honest (don’t steal);

-don’t lie;

-care for those weaker or less fortunate;

-dying to self is the path to life”

It’s uncanny that such a variety of religions, would all have a similar code of conduct, so to speak, as if we all have some built in sense of right or wrong within us. Actually, we commonly know this as our "conscience", and it appears to be alive and well in most religions. The bible would say, "God has written His moral law on the hearts of all men". It seems that virtually all religions say most of the same things, so they do agree on a lot, don't they? Yes, there is an element of common truth present. Basically, we all agree on what’s right & wrong, in general. We all agree that mankind has screwed up and that we need God or a higher spiritual ideal. All religions offer methods to try to “make up for” or “try to attain”…but only one gives a permanent solution not centered in “us”. The bible says we are saved by God’s grace…not by what "we do". Grace is a concept far more powerful than tolerance. Tolerance is kind of like "grace light"...it is grace without love. Tolerance makes "room for" what we don't like...grace embraces us as we are! Jesus, God in the flesh, entered our messed up world, as one of us. He came humbly to model love in its purest form, and then He sacrificially died for all sin, all wrong doing, and all failures. God Himself had the solution…He paid His own price…and made a way for everyone to know Him in true & authentic, everlasting relationship. The “wall of our failure to be what we should be” is gone. Now for all who "choose" to trust Jesus, a relationship is available. The question now is, who "trusts" what God has done? Who will step into that relationship? That is what separates the religions of the world. All of them seek to "fix" the human problem of falling short. Only one provides the solution...it is uniquely found in Jesus! Only one isn't centered on what "we do", but on what "God has done" for us. That is a significant difference. One worth considering...and exploring. At FRIENDS we hope to be a safe place for people to explore that very thing...and to experience it personally...in the hope they might express it to others also...

be God's!

Brian O

ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Boxing Day?

2012-01-06T22:29:00.001-06:00

OK, in the aftermath of Christmas bliss, does anyone know what's up with "Boxing Day"? How weird...they celebrate "boxing" the day after Christmas? Well, at least in Canada and the British Commonwealth they do. Why is the sport of "boxing" glorified...and if so...why the day after Jesus birthday? Now I'm not a sporting prude of any kind...I get the sport of boxing, as violent as it is to some...so I'm not saying, "boxing sucks"...but why the holiday? Are those beer swilling, hockey brawling Canadians that desperate for another day off work? Whats up with that, and who signed off on it? So I checked a bit on why...and guess what "Boxing Day" ain't what most of us think it is. It's not about "boxing" the sport at all...though we often joke and refer to it as such. It's actually a day firmly rooted in the Great Commandment...in the true Spirit of Christmas. "Boxing Day" was a tradition that took place the day after Christmas...it was a day to give gifts to those less fortunate than you. The more fortunate gave to the less fortunate. Often those items were very practical... clothes, food, tools, cash... usually based on the families needs you were giving to....and they were often put in boxes to be given to those families. Hence the term "boxing day". It was a "loving others as you love yourself" kind of day. After being showered with gifts on Christmas by those that love you...you in turn, took December 26th to give to those with less than you. Wow, how'd we miss this holiday in America? In our churches? It's quite the cool thing really...this "Boxing Day". Somehow we missed the point. It reminds me of how we often miss the point in church circles. Too often we get caught up in building our kingdoms... our churches...our ministries...our legacy...but we miss the main point. Jesus summed it up for us...love God with all you got...and love others as you love yourself...the "point" is relationship...with God and with others. Real, authentic relationships of love, grace, forgiveness, compassion...of being known and of knowing...of doing life together. But somehow we box ourselves into what "church is"...its 2 fast songs and 3 slow songs... announcements and a message...its cool, state of the art performances that are as slick as slick can be (even timed to the minute)...its Walmart greeter type people at the doors saying "hi", but never knowing or caring to really know me...its programs that dazzle...its events that attract the biggest crowds...its buildings built to impress...its eye catching marketing to draw people in...oh ya, and of course we need to work in some kind of small group thing, cause that 'community' thing is popular these days. What? Have we boxed ourselves in? How closed in are we? Because that's what others "do"... are we to do the same? Is that what Jesus really asked us to do? Have we missed the point entirely? "Community" isn't a cool trendy word to put on your website...its the goal. Relationships are not "one of" our programs to attract more people...it is THE "point". It is emphasized throughout scripture...over and over...without love you are not God's...even miracles done without love are meaningless (even annoying)...and lest we forget...even churchey stuff done super well, if done without love, Jesus says, "go away I never knew you". Relationships...real authentic, relationships as God designed...is the point...not a peripheral add on or option. All we do at ECHO gets filtered through this...does it enhance a persons growth in their relationship with Jesus?...and does it create an environment where love grows person to person?...if not, we don't do it. It simply is not what its all about. Some of that stuff can be helpful...but without relationship...it is a waste. So why waste time thinking church is about something it isn't. In the end we look foolish...completely ignorant of the obvious...yet our boxed in viewpoints limit our perspective. Jesus would challenge us to look to the source...look to what He says is vital...if you do, you'll be able to step out of those boxes of "church-ianity" and begin to live life as God intended...a process of loving Him more and more...of receiving His love at a deeper level...and of passing that love on to others, as His Spirit teaches you. At FRIENDS, we love getting out of the box...how about you?

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Talking With God

2011-12-29T15:01:00.000-06:00

Prayer is really just talking with God. Whether it is done within the heart silently, or out loud, or in written word, it is quite simply, communicating what's on your mind with the God who loves you enough to listen. At ECHO we realize prayer is quite powerful, yet mysterious. If God knows our hearts, our motives, and why we do what we do...then why tell Him about it? If God knows our past, present & future...then why hash it out with Him? These are legitimate questions...but I believe they are answered in God's motivation for "relationship". We often make it some kind of mystical, intimidating, boring exercise of faith...but it really is more practical and essential than we make it. You see, for example, I often know what my kids have on their minds, or want to ask me for...but I usually wait for them to speak it, whenever they are ready...so that the time may be right...and it may be an opportunity of trust in conversation that is another building block in our ongoing relationship. With every question they ask me, or every concern they share with me, or every dream they are brave enough to tell me...I love them even more. It is extra glue to our relationship...I see their soul a bit...I enter their world a bit...and it is so cool that they invite me into it as well. I think that is how God feels towards us. As we ask the questions...lay out our concerns...pray through our dreams...His heart is moved towards us...and our hearts are moved trustingly towards Him...and that's a good thing. I don't know how all this prayer thing works...but I know it moves my heart towards Him...so that's gotta be good. I don't always get the answer I want, but it takes more of me to trust...when the answer is a "no"...than when it's a "yes". I suppose I deepen my relationship more in those times...rather than a "Sugar Daddy god" or a "Parachute god"...I find a loving Father, who knows whats best...and often whats best is "wait"...or even a "no". If I can trust Him in those prayer moments...then I know my relationship is deepening...and I will grow. If the truth be said..."Faith is trusting God even when it doesn't make sense."

I read this recently, it's some thoughts on talking to God by Carolyn Arends, and I thought how much we all might relate, she writes: "I have prayed many types of prayers throughout my life, but my haphazard list of prayers is quite different from most. I have been a specialist in the "Let's Make a Deal" school of prayer: if you will only let me pass this test (for which I have not read the textbook), then I will spend the rest of my life earnestly studying in a convent somewhere. My years of frequent travel have also honed my "Turbulence Prayers." Typically whispered on airplanes that appear destined to crash, these prayers focus on achieving "meet my Maker readiness: God, if there's anything not right between us, I confess it now. I can also claim extensive experience with "Futility Prayers", prayers that seldom work, but are prayed passionately anyway. Please make my newborn sleep through the night, is one Futility Prayer. Another is: please don't let me throw up!

However theologically incorrect my prayers may be, I have discovered that whatever is in my heart must either be prayed out or left to fester. And so I dare to utter my petty, self-interested requests, trusting--praying--that the Holy Spirit will intercede on my behalf with groans my words (or lack thereof) cannot express, translating my impetuous, childish gibberish into communion with God.

When I read that if I ask God for bread, He will not give me a stone, I realize that He not only desires to give me what I need, but he also wants me to come to Him and ask for it. This to me is the greatest miracle, the deeper mystery--the God of the Universe wants me to speak with Him. Heaven knows I am not a great conversationalist--I talk too much, listen too little--but He desires my company anyway.

There is so much I want to learn about prayer. Can our requests change the course of history? Can we change the mind and will of God? Are the hand of fate and the hand of God locked in some sort of wrestling match that hinges on our prayers? I have received certain and dramatic answers to some of my prayers. To others I have been able to perceive nothing but the deafening roar of silence. In some cases I have eventually discovered why my prayers were answered with a "no" or a "not yet." In many others I remain bewildered. But I will study the Scriptures and I will wait on the Lord and I am hopeful that more will be revealed, as I learn to trust Him. Regardless, I will pray, because He asks me to, and understanding usually follows obedience, and because my life would not be worth living if I could not cry out to the God who gave it to me!

However uncertain I am about the way prayer changes the unfolding of events, I have been shown clearly that prayer changes me! When I begin to pray for an enemy, my heart like a fist clenched in anger, I am opened up until I can no longer hold the resentment and frustration. When I plead..."Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner", I travel a little deeper into the mercy of God. When I confess..."I believe, yet help my unbelief," my faith is made a little stronger.
And so I pray. Whether I am praying from a surrendered or stubborn heart, I speak with the God of Creation. I am ushered, sometimes reverent, sometimes willful, never worthy...into His presence. When the language is beyond me, it is spoken on my behalf. I pray for the wisdom to learn about prayer, and for the courage to pray the prayers that will change me..."

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Be-longing

2011-12-25T02:00:00.001-06:00

In a world where we all crave to "belong", we try so hard to find "our spot". Some people take on the persona of those they want to be accepted by...others change their clothing style, haircuts, the way they talk, the music they listen to, even the food they eat...just to "fit in." In our vain attempts to find "our place", we often become less of who we really are, so that others will accept us...ironic isn't it? Perhaps that is why one of the coolest messages that Christmas screams to us is that "you belong!" God loved us enough that He reached down to each of us, through His Son Jesus, to let us know personally that we are invited. He could have sat up in His heavenlies, kickin back on His throne, watching us peons try to figure this thing out...and maybe, just maybe some of us may "do good enough" to make it into His presence. But instead, He came to earth as one of us, to show us the way. A personal invitation, if you will. In the flesh, He humbled Himself, not only in teaching us personally about the Kingdom of God...but He also made a way for everyone to get there! The bible says "there is no greater love than this, that a person lay down His life for another". Think about it...God sacrificed Himself...so that we can be with Him...because we belong. We were designed by God to spend eternity in relationship with Him. In His great love He layed down His life in the flesh and died, paying the price for each of us. The bible says, "the wages of sin is death"...and Jesus made sure we didn't have to pay that price! God chose to submit to His own penalty, on our behalf, because we belong with Him...not apart from Him. Now the only choice for each of us is...do you trust enough to enter into a relationship with the God who loves you and has made a way. The key to belonging is being willing to belong. The key to finding your place is trusting the One who knows the way. We each have that choice, to take our rightful place... because of Jesus. And that wonderful truth...the fantastic story of the baby in a manger...is where it all begins. And that is worth celebrating! For the bible also says, "that God wills that no one should perish, but would have eternal life". So God's heart is evident in His words and His actions...that we all belong! We belong in eternal relationship with the One who is Love. We belong eternally in a place where there is no more sin, pain, tears or brokenness. We belong at the table...we belong to the family...we have a place. As a hand fits perfectly into the sand, so you fit perfectly in your place that God has prepared for you, in His Kingdom. At Friends, we hope to create an environment that makes room for everyone...because you "belong." That's God's heart...and it should be ours as well. This isn't just a Christmas thing...it should be an everyday thing...because you do belong...and we are so glad for that!

Merry Jesus Birthday...where your story begins...

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

If You Wanna Be a Rebel

2011-12-08T15:20:00.002-06:00

Talk is cheap

What kind of mess do we have here?

Right is wrong and right just isn't clear

Where's the compassion in people's lives today?

We want to bring them in, but we push them all away

Should we stand for mediocrity?

What do we mean by Christianity?

We throw our words around thinking we're doing great

Love is what we need, it goes against the grain it goes!

Against the grain!

With all we think we know

I would rather go!!!

Against the grain!!!

Some say screaming is all you have to do

But I say that's a lie that I can see right thru

Words mean nothing until you show you care

Look them in the eye, You know there's something there

What kind of mess do we have here?

Wrong is right and right just isn't clear

If you want to be a rebel, well maybe now's the time

To understand the truth and throw down all the lies

And go

Against the grain!!!

words and music by Mike Stand and Ric Alba

"Against the Grain"

be God's!

BrianO

ECHO

Lead Pastor dude

Friends Community Church

Tyler, Texas

Great Full Perspective

2011-11-23T19:54:00.002-06:00

Perspective. How often we lose perspective, especially in our culture of media, hype and self centeredness? I often remember an old Veggie Tale video my kids liked...it spoke of a "grateful heart"... Madame Blueberry I think it was? I love Veggie Tales. Anything that has talking vegetables & fruit characters with an off-the-wall sense of humor is alright by me. But I digress. The point was perspective and grateful hearts. Especially being Thanksgiving time, it would seem to be an appropriate time for both. You see, even though our economy is rocking, and the market is diving, and jobs are being lost...and for some the threat of losing their homes in foreclosure is real...but for most people its simply being fearful of "what may be". We hear about how bad it is on TV, on the radio and in the papers...so it creates this vibe of negativity...pessimism...and fear. Yet, even with all that, its not as bad as we might think. Just over 30 years ago during the Jimmy Carter years unemployment was over 10%...inflation 13.5%...and interest rates were 21.5% on your home! And we had gas rationing...like you could only buy gas every other day, and the lines were blocks long, type of gas rationing! By comparison, today we have 9.2% unemployment, less than 3% inflation, 5% mortgage rates and gasoline available...every day! The media and politicians all cry "depression", but during the Depression unemployment was 25% (and women didn't work then, so a man loses his job, and the family has zero income). Unemployment didn't get under 10% until 1941 when World War 2 created tons of new jobs. More than half of the United States were living below minimum subsistence levels. There was no food stamps nor unemployment benefits. 40% of all the banks in the country failed! So when we talk of economic problems...and another "depression"... we don't have to look too far to see we're not that bad off today in comparison. Perspective. While we're on the topic of perspective did you know that 2.7 billion people in our world today live on less than $2 a day! That's almost half the world's population living on less than $730 a year...people on unemployment here make more than that in a month! These people in third world countries live lives threatened by a lack of enough calories in their food to be healthy... a lack of clean water to drink without getting life threatening parasites...they lack shelter to protect them...they lack proper clothing to guard them from the elements...they don't even have simple health care to protect them from preventable disease...they don't have learning institutions like schools so they are illiterate...and their life expectancy is a fraction of ours due to these factors and more. Perspective. In the United States 46% of those in "poverty" own their own homes! Their homes "average" just over 1,000 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 1 and a half baths, with a garage. For perspective consider that people in third world countries dream of living in something like our garages! Even our homeless have clean water easily available. Even our homeless have free food, clothes, shelter and medical basics available in the United States. Third World people would see our "homeless" as wealthy people...consider that this Thanksgiving. Most Americans eat more calories in a day, than a person in a third world country may eat in a week. In our country we walk by pennies, as worthless, every day. In many other countries, they'd be thanking God for every one they found! You see perspective gives you a greater sense of gratitude. When you realize the blessings you have...rather than the "wants" you do NOT have...a thankful heart grows within us. In spite of what you may not "have"...you are far more fortunate than most of the world. At FRIENDS we want to be thankful for what we do have...for the blessing of God's provisions...and be ever mindful of the needs around us...here in Tyler, Texas and the massive needs around the world. Jesus told us the poor would always be with us...but He constantly reminded us to serve the poor...the orphans...and the widows. It was a constant theme of Jesus. I think He emphasized it, not only because these are practical areas to serve those ever present needs in others...but also by constantly reminding us of what we do have, as we serve those without. May our Thanksgiving truly be a time when our grateful hearts cause us to thank God many times over for all He has done for you...and me! And may it motivate us to reach out a hand of love and care, to those with less. With the proper perspective, I think we can.

be God's!

Brian O
ECHO

Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Is It a Trick or a Treat?

2011-10-29T21:42:00.002-05:00

My kids are always trying to sneak up on me and scare me. It's really quite funny, because they usually don't. First off the word "boo" isn't inherently scary...plus when they say it...I kinda know its their voice. I mean, who decided "boo" was scary? And why? I know its supposed to be what ghost say...but really, is that the best a ghost could come up with? Really? Boo, actually sounds like a fun word...a playful word... a silly word. That's why it doesn't scare me. It's no more scary than someone sneaking up behind me and saying "cheese!". OOOOhhh, I just have to laugh. Now in the Fall, we seem to like the playful and scary. Its all a part of the Halloween spirit I suppose. Goofy creatures that make silly sounds like "boo". And we sometimes jump in fear...other times we laugh in shock. Its all meant to be innocent fun, but often lost in the Halloween "fun" is the undercurrent of truth in this occasion. This night of the dead has roots back to the ancient Druid celebration of Samhain. Samhain marked the end of the season of life & light and the beginning of the season of darkness and death. The Druids had their year divided into these two primary seasons. Now it makes sense naturally...in the Fall, all the leaves drop from the trees and we are about to enter a season where nothing grows...Winter. Everything in nature goes into a hibernation of sorts until the season of life begins in the Spring! But to the Druids it was much more. It was also deeply spiritual. On this night of Samhain, the dead and evil spirits had free rein over the earth to create mischief. Now I'm not taking about stealing pumpkins kind of mischief...we're talking serious mischief...like curses, pillaging, and killing in retaliation. The Druid priests often would go home to home, farm to farm, and collect "treats" on behalf of the dead & evil spirits...if you failed to comply with their wishes then a "trick" was coming your way. These "treats" weren't just cute little candy treats...but food, children, maybe one of your livestock, whatever they asked for...the "trick" was the penalty if you did not comply. The "trick" may be burning down your barns, killing your horse, or kidnapping one of your family members. This was serious stuff...and we often don't realize it. In fact, the Irish legend of the Jack o' Lantern, tells of a man who sold his soul to the devil, and when he died he was not allowed into heaven. When he went to hell, Satan refused his entry, but gave him a small cinder from the fires of hell. Jack put this cinder in a turnip he had hollowed out, to give him a little light & warmth, to guide him for all eternity. A reject of both heaven & hell. How sad is that story. Yet we celebrate Jack 'o Lanterns, without knowing the cryptic background to such a tradition. Much of what we do at Halloween is like that. Unlike most other holiday occasions, Halloween is not centered in a Christian celebration. Its roots are dark, occultic, and pagan in its spirit. In fact, today, in the pacific northwest, its widely known that occult and witchcraft activity heightens at Halloween. Its considered a high feast, often accompanied with sacrifices and rituals, that are very real and serious in the spirit realm. As followers we should not be ignorant...nor fearful. Jesus is already victorious over any spiritual force, whether real or imagined. But as followers of Jesus we should also live with clear thinking regarding things of this sort. We should not be naive. Especially for our children, we should model whats spiritually healthy. At ECHO, we suggest you steer away from the dark imagery, the death, the evil and those traditions associated with such things. Does that mean we can't dress up and have fun? No, not at all...dress up (if you wish), have fun with family & friends, gather your candy, laugh and enjoy the good. But be aware and wise regarding the dark...the evil... the things that glorify death & deprivation. Those things are not godly and should not be "enjoyed"...they should be "diminished" as much as possible. "For God hasn't given you a spirit of fear...but of power... love...and a sound mind (or clear thinking)". Embrace the innocent fun...and steer away from that which too closely associated with the dark side of this time of year. As followers of Jesus, we at FRIENDS, would hope we would always point people towards the light... the good...the righteous...and help people steer away from the dark...the evil...and death. May you live everyday...even Halloween...in a spirit of truth...love...and hope!
.

be God's!

Brian O
ECHO

Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits

2011-10-06T18:34:00.000-05:00

I wonder if perhaps we, the church, the followers of Jesus, have focused on & mis-taught "sin"? For many, "sin" is some arbitrary rules the Great Guy in the sky has given us, so we'd better stay in line or else. But I would suggest that is very inaccurate, and yet a fairly common way for people to perceive God/sin. I would suggest that since God defines Himself as "Love", then He is, at His core, a relational being. And since 'we' are created in His image, then we too are relational beings. We read in the scripture, the "first" time God said something was "not good", was not sin, BUT that "man should not be alone"...once again suggesting our relational nature. And man was not alone in His relationship with God, man walked and talked with God in the Garden, "yet it was not good that he was alone"...he was in fact without another human. Sin enters the picture after this. Perhaps if we see sin as the outcome or result of "aloneness" we may get a more accurate picture. Sin are the "relationship busters" of our existence, both our relationship with God & with each other. Have you ever noticed that most of the commands focus on how people should treat people? Nothing damages relationships like "lies"..."stealing from each other"..."taking your neighbors wife"...or "envying each others stuff". Maybe when God says He hates sin, what He is really saying is "I hate anything that damages your relationships...both with Me...and with those around you." Maybe God sees sin as those things that damage a relational people deeply. I know, for me personally, you can cut off my arm...or take my stuff...but losing a valued relationship due to death or divorce or bitter argument, is some of the deepest pain we feel as humans. Perhaps a relational God knows this...and it hurts His heart to see His relational people struggle through life with broken relationships. This is not as it should be. Perhaps since God is relational, He knows this pain all too deeply. Perhaps if we taught "sin" more in this light, people may begin to see a God of Love, who knows and cares for them deeply...and the people around them. In that, Jesus words summing up the commands makes much more sense..."to love God with your whole heart...and to love others as yourself"...which He said, "sums up all the commands". Perhaps what we have seen simply as 'vices' & 'sins' are actually behaviors, attitudes and habits that short circuit the relationships around us? And maybe, just maybe, God isn't just arbitrarily laying down the law, to see if we can measure up...but instead, the God of all relationships, who designed us for relationships, is trying to protect and preserve those relationships He made us to enjoy. Perhaps that picture is more consistent with the God who defines Himself as Love! At Friends, we hope to express this heart of God...

be God's!
BrianO
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Tasty...Now That Hits the Spot

2011-09-07T12:01:00.003-05:00

I was in the shower the other day...I know that seems like an unnecessary detail and perhaps a bit creepy to consider but... after working in the yard all day with my family, mowing lawns, and hauling a bunch of crap off to dump in the trash...it seems refreshing to mention 'I was in the shower'. Anyway, as I was 'refreshing' (ya now that sounds better don't it?) I began to consider what the bible calls the "fruit" of the Spirit. It's aspects and characteristics are listed in Galatians 5:22 and 23; "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." As I ponder these characteristics, I thought, "wow, those are attractive qualities to find in someone". Then I began to honestly look at most who call themselves Christian and asked, "Are we known for those qualities?" Ouch. Then I looked at myself...ugggghhh, double ouch!! Like a friend of mine said recently, "I'm trying to be a Christian". I think I like that, it sounds more like a process...a journey...a desire...even though I haven't got it all figured out yet. Ya, I got some growing to do...how 'bout you? You see, the fruit of the Spirit is what grows in us and through us, as we grow more and more like God and His love is evident in us. Unlike the gifts of the Spirit, the fruit is nurtured and can be developed in us. Spiritual gifts are given by God, our only choice is to accept them or not, like any gift in the natural, like a birthday gift, for example. But the fruit of the Spirit can be nurtured, fertilized, watered, cared for and intentionally grown in our lives. Yes the source is God, His love birthed in us, but these characteristics are the out-flow of His love in us to others. You see the fruit, the characteristics listed in Galatians are best expressed relationally, one person to another. Oh you can be at peace all by yourself. But what has a greater impact is when others see and experience the peace you have. It's interesting as you look at each characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit, how they all are best experienced and expressed in relationship with others. I think that's by God's design. He is relational by nature, and desires us to be also. As we love Him with all we got, His love grows in us and flows out to others...often evidenced in these very characteristics...these fruit. Fruit that is attractive, draws people and is tasty to experience. It has an impact on others, which is what God has always designed His love to do! When we look at some of these, we often miss, or even don't know what they are. For example, God's peace, is not an absence of conflict as we often think peace should be...its the ability to have peace in the midst of turmoil and chaos. That peace that surpasses all understanding! Now that's attractive. That's noticeable to others. That's something we all desire, and know it when we see it. In a world that does not see Jesus followers walking in very many of these qualities, is it any wonder they are not attracted? But if...if we did allow God to grow these aspects of His love in us...if we could seek to develop these things...if we intentionally desired to live a life that oozes these characteristics...do you think people may be drawn towards the Jesus in us? You bet...that's when, as in the book of Acts, people say stuff like..."we can see how much you love..." God pours out some incredible things by His Spirit as we walk in the fruit of that same Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In fact, many believers seek after miracles and powerful demonstrations of the gifts of the Spirit, in hopes that it will spark some revival in them and the community they live in...yet history tells us a different story. Throughout history, authentic spiritual revivals or awakenings, were not centered in miracles and powerful gifts manifested...it was centered in a deep pursuit of God's best and an exponential growth in the manifestations of the "fruit" of God's Spirit in those that follow Him. It was the fruit of God's Spirit that drew people... touched people...changed people...and fanned the flames of what God was doing. It's a lesson we often forget. I suppose it seems "more God like" for the "big show"...the big miracle...but for whatever reason God more often uses imperfect people like you and me...in relationship. Now that's harder...it takes more of me. More of me in cooperation with God. It takes more of me to invest in another. Yet somehow, someway, God uses it and when he does...wow, we get blessed...and so does the one we reach out to! At FRIENDS we want to be "tasty" people. We desire to be the kind of people that has folks saying, "what's up with you guys, you're different?" We want to be refreshingly different...on purpose! Join us as we grow in God's love personally and in expressing it authentically to others!

May God's love be yours and flow through you to others!

Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Wired To Connect

2011-08-12T15:58:00.002-05:00

They say the human heart has a "void" that we all are trying to fill throughout our life's journey. I think we all realize it at some deep down level within each of us. CS Lewis often alludes to a "God-shaped hole". Augustine points to it in his writings. Blaise Pascal implied it when he stated, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person, and it can never be filled by any created thing. It can only be filled by God, made known through Jesus Christ.” Philosopher's and theologians alike have often determined that this "void" is never filled with anything but what it was designed to accommodate. The Master Designer in His desire to draw us towards Himself has made each of us with a "hole" that only He can fill. A remarkably ingenius way to allow us humans to crave a knowing of their Creator. It's like a relational magnet within our spirit that draws us. I read an interesting report from the Commission on Children at Risk that seems to validate this very concept and more. Our culture is plagued with what's known as "at risk children". It's not a new thing...in fact many "at risk kids" are now grown into adults and are now having their own "at risk children". At risk children are the effects of divorce, broken homes, single parent households, latch key environments, drug abuse, workaholism and various other disintegration factors of the traditional stable family environment. The number one cause of this crisis? The conclusion in this study says that as human beings we have been designed to be "connected". They term it as humans are "hardwired to connect". To quote the study, "In large measure, what's causing this crisis of American childhood is a lack of connectedness. We mean two kinds of connectedness---close connections to other people, and deep connections to moral & spiritual meaning." Jesus stated something very similar when He was asked what the greatest commandment was, He replied, "Love God with your whole heart, whole mind and whole soul. And... love others as you love yourself." Jesus tells us that God's desire is for us to live in connected relationship with God and with other people. We've been "hardwired" that way by our Creator. In a sense we have 2 relational holes within our soul that God has put within us...a void that yearns to know God in authentic relationship and a void that yearns to know others in a loving, genuine relationship. God said it was "not good for us to be alone" in Genesis, He said it from the beginning. Now as humans perhaps we are beginning to understand the value of "connectedness"...and the destructive outcomes of "aloneness". This study goes on to say we have learned to be experts in medicating & pyscho-analyzing our lack of "connectedness" but we have failed miserably as a culture in learning how to "connect". Yet, God has the pursuit of the answer hard-wired within each of us. God in His mercy desires us to be in right relationship with Him and in right relationship with each other. He's made us to crave it, to discover it, and to thrive within it. At FRIENDS we strive to create a safe environment for each of us to explore this craving...to discover it's significance... and to thrive in it's embrace. Join us as we learn to connect with God and with each other in authentic, genuine relationships...as we were "hardwired" to experience...from the beginning!

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Breathe Deep

2011-07-23T18:26:00.006-05:00

Breathe Deep
by the Lost Dogs

Politicians, morticians, Philistines, homophobes

Skinheads, Dead heads, tax evaders, street kids

Alcoholics, workaholics, wise guys, dim wits

Blue collars, white collars, war mongers, peace nicks

Breathe deep

Breathe deep the Breath of God

Breathe deep

Breathe deep the Breath of God

Suicidals, rock idols, shut-ins, drop outs

Friendless, homeless, penniless and depressed

Presidents, residents, foreigners and aliens

Dissidents, feminists, xenophobes and chauvinists

Evolutionists, creationists, perverts, slum lords

Dead-beats, athletes, Protestants and Catholics

Housewives, neophytes, pro-choice, pro-life

Misogynists, monogamists, philanthropists, blacks and whites

Police, obese, lawyers, and government

Sex offenders, tax collectors, war vets, rejects

Atheists, Scientists, racists, sadists

Photographers, biographers, artists, pornographers

Gays and lesbians, demagogues and thespians

The disabled, preachers, doctors and teachers

Meat eaters, wife beaters, judges and juries

Long hair, no hair, everybody everywhere!

Breathe deep

Breathe deep the Breath of God

Breathe deep

Breathe deep the Breath of God

be God's!

BrianO

ECHO

Lead Pastor dude

Friends Community Church

Tyler, Texas

Independence Day?

2011-07-04T00:43:00.000-05:00

Independence, hmmm? Well, as we have all celebrated the 4th of July with assorted BBQ's, weekend getaways to the beach or mountains, along with lots of fireworks and oodles of fun...I've been pondering the concept of "independence". Now I realize that "Independence Day" celebrates our nations beginnings, and especially our breaking away from British rule. It marks a time when a group of people from all over Europe and beyond, declared an "independence" from rulers, taxation, religious persecution and a host of other undue burdens. It's cool how our nation even declares that people are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights". Yet in that, our nation oozes a spirit of independence, and I wonder how biblical all that may be? We love the rebel...the outlaw...the non-conformist...the cowboy...the rugged individualist. We pride ourselves on being "self made men", "pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps", and being "lone rangers" & "mavericks". Some would even declare that us Americans have a favorite bible verse, "God helps them who help themselves". The most famous "bible verse" not found in the bible! To the contrary, in light of what the bible tells us consistently, it would appear that our "independence" is the key to our problems in life. This isn't just an American problem, independence is a human problem. The idea that we can do it on our own. The idea we can work it all out ourselves. The idea that we know whats best. The idea that we don't need anybody else. I would suggest that "idea" is the core root of our human dilemma. Our striving for "independence" cuts to our sin nature...our selfish nature...our self centered world views...the world revolving around us. When in fact God continually says we should live lives of dependence. Lives dependent on relationship with Him and lives dependent on relationships with other people. This flies in the face of what most of us believe and especially in the face of our core American value...independence. God would remind us that our independence is what causes our relational pain and the chaos in the world we live within. He would suggest that as we deepen our relationship with Him & other people, in dependent trust, the chaos becomes more manageable. At FRIENDS we desire to be people who learn the art of graceful, trusting dependence on the God whose crazy about us. It's a journey away from independence, yet one worth taking, together! In this world we will always have trouble, and the trouble is our independence from God. What a struggle that is, isn't it? God has designed us to be a people of dependence...we need God...and we need relationship with others. We crave these things from the depths of our soul, don't we? In the end its our way (independence) or His way (trusting dependence). For each of us, we hear the cry to, "choose you this day". Which one will you embrace? Join us on the journey of dependence...together!

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Story

2011-06-27T00:36:00.001-05:00

creation

harmony

thorns

blood

echoes

longing

silence

mystery

new wine

signs

vagabond

shadows

venom

broken

garden

friend

skull hill

darkness

scattered

spices

wonder

scars

life

everlasting

by Steven James

be God's!

Brian O

ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Grace Paradox

2011-06-15T00:27:00.001-05:00

"Give up trying to look like a saint," Brennan Manning's spiritual mentor once told him. "It'll be a lot better for everybody." If there is anything that ECHO hopes to contribute, it is this: we recognize that being a true follower of Jesus is not a matter of polishing ourselves up to make ourselves more presentable to God and others. But it is about being honest about how far we fall short of being the persons we know we should be and reaching out to accept the freely given, wild, crazy and untamed, scandalous grace of God. In an excerpt from The Ragamiffin Gospel, Brennan Manning says it best..."When I get honest, I admit I am a bundle of paradoxes. I believe and I doubt, I hope and I get discouraged, I love and I hate, I feel bad about feeling good, I feel guilty about not feeling guilty. I am trusting and suspicious. I am honest and I still play games. Aristotle said I am a rational animal; I say I am an angel with an incredible capacity for beer. To live by grace means to acknowledge my whole life's story, the light side and the dark. In admitting my shadow side, I learn who I am and what God's grace means. As Thomas Merton put it, "a saint is not someone who is good but is someone who experiences the goodness of God."

be God's!

Brian O

ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Environmental Concerns

2011-05-25T17:18:00.002-05:00

Perspective? How often does our perspective get in the way? For some, it is a set of bias that have been inbred over many, many years. For others it is a "new" revelation that has opened them up to some "enlightened" viewpoint. But rarely, or shall I say NEVER...is it totally ours! We cannot help but be shaped by our environment, whether that be family or friends or philosophical input from various "experts". The key is, what "environment" do you "live" in? What "environment" do you place yourself in? For many it is an issue of the "environment" they were placed in, and how to escape its trappings. Isn't it interesting to see how, so often, we place ourselves in poor environments that have proven to reap hurt and confusion in our lives...or how we allow ourselves to remain in painful environments that we were placed in by others or by circumstance? How ironic that we should allow ourselves to be so "influenced", even to our detriment. We see a world where people are screaming out for "freedom" from that which binds them up. For some it is the memory's of abuse...for other's the "living hell" of addiction (alcohol, drugs, sexual etc...)...for some it's the guilt of bad choices made in their past...or the lack of hope for a better future. Psychologists and Counselors are making millions of dollars, as people desperately scramble to be set free. Many are willing to do almost anything to be free from their "bondage", that "curse" that seems to weigh them down. The "good news" is that there is a way to break the "chains" that bind us. There is a "freedom" that can set us free. There is a "hope", that can guide and direct us into a future of unspeakable joy and fulfillment. There is a "relief" from our guilt. There is a "healing" for our pain...past, present and future! At FRIENDS we want to journey with you on that discovery. We desire to encourage you as you explore these very things for yourself. The "key", once again is your environment. The environment you "choose" to place yourself in. In the presence of loving people that care enough to point you towards a loving God. A God who chose to reach out to you in Jesus, to share your pain, to take your guilt away, to give you hope, to bring you joy, and to give you genuine freedom! By allowing ourselves to live in His environment...by allowing His perspective to guide our own...by trusting His guidance over our own...we discover what true freedom can be. A freedom to know you're on the "right track" and that you are focused on the right perspective!

Today consider these 5 biblical truths as you explore God's design of freedom for you:

"Jesus is a light unto your path." psalm 119:105

"Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life." john 14:5

"Jesus came to set the captives free." luke 4:18

"Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world...

...but to save it." john 3:17

"When you are free in Jesus, you are free indeed." john 8:36

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Lines In The Sand

2011-05-11T14:53:00.004-05:00

People are funny. I mean they really are funny. We are so good at missing the obvious. We are particularly good at missing the obvious in church circles. Even though Jesus would say, "Take the log out of your eye first...then remove the speck in another's eye", we miss the obvious sarcasm and exaggeration in this word picture. Jesus paints a picture of a person, let's call him "Bob", and he's trying to make sure that "Ralph" gets the speck out of his eye...yet he is doing it while carrying a much larger problem in his own eye...a stinkin' log!!! Picture this dude with a freaking log jammed in his eye...and he is on your case about the "speck" that you have in your eye! How ridiculous is that picture? Yet, how awkwardly real is that picture? Step back from the hyperbole for a moment and consider the last time you were critical of, or quick to point out the "speck" in someones life...yet you yourself are carrying a much larger, serious "log" in your own? How easy is it for us to examine others lives but not our own? We often examine in the name of righteousness or holiness, in church circles...cause somehow that makes it right? I have had people ask me to correct someone because they dress the wrong way...too revealing or too tight. I have had people insist I correct the guy who cusses...or drinks...or smokes...or smells like pot in church. I have had people demand I get on the case of someone because of a whole myriad of faults in that other person's character, habits and rough edges. Yet rarely do I have someone ask me to keep "them in line"...with their "habits"...their "faults"...or their "rough edges". It's like a guy is standing in front of me smoking his cigarette demanding I go tell another guy to quit cussing...cause its making the church look bad somehow? How weird is that? We see the others flaws while embracing our own. Apparently grace is sufficient for one but not the other. Apparently mercy is extended to one, but not the other. Apparently love and patience is available to one but not the other. Is this what Jesus taught? Is this what God requires? How foolish we often look...before God...and before men. Sometimes we are so busy contending for "righteousness" and "holiness" we are forgetting the obvious. First of all, righteousness and holiness are not based in our behavior...they are based in God alone, for He alone is holy and righteous...not us. Righteousness and holiness are attributed to us by faith in Jesus, not by our performance. Secondly, Jesus contends for "relationship" first...then for "righteousness". We often get it so wrong. We demand "right living" often to the detriment of the "relationship". God, on the other hand, offers "relationship", so that we may learn to become "right living" people, through experiencing His love. We often get so caught up in drawing lines in the sand...you should not smoke...you should not cuss...you should not drink...you should not wear tight clothing...you should not listen to secular music...you should not watch TV...you should not play pool...or go into movies theatres...or whatever other crazy arbitrary line we want to draw. What makes us think that will attract anyone closer to God? Let's face it, it has proven it does not. Why? Because our random quest for "right living" that are usually based on our own personal preferences, have not drawn people closer to a relationship with God or a relationship with us. In fact, it reinforces a terrible myth, that if you do the right things, God is pleased with you...and if you don't you are unacceptable. Really, is that it...do right stuff and you are in? Huh? Whatever happened to grace...to mercy...to patience...to not keeping a record of wrongs...to kindness...to encouragement... to forgiveness...to being "saved by grace through faith, so that no one can boast". We are "saved by faith, not works"...yet we present "lines in the sand" that declare "do the right stuff, according to my standard, and then you are welcome here". How sad is that? It must grieve the heart of God to see people hurt and pushed away by our "lines in the sand". Fortunately, God's heart is a love that crashes in on the sandy beach and washes away any lines drawn...because its His righteousness, a gift...not things we manufacture, or demand and draw in the sand. At FRIENDS we continually are learning to create room for Jesus love to transform lives...in a place where everyone is welcome, as they are...rough edges and messiness in tow. Because we know that by accepting people with the open arms of Jesus, a relationship with God may begin, and then God will lovingly and patiently work out all the rest through His mercy and grace. Our prayer @ FRIENDS is to not get in the way...

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Living Proof

2011-04-24T16:53:00.003-05:00

We live in a world of skeptics it seems. People seem to be pessimistic, on guard, suspicious of others motives. It seems to be the darker side of our human tendencies I suppose. We're all prone to it from time to time...some more than others. Perhaps its the media age where we learn so easily of all the scandals of religious leaders, politicians, corporate CEO's, celebrities, pro athletes etc... Perhaps it's also a by product of living in a "marketing age" where you gotta "read the fine print"...there's "always a catch"...you got to "buy 2 to get one free"...you get the idea. It seems it's never for real, so we're conditioned to be suspect of the "deals" that are too good to be true. I've been burned...I'm sure you have to. The same skeptical tendencies come into our hearts as we explore things spiritual or religious...is it for real? It's too good to be true? It's another scam? There must be a hidden agenda? It's got to be about money, ego, or some kind of power trip...at least we tend to think that way sometimes...so we don't trust easily. Many see philosopher's, and religious teachers this way. Whether its Socrates, Plato, Buddha, Confucius, Mohammad, Joesph Smith, L. Ron Hubbard, or Jesus...we tend to be suspect of whats the "real story" behind the facade. Now I'm not one to simply say, there all nuts or evil people trying to deceive us...and only Jesus is right. That would be very presumptuous of me. The bible encourages us to "believe the best of every person", so I choose to believe these philosophers and religious teachers all were seeking truth...genuine truth...as best they could. They all were attempting to discover God's truth and explain it to mankind as best their search would allow. Now, though sincere in their search, they may have only discovered a portion of the truth, being limited, as all human beings are. It is interesting though to see how they all have found room to include Jesus into their philosophical and religious equations. To some He is a wise philosopher, to others a prophet, perhaps another might say He attained christ-consciousness or was simply a humble teacher of what was good and right. But the real proof lay in the events of the first Easter morning. That morning, Jesus proved He was God...not just another guy talking about God. That's what separates Jesus from the rest. He conquered the one thing no philosopher or religious teacher has ever conquered...death! All the great leaders of the past have indeed died, in spite of the noble search for truth. But Jesus said "He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life"...and proved it. Living Proof, He rose from the dead. Hundreds saw Him after He rose. Men and women who hid in fear suddenly became bold and very. very public about seeing Jesus alive again. In fact they changed the world with that message...a message of hope...victory over sin and death was available to everyone through Jesus! Many of them died cruel martyrs deaths as they spread that message. History tells us not "one" ever denied Jesus was alive again. No one ever said they "made it up", even when facing torture and impending death. The significance of the resurrection of Jesus at the very least should prompt any of us to examine who Jesus said He was, and what He taught...regardless of your spiritual view...its worth a serious look. This once in history occurrence completes the miracle events of Good Friday...Jesus sacrifice on the cross (that we spoke of in a previous blog entry "Things Are Not Always As They Seem"). The sacrificial death of Jesus, paying the price for you and me, removed the penalty of sin for all who trust Jesus in that sacrifice. That penalty the bible says is "the wages of sin is death"...and Jesus took care of that and proved it! He not only died for all our sins...He rose from the dead to prove He even had the power over death itself! That penalty of sin was of no effect now...in the hands of the giver of life...Jesus! Living Proof He was God and that we could trust Him with our eternal life. How cool is that! "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life though Jesus Christ", the bible tells us (Romans 6:23). To think God loves us that much! Our hope at FRIENDS is that we can be a group of Jesus followers who will share this Good News with everyone within our spheres of relationship, in authentic and loving ways, so that all may know how much God loves and cares for them! Join us in this adventure and watch what God does through us and in us!

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Winning!!!

2011-04-23T13:57:00.002-05:00

Charlie Sheen has been on a rant about winning for a few months to the point that "winning" has become a phrase in our culture tied to him. Sadly, poor Charlie seems far from winning, but sadly spiraling out of control. Hopefully not, but believing you are "winning" while your life collapses around you is sadly delusional and tragic. I suppose Charlie is like most people. Most people want to "win". Most people desire to be "winning" in life according to their motivations and core beliefs. I suppose its a cry of the soul to live a life of substance and meaning. Life without it seems shallow and hollow...a cruel joke. It's been said that "80% of success is showing up". This famous quote has been used by coaches, athletes and motivated individuals in a variety of fields. It is interesting that this quote originates with a rather quirky, yet brilliant actor, producer and playwright...Woody Allen! His quote has traveled the world and speaks volumes towards a simple truth. Step #1 in being successful at any endeavor is "showing up". Obviously, if you ain't there...you are not going to have any opportunity to discover what "may happen". Now there is no guarantee that by just "showing up" anything great will happen...but there IS a guarantee that if you do NOT show up you will never find out!!! The early followers of Jesus got it...they showed up BIG TIME! They didn't live as if Jesus was coming back in 2,000 years...perhaps its good they didn't know. They lived a life of urgency. Every day they lived as if it was their last. They showed up and layed it all down for the task at hand..."sharing the good news of Jesus invitation of grace, forgiveness and relationship"...to all who would listen. How ironic that they layed down their lives, possessions and personal agendas to share this Good News with such passion...while today's followers live a life of self serving complacency...with very little passion...sacrifice...or urgency. Even more ironic, is all you need to do is take a casual glance at the news and you'll know we are living in urgent times, where biblical warnings of "end time events" are commonly shared as today's news. You'd think we'd be "showing up"...passionately, urgently, sacrificially...laying it all on the line for the sake of those who have not received the Good News yet! The early followers of Jesus should have been the one's sitting on their laurels...they were 2,000 years from it all. Yet they showed up...day after day...sharing all they had...materially, financially, spiritually, relationally...even to the point of losing their own lives. While we sit back, say we love Jesus...say we love people...but do very little about it. We rarely "show up"....heck we rarely show up to our own churches, let alone in our communities. A church gathering has become a self serving convenience for many. Is it any wonder that those who don't know Jesus yet, keep their distance? Because we do. We don't show up...so why should they? It's apparently not that important to "us'...so why should it be important to "them"? And God forbid, if a not-yet-believer actually showed up at one of our churches, bravely going where he isn't familiar... in hope....that maybe you showed up. Maybe you are the kind of person they would relate to...or perhaps your family is similar...or your field of employment...or school you went to...or simply the way you look or the music you like or...???? Who knows? But if you don't "show up"...you will never know...and either will they. Your greatest value is not "what you do"...or "what you give"...but "who you are"!!! You are the only "you" on planet earth...and its a great loss when you don't show up. God made it to be that way, it's His idea! Your presence is the greatest gift. That is why God tells us to "not forsake gathering together". Because "showing up" means so much. God's people...His church...His followers... can only be successful according to His design...IF they "show up". The only way to "love others" is to show up and be around "others"...and in that "showing up" God's love flows from person to person as He has always intended it to. At FRIENDS we are trying to learn to take our love of Jesus beyond ourselves and our homes...and into our community...and it all "begins" with "showing up"...at our church gatherings where we learn and practice together...and then in our city where we show up representing lives impacted by the love of God!

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Things Are Not Always As They Seem

2011-04-22T16:47:00.003-05:00

Have you ever heard of the Knob Cone pine? They grow predominantly in the Pacific Northwest. They are a very interesting tree, a very unique creation in God's world of nature. You see the Knob Cone pine tree can only reproduce under the most unusual of circumstances, or so it seems. There is one circumstance that ideally releases the seeds contained in the "cones" of the tree. The cones are extremely hard, and virtually impossible to open...except by fire! The heat of forest fires causes a reaction within the cone that releases gases, that as the cones cool after a forest fire, the cones slowly expand and pop open, releasing the seeds... and that allows the Knob Cone pine to flourish! Isn't that wild! The very thing you think would destroy these trees, actually is essential to their survival as a species! To think God wired into the trees DNA a way for them to survive and even flourish in the aftermath of their greatest threat...fire! That's so cool...amazing really. It's a constant reminder to me of how we, as humans, don't always see things, as God does. Things are not always as they seem. The bible says we "know in part", that we "see through glass dimly", that in a sense, we just don't know what God does. Isn't that the truth! I suppose if we were smarter than God, then what kind of God would that be? I know we "think" we are smarter sometimes...we think we know what is right...or wrong...or just...or fair...or what makes sense. But in reality, we are very limited in our understanding of our world, human nature, our universe, and things spiritual. Now its awesome to strive to gain more understanding in all those things, but not to the point where we diminish God's view in favor of ours. Because much of life, naturally and spiritually isn't always as it seems. Like the Knob Cone pine tree, it almost doesn't make sense...but in the end...how brilliant was that idea! As we learn to trust God's ways, our ways begin to make more sense, even though, to a degree we simply can't always comprehend everything. Like when Jesus died at the crucifixion. We remember this time in history, on the Friday before Easter. Now that's an event in history that almost doesn't make sense in human terms. Anyone who has seen the "Passion of the Christ" got a taste of the injustice of that day. Jesus, a man of the people, a lover of the downtrodden, a forgiver of the sinner, an includer of the outcast, a man who brought a taste of the Kingdom of God in such a way that crowds gathered wherever He went...and He was unjustly accused. Not only accused, but a sham of a trial convicted Him...to death. Now His enemies probably figured he was toast. Satan himself, in the spiritual realm, celebrated the defeat and end to Jesus attempts to reveal the Kingdom of God to people on earth. His death would end that...or so they thought. You see God was once again, one step ahead. Like the Knob Cone pine, the very thing that seemed to destroy...actually was essential in bringing new life! As Jesus died, He paid the price of every sin, that anyone has ever committed, for all time. It gave each person the opportunity to have a right relationship with God...no more barriers between man & God. The payment for sin was paid, so you and I wouldn't have to pay it. "There is no greater love than this", Jesus said, "than a man lay down His life for another". Now I know it seems harsh for God to declare that "the wages of sin is death"...you may not think its even fair. But since God Himself submitted to His own punishment, in place of you and me, then does it matter if you "think" its fair? If God's penalty is "way over the top unfair and harsh" to you, then what's it matter, since He paid the penalty for you! If anything it shows how incredibly determined He is to have you know Him and be in relationship with Him...He wanted nothing to get in the way! Now it all rests in your free will...your choice to trust Him with your life...or your choice to do your own thing? God is gentleman enough to give you that choice...so now it's your call. I know that I have personally come to a place in my spiritual journey where I trust God enough to admit "His ways are not like mine". He is God and I'm not, and I'm glad. The fact that God can bring the opportunity of eternal life to you and me through death...seems very ironic, even baffling, yet somehow brilliant. The very thing that Satan thought would end the Kingdom of God...actually has caused it to flourish. For now, 2,000 years later, hundreds of millions, even billions have said "yes" to trusting Jesus...accepting His sacrifice on their behalf...and enjoying the benefits of living in right relationship with a God that's crazy in love with them! Now this is why this Friday before Easter, is known as a "Good Friday".

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Go Outside...Soak It In...

2011-04-03T13:13:00.003-05:00

Go outside... And praise the God who mapped the stars out in the sky. Gather ‘round with those who love and sing...He is our King. No one should be left out... No one should be left out... No one should be left out... No one should be left out... If you have air to breathe, Hear your call to sing... I love this song by Robbie Seay. If you don't have it downloaded on your iPod yet...you should! Soak it in as you take in the wonder all around you. It evokes that sense of awe we feel when we take time to linger a bit and enjoy God's creation. A sense rises up...a wonderful sense of I'm so small...and He's so beyond my imagination. Yet a humbling sense that God created it all for you & me. You see it wherever you live or travel. In Texas you see the wide open plains, the rolling hills to the south, the forested hills and wide open spaces in the eastern part of the state. Rivers, lakes, and wonder as far as the eye can see. It's amazing, from the sky scraping metropolis of Dallas to the farms, ranches and forests surrounding Tyler, God's handy work is on display. When I lived in Hawaii, it was the majestic mountains rising over the tropical rain forests that meet the crystal clear turquoise blue ocean. The waves gently rolling in with a breeze onto the soft grainy sand unique to Hawaiian shores. When we lived in the Northwest we saw God's hand at work in a uniquely blessed location. Man it's everywhere...lush green landscapes, forests, lakes and rushing rivers. With Eugene, in particular, being such a cool area where all these things are right around us every day...and drive 15 minutes and your rolling through awesome fields of farm land and pastures of grazing animals. Go 45 minutes east and you're seeing waterfalls and snowy peaks throughout the Cascade mountains. Go 45 minutes west through the Coastal Range and you'll see the incredible Oregon coast where the forest meets the beach and rolling sand dunes. It truly is so inspiring to take some time and "go outside"...and admire God's handy work...a Master Artists' work no doubt! Whether its the rolling hills of east texas, or the oceans of Hawaii, or the forests of the Pacific Northwest...and everywhere in between...God's artistic flair is on display. The bible speaks of creation itself testifying to God's awesomeness, wonder and awe! We are so blessed to have it so close to us every day. So take some time to "go outside" and praise the God who mapped it all out...for you! I also love how the song speaks of "the call" that goes out to everyone...that no one should be left out. God's heart is that all of us are His...we're all included. It encourages me to "go outside" in other ways...perhaps out of my comfort zones...beyond my convenience... beyond my preferences...to include others. To reach out to everyone, so that they may be drawn towards the One who loves them so much...a God that's crazy about them! That means I need to get "outside" church..."outside" my home perhaps...maybe even "outside" my neighborhood...but what a privilege it is to "love others" as I am loved by God. It's a challenge, but something FRIENDS is deeply committed to...to go "outside"...so that no one is left out...so that all have an opportunity to explore and experience their journey of faith. Our privilege is to be a group of Jesus followers that is willing to "go outside", and "love others" in the hope we may point them towards a God that wants to draw them close. And together we can "go outside" and join the song of praise to the God that paints us a new canvas every day! At FRIENDS our commitment is...as long as we "have air to breathe"..."no one should be left out!"

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Green Beer, Shamrocks & Lost Causes

2011-03-17T02:01:00.003-05:00

St. Patrick's Day...man I love this holiday...one of the best holidays of the year in my opinion. Now it's not only my favorite because I am Irish. My parents were raised in Ireland, and yes most of my relatives live there. In fact my family went last summer for the very first time. Wow, what a great experience! Seeing where my parents grew up, tracing family roots, visiting extended family (many I've never met before, face to face). But also gaining a greater understanding of my Irish history and a great appreciation of the most famous of Irishmen...St. Patrick! I know most of us in America see March 17th as a holiday full of drunk folks pretending to be Irish as they drink green beer, eat corned beef and cabbage, and wear a variety of embarrassing green accessories. But you see, St. Patrick's Day is much more significant when you know the true story. First, St. Patrick wasn't even Irish. He was captured and enslaved by Irish men and forced to work for them in Ireland. After years of slave labor he received a vision/dream from God. God directed him to take a certain escape route that would lead to a harbor where a man in a boat would be waiting for him, and that man would take him safely back to his family. Sure enough, Patrick did as directed and there was a man with a boat waiting. Shortly after, he was indeed a free man reunited with his loved ones. Patrick soon came to know God personally and became very devote, even training for the priesthood. After seminary, he was serving as a priest with the usual "churchy duties", when he received another vision/dream from God. This time the vision was a picture of the Irish men who had enslaved him begging him to return to Ireland to tell them about Jesus. Patrick humbly said "yes" and returned to the very people who had hurt him, used him, abused him & cruelly took him from those he loved. Patrick was used by God to bring the truth of Jesus to the barbaric Celtic tribes warring throughout Ireland. Due to his willingness and God's grace, St. Patrick's legacy is responsible for Christianizing the nation of Ireland! That is why the Irish celebrate St. Patrick. He is the patron saint of a nation, that is responsible for millions of people sharing in the blessings of the Kingdom of God for generations. I don't know about you, but that story motivates me. To think a humble man, simply being willing to do as God directed, could be part of such a miracle! Wow, I want to be like that dude! Were the Irish just "lucky"? Right place, right time? Coincidence? Heck no, they were blessed by God intentionally through a man that said, "yes, I hear their cry, and I'll go do something about it...personally!" You see, Patrick probably was real uncomfortable going back to Ireland. He probably hated the Irish for what they did to him. He probably feared for his safety, feared for his life even. Yet he trusted God, and went anyway...to a people most of the church establishment in his day thought was a lost cause. I love that...God does miracles in the midst of lost causes! God loves to transform lost causes! Our prayer is that FRIENDS would be a church that is willing to go to people that the "church establishment" may see as lost causes. Our prayer is that we can be a part of "lost cause miracles!" Our prayer is that we would be willing to be uncomfortable...hang with those we usually don't...reach out to those we may even fear...or don't understand...or maybe don't even "like"...and learn to love them as Jesus does. Because somehow in the midst of that, God's love grows inside us and spills out on those people around us, as we learn to "love others as we love ourselves". As we serve people, with tangible expressions of God's love, grace & compassion, God shows up in us and through us! Because no one should be left out. I love that! It's God's heart, His desire...that no one should be left out! I see that in the life story of St. Patrick...and I feel its a great example to us of what a church can be...an ECHO of God's love from generation to generation! Because God's heart is that no one should be left out...can you hear the ECHO...

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Echo of Love

2011-02-14T02:05:00.002-06:00

Tis the season...love is in the air...or so they say. Funny thing about Valentine's Day...it is one of the many holidays we celebrate that have roots in Christianity, yet most of us don't know it. In fact, some other countries realize it more than we Americans do. In India and the Middle East right now, there are protests, and intentional political and religious efforts to halt people from participating in any semblance of celebrating Valentine's Day...even banning the sale of "red" gifts and things with "hearts" on them, during the month of February. To many in these countries it is seen as a Christian celebration, and thus forbidden in Hindu & Muslim lands. It's been formally known as St. Valentine's Day for centuries. To us in the United States we seem to enjoy celebrating the legend of love without knowing the truth behind it. You see St. Valentine was a martyr in the 3rd century. According to early church records there were possibly 3 saints named "Valentine". Two of these mentions appear to be the same man...a priest serving in Rome during Emperor Claudius' rule...he died approximately 270 AD a martyr...and both accounts name the same burial location. So it is believed with all these similarities, that two of the accounts of Valentine, refer to the same man. Not a lot is known of him...but apparently Emperor Claudius was so concerned with having a strong & focused army that he forbade young men from marrying. St. Valentine, believing that love was a gift from God, and that marriage was one of its best expressions, secretly married young couples without Emperor Claudius being aware. Once it was found out, he was jailed and eventually martyred. Some say that Valentine fell in love with his jailer's daughter who would visit him in prison. His last correspondence to her closed with the phrase "from your Valentine"...an expression still used by many people today! It is interesting to see where these legends and customs come from isn't it? Behind every legend, there usually is a truth...and this one centers on a man named Valentine. The story of St. Valentine spread and by the Middle Ages it was commonly celebrated in England & France. Common beliefs were added to the celebration, as a matter of fact. In this era, it was commonly believed that February 14th was the beginning of mating season for the birds of the region...so the date was easily associated with romance. Of course, that concept fit in quite nicely...as did many others over time. Over the years the giving of expressions of love, called Valentine cards or gifts, has become a common celebration in the United States, Canada, Mexico, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, New Zealand and Australia. Valentine's Day is the second most popular "card giving" day of the year, right behind Christmas! Today the celebration of love on Valentine's Day is even making inroads in India, the Middle East and China (as seen in the picture below of the Chinese army in formation on February 14th, 2009). It is so interesting to see how a follower of Jesus, a man named Valentine, in the 3rd century...who believed in the God who defines Himself as Love...and believed in it so much...that he would lay his life down to defend it...and somehow that cause still lives on. At ECHO we can't help but see the parallels between Jesus & Valentine...in a sense, Valentine is an "echo"...a reminder...a continuing whisper of God's love throughout the centuries. May we, also, celebrate as we carry on the "echo" of God's love to each and every generation...

be God's!
Brian O
ECHOLead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Looking Back To The Future?

2011-02-02T23:47:00.004-06:00

The other day I was surfing through channels on the TV when I came across that old Michael J. Fox movie “Back to the Future”. As I saw it, I said, “Oh this was a cool movie”, to my son. He replied clearly puzzled, ”uh…what’s it about…it looks old…but that car seems kinds cool…” Ah, reality as spoken through a 12 year old (who happens to like cars & cool space ship type stuff). But really as I watched it, I realized how cheesy the special effects were, and how lame it may look to my kids, but oh well. Actually I had already faced that when my kids got into Star Wars a few years ago. When I told em that there was a bunch more older Star Wars movies, they got excited. As I rented them and they watched them all…the "cheesy effects factor" became all too apparent. I suddenly saw that this old movie that "seemed so great" years ago...wasn't all I remembered it to be. It reminds me of a tendency we often have in church circles. There seems to be this overwhelming sense that the “older” something is the better it must be…the closer to truth it must be? I’ve often wondered about this phenomenon. I suppose people think that the closer we get to Jesus day the more accurate things are? In some ways it presupposes that the further from Jesus day the more distorted and foggy things get. I have had people over the years insist that for followers of Jesus to “get it right” they need to study the “early church fathers”…or go back to “Eastern Orthodoxy”…or study Martin Luther and the Reformationists…or its all about the Puritans…or the famous revivals or awakenings…but rarely do any of these same people point out 2 important facts. #1. in many ways we know church writings, history & cultures better than ever before due to advances in technology, archeology, linguistics etc… #2. each of the eras I mentioned above have contributed some error, as well as truth to the Christian discussion of our day. For instance, even the people of Jesus day missed the fact that He was the Son of God, their Messiah…they crucified Him in that ignorance. Clearly living in Jesus day, seeing Him personally, didn't give them a corner on truth. The era of the early church fathers had just as many heretics among them…as well as many valuable contributors. Gnosticism was prevalent during this time in history for instance…which distorted many a concept around issues of sin, the spiritual, reality, lifestyle and what the significance of a relationship with Jesus was. Eastern Orthodoxy gave us many cool things but it also gave us unhealthy doses of religiosity and mysticism that still plagues pockets of Christianity today. They were a great example of the symbolic, iconic, and religious ritual becoming so dominant that their “meaning” was lost and irrelevancy set in. Martin Luther, who did some awesome things during the reformation also contributed to some crappy theology that still seeps into church life from time to time. For instance, Martin Luther preached many a sermon on God’s judgment of the Jewish people for killing Jesus, which helped inflame anti-Semitism and people like Adolph Hitler. In fact Hitler quoted the influential Luther in some of his propaganda speeches, as if to give a spiritual stamp of approval to his ever growing, warped ideas of the Arian race and the inferiority of the Jewish people. He actually thought it was his God given task to punish the Jewish people. Scary stuff, not that it was Luther’s fault that Hitler turned out to be a “whack job”, but Luther didn’t get it all right either. He misunderstood some scripture passages just like any of us can & do. Even the Puritans, who many hold up as the Christian ideal, gave birth to many unhealthy spiritual concepts that still plague many believers. Their over emphasis on the pursuit of holiness, to the degree that many completely separated from the “world”, so as not to be "contaminated", was not a good thing. They also helped spawn and entrench some extreme ideas of “predestination” to such a degree, that “if God has already decided” who are His people, then the need to evangelize, and tell people about Jesus became moot. In fact some went so far as to believe that this concept meant man’s “free will” was virtually non-existent. These concepts were dangerous and quite contrary to what the bible says overall, yet their influence pollutes some churches and believers hearts to this day. Now I say all this to say…each of these eras have value and have contributed to the Christian discussion…but each has also thrown a few monkey wrenches into the mix as well. It is important to realize, that because something is “older”, does not make it better or more accurate. We have a tendency to exaggerate the "old" and diminish the "new", as if God's truth was limited to some bygone era. Yet the bible tells us God's word is "alive & active"...still at work today! “Everything”, the Apostle Paul cautioned, “should be checked against what the bible says”…not what the early church fathers said, nor what Martin Luther said, nor what the Eastern Orthodox say, nor what the Puritans said, nor what any of the great revivalist/evangelists say…we should check all versus what the bible says. This is a simple discipline that protects you & I versus human error. Check everything…even what your pastor would teach…what a book may say…even what scholars say…even what that "well meaning Christian friend" may say, against what the Bible says. By saying "check what the bible says", that is not a “find a pet scripture” to back up what you believe, type of thing…it’s a "check the bible" to see what it says about that concept, principle or topic consistently throughout the bible. In that you will get a fuller, more accurate picture…not some cheesy “special effect” created, that seems accurate at an glance, but isn’t actually real. At FRIENDS we want to learn together, to consistently point each other towards “what the bible says”. We love what books, film, art, & music say…but in the end, what lines up with scripture we hold onto…what doesn’t we toss aside. The same goes for any resource, commentary, or church leader who may contribute to a discussion. We realize not one of them have a corner on the truth, just like the church fathers didn’t, just like Eastern Orthodoxy doesn’t, just like Martin Luther didn’t, just like the Puritans didn’t, just like none of the great revivalists didn’t, and just like today, where no Christian author, scholar or pastor does either…the only one with a “corner on truth”, is the One who is Truth. Jesus is the Truth, and the bible is all about Him & our opportunity to be in close relationship with that Person, who is Truth. At FRIENDS we desire to grow closer to Jesus, learning to trust Him more and more, as we continue to discover Truth that is the same yesterday, today and forever!

Be God’s!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Just Another Brick In The Wall

2011-01-17T23:37:00.003-06:00

I remember when I went to Europe several years ago. One of the most amazing things I consistently saw in the 7 countries I went to was the awesome cathedrals. Amazing works of art. Incredible architecture, stained glass, marble columns, carved altars and statues were everywhere. Every small village and town had them. The majesty, wonder and awe of these structures built hundreds of years ago, was so impressive, yet so sad. You see each weekend many of these cathedrals were empty. Hardly anyone attended their church services, and those that did seemed to take the wonder of the cathedral for granted...they were no longer impressed. Its a sad lesson. One I'm afraid we haven't learned yet. In our striving to "grow" churches we spend so much of our time, energy and resources on creating impressive programs and sprucing up our impressive buildings. Actually "we" may be impressing "ourselves", but the people we are trying to reach are not impressed! We've spent millions of dollars and countless hours of energy on things "we're impressed with", yet our churches are not growing. Oh sure, you may attract "other church people" to see your cool programs or spiffy new building...but statistics show we may actually be pushing the "not-yet-believer" further away. 90% of churches in America are shrinking or have plateaued. 10,000 "empty" churches a year are closing. Many churches look self-indulgent rather than like self-less servants of the community. I read where 91% of people do not think that churches care about their needs. Even more shocking is that 74% of Christians do not think their church cares about their needs. I think I hear God crying. How it must break His heart. Our church budgets are stretched to the max as we "compete" for the same believers, trying to out "wow" each other...while people with real needs go unattended...even unnoticed. Perhaps our "if we build it they will come" mentality is keeping people away, rather than attracting them. The "come and see" mentality to church is not working. Clearly the "not-yet-believers" are not impressed. In fact their first criticism is..."they just want my money." I wonder where they get that idea? Maybe, just maybe, our attempts to attract them is actually pushing them further away. Just another brick in the wall that separates them from a God that's crazy about them. There has to be a better way. At FRIENDS we are intentional about being different than most churches. Instead of being a "come and see" type of church, we choose to be a "go and be" church. We choose to invest our time, energy and resources in serving the people of our community in real, tangible ways that look and feel (to them) like we're loving and serving them as Jesus would. Tearing down the wall, brick by brick, one act of love at a time. Our hope is that as we authenticly care for our community, people will experience the love of God...as we do...when we experience it AND express it.

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Opportunity Still Knocks

2011-01-01T23:29:00.003-06:00

Oh, the New Year is upon us...2011 has arrived! With all the parties, late night laughter, toasts and watching the "ball drop." It's all behind us now as we move into the uncharted territory of 2011. Going where no man has gone before! As most of us do, we usually start strong... with good intentions...but our New Year's "resolutions" soon become New Year's "reservations". I mean, we meant those "resolutions" to change our New Year for the better, right? But they have now become the things we will have "reservations" about for the year...the one's that got away from us, so to speak. While "resolutions", in and of themselves, are noble attempts...that's all they usually become... "noble attempts". We look for the "thing we won't do", the "habit we'll finally break", the "new behavior we'll start"...all with the intent of changing our life for the better. They usually don't, do they? In many ways, it is very similar to how many people read the bible...looking for "the rules to obey", the "command" to follow, the "promise" to claim, and the "behavior" to begin. For many of us, reading the bible is like how we approach our New Year's "resolutions". It is as if God was only concerned with rules, commands and behaviors? I wonder if we're missing something very vital with that mindset? Is God really that concerned with our performance? Doesn't the bible tell us, we are saved by God's "grace, not by works, so that no one can boast"? Yet we often live "as if" God and our eternal destiny is all about what we "do" and what we "don't do". Though we live "as if" we're scoring points for the afterlife...that is not what Jesus taught. In fact Jesus cautioned us that on Judgement Day many will come to Him and tell Him all about their great deeds...feeding the poor...miracles...and other churchy stuff...yet Jesus responds, "go away for I never knew you". Hmmm, apparently relationship with Him is more important? In the book of Corinthians it tells us that if I speak in tongues of angels...give all I have away to the poor...and do lots of churchy things...but do it without "love"... then "their is no benefit to us". Hmmm, this love & relationship stuff is taken pretty seriously by God, apparently? Wow, notice the diminishing of "doing things" for God...and the emphasis on "knowing God" and out of that "loving others" in what we do. Without that, those "things" we do are meaningless...or rather of no benefit "to us". Now it benefits the poor family you bought groceries for, but in a sense, it gets you no credit or benefit. But God does honor the things done as acts of love, motivated by God's Spirit. Our relationship with Him is central and the goal...not what we "do". Who we "are" in relationship with the "One who is Love"...is of greater concern in God's economy. This becomes a great opportunity for each of us. Instead of reading our bibles looking for the "thou shalt not's"...or the next behavior to acquire...to add to our check lists...we get to look for the heart of God! We have the opportunity to get to know the "One who is Love", better...and learn what true love is supposed to look like! It's quite a freeing thing to go from a legalistic rule oriented, performance based thing with God...to a relational journey of trust and opportunity. At FRIENDS, we want to continually equip people with a correct biblical view of God...the One who wants us to know Him...to trust Him...to journey through life with Him...through the good, bad and the ugly. The One who knows us better than we know ourselves, yet loves us anyway! The One who says His grace is sufficient for each of us...Lord knows we all don't have it together...so isn't it cool to be free enough to enjoy the daily opportunity of experiencing this God of Love personally! Even better to allow His love to flow through us to others! At FRIENDS that is an opportunity we embrace, experience, enjoy, express and explore...together!

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Body Double

2010-12-28T11:21:00.001-06:00

I love movies don't you? The stories...the drama...the humor...the villains being defeated...the fantasy worlds coming to life...exploring places we never even knew existed...often on the shoulders of some hero we identify with...yet can't be. Now with computer generated images, CGI, the special effects are insane! Our hero's do the most amazing things. The stunts and scenes can be completely other worldly, its crazy, but so much fun to experience the adventure. Having known some people who work behind the scenes in film, its amazing to get a glimpse into how all this is done. The computer effects...the sets that are built and look so real...and the stunts, wow how do they do all that? It turns out most stunts are not done by the actual actor or actress, but rather they are done by a what's called a "body double". Someone who looks very similar to the original actor or actress, yet is given the task to do what the actor or actress cannot. They are usually difficult stunts or dangerous maneuvers of some type. The kind of things you need to be equipped and trained to do properly. But on film, the body double represents the original in such a convincing way, that the audience doesn't see a difference, they seem as one! In many ways I believe the people of God, those who follow Jesus, the church, if you will, are intended to be body doubles. Let me explain. Jesus was the physical representation of God on earth...Jesus loved as God loved, healed, forgave, and taught truth as God the Father does. Jesus was the physical manifestation of God to us humans, so that we may understand God on our level... human to human...yet also the spiritual expressed through humanity. Why? To teach us. Because Jesus would then ask "us" to be "His body"...the physical, human representation of God on earth. You see, Jesus passed the baton, so to speak, to those that would believe. Jesus was the light of the world, but now He says "we are to be the light of the world." The baton has been passed. We are now the "body double" continuing to do what Jesus did. We are the current representation of God's love on this earth. Human beings, in cooperation with God's Spirit, living out His ways, so that others may come to experience the love of God through us! Wow, quite a concept! Now unlike an actor who can't do his own stunts...Jesus clearly didn't hand off this task to us because He could not do it Himself...rather He chose to allow us to do it, so that we could learn what His love is like when lived out. So that we could learn to trust the Spirit of God as it guides & directs us. So that we could be part of the Story He is telling, and hopefully, people will not be able to see the difference between Jesus and us. Jesus said "when you see me you see the Father"...may we become a people that others will say, "when you see them, you see Jesus."

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Christmas Myths, Legends & Truth

2010-12-15T11:20:00.001-06:00

I once heard a story of a lady preparing a special family meal, passed on for generations. Oh, this meal was delicious, a very tasty pot roast. One of the "family secrets" to the recipe, was that mom would cutoff the ends of the pot roast before she cooked it. Sure enough it was delicious as always! One day her daughter, while learning to cook, asked her mom why she cutoff the ends of the pot roast before cooking? "Well", the mom said, "I don't really know, I just know that is how my mom cooked it and it always tasted wonderful." So the young girl goes and asks her grandma why she cutoff the ends of the pot roast before cooking? Grandma replies, "I'm not sure dear...that is how my mother cooked it...and it always turns out perfect." A few weeks later, while visiting her great grandmother in the rest home, she asks, "Great Grandma, why do you always cut the ends off the pot roast before you cook it?" To which Great Grandma replied, "because my roasting pan was too small." In many ways we do the same thing in church. We believe many things that have been passed on to us, without ever trying to examine the truth of the matter...or the roots to the truth. Many church myths and legends have been passed on from generation to generation, without us ever knowing why or where they came from? Most legends have a grain of truth from where it came. Most myths are misinterpretations of the facts, as in this "pot roast example". But as believers in the One who is the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life...then shouldn't pursuing "truth" be central to our lifestyle? Now I am not suggesting that followers of Jesus "know it all", but shouldn't we, at the least, be pursuing the truth...seeking it out...striving to know & understand it. Occasions like Christmas are fraught with church myths & legends. Unfortunately some of these divide people and cause strife. Sad that at a time when peace, brotherhood and good will to all men are the underlying theme...that church myths & legends cause us to be antagonistic, argumentative & divisive. In my previous post I touched on the "myth of the Xmas scandal" that sweeps through every Christmas. Also the Santa scandal is a big one. Oh how those evil Santa secularists have robbed Christmas from Jesus. When in a brief examination we discover that first off "santa" is Spanish & Italian for the word "saint". Hmmm, Saint Claus, how odd is that? Upon a more thorough examination we will discover that there was a bishop in the 4th century, named Nicholas, who eventually became St. Nicholas. And guess what? St. Nicholas was best remembered as a man, who loved Jesus, and was also very wealthy. He felt God's heart was a giving heart, so Nicholas committed his life into giving away his wealth, mostly to children, especially poor children. He often threw gifts through their open windows at night or put surprises in their boots, as they sat out at night, on their porches. This legend of Santa began with a very real man named Nicholas. This legend spread to virtually every nation & culture. Some call him Father Christmas, or St. Nicholas, or Sinter Claus, as the Dutch called him. The Dutch brought Sinter Claus to North America...Sinter Claus became Santa Claus...and the legend lives on to this day! Now of course there has been some fancy & exaggeration added to the legend to make it fun for children...you know, flying reindeer, flying up & down chimneys, elves making toys, and naughty & nice lists...but the truth of Santa Claus goes all the way back to the 4th century. To a real man named Nicholas, who loved Jesus, and loved children, and simply wanted to give some of that love away. Why don't we embrace this truth and draw the Santa lovers towards Jesus, rather than argue them away with the "Santa is stealing Christmas from Jesus stuff"? Nothing attracts (insert sarcasm here) like bashing peoples fun childhood Christmas memories, doesn't it? Why don't we embrace the truth, and share that truth as a bridge...rather than blowing up that relational bridge with a debate based on error? We too often in church circles "believe" what we've been told, and pass it on from generation to generation, without ever consider the merits of truth involved, if any. We see this in the Christmas story itself...we tend to believe there were 3 wise men...even though the bible doesn't say how many there were. We tend to believe Mary & Joesph were 2 brave little teenagers on a mission from God, ignoring the cultural and historical fact that a family would not allow their young teenage daughter to be engaged to a 15 year old boy in those days. The common was an older man, who had proven his ability to support & take care of a family, and who had the "where with all" to pay a substantial dowery, would be the likely husband to be. Obviously, those requirements were beyond a 15 year old boys purview. He at best was apprenticing, most likely with his father, at the job that may provide for himself and his future family...as most 15 year old boys of this time would. Joseph according to history was more than likely over the age of 40, and may have very well been married already, his first wife dying. This also explains why we never hear about Joseph in scripture after Jesus is lost in the Temple at age 12...Joseph, it appears, died between Jesus' 12th year and his 33rd year when his public ministry began. If he was an older man, this would make sense. But we don't like that story in our Western world. Child brides? Older men with 15 year olds, gross? Ok, I get the creepiness factor for us Americans. But that is accurate to the common marriage in this place & time, around Jerusalem. I get why we have changed the story to fit our American/western cultural bias...but it is factually incorrect. Because we don't like the image of a 40+ year old man with a pregnant 14 or 15 year old bride...doesn't mean the biblical story changed. In fact, many middle eastern, asian and african cultures still would have marriages like this today. It doesn't make it right morally perhaps...but it is the truth. Another area of myth...the wise men, with the shepherds, Mary & Joseph in the manger? Nope, didn't happen that way. Where do we see that in scripture? The wise men most likely never saw the manger, and probably visited Mary & Joseph within 2 years of Jesus birth...but not the evening of the birth...in the manger. In reading the bible we see they visited a "house"...not a manger. The Greek language speaks of visiting a toddler, not a new born. This also explains Herod asking that all male children under the age of 2 be killed...and yet also, why Herods soldiers weren't waiting to kill every male baby presented in the Temple as was Jewish Law would dictate, just days after Jesus was born. The wise men saw Jesus sometime after He was presented in the Temple (40 days after birth)...yet before He was 2 years old. In addition, we also know that Mary & Joseph traveled, as committed Jewish people, to Jerusalem for at least 3 major feasts a year...and their friends in Bethlehem, were very likely a stopping place for them, since it is only 5 miles from Jerusalem. This appears to be more likely scenario than what we usually depict in our church plays. All this and so much more, is interesting in the quest for truth... but rather than unpack many more biblical & historical discussion points...the main gist of this post is this...we believe many things, because they have been told to us, yet not necessary because they jive with scripture or history. Because our "church plays" at Christmas have been condensed & sanitized into a one evening event of all the characters arriving at a manger...we believe that's the way it happened. Because we prefer culturally to have two teenagers or young adults be Mary & Joseph...we believe that is how it must have been. Because we decided long ago that 3 wise men was a good number...we assume it must be factual. But, once again, as people of Truth, shouldn't we seek after, examine & communicate the truth as best we can. If we don't, we confuse people, debate with people, and ultimately push people away from the very Jesus that came as a Gift of God's love for them. These myths & legends can actually become bridges of relationship that point people towards Jesus...rather than confusing them away from Him. If we seek after truth...and point people towards it...and admit we don't know, when "we don't know"...how refreshing and attractive that may be to a world seeking truth...not just the truth about Christmas...but the Truth about life...and ultimately the One who is Truth! May we be a people that pursues & expresses truth well...so that others may encounter a Truth that will set them free! Rather than chopping off the parts of truth that "don't fit" and ultimately misleading them into believing what isn't so.

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Putting the X Back into Christmas

2010-12-01T11:09:00.001-06:00

It's such a great time of year...when all around us breaks out in celebration. Bright lights, decorations, Christmas trees, Christmas sweaters, scarves, gloves, shopping, parties with friends, family & work associates. Holly...garlands...bows...ribbons...snow (or fake snow)...reindeer...Frosty...Santas...elves...gingerbread cookies...egg nog...all familiar stuff, you know the drill. But in the midst of the parades, parties & festive gatherings strange little myths arise. Myths that often confuse or at least separate, even the best of friends. Now I'm not talking of the obvious here...the myths surrounding Santa Claus...or the Christmas tree...or the Mistletoe. I am talking about the myths the "church" has created. Yep, Jesus followers...the pursuers of truth...sometimes miss the mark and in the process create their own "church myths" about Christmas. One of my favorites, or least favorites, is the Xmas myth! Oh nothing gets a unsuspecting believers dander up like calling Christmas, Xmas. How dare you remove "Christ" from Christmas they will say! This is a perfect example of the secularization of the sacred day we call Christmas... how dare they remove Jesus from Christmas, they often say! As well meaning as their bumper stickers that declare "Put Christ back into CHRISTmas!" are, they are misguided. Actually ill-informed, is a better take. First of all, you have to understand that it is not the letter X that is put into Christmas…to somehow take CHRIST out of Christmas. You see the English letter X there, but actually what it involves is the first letter of the Greek name for Christ. Christos is the New Testament Greek word for Christ. The first letter of the Greek word Christos is transliterated into our alphabet as an X. That X has come through church history to be a shorthand symbol for the name of Christ...the "Anointed One". In fact "the Messiah", in Greek is written as: Ο Χριστός (ho christos). This Greek word is where the English term "Christ" comes from in the first place! So all this ruckus about the evil secularists taking "Christ" out of Christmas are misguided by a self created religious myth...a very uninformed myth. As believers shouldn't we pursue "truth". If so the "truth" of this Xmas scandal is found in this simple truth...X has been an ancient symbol for the name of Jesus the Christ since the first century! Whether people know it or not...that is the fact of the matter. And if this is true, then in that truth we should rejoice this Xmas!!!

be God's
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Thankful? For What?

2010-11-20T16:26:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving? Well, at least I think so. You see, I say that in light of the many different ideas about what Thanksgiving "is". Someone recently on Facebook shared, "its not a religious holiday, its when the pilgrims thanked the Indians for helping them". Huh? Did I miss the memo on this one? Is this what the school books say now? I don't know, but before we declare "Happy Thanksgiving" we should at least get some sense of what this holiday is all about. After all every holiday has an occasion or historical event we are remembering...so it would be best to get some idea of what we are remembering to be "thankful for"...and what isn't. Now being thankful for the Indians for their help to the Pilgrims isn't a bad thing...its just not the main thing! Historically there appears to be some cooperation between the Pilgrims & the Indians...and yes it helped. But according to the earliest writings on the subject, the Pilgrims prayed & fasted for several days in Thanksgiving for God and His provisions.

George Washington endorsed this idea when he declared the first official Thanksgiving in the United States.
"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and

Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness":

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best."

Given under my hand, at the city of New York,

the 3d day of October, AD 1789

George Washington

Abraham Lincoln echoed his sentiments when he declared Thanksgiving a Federal Holiday as well. There seems to be a consistent thought running through both of these presidential proclamations...I wonder why so many miss the obvious?

Proclamation of Thanksgiving

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
A PROCLAMATION.

"The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theater of military conflict; while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battlefield; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union."

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed,

Done at the city of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Somehow I think George Washington & Abraham Lincoln have a better knowledge of why we have Thanksgiving here in the United States, than most of us. I trust their own words, rather than the ideas of others. How 'bout you? For that I am Thankful.

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

The Point

2010-11-04T11:11:00.001-05:00

This summer, my family & I accepted the opportunity to pastor a great group of people that call themselves Friends Community Church. It is located in Tyler, Texas. Truly a church for people who don't like church. A church that is willing to be different for the sake of reaching those who are not comfortable or attracted to other more religious expressions of church life. Though Texas is known as the land of many churches...and east Texas as part of the "bible belt"...and as a fellow pastor friend would say, "its pharisee heaven"...FCC recognizes the need for a different kind of church. I like that. That is why we made the big move from Eugene, Oregon to Tyler, Texas. It wasn't for the "big bucks"...it wasn't for just "a job"...it wasn't because I always "dreamed" of living in Tyler, Texas...it was for a reason more important & worth laying my life down for. In short...I "get" where FCC is trying to go...more importantly, "who they are trying to become"...and that is a journey I want to be a part of. The contrast is stark, yet the result is the same. Eugene, Oregon is highly unchurched...90% of the population do not attend church regularly...sadly most don't trust the church as an institution. In Tyler Texas, most are supposedly "churched"...they say just under 50% attends church regularly (defined as once a month). But when you get to the actual numbers of committed church goers... even in "pharisee heaven"...only around 30% are regular church goers. The result in either extreme, in either city, is the same...more people do not trust the church...than do. How sad is that? More people are left without hope in their spiritual needs...distant from the Jesus that loves them so. Yes, the religious mask is more commonly worn in east Texas... but the lack of spiritual vibrancy lives on. Are lives being transformed? Is Jesus likeness growing in His people? Has the "religious" taken precedent over "relationship"? Are we practicing a 'form" of spirituality..."yet denying its power." Friends is a church committed to being different, for the sake of the "majority" that do not like...trust...or "get" the other church expressions in Tyler & its surrounding areas. Does that mean every other church in Eugene, Oregon or in Tyler, Texas (or anywhere for that matter) don't get it? Does it mean they are wrong and FCC is right? Does it mean they are all fake & only Friends Community Church is real? That's a definite NO! We as a church, are a messy bunch, and we are on a journey too. FCC is a group of people growing into the people God designed us to "be"...but perfect, HA, HA...we definitely are NOT !!! Our hope is that Friends Community Church can be uniquely different for the sake of those we are able to reach...perhaps some people other churches cannot reach will find a home with us...& that is a good thing. We know that those other churches will reach "some"...we will reach a different "some"...but together the Kingdom is expanded...and isn't that the point? More people exploring the Love of Jesus...more people experiencing His Love personally...more people expressing it to others...and after all, isn't that the point?

be God's!

Brian O

ECHO

Lead Pastor dude

Friends Community Church

Tyler, Texas

Reality? What a Concept !

2010-11-01T11:02:00.001-05:00

Interesting, isn't it? Reality that is.
Or at least our search for it. Humanity's search for meaning. There is only one reality...anything else is an illusion...hence the dilemma! Is it to the extreme "right?"
Or to the extreme "left?" Is it a place of legalistic constraint without purpose...without meaning? Or is it a free form illusion of unhindered self-expression? Somehow, someway, both have failed us miserably. The puritanical restrictions of the past often seem senseless. Oh sure, some do have value...indeed even wisdom...but most seem senseless. But the extremes to which their "do's" and especially their "don't's" take us are often too much to handle...let alone take seriously! Yet the idea that the ultimate freedom has no boundaries at all...well that too has proven itself disastrous. What has the era's of 60's and 70's freedom proven? Our current era has reaped the consequences. Our media is full of alcohol and drug rehab commercials. The sexual revolution has led to a sexual paranoia, as diseases, AIDS, unwanted pregnancies and abortions abound. Our culture is plagued with welfare babies, single parents galore, emotionally and physically scarred men and women, sexually confused people, plus millions burdened with disease. Broken homes, divorce, children without a parent (or parents) and our societies obvious breaking apart at it's seams, leave us still searching. Is this as good as it gets? Perhaps "freedom" is not what we thought? Can humanity exist without boundaries or guidelines or parameters? Have we neglected something in our hedonistic search for fulfillment? Surely, we cannot go back to the senseless superstitions of the past? Perhaps though, there is reality within some of these boundaries? Perhaps real freedom exists somewhere within them? Perhaps, reality says, "Life without parameters leads to self-destruction!" Perhaps, the illusion is finally fading as reality sets in... it's called the "truth!" If there is "truth" then it has a "source". That truth then is the Source of all wisdom. Anything else is just a lie...a facade...a deception. That deception leads to error, which inevitably leads towards destruction. Has the scientific, technological, and spiritual "advancements" of our day really done much to improve the human condition? Does the "cake" of our life, simply have more decorations...does it really taste any better...does it really satisfy any better? Are we the victims of this cruel hoax...or perhaps, we've learned the hard way? At ECHO we want to be a safe place for anyone to explore the reality of life...to come along side people as they search for the Truth...the Source of all Truth & Wisdom. This journey is not a quick one...but a patient one...and different for each of us. But the Truth...is a constant, and found in only one Source...that we can discover together!

Be God's!
Brian O
ECHO Lead Pastor
Friends Community ChurchTyler, Texas

Grace

2010-10-28T10:47:00.001-05:00

Grace

by U2

Grace, she takes the blame

She covers the shame

Removes the stain

It could be her name

Grace, it's a name for a girl

It's also a thought that changed the world

And when she walks on the street

You can hear the strings

Grace finds goodness in everything

Grace, she's got the walk

Not on a ramp or on chalk

She's got the time to talk

She travels outside of karma

When she goes to work

You can hear her strings

Grace finds beauty in everything

Grace, she carries a world on her hips

No champagne flute for her lips

No twirls or skips between her fingertips

She carries a pearl in perfect condition

What once was hurt

What once was friction

What left a mark

No longer stings

Because grace makes beauty

Out of ugly things

Grace makes beauty out of ugly things

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Jesus Is For Losers

2010-10-17T10:41:00.001-05:00

I had a couple interesting conversations lately. More than once in the past few weeks I've sat with pastors and church leaders and had them say something along the lines of, "...the key to a successful church is, you need to spend less time with the 1's and 2's and spend more time investing in the 8's and 9's..." (now in this context they are speaking of a 0 to 10 scale, where the best, most skilled, most valuable, most important, most wealthy, most influential are the 10's) My response has been simply, "Where do you see that in scripture?" It's a simple question, one no one had a ready answer for. The CEO mentality of pastoring and church leadership has projected this concept of not wasting time with the "losers" and invest in the "winners" instead, because they can get you somewhere the quickest and easiest. Now I can see the temptation in how that may "seem right", since businesses often run on that principle. Yet regardless of whether that method works in business or not, the point as believers should also be filtered through..."Where do you see that in the bible? Where do you see Jesus model that for us?" The answer is you don't see it. Jesus didn't teach it nor model it for us. In fact He modeled quite the opposite. The 12 men Jesus selected as Apostles were a rag tag bunch, made up of mostly fishermen and farmers, quite common for that time period. Matthew was a tax-collector for the Romans, a dubious job at best in his culture. A very cut throat occupation that was not well respected at all. Simon & Judas' occupations are not readily known, and appear to be inconsequential, though some suspect Judas may have had some money skills since he was the one given the responsibility for the Apostles purse (a responsibility that proved too tempting, to the point of self destruction & betrayal). This motley crue (not the band in the midst of their reunion tour by the way) was used by God (except for Judas) to change the world! In spite of their flaws, insecurities, doubts and fears Jesus delivered a message through them that still is alive and well to this day! Not because they were "8's or 9's", but because they had the right heart, and trusted Jesus enough to follow Him, learn from Him, be shaped by Him and carry out what He asked them to do. In many ways the apostles were losers by today's standards...1's & 2's...so to speak. Yet in that, I'm reminded of a Steve Taylor song written over 10 years ago entitled, "Jesus Is For Losers". It was a satirical song that reminded us that Jesus wasn't enthralled with the things we're impressed with. Jesus didn't chase after the wealthy...the influential...the talented. He invested in the "losers"...the whores...the lepers...the outcasts...the poor...even women & children (which in His day was a big deal). Jesus died for losers. He died for those on top of the hill also. He gave Himself for everyone. The question here is, not who Jesus pursues, but who do we? Who, do we as churches, pastors, & leaders pursue and what's the result? Who do we as believers "choose" to invest in and is it consistent with what Jesus taught? If we are honest, we all are losers underneath the veneer of ego, pride, selfishness and our thirst for power. Reinforcing this, I was reminded twice in the last 2 weeks of a similar concept, one I found in 1 Samuel, chapter 22. On May 28th at a cool Eugene-like coffee house in Austin, Texas called Progressive...God drew me to this portion of scripture. In it God describes the 400 men who would team up with David (eventually to be King David). These 400 men would go down in history as "David's Mighty Men"...known for incredible exploits for God. But this passage describes them as they began to gather as the 400...before anything had been done yet. They were described as "in debt, in distress & discontented". This hardly sounds like a bunch that would do mighty things. This hardly sounds like a group most churches would pursue, or seminary's would teach to attract, or "church growth people" would encourage you to embrace as world changers. Yet in God's hands, they did mighty things! I felt God encouraging me that day regarding ECHO, saying this is who ECHO will be built on..."the in debt, in distress & discontented"...don't seek after the elite. And you know, in many ways that is who God has brought and is bringing to ECHO. In fact just a few days ago I met with a local pastor and was describing the people who are being drawn into ECHO...and he said, "sounds like David's 400...the in debt, in distress &...I forgot the other "d" word..." At that moment I felt I was in the midst of a "God thing"...cause I knew I never told him of my scripture in 1 Samuel at the coffee shop in Austin a few weeks prior. I blurted out "...the disillusioned...". He said, "ya that's it...the disillusioned...that sounds like who God is bringing to you...and look what God did with those guys" Wow, God is cool...He reminded me even further that He doesn't require the talented, the beautiful, the wealthy, and the status people to accomplish His purposes. Even though our western church culture tends to project you need to be an exceptional orator, a talented musician, a seminary degreed, beautiful person with perfect smile, hairstyle, weight & snappy clothes...yet God shows us something very different. Is it any wonder why so many are spectators in our churches? How few fit the criteria we model? Yet God's criteria is very different, it begins with a heart that's willing to use what you got to impact people for God's purposes...everybody has a place...everyone is eligible...everyone has an opportunity! Jesus criteria says the "last shall be first"..."blessed are those who mourn"..."it is hard for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom"..."it takes the faith of a child to become part of the Kingdom"...and "the servant is the greatest in the Kingdom of God". Clearly His ways are not our ways...so aligning with His ways is our challenge. When in fact, it's a greater miracle when He uses people like you & me...regular folks...even losers, if you will...people who don't have their act together...then you know it's God doing something, cause it surely ain't us! There's nothing we can take credit for in that, and that's a good thing...it's just us depending on Him. Isn't that the way God has always meant it to be?

be God's!
Brian O
ECHOLead Pastor dude
Friends Community ChurchTyler, Texas

Graffiti On The Walls of Heaven

2010-09-12T10:44:00.001-05:00

A Terrible Prayer

by Mike Yaconelli

I have always been terrible at praying

I forget

My mind wanders

I fall asleep

I don't pray enough

I don't understand what prayer is

Or what prayer does.

If prayer were school...

I would flunk praying.

But prayer isn't school.

It is mystery.

Maybe the mystery is...

Jesus loves terrible prayers.

Maybe...

When I can't think of anything to say,

He says what I can't say.

When I talk too much,

He cherishes my too-many words.

When I fall asleep,

He holds me in His lap and caresses my weary soul.

When I am overwhelmed with guilt

at my inconsistent, inadequate praying

He whispers, "Your name is always on My lips."

I am filled with gratitude, my soul overflows with thankfulness and I...

I...find myself saying over and over again, "Thank You."

Praying the mystery.

be God's!
Brian O
ECHOLead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

No One Should Be Left Out

2010-08-21T10:39:00.001-05:00

Aloneness. Some people like being alone...for a while. It can be peaceful, a break from the hassle of daily living. But for the most part, being alone for some personal "quiet time" is quite different, than being in a state of "aloneness". You know that feeling of being in a crowd and no one knows you are there. You feel invisible, insignificant, that no one really cares. Our culture is plagued with signs of human aloneness. I see it through the multiple ways we try to manufacture some sense of community: myspace, facebook, chat rooms, online dating etc... Even text messaging and email has become very impersonal. It's all not very deep. It's surface. These are not real relationships, but they often fill the void of not having any...cause it sorta feels like a relationship, doesn't it? Now I won't say that these methods cannot foster and maintain existing relationships, cause they do, at times. I have family & friends in Hawaii, South Carolina, Texas, California, Ireland, etc... and we keep in touch through many of the methods I just mentioned. But so many people are trying to fill their "aloneness" through artificial means. We have this same problem in churches as well. People often come and go but no one really knows them. Even worse, no one really cares about what they are going through...because they don't know them well enough to care. It's sad to see churches with signs saying they are "friendly"...or slick brochures and websites touting how "friendly" they are...when in fact, after a few weeks or months of hanging around...you realize they aren't really that interested in "knowing you", so you move on to the next church...or maybe give up on church all together. How sad...another case of false advertising, so to speak. Shouldn't "friendly" be obvious...so obvious, that a sign or brochure isn't necessary for you to tell me "you are friendly"? Many times we settle for "surface" relationships in church, just like we do in culture in general. The sign says their "friendly". The nice people greet me at the doors with their smiles and official badges declaring that they have been "assigned the job of being friendly" today. Some churches have these "assigned nice people" at the doors, in the lobby, at the main auditorium doors...wow, by the time you get a seat, you've been smiled & welcomed 3 or 4 times. I know why churches do it...but "why" do we do it? I can handle one "Walmart greeter" with a flyer at the door...but a "Walmart greeter" at every turn, in every isle, at every door...now you're kinda creeping me out? It seems rather artifical, rather contrived... "we're friendly and we'll prove it! (even if we're buggin' ya)" It seems like false advertising, doesn't it? They say "hi" when you arrive but they don't talk to you during service, after service, or take you to lunch, or coffee? No one else talked to me either? Week after week, I'll see if it's for real or not...usually it's not. Hmmmmm...is it authentic, or just an image thing...a surface thing? The Pastor speaks of loving everyone, but he doesn't have time to take you to lunch or coffee or meet with you (unless you're a person of status or money...then you'll be invited on your first day to lunch & maybe golf). But for the rest of us "commoners", he may smile at you...but that's it...or just an atta boy pat on the back...but is there anything beyond the surface, the image, the facade? I've seen both "yes" and "no" to that question. Unfortunately, it's usually "no". Even sadder, is the fact that church congregations are often like their pastor. If he's surface and image only...then the people tend to have relationships to the same level...not much depth. If he's authentic, genuine, and truly relational...it seems to grow in the people of his church as well. Jesus, was like that. He had a way of truly caring in such an obvious way that people knew it was for real. Oh how we need more of that! Is it any wonder that 91% of non-christians believe the church is not sensitive to their needs. Even more surprising is 74% of Christians claim their church is not sensitive to their needs! If there is any place a person should sense people caring about them, it should be from followers of Jesus, right? God said it was not good for us to be "alone". Yet so many people hurt in our culture (both inside & outside of church) because of "aloneness". The symptoms are everywhere: dysfunctional family issues, divorce, children of broken homes, addictions of all kinds, materialism, violence, gang activities, sexual confusion and promiscuity etc... All are symptoms of aloneness and our vain human attempts at trying to cope with it. We either embrace a shallow substitute for "relationship"...or try to numb the pain of not having it. Yet God created us with a need for 2 vital relationships: a true relationship with God and authentic, genuine, caring relationships with other people. As churches we often emphasize the "relationship with God" side of the equation, often neglecting the vital human need for real community. God made us this way, yet we often diminish that sense of "aloneness" so many feel. Jesus taught us to "love others as you love yourself". That should be a natural outgrowth of our "loving God". Yet we can be so shallow and surface in "relationship" that no one ends up really "living life with each other". Living life with others is often messy. Maybe their marriage is falling a part? Maybe they are gay or sexually confused? Maybe their addicted? Maybe they are in financial ruin? Maybe they just cheated on their spouse? Maybe they come from a different spiritual background? Maybe they have a temper problem? Maybe they are suicidal? Maybe they just got out of prison? So where do people like this explore Jesus? Where is it safe for them to experience Jesus? Where can they see the love of Jesus expressed authentically...where no one is left out? Where no one is unacceptable? This is the essence of the relational ministry Jesus has called us to. For as we live this type of life together, this is where we learn the Godly qualities of being compassionate, generous, trusting, forgiving, and accepting. We learn to be less self centered and more other oriented. Less selfish, more of a servant of others. In this God's love is manifested and experienced, in us and through us. That love is patient, kind, does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs, it does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. This kind of love never fails. For God is this kind of love and we can experience it only in relationship with Him & others by doing life together! There is no other way, and Jesus constantly modeled it for us. Jesus comforted the sick, had compassion on the hurting, embraced the outcast, forgave the sinner, and loved the unlovable. At ECHO we believe our community needs to see more of this kind of Jesus. No one should be left out. Jesus taught us that, and the least we can do is live it. We do that at ECHO by intentionally trying to model and live out a Jesus like care and concern for our community, trusting that God's love will be revealed...one person at a time. Not as a "project" but as a "lifestyle". The bible says, "God draws all people to Him through His bands of love". It also says, "your loving kindness leads me to repentance". Our community needs to see more of that "loving kindness". Perhaps if we learn to spend time with people through the good, bad and the ugly...the messiness of life...then real, authentic, caring relationships will flourish. If we choose to, miracles can happen, and lives will be transformed. If not, we'll smile, pat each other on the back, and say "see ya next Sunday", perhaps never seeing that person again.

be God's!
Brian O
ECHOLead Pastor dude
Friends Community ChurchTyler, Texas

Paradox of Grace

2010-07-15T10:36:00.000-05:00

be God's!

Brian O

ECHO

Lead Pastor dude

Friends Community Church

Tyler, Texas

My Brightness

2010-06-17T17:29:00.000-05:00

My Brightness

lyrics by Charlie Hall

I've been hit from every corner,
I've been thrown from side to side,
I'm cracked up on the inside, so I come to You for life,
Your presence always heals me, so I want to drink it in,
You know where we're going God,
You know where I've been.

Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning
Your love is like a rock
When I'm spinning
Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning around.

Yesterday I felt so angry
Today so insecure
I hate it that I wrestle
the God that I adore
Your presence always heals me
so I want to drink it in
You know where we're going God
You know where I've been.

And Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning
your love is like a rock
When I'm spinning
Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning...

And I know less about You
my heart loves You so much more
You're my pride in sadness
You're my brightness.

I wish this thing could pass from me
but I'm wanting what You want
so bring me high or bring me low
just hold me in Your love

And Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning
Your love is like a rock
When I'm spinning
Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning
Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning around.

be God's!

Brian O

Lead pastor dude, ECHO

Talkin' 'Bout Jesus, God & Stuff

2010-06-08T19:49:00.000-05:00

Here is a collection of random quotes from various famous and not-so-famous poets, historians, artists, coaches, theologians, seekers, doubters, celebrities and wanna-be's, teachers, musicians, philosophers, leaders, believers and not-yet believers alike who are talking...may their thoughts draw you into the conversation also:

"I am an historian, I am not a believer,

but I must confess as a historian that

this penniless preacher from Nazareth

is irrevocably the very center of history.

Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history."

-H.G. Wells

"Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self."
-St. Francis of Assisi

"A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act."
-Mahatma Gandhi

"A heroic figure...

not wholly to blame for the religion that's been foisted on him."
-Ezra Pound

"I'm not doubting. I don't doubt God. I have firm faith absolutely in God. It's religion I'm doubting."

-Bono

"Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires; but what foundation did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love;

and at this hour millions of men would die for Him."
-Napoleon Bonaparte

"By a Carpenter mankind was made,

and only by that Carpenter can mankind be remade."
-Desiderius Erasmus

"I am pretty sure that we err in treating these sayings as paradoxes.

It would be nearer the truth to say

that it is life itself which is paradoxical

and that the sayings of Jesus are simply a recognition of that fact."
-Thomas Taylor

"I believe in person to person.

Every person is Christ for me, and since there is only one Jesus,

that person is the one person in the world at that moment."
-Mother Teresa

"Jesus Christ turns life right-side-up, and heaven outside-in."
-Carl F. H. Henry

"Jesus promised His disciples three things: that they would be entirely fearless, absurdly happy, and that they would get into trouble."
-W. Russell Maltby

"Jesus was the first socialist,

the first to seek a better life for mankind."
-Mikhail Gorbachev

"None speak of the bravery, the might, or the intellect of Jesus; but the devil is always imagined as a being of acute intellect, political cunning, and the fiercest courage. These universal and instinctive tendencies of the human mind reveal much."
-Lydia M. Child

"The Lord has turned all our sunsets into sunrise."
-Clement of Alexandria

"The word ''Christianity'' is already a misunderstanding -- in reality there has been only one Christian, and he died on the Cross."
-Friedrich Nietzsche

"Two thousand years ago there was One here on this earth

who lived the grandest life that ever has been lived yet--

a life that every thinking man,

with deeper or shallower meaning, has agreed to call divine."
-Frederick W. Robertson

"Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40,

and Jesus for only 3. Yet the influence of

Christ's 3-year ministry infinitely transcends

the impact left by the combined 130 years of teaching

from these men who were among

the greatest philosophers of all antiquity."

–Unknown

"I love the bit when Christ asked for his greatest hits and he says, 'OK, love God, and love your neighbours as yourself.' Christianity is not complicated, that's what it is."

-Bono

"As the centuries pass, the evidence is accumulating that,

measured by His effect on history,

Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet."
-Historian Kenneth Scott Latourette

"Ability may get you to the top,

but it takes character to keep you here."

-John Wooden

.
"I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise

and very beautiful; but I never read in either of them:

"Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden."

-Augustine

.
"I am a friend to God, a sworn enemy of the saccharine

and a believer in grace over karma."

-Bono

"As a child I received instruction both in the Bible and in the Talmud. I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene....No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word.

No myth is filled with such life."

-Albert Einstein

"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice.
Either this man was, and is, the Son of God;
or else a madman or something worse.
You can shut Him up for a fool,
you can spit at Him and kill him as a demon;
or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.
But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense
about His being a great human teacher.

He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."

-C.S. Lewis

"Jesus is God spelling Himself out

in language that men can understand."

-S.D. Gordon

"It was this same Jesus, the Christ who, among many other remarkable things, said and repeated something which, proceeding from any other being would have condemned him at once as either a bloated egotist or a dangerously unbalanced person...

when He said He himself would rise again from the dead,

the third day after He was crucified,

He said something that only a fool would dare say,

if he expected longer the devotion of any disciples—

unless He was sure He was going to rise.

No founder of any world religion known to men

ever dared say a thing like that!"

-Wilbur Smith

.
"You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—

every action is met by an equal or an opposite one.

It's clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe.

I'm absolutely sure of it.

And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that "as you reap, so you will sow" stuff. Grace defies reason and logic.

Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions,

which in my case is very good news indeed,

because I've done a lot of stupid stuff."

-Bono

“Drinking beer is easy. Trashing your hotel room is easy.

But being a Christian, that's a tough call. That's rebellion.”

-Alice Cooper

"I accept the resurrection of Easter Sunday not as an invention of the community of disciples, but as a historical event. If the resurrection of Jesus from the dead on that Easter Sunday were a public event which had been made known...

not only to the 530 Jewish witnesses but to the entire population,

all Jews would have become followers of Jesus."

-Pinchas Lapide, Orthodox Jewish scholar, Germany (born 1922)

.
"What can I give back to God

for the blessings he's poured out on me?

I'll lift high the cup of salvation - a toast to God!"

-Bono

"Despite our efforts to keep him out, God intrudes.

The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities:

"a virgin's womb and an empty tomb".

Jesus entered our world through a door marked,

"No Entrance" and left through a door marked "No Exit."

-Peter Larson

"I would like to ask Him if He was indeed virgin born,

because the answer to that question would define history."

–Larry King

"But with Christ, we have access in a one-to-one relationship, for, as in the Old Testament,

it was more one of worship and awe, a vertical relationship.

The New Testament, on the other hand,

we look across at a Jesus who looks familiar, horizontal.

The combination is what makes the Cross."

-Bono

"The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

is the crowning proof of Christianity.

If the resurrection did not take place,

then Christianity is a false religion.

If it did take place, then Christ is God and

the Christian faith is absolute truth."

-Henry Morris

"If I might comprehend Jesus Christ, I could not believe on Him.

He would be no greater than myself.

Such is my consciousness of sin and

inability that I must have a superhuman Saviour."

-Daniel Webster

“Failure is not fatal but failure to change might be.”

-John Wooden

"Our problem is this: we usually discover him within some denominational or Christian ghetto. We meet him in a province and, having caught some little view,

we paint him in smaller strokes.

The Lion of Judah is reduced to something kittenish

because our understanding cannot, at first, write larger definitions."
-Calvin Miller

"There was no identity crisis in the life of Jesus Christ.

He knew who He was.

He knew where He had come from, and why he was here.

And he knew where He was going.

And when you are that liberated, then you can serve."

-Howard Hendricks

"All the best songs are co-written by God, y'know!"

-Bono

“Talent is God given; be humble. Fame is man given; be thankful.

Conceit is self given; be careful.”

-John Wooden

"Whenever the method of worship becomes more important than the Person of worship, we have already prostituted our worship. There are entire congregations who worship praise and praise worship but who have not yet learned to praise and worship God in Jesus Christ."

-Judson Cornwall

"But I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge.

I'd be in deep s---.

It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace."

-Bono

"Christianity is not a doctrine, not truth as truth,

but the knowledge of a Person; it is knowing the Lord Jesus.

You cannot be educated into being a Christian."

-T. Austin-Sparks

"Jesus is God spelling Himself out

in language that men can understand."

-S.D. Gordon

"But the one thing we can all agree, all faiths, all ideologies,

is that God is with the vulnerable and the poor.

God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes

where the poor play house...

God is in the silence of a mother who has

infected her child with a virus that

will end both their lives...

God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war...

God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives,

and God is with us if we are with them."

-Bono

"I think God is a mystery.

I do not think Jesus' priorities are a mystery."

-Catherine Keller

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Keeping It Real

2010-05-31T16:02:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had an opinion? Have you ever found yourself having an opinion based on partial information? Have you later discovered your opinion is wrong because you missed half the information about the subject? Sometimes that happens accidentally. Other times it happens on purpose. Sometimes it happens cause we're lazy. Other times because we choose not to see the real picture...because it may alter our opinion...because "our opinion" is so important. Unfortunately, in these cases its not based on facts...its based on our bias...so our opinion is just that..."ours" in our own little world...but not in the real world! As we celebrate Memorial Day in the great northwest... a time to honor the fallen soldiers and brave warriors of our country...our progressive bias here often clouds our opinions. Things get kinda fuzzy here...perspective wise sometimes. In Eugene especially...Berkley north...the land of progressive thought...all war is bad...thus all soldiers are not worthy of honor. Some actually believe this...though most temper that a bit. I see it in church circles as well. A rather naive view of God and war. Bumper stickers declare "who would Jesus bomb?", though obviously showing a political bias, some naively would nod in agreement. The subject of war, soldiers, and God is a touchy one. Obviously not all war is righteous. Clearly some are...that "stopping Hilter thing" seemed like a good move! Biblically God used war for His purposes. Other times scripture shows us battles that were clearly out of selfish ambition, revenge and ego. Yet is this new? Today some wars are selfish and purely about greed and power. Some are for righteous reasons, like protecting the downtrodden or impoverished or guarding against an ever growing tyrant perhaps. What is more righteous...allowing a tyrant to impoverish & enslave people for his ego's sake...or to defeat that tyrant to prevent it? Tough question. Tough answer. And let's face it, we do not have enough information to make these decisions. In a world of political agenda who knows? Sometimes nations go to war for political agenda...sometimes we don't go to war for political agenda, even when we should. Which is right or wrong? We don't know usually, but God does! But is this new? Hasn't man kind forever fought amongst itself for power and stuff? Sometimes have the brave fought boldly for freedom and to protect? Yes, is the obvious question. Yet some actually believe we, as a nation, are wrong for any war. That we are bullies. That we are too powerful. That we have taken our land from others, such as the Native Americian tribes...so thus we deserve no respect. This, I suggest is a clouded view, both realistically and spiritually. Consider, honestly, who are the first people...anywhere? OK, Europeans came to the Amercia's...took land in a variety of legit & not too legit ways. But the native American tribes also came to the America's from somewhere? Some say the south pacific...some Asia...some Europe...but they didn't originate here either. These tribes fought each other for land and stuff too. Some traded peacefully... others robbed, pillaged & raped there way. Where did the Europeans come from? Where did the Asian peoples come from? Well most DNA experts agree all people groups originally migrated from the northern Africa region &/or the Middle East. And as these tribes migrated... guess what...they sometimes traded peacefully... sometimes they warred! Throughout history every people group battled in war somebody! China's empire cost other weaker people groups a lot. The Roman Empire cost a lot of nations a lot. The Byzantine Empire, the Assyrian Empire, the Egyptian Empire...name it...they all fought someone...sometime. Sometimes for good reasons... other times for greed, power & ego. The point is this...every nation has fought wars...I would suggest, those wars were for both the right and sometimes the wrong reasons. But to suggest that God is against all war is naive. The bible is full of battles God asked to happen. The bible shows many good things coming from some of the wars depicted. Often evil nations or rulers were vanquished. Often God set the tables for some real good things by allowing people to be removed from oppression... due to their corrupt rulers losing in war! God, at times, even intervened on behalf of armies to lead them into victory...or defeat! At ECHO, we respect a persons right to their opinion...but be careful when attaching God's name to it. A blanket, God is a pacifist approach is not biblical. Jesus Himself will lead God's armies, on a white horse, in the battle to end all battles...so be careful in assuming God's a pacifist. Let's be honest...and lets be real. All nations have battled over history, and have taken & traded land for centuries...no one's innocent here. Even the small tribes of North America, Africa and Asia have battled each other. This isn't a big bully nation thing...its a people thing. The big question ECHO wants us to consider is this? Is it God's doing...or man's doing? Let's be honest...we usually don't know...so let's stop pretending we do! Sometimes it is...sometimes it isn't. This Memorial Day let's remember that...rather than judge those who have been lost. Their bravery and sacrifice should be honored regardless. Love would do as much, because their is no greater love than this...than to lay down your life for another! At ECHO we try to honor where honor is due...we pray you do too...in humility, knowing that you don't know as much as you think you do...and trusting a God who does know...even the hearts of men and nations! Sometimes we don't like how a story reads as it unfolds...and our choice is to trust the Author to complete the story as He intended, in spite of our opinion...or choose to disconnect from the story. Disconnecting from the truth, even the ugly truth, seems like a silly option...after all "history" is His-Story!
.

be God's!

BrianO

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Honey or Vinegar?

2010-05-18T02:38:00.000-05:00

Paradox. Two things that don't seem to go together. They seem out of place when united. They don't fit when in the same sentence or thought. We see them if life all the time. It creates a tension. It gets our attention. We notice that there is a disconnect here. It troubles us. It confuses us. It gets our eye or ear for all the wrong reasons. I think we see paradox often in how God's love is spoken of...and in how we depict Him. God is defined as Love...yet is often depicted as a cruel ruler, sitting on His throne, watching the innocent suffer. He is described as a Father who treasures His children. Yet, He is often seen as the One in whom you'd better please...or you're toast...quite literally, burnt toast! God is powerful. Yes, He rules the universe He created. Yes, He made the rules & systems we try to live within. Yes, He holds our very breath... even our eternity in His hands. But why, oh why, have we reduced Him to tyrant? The bible says, "His loving kindness leads us to repentance". Not that our fear of Him, leads us to repentance. Yet, we often use fear as a weapon to draw people into God's arms? Huh? What are we thinking? We see God's loving kindness displayed most perfectly in Jesus. He didn't come as a King to rule, though He had the authority to do so. He came as a child, who would grow into a servant, a man who would ultimately lay down His own life for those He loves. Loving kindness in action. He treated the outcast, the sinner, and the overlooked with the utmost respect and dignity. He loved first. Shouldn't we? At ECHO we see Jesus loving kindness as our model...our heart to emulate. Repentance is a word we don't like. It implies guilt doesn't it? It says I did something wrong and I need to admit it. Man, I hate when that happens. But why? Is it because I am afraid of a God I have let down? Am I afraid of a God that's ticked off at me? Or perhaps, if I take a close look at God's heart, I see a kind heart, one that desires to be in relationship with me, in spite of my mess. If I look closely, I will see a heart in Jesus that desires to forgive. A heart that makes "repentance" easy. One that simply says, "turn from that...and come towards Me...I love you!" Our heart at ECHO is to point people towards that invitation...to come close to the God that oozes loving kindness...and makes turning from our own ways...so much easier. That is God's heart...and Jesus was exhibit #1... may His people be exhibit #2!

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

What a Mother...

2010-05-09T18:31:00.000-05:00

Some mother's are amazing! You know, you hear those stories of the mom who picks up her Buick with one arm, while pulling her child to safety with the other! Wow! I don't know if it's true...but I wish I had one of those kind of mom's! Now my mom is cool, and she's been a great mom...but I've never seen her pull off any super hero kind of stuff...has yours? As I reflected on mom's...cause it's Mother's Day... and well I guess you got to...or you are the scum of the earth... but you should...really you should! I began a process of thinking...and a friend spoke about Mother's Day...and we got around to how it was totally appropriate to appreciate mom's...even bad one's...even so-so ones...cause without a mom, where would be all be? After all without a mom...you don't exist! Ok, mom, I got to give you that one!!! But seriously, the impact of mom's is beyond that really...good and bad... I suppose. As we bounced things around in conversation, my friend spoke of King David...then I thought...so what's the deal with David's mom? I don't know much about her? She must have been something special...cause he was a dude who became "a man after God's own heart"! What could I glean from her? What could I appreciate in her? Well what I discovered was quite interesting. There isn't much about David's mom in the Bible...but she is mentioned in Jewish writings. She was married to Jesse, David's dad, as the bible tells us. And apparently Jesse was a big shot, a respected man. Yet, when David was born, this prominent family greeted his birth with utter derision and contempt...he was not well received, to say the least. As David describes quite literally in Psalm 69, "I was a stranger to my brothers, a foreigner to my mother's sons...they put gall in my meal and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst." He was such an outcast within his own family that David was not permitted to eat with the rest of his family, but was assigned to a separate table in the corner. Wow, that's harsh...permanent naughty chair...yet worse! Apparently he was given the task of shepherd because "they hoped that a wild beast would come and kill him while he was performing his duties" and for this reason was sent to pasture in dangerous areas full of lions and bears, as 1 Samuel chapter 17, verses 34 through 36 describe. Ok, now that's cutthroat! From your own family no less! Yet, only one individual throughout David's youth was pained by his unjustified plight and felt a deep, unconditional bond of love for the child whom she alone knew was undoubtedly pure. This was King David's mother, Nitzevet bat Adel, who felt the intensity of her youngest child's pain and rejection as her own. Torn and anguished by David's unwarranted degradation, yet powerless to stop it, Nitzevet stood by the sidelines, in solidarity with him, shunned herself, as she, too, cried rivers of tears, awaiting the time when justice would be served. It would take twenty-eight long years of assault and rejection, suffering and degradation until that justice would finally begin to materialize...and David would be crowned King! Wow, now that is a mother's heart! That is to be celebrated! In fact, that echoes God's heart really. Amazing! It's as if a God deposit was in that mother's heart. Isn't that awesome! Maybe that is the seed that was planted in David's heart that eventually grew into him becoming "a man after God's own heart". Maybe that is why David felt confident to constantly return to God in his failures, in his fears, and when facing the battles before him. Maybe that is why David loved God so much...because his mom loved him so much...first! I have a feeling God desires each of us to have someone like David's mom in our life story...because the impact can be so transforming...and eternal. At ECHO we hope that that is a reminder to each of us of the heart of God towards us...in solidarity with us...even weeping tears for us...in the midst of our pain, rejection and suffering! When it seems as if everyone is against you...maybe even your own family...know that God desires someone to journey with you through it...so that you may get a taste of His heart for you through them! May we appreciate those who journey with us...our mom's...our dad's...perhaps other near one's...for in that we often experience the love of God in ways that are amazing!

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Can't You See What Love Has Done?

2010-04-30T13:26:00.000-05:00

Window In The Skies

The shackles are undone
The bullets quit the gun
The heat that's in the sun
Will keep us when there's none
The rule has been disproved
The stone it has been moved
The grave is now a groove
All debts are removed

Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's done to me?

Love makes strange enemies
Makes love where love may please
The soul and its striptease
Hate brought to its knees
The sky over our head
We can reach it from our bed
You let me in your heart
And out of my head, head

Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's done to me?

Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Please don't ever let me out of you

I've got no shame, oh no, oh no

Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's doing to me?

I know I hurt you and I made you cry
Did everything but murder you and I
But love left a window in the skies
And to love I rhapsodize
To every broken heart
For every heart that cries
Love left a window in the skies
And to love I rhapsodize

Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's doing to me?

lyrics by U2

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

The Price Is Right?

2010-04-12T14:43:00.000-05:00

Its funny, as I write this my kids are watching the Price is Right. Man, that show has been on TV forever. I remember watching it as a kid. My parents watched it. Now the Price is Right has been handed to a new generation...my kids. It's not the most elaborate show...no special effects or CGI graphics...but people like it. The games are kinda dorky and stupid...but people like them. But its the winning stuff part that draws people in...especially the "new car"...or the "vacation to Hawaii". I guess we all like to get stuff... especially for free...even better if we won it! It's kinda like fate smiled on us...so now we're special...kinda of feeling. I read an interesting article that in Eugene/Springfield only 30% of the people living here were planning on attending an Easter service. Now 99% of them have heard of Easter. 95% of them will have Easter eggs, candy hunts, and a special dinner. 90% know that Easter is a Christian holiday. 82% know it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. But only 30% of the population have been impacted by that truth to such a degree that an Easter service would need to be on their calendar. I wonder why? Most parts of the country probably have over half the community in church on Easter...but not us? In the bible belt that percentage is probably even higher. Now church folks will tend to blame the people who don't show up, like it's their fault. But I wonder if it maybe because a generation of churches that have pushed so hard for the "big Sunday" on Easter, that our community in general feels like it is just a number on someone's stat sheet...and in this case, Easter is the BIG one! Maybe people have caught on...that Easter is a big numbers push...and the local church has their sites set on them...uh, their number? Maybe that is why the "meaning" is lost to them, from their perspective? Maybe, it is because the meaning is lost from the church's perspective also? Maybe us church folks have focused on the wrong stuff for so long...its become obvious to those we are trying to attract? Churches go to great lengths to draw crowds on Easter... mass marketing blitzes announcing...free brunches...free candy... people dressed as the Easter bunny for photos with the kids...free carnivals...free giveaways... even free cars...free TV's...free vacations! What are you crazy? No, seriously...a church in Corpus Christi, Texas gave away cars...flat screen TV's...vacations...on Easter! Everyone attending got a shot to win some of the million dollars in prizes they were giving away! It was like some kinda churchey Price is Right! Where's Bob Barker? Where's Drew Carey? Seriously, the whole thing drew HUGE crowds... as you might suspect...but it was only for 1 weekend... Easter. It looks good in the newspaper...it looks good on your denominational reports...it makes your church folks excited for a week or two...but what did it really accomplish? In all our efforts to "pack the place" on Easter...have we done anything that lasts? Is a big crowd for one day the goal? More importantly, is it the goal in Jesus eyes? Has Easter been reduced to some kind of church production to "get out the vote" so we feel better for a day...a week...? At ECHO, we strive to remind ourselves constantly, that getting a crowd by any means, isn't God's goal. Life transformation is Jesus' goal...changed lives for the better...for eternity! Free pizza and beer will get a crowd...but change no one...except maybe add to their weight problem or alcoholic tendency's...but I digress. A crowd gathered without them experiencing the transforming love of God is wasteful. Now did crowds follow Jesus? Of course, at times they did. But not for free cars or candy...it was because of His reputation as a man who taught about the Kingdom of God in such a way, that people were "amazed". It was because Jesus had so much compassion and love that word spread, "you gotta check this guy out...He's for real". It was because His healing touch on the sick and his grace on the downtrodden sinner, screamed LOVE. People didn't just hear about the Kingdom of God...they experienced it...they got a taste of it, when they were with Jesus. Maybe our churches could learn a bit more from Jesus? Maybe His ways are better than our ways? Maybe His ways draw a crowd... not just any crowd...but a crowd for a lasting purpose? Crowds are not bad in and of themselves...but a crowd gathered is one thing...what you allow them to experience when you have them gathered...is quite another! I can hear the conversation now..."but Lord, we had thousands at Easter"... and God will say, "but they never knew Me...and you didn't get to know them either!" Sadly Jesus will say, "It was quite a show, but I wasn't invited." At ECHO we don't want to miss the point. At ECHO we strive toward Jesus' ways and we recognize that we need to learn His way of reaching people. To often, they are forgotten. Maybe if we are more like Him...maybe then the crowds will come...and be transformed...forever...just maybe...

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Missing The Point?

2010-04-04T02:50:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I wonder if we miss the point. It seems quite common in our culture to focus on the "less significant" detail and miss the "big point". I wonder if we do that at Easter too. Usually Easter is a time we focus on Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and then rising from the dead in victory 3 days later. Quite a powerful story indeed. Lets face it...that rising from the dead thing hasn't been pulled off by any other great religious leader or philosopher. So that alone should cause us to pay attention. And for some we do...well at least one day a year...Easter. What makes Easter difficult...is not the eggs, candy and bunny thing...but our tendency to focus on the Friday. Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. It conjours up horrible images ala Passion of the Christ. In reality the Passion doesn't show it as bad as it was...the bible says Jesus was beaten so bad you couldn't tell He was a human! Wow, now that's bad. Horrible really. And most of us weigh heavy the consequence of our sins and the cost Jesus paid. We must really suck bad for Jesus to have to innocently take that on. The guilt, shame & heaviness breaks us. The images horrify us. But are we missing the main point here? Is Easter about this horror? Is it about how much we suck and how much Jesus had to pay...because of our selfishness and sin? Is Easter just a final victory lap by God after all we put Him through? Now don't get me wrong...Jesus dying our sins is a huge thing...and His victory over sin and death sealed the deal...but is there something bigger in play here? I'd like to suggest this. This ancient story of betrayal, sin, torture, death and victory is way more than we often think...it is about God's deep desire for us to be in relationship with Him. God craves relationship with us. He knew our sin destroys relationship with Him...and each other. He knew we can't live sinless. Damaged relationships were a part of the imperfect human condition, God knew that. And it tore the very people God loves away from Him...bit by bit...sin by sin...slowly...selfishly. God's deep love for us is "why" He went to the extreme tactic of sending Jesus, knowing full well the death He awaited. He knew sin had to be dealt with for relationships to have an opportunity to be restored. The "Good News" is not that Jesus died for our sins...but that everyone has the opportunity to have relationship with God! It is available to all. God desires us so much that He actually took away any barrier that would keep us away from Him. The opportunity for relationship is available...if you want it. That's the Good News! That's what we often don't share...enough. That's what we often don't make clear...enough. That's what makes Easter such a great celebration. At ECHO we rejoice in the Good News, and simply want to proclaim God's crazy about you! Jesus said, "There is no greater love than this, that a man would lay his life down for another." Enough said! Enough done!

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Foolish Ways

2010-04-01T15:14:00.000-05:00

The fool wonders, the wise man asks.
Benjamin Disraeli

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."

Psalm 14:1

The best way to convince a fool that he is wrong

is to let him have his own way.
Josh Billings

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 1:7

A fool thinks himself to be wise,

but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.
William Shakespeare

But everyone who hears these words of mine

and does not put them into practice

is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

Matthew 7:26

Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.
Benjamin Franklin

Fools talk way too much,
Chattering stuff they know nothing about.

Ecclesiastes 10:14

Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex...

It takes a touch of genius -

and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.
Albert Einstein

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar?

Where is the philosopher of this age?

Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

1 Corinthians 1:20

Showing off is the fool's idea of glory.
Bruce Lee

Extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
Ecclesiastes 7:7

A fool and his money are soon elected.
Will Rogers

Answer a fool in simple terms
so he doesn't get a swelled head.

Proverbs 26:5

A fellow who is always declaring he's no fool

usually has his suspicions.
Wilson Mizner

Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

Proverbs 10:14

The serpent, the king, the tiger, the stinging wasp, the small child, the dog owned by other people, and the fool:

these seven ought not to be awakened from sleep.
Chanakya

Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;
the prudent quietly shrug off insults.

Proverbs 12:16

Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day;

wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit.
Elbert Hubbard

The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 12:15

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep

to gain what he cannot lose.
Jim Elliot

Are you so foolish?

After beginning with the Spirit,

are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

Galatians 3:3

Any man is liable to err, only a fool persists in error.
Marcus Tullius Cicero

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

Proverbs 26:11

A fool's brain digests philosophy into folly,

science into superstition, and art into pedantry.

Hence University education.
George Bernard Shaw

Become wise by walking with the wise;
hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.

Proverbs 13:20

A fool is wise in his eyes.
King Solomon

A poor youngster with some wisdom is better off than

an old but foolish king who doesn't know which end is up.

Ecclesiastes 4:13

A mother takes twenty years to make a man of her boy,

and another woman makes a fool of him in twenty minutes.
Robert Frost

The perceptive find wisdom in their own front yard;
fools look for it everywhere but right here.

Proverbs 17:24

Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.
Euripides

What's this? Fools out shopping for wisdom!
They wouldn't recognize it if they saw it!

Proverbs 17:16

It is the peculiar quality of a fool to perceive the faults of others

and to forget his own.
Marcus Tullius Cicero

The fool sits back and takes it easy,
His sloth is slow suicide.

Ecclesiastes 4:5

I pity da fool.
Mr.T

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

2 Things...

2010-03-27T21:30:00.000-05:00

Your Love Is Strong

lyric by Jon Foreman (Switchfoot)

Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us wicked sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

The Luck of the Irish...Slainte!

2010-03-17T02:01:00.000-05:00

St. Patrick's Day...man I love this holiday...one of the best holidays of the year in my opinion. As the Irish say, "slainte". Slainte is a Gaelic term... kind of like "cheers"... but it literally means, "to your health". It seems appropriate, not only as a toast, but also in reference to St. Patrick's Day. For those who don't know, St. Patrick's Day celebrates a lot more than a pint of Guinness at your local pub. There is more to the story, much more. Now it's not only my favorite holiday because I am Irish, but also because my parents were raised in Ireland, and yes most of my relatives live there. In fact my family and I went a few summers ago for the very first time. Wow, what a great experience! Seeing where my parents grew up, tracing family roots, visiting extended family (many I've never met before, face to face). But also gaining a greater understanding of my Irish history and a great appreciation of the most famous of Irishmen...St. Patrick! I know most of us in America see March 17th as a holiday full of drunk folks pretending to be Irish as they drink green beer, eat corned beef and cabbage, and wear a variety of embarrassing green accessories. But you see, St. Patrick's Day is much more significant when you know the true story. First, St. Patrick wasn't even Irish. He was captured and enslaved by Irish men and forced to work for them in Ireland. After years of slave labor he received a vision/dream from God. God directed him to take a certain escape route that would lead to a harbor where a man in a boat would be waiting for him, and that man would take him safely back to his family. Sure enough, Patrick did as directed and there was a man with a boat waiting. Shortly after, he was indeed a free man reunited with his loved ones. Patrick soon came to know God personally and became very devote, even training for the priesthood. After seminary, he was serving as a priest with the usual "churchy duties", when he received another vision/dream from God. This time the vision was a picture of the Irish men who had enslaved him begging him to return to Ireland to tell them about Jesus. Patrick humbly said "yes" and returned to the very people who had hurt him, used him, abused him & cruelly took him from those he loved. Patrick was used by God to bring the truth of Jesus to the barbaric Celtic tribes warring throughout Ireland. Due to his willingness and God's grace, St. Patrick's legacy is responsible for Christianizing the nation of Ireland! That is why the Irish celebrate St. Patrick. He is the patron saint of a nation, that is responsible for millions of people sharing in the blessings of the Kingdom of God for generations. I don't know about you, but that story motivates me. To think a humble man, simply being willing to do as God directed, could be part of such a miracle! Wow, I want to be like that dude! Were the Irish just "lucky"? Right place, right time? Coincidence? Heck no, they were blessed by God intentionally through a man that said, "yes, I hear their cry, and I'll go do something about it...personally!" You see, Patrick probably was real uncomfortable going back to Ireland. He probably hated the Irish for what they did to him. He probably feared for his safety, feared for his life even. Yet he trusted God, and went anyway...to a people most of the church establishment in his day thought was a lost cause. I love that...God does miracles in the midst of lost causes! God loves to transform lost causes! Our prayer is that ECHO would be a church that is willing to go to people that the "church establishment" may see as lost causes. Our prayer is that we can be a part of "lost cause miracles!" Our prayer is that we would be willing to be uncomfortable... hang with those we usually don't...reach out to those we may even fear...or don't understand...or maybe don't even "like"... and learn to love them as Jesus does. Because somehow in the midst of that, God's love grows inside us and spills out on those people around us, as we learn to "love others as we love ourselves". As we serve people, with tangible expressions of God's love, grace & compassion, God shows up in us and through us! Because no one should be left out. I love that! It's God's heart, His desire...that no one should be left out! I see that in the life story of St. Patrick...and I feel its a great example to us of what a church can be...an ECHO of God's love from generation to generation! Because God's heart is that no one should be left out...can you hear the ECHO...Slainte!

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

So Where Do We go From Here?

2010-03-14T00:46:00.000-06:00

It's weird, as I was reading some articles recently about how un-churched we are here in Eugene and in Oregon in general, I was unsettled. It seemed to say people here don't care or aren't "into" God. I didn't buy that implication. Eugene is definitely a "spiritual place". Most people I meet have some spiritual side to their life they are wrestling with...though some are definitely creative in their spiritual openness. In fact, spiritual concepts of almost any type will fly here. Not all may agree with you, but most people are open to "your spiritual journey" and admire your search. Some may feel they've arrived in a safe place. Some land in Eastern religious ideas like Buddhism or Hinduism or Taoism, for some, modern variations brought to us through New Age concepts are more appealing, for others, they look to more "natural" religious ideas such as Wicca and its variations, others like the feel of a Unitarian "all religions are equal...many paths to the same god" concept. In Eugene, where individualism reigns supreme, its no surprise that it carries over to spiritual things. We tend to pick and choose what works for us...kind of a spiritual smorgasbord. It all points to a spiritual openness, a search of the soul & spirit. I read where only 27% of Oregonians claim any affiliation with any established religion (not just Christianity). A percent or two each are Buddhists, Jewish, Mormon, Jehovah Witnesses, Unitarian etc... which left 20% of Oregonians affiliated with a Christian church. That means 80% of our population have not experienced a knowing of Jesus in a meaningful way (yet). So it makes me wonder. Is it that they are not interested? Most I talk to like Jesus, He seems like a pretty cool guy, someone we need to see more of in our world. Jesus-likeness and what He stood for, to most people is desireable. So why the disconnect? Is it that they have not seen Jesus expressed in a way that is attractive to them? Maybe they don't like what they've seen? Maybe what we "say we believe" isn't evident in how we live out our church life? Maybe the way we "do church" is only attractive to the 20%? So what about the other 80%? At ECHO we hope to be intentionally different for the sake of the 80%. Its a challenge, yet a privilege, to give people a safe place to "explore" the love of God...in the hope they may "experience" it personally...so they can "express" it authentically to others! We have to believe Jesus is not content to reach only the 20%...His heart aches for the 80% who have been wounded, disillusioned, or confused by what "church has presented". Our hope is to be refreshingly different for the sake of the 80%. Jesus spoke of the shepherd leaving the 99 sheep to find the one who had wandered off and was in danger. I have to believe He'd leave the 20 sheep to pursue the 80 who had wandered off as well. That's His hearts motivation and it should be ours!

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Another Brick In The Wall

2010-03-08T00:43:00.000-06:00

I remember when I went to Europe several years ago. One of the most amazing things I consistently saw in the 7 countries I went to was the awesome cathedrals. Amazing works of art. Incredible architecture, stained glass, marble columns, carved altars and statues were everywhere. Every small village and town had them. The majesty, wonder and awe of these structures built hundreds of years ago, was so impressive, yet so sad. You see each weekend many of these cathedrals were empty. Hardly anyone attended their church services, and those that did seemed to take the wonder of the cathedral for granted...they were no longer impressed. Its a sad lesson. One I'm afraid we haven't learned yet. In our striving to "grow" churches we spend so much of our time, energy and resources on creating impressive programs and sprucing up our impressive buildings. Actually "we" may be impressing "ourselves", but the people we are trying to reach are not impressed! We've spent millions of dollars and countless hours of energy on things "we're impressed with", yet our churches are not growing. Oh sure, you may attract "other church people" to see your cool programs or spiffy new building...but statistics show we may actually be pushing the "not-yet-believer" further away. 90% of churches in America are shrinking or have plateaued. 10,000 "empty" churches a year are closing. Many churches look self-indulgent rather than like self-less servants of the community. I read where 91% of people do not think that churches care about their needs. Even more shocking is that 74% of Christians do not think their church cares about their needs. I think I hear God crying. How it must break His heart. Our church budgets are stretched to the max as we "compete" for the same believers, trying to out "wow" each other...while people with real needs go unattended...even unnoticed. Perhaps our "if we build it they will come" mentality is keeping people away, rather than attracting them. The "come and see" mentality to church is not working. Clearly the "not-yet-believers" are not impressed. In fact their first criticism is..."they just want my money." I wonder where they get that idea? Maybe, just maybe, our attempts to attract them is actually pushing them further away. Just another brick in the wall that separates them from a God that's crazy about them. There has to be a better way. At ECHO we are intentional about being different than most churches. Instead of being a "come and see" type of church, we choose to be a "go and be" church. We choose to invest our time, energy and resources in serving the people of our community in real, tangible ways that look and feel (to them) like we're loving and serving them as Jesus would. Tearing down the wall, brick by brick, one act of love at a time. Our hope is that as we authenticly care for our community, people will experience the love of God...as we do...when we experience it AND express it.

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

What's Authentic?

2010-02-28T17:20:00.000-06:00

It is so easy to lose track of things isn't it? Your car keys...the time...your wallet? Sometimes it's just a case of "blanking out"...kind of "vegging" on something. Other times it is from being focused on the wrong things. Our last post addressed our tendency to "drift" towards what we focus on...not only when driving...or in life...but in spiritual things as well. So with that in mind...we are often asked, "If authentic relationships are what it is supposed to be about...then what makes a relationship authentic?" Good question. We speak a lot of being genuine...or real...or authentic...but what does that look like in the context of person to person relationship? Especially in light of God's emphasis on living such a life? I think we often lose track because "we" try to define authentic. I have my ideas. You have your ideas. Bob has his ideas. Heather has a completely different take. Sven sees things completely wrong in my opinion. Ned has it partially right...but...not quite. We loose track in these conversations...though the dialogue is good and healthy. We loose track because "we as people" who do relationships poorly, are trying to define what we don't know. Especially in modern culture, with divorce, broken homes, single parents, redefined families, kids raising themselves without parents, etc... Is it any wonder we all have such skewed ideas about what an "authentic relationship" looks like? The answer my friends, (is not blowing in the wind), comes from the One who IS RELATIONSHIP. The easiest and clearest way to understand "authentic relationship" is to look to the One who created us craving authentic relationship. Do you think the One who created us with the need for authentic relationship, might also have a clue on how that need is best met? As we discovered in our previous posting, a genuine relationship with God alone does not satisfy the "aloneness" of the human heart. God knows this...acknowledges it...and made you that way. Why? Because you are a relational being...like God is...and you crave authentic relationship. God who scripture defines as being "love" should be our one and only source to answering this question. Surely a God, who is Love, knows what pure, genuine, unpolluted love should look like. And it is from Him we should learn...and align ourselves towards. Jesus, at the Last Supper, His last time with his closest friends, the apostles, gives them one command, "Love each other, as I have loved you". That should give us a pretty big clue to how much God values this relationship stuff...and also how we might live it out. Jesus is our model. Jesus emphasizes that we are to serve one another...even lay down our life for one another. The bible actually goes so far as to say, "if you do not love others... the love of God is not in you". Wow, that's a big one! So how does our imperfect, messy, human love become more God love like? The bible would suggest that as we experience God's love personally, then His love will flow through us to others. How do you know when God's love is flowing through you and not some polluted attempt at love you learned wrong somewhere? Fortunately, the bible tells us clearly what love is and is not... in chapter 13 of 1st Corinthians, "If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." The fact that "doing good stuff"... even "good churchy stuff"...without love is said to be useless, should serve as a healthy caution. God isn't about relationships of performance...but of love...godly love as outlined in this scripture. Deep down we are familiar and even crave this type of love...it is the ideal...the perfect...as it should be! That is why we quote it so often in weddings. It is what we hope to attain to...but often fall short of. But the good news is, we have a good healthy love defined for us in 1 Corinthians and modeled for us in Jesus life as well. It is a good check point for each of us desiring "authentic relationship". These are the things we should align with...pray towards...and ask God's Spirit to teach us. Let's face it...some of us tend to be impatient. Some tend to be selfish. Some tend to be greedy. Some tend to be very unappreciative and negative. Some tend towards being rude and harsh. Some definitely lack self control. But regardless of our imperfect selves trying to be in relationship with imperfect others, God's grace does invite us on a journey towards the authentic. Not what we think it is...but what He designed it to be. The cool thing is Jesus asks us to walk with Him...on a journey of relationship...as we learn relationship. We don't arrive, that is why His grace is so wonderful. But He does say His Spirit, will be our Counselor, our Helper, our Source. Isn't it cool that the God who is Love teaches us how to...and how to be? The result, the scripture says is something called the "fruit of God's Spirit"...it is what grows in us and through us as God's Spirit teaches us His authentic love. Notice how relational all these are. Galatians chapter 5, verses 22 and 23 say, " "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Isn't that what we all crave? Isn't that what those around us crave also? At ECHO we are so thankful these thoughts in 1 Corinthians 13 and Galatians 5 aim us in the "authentic relationship" direction. Our various opinions, probably not. But God's definition of love, as the God of love, who created us for relationship...you bet...that is as "authentic & genuine" as you can get! May we never lose track of these 2 scriptures as we grow into authentic people who love others genuinely. They reveal so much of God's heart for us...and what love looks like as it flows through us to others. It's an easy start on a journey we'll never finish. Let's embrace that...and grow in it...as we constantly align our soul towards what God welcomes us to...authentic relationship with Him...and others!

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Focus

2010-02-18T17:24:00.000-06:00

Do you remember learning how to drive? Remember when you thought you knew what to do...and then you got behind the wheel and actually discovered you had a few things to learn? Well, I have a 13 year old... and he wants to drive. You see he's a good driver in video games and in his I-touch apps...and he probably would be decent...cause he's a pretty sharp kid...but? My hunch is he'll have the same learning experiences when he's ready to drive as most of us. They are the kind of things you cannot know...until you experience it...in the moment... as you are driving. Then reality hits. Wow, I never knew that! Wow, I never noticed that before! Wow, I never thought that was important... until now! I remember when I first learned to drive...and as you drive down the highway you would inevitably find yourself hugging the right line of the road...or the left line of your lane. Its a common problem. You don't realize you're doing it until your driving instructor points it out. It seems the line on the road you focus on...is the one you will tend to drive towards. So if you are a driver focused on the left line as you drive, you'll most likely hug that line as you drive...the result is you are not in the middle of the lane as you think...but you are mostly to the left of the lane. The solution...don't focus on either the left or right line...but on the lane in the distance in front of you. If you do, you will stay more center as you drive. The lesson here is simple...what you focus on...you tend to drift towards. The same can be said of spiritual things I think. In most church circles our teaching, bible reading and overall lifestyle focus seems to focus on this thing called "sin". So we teach about it...what it is and isn't...how grace is the solution for it...how Jesus paid the price for it. We read the bible looking for rules and guidelines to keep us from it. We even look selfishly to discover how different aspects of sin are defined so we can get close...but not cross the line into it.

We live a lot of our spiritual journey dealing with sin... and the accompanying guilt that comes with doing "it". We try to discipline ourselves and others so as to prevent "it" from happening. We tend to notice sin in others. We tend to want to point it out to them. In fact, all too often we are known for "pointing it out" too often...and that has discouraged many a soul. And though not all of this preoccupation with sin is bad...some of it is noble...but are we focused on the wrong thing here? And since we are focused on the wrong thing...we tend to drift toward it every time. Our church programs are focused on helping people stop their sinning. Our evangelism is focused on letting people know they are a sinner and need Jesus to forgive them of their sin...or that Hell thing is what they get for said "sin". Are we focused on the wrong thing? Has our drift to this "sin line" made the journey more dangerous for us and others? Too many live under the burden of guilt. Too many already know they are not what they should be. Since when is someone pointing out how wrong you are attractive? How encouraging is it to your own soul to examine yourself in the same way? I would suggest we look at scripture a bit closer...all the way back in the beginning...in the first book of the Bible, Genesis. As most read this book they are usually fixated temporarily with God's wonderful creation...but then we zero in on Adam & Eve's blowing it with the first "sin"...and how they got kicked out of Paradise. Oh way to go Adam & Eve...you screwed it up for the rest of us! We focus on sin...temptation...and judgement. Are we focused on the wrong things here? Look closer. Before sin...God says something for the first time...did you notice? It's probably just as important as the "first sin"...perhaps even more so. You see as Genesis speaks of God creating His marvelous universe...we see God is very pleased. He creates the sun, stars and moon...it is good! He creates land and sea...it is good! He creates plants and trees...it is good! He creates animals even...it is good! He creates Adam...the first person...and God says something for the first time. "It is NOT good that you are alone". This is the first time God says something is NOT good in His creation. Wow, that's a big deal don't cha think? What's weird about this is the Bible makes it clear that Adam walked and talked with God everyday. Adam hung out with God for daily strolls through Paradise. Yet, God says, "it's NOT good that you are alone". Huh? Even more interesting is..."sin" had not entered creation yet. Adam had it all... peace with the animals...provision of every need...a beautiful place to live...and an unhindered relationship with God, beyond what you and I have ever known. Yet God says, "it is NOT good that you are alone". This tells us a few vital things...God created us to be "relational beings". Having a relationship with God, even a perfect one...is not enough..."it is NOT good that you are alone." If we indeed are created in God's image...then we are relational beings...as is He. Another important clue here..."aloneness" is NOT the result of "sin"... "aloneness" is the lack of vital human relationship. Those relationships can be hindered or destroyed because of sin... but "aloneness" can exist away from sin too. We were designed by God to be in relationship with Him AND with other people. We were designed for both. One without the other still does not satisfy the longing of our soul. It's been said we all have a "God shaped hole" in us that longs to be filled by a genuine relationship with God. I would suggest that we also have a "human relationship shaped hole" that causes us to long for authentic human relationships. Not just marriage, though that can be what satisfies the soul. But a vital human relationship where God's love is experienced person to person. It may be a friend, a spouse or a family member...but we all long for it. I would suggest that a soul missing either a genuine relationship with God as well as with another person...will know it's missing...cause the longing tells you so. We know it is "NOT good to be alone". At ECHO we love that God knows that about us also. In fact He made us that way. In fact, He craves relationship as we do...for we are created in His image. God is in fact a relational being...Father, Son & Holy Spirit...mysteriously, cooperatively, supporting each other in perfect harmony. Perhaps this "relational lens" makes more sense of this God is Trinity thing that we struggle so much to grasp...but I digress. At ECHO, we would like to suggest a re-focus, away from a "sin" focused spirituality consumed with all matters of sin related topics...to a "relationship" focused spirituality. One that embraces our design for a relationship with God...and with others. That "aloneness" is not a result of sin...but of a part of our nature unfulfilled...perhaps that is why God emphasizes all that "love others" kind of stuff. So what about "sin"... do we ignore it? Well clearly not, God didn't...it's pretty serious stuff...that is why Jesus came to die on our behalf. That is the "good news"...that the penalty for all sin has been taken care of. The "good news" invites all who will trust...to have a relationship with God...and learn how to have authentic relationships with other people as well. God treats sin so harshly and clearly...not because He is some "dictator in the sky", but because it hinders and even destroys "relationship". Sin screws up our relationship with God because we lean away from trusting Him...and sin messes up our human relationships as well. The more the pain of sin enters a relationship, the more distant it will become...until it may even be permanently destroyed. How sad is that? God hates sin because of what it does to relationships. It hurts and even destroys people. It wounds people and keeps them from each other...and even from God...without His grace. Perhaps if we focused on "relationship" as God's primary concern...especially whenever we read about "sin stuff"...it'll cause us to gravitate to a better place...closer to God's heart. Then scriptures telling us about sin and what it is...is more like God giving us healthy boundaries to protect our relationships with Him & others. When we see verses admonishing us to 'flee from sin"...we might actually hear God say, "flee from anything that screws up relationships". When we hear God say, "I hate sin"...we may actually hear Him say, "I want a relationship with you so much...and I hate what gets in the way." When God says He hates sin, may we also hear Him say, "I hate anything that ruins your relationships...because I know broken relationships hurt so much...and you were not created to be in pain or alone!" Maybe God takes this relationship thing so serious... that's why he dealt with the "sin thing" so dramatically! At ECHO, we want people to hear God's heart in this relational context...because that is how He created us...and that is how He intends us to live...in genuine relationship with Him and with each other! May that be our message. May we see God's primary concern as being "relationship" ...not "sin". Perhaps more will listen and comprehend that echo...cause it resonates in our soul and theirs.

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Love Myth?

2010-02-14T20:59:00.000-06:00

It is funny to hear what some people say. I hear some well meaning...but misinformed people say stuff like Valentine's Day is actually some kind of pagan Roman celebration of female fertility...and other crazy stuff. Wow thanks for putting a damper on my "day of love" (though some may like that female fertility aspect...but I digress). Funny how we get so easily side tracked on stuff like this and allow it to interfere. Is it any wonder why people outside church circles scratch their heads at some of what church folks say? Now I get why the "holiday conspiracy theorists" exist...but in many cases they are either missing the point... or they are vastly misinformed. The Roman celebration they are referring to is on February 15th, not the 14th for starters. The February 14th date was selected because it was the date that St. Valentine was martyred in 269AD. That's just for starters... so let's not get too carried away and miss the real points of underlying truth that make Valentine's Day a time worth celebrating. I personally, hate to see a "good" holiday wasted on conspiracy theories. Tis the season... love is in the air...or so they say...or at least it should be. Funny thing about Valentine's Day...it is one of the many holidays we celebrate that have roots in Christianity, yet most of us don't know it. In fact, some other countries realize it more than we Americans do. In India and the Middle East right now, there are protests, and intentional political and religious efforts to halt people from participating in any semblance of celebrating Valentine's Day... even banning the sale of "red" gifts and things with "hearts" on them, during the month of February. To many in these countries it is seen as a Christian celebration, and thus forbidden in Hindu & Muslim lands. It's been formally known as St. Valentine's Day for centuries. To us in the United States we seem to enjoy celebrating the legend of love without knowing the truth behind it. You see St. Valentine was a martyr in the 3rd century. According to early church records there were possibly 3 saints named "Valentine". Two of these mentions appear to be the same man...a priest serving in Rome during Emperor Claudius' rule... he died approximately 270 AD a martyr...and both accounts name the same burial location. So it is believed with all these similarities, that two of the accounts of Valentine, refer to the same man. Not a lot is known of him...but apparently Emperor Claudius was so concerned with having a strong & focused army that he forbade young men from marrying. St. Valentine, believing that love was a gift from God, and that marriage was one of its best expressions, secretly married young couples without Emperor Claudius being aware. Once it was found out, he was jailed and eventually martyred. Some say that Valentine fell in love with his jailer's daughter who would visit him in prison. His last correspondence to her closed with the phrase "from your Valentine"...an expression still used by many people today! It is interesting to see where these legends and customs come from isn't it? Behind every legend, there usually is a truth...and this one centers on a man named Valentine. The story of St. Valentine spread and by the Middle Ages it was commonly celebrated in England & France. Common beliefs were added to the celebration, as a matter of fact. In this era, it was commonly believed that February 14th was the beginning of mating season for the birds of the region...so the date was easily associated with romance. Of course, that concept fit in quite nicely...as did many others over time. Over the years the giving of expressions of love, called Valentine cards or gifts, has become a common celebration in the United States, Canada, Mexico, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, New Zealand and Australia. Valentine's Day is the second most popular "card giving" day of the year, right behind Christmas! Today the celebration of love on Valentine's Day is even making inroads in India, the Middle East and China. It is so interesting to see how a follower of Jesus, a man named Valentine, in the 3rd century...who believed in the God who defines Himself as Love...and believed in it so much...that he would lay his life down to defend it... and somehow that cause still lives on. At ECHO we can't help but see the parallels between Jesus & Valentine...in a sense, Valentine is an "echo"...a reminder...a continuing whisper of God's love throughout the centuries. May we, also, celebrate as we carry on the "echo" of God's love to each and every generation...

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

What If We Finally Got It?

2010-02-07T16:33:00.000-06:00

I grew up in Southern California, and actually lived in Hawaii for almost a year. The beach & surfing was just a normal part of life. Now, if you hangout long enough at the beach...especially with surfers...you know...the Holy Grail of surfing is the "tube". If you can surf a wave just right...and its the right size...and you time it good...you can surf inside the tube...where the wave curls over you...as you surf through it. Its pretty wild...being surrounded on all sides with water...as you peak out of the tube, you are now in surfing nirvana. Its the ultimate. I often wonder and dream about what God thinks is the "ultimate" for His church...His people? As I hear folks who do not like church discuss their reasons "why"...I often am struck with how right their observations are. So often, what they are looking for is what Jesus desires His "church", His "people", to be. So often what they smell as phoney...wrong...distasteful...or unappealing...is indeed just that. At ECHO, we humbly listen and acknowledge. I wonder what people would think about "church", if God's people...Jesus followers...actually lived the teachings of Jesus...rather than just "know them"? I wonder if we got away from a "come and see" mentality, and became a "go and live" kind of people, what that would look like to our city? I wonder if creative worship became less about the latest technology, but more about impacting life relevantly and creating an atmosphere where people can experience God's love personally and be drawn...hearts toward God? I wonder if more gratefulness would empower people to be more involved, more caring, more giving and more sharing of their life with others? I wonder if we got away from the "us against the world" mentality...or even the "us versus the church down the street" mentality of competition... and became more of a "us in this together" kind of people who humbly seek God's guidance & direction for the greater good? I wonder if we equipped families to live out Jesus like-ness at home, and teach their own children...would it be better in the long run than replacing parenting with church programs? I wonder if we got away from event gatherings and programs, as a mentality...and became more of a people that share our lives with others...even when its messy...maybe that would have a greater transformational impact? I wonder if we moved away from a "rational" knowledge based spirituality...and moved toward a "relationally" centered spirituality... would more lives be changed & transformed? I wonder if we could realize that community transformation happens one relationship at a time...not one event or program at a time? I wonder what it would look like if we could see beyond ourselves...and even our churches...to the impact the Kingdom of God can have worldwide if we chose to cooperate in it? I wonder if we spent more money on serving real people, with real needs in our communities...if that would be more attractive than our newest, latest, greatest, state-of-the-art facility? I wonder if we chased after the heart of God for people...if that would be more beneficial than chasing after miracles, signs and wonders, for ourselves? I wonder if we pray for and live the "fruit of the Spirit" more than we seek after the gifts of God's Spirit...would more lives be touched? Would the Kingdom of God grow in us more? Would the Kingdom of God be expanded through us? Would we be more of who Jesus designed us to be? I wonder...

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Up

2010-01-20T18:33:00.000-06:00

A Terrible Prayer

by Mike Yaconelli

I have always been terrible at praying

I forget

My mind wanders

I fall asleep

I don't pray enough

I don't understand what prayer is

Or what prayer does.

If prayer were school...

I would flunk praying.

But prayer isn't school.

It is mystery.

Maybe the mystery is...

Jesus loves terrible prayers.

Maybe...

When I can't think of anything to say,

He says what I can't say.

When I talk too much,

He cherishes my too-many words.

When I fall asleep,

He holds me in His lap and caresses my weary soul.

When I am overwhelmed with guilt

at my inconsistent, inadequate praying

He whispers, "Your name is always on My lips."

I am filled with gratitude, my soul overflows with thankfulness and I...

I...find myself saying over and over again, "Thank You."

Praying the mystery.

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Broken

2010-01-13T18:34:00.000-06:00

It is interesting...and ironically appropriate that yesterdays blog post was on "compassion". Little did we know that a huge earthquake was about to hit Haiti. Truth and bible trivia is not what's needed...but compassion is the answer. A call for the people of Haiti to suck it up and buckle down and be 'committed'...isn't gonna do anything but burden a weary and wounded people. But compassion my friends, is the call of the day...weeks...months...years. Perhaps it's the eternal call from the heart of God that we all to often forget or ignore. In Haiti, we see an already poor and downtrodden country...this earthquake has devastated an already devastated people. I hear of many believers, even leaders assessing the situation with their bible knowledge and attempts to determine the "why" and "how comes" of this situation. Why waste our time on that? Why try to determine the mystery of all this...rather than tackle the reality? Isn't it sad that it takes war for us to cry out for "peace". That it takes disease for us to cry out for "healing". That is takes failure for us to cry out for "mercy". And in this case, it takes tragedy upon the innocent, for us to become "compassion". It's sad it is that way...but maybe that is also why? The reality is hundreds of thousands of hurting people... already poor...diseased...and at risk...are now in an absolutely destitute circumstance. Bible knowledge and church commitment is not the answer...but compassion is! Jesus with skin on is what we are called to be! Too often the not-yet-believing world understands compassion better than we, the "believer", do...that should not be. At ECHO, we pray for and applaud those followers of Jesus who, with hearts broken with compassion, are doing whatever they can to assist the Haitian people...and we applaud those who are not-yet-believers who are allowing the compassionate heart of God to ooze out of their lives to others...even if they don't know it as being that. It is a very godly thing regardless...even if they just see it as 'doing the right thing'. The resaon it feels like you are "doing the right thing"...is because it is...compassion says so! And that is the very heart of Jesus!

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Brilliant

2010-01-12T18:36:00.000-06:00

Have you ever been overtaken by the beauty of creation? Have you ever been in awe of God's brilliance? When you look at nature and the intricacies of how things function in creations systems...be it weather...animal kingdom...or plant life...or within our oceans or outer space...it is absolutely mind numbingly obvious that God's ways are far, far beyond our ways!!! At ECHO we are so thankful that God graciously gave us His love letter (scripture) so that we may explore His love in action...experience it personally...and then see how we can learn to express it to others. His brilliance is so beyond my thinking and my ways. It's as if nature is a constant God reminder to us "know-it-all" humans, to not miss out on partnering with His genius. His way really works...if we trust Him. It really is better than what we try to cook up on our own. Most of what we do in "ourselves", creates more problems for us and others, than we care to admit. For instance, I read recently only 10% of people respond to the challenge of "commitment"...the challenge to signup and join us! Only the already "committed" commit to be more committed! LOL. Yet, we, often in church circles, challenge people to be "committed"...get on board...join the cause...be here every time the doors are open...read your assigned bible reading every day...give financially as we ask...and volunteer to do what we need you to do!!! Because a "few" respond to this...we assume "all" will. But recent history has shown that most don't respond to this at all...in fact they feel pressured or even manipulated by it. It actually pushes more away than it attracts. Yet we persist? huh? Even more interesting is that hardly anyone responds to "reason". Most cannot be convinced you are right, and they are wrong. Most believe what they want to believe regardless. Isn't that interesting...in church circles we often focus on people "knowing lots of bible stuff"...cause if they get the right info, they'll believe. Well that hasn't worked too well has it? There is more bible info published in virtually every creative form known to man kind...yet a smaller percentage of the population believes today than ever. Perhaps our "brilliance" is not sufficient? But as we look at Jesus...who was the Word of God...scripture and truth...in the flesh...you rarely see Jesus use reason to pound people into biblical submission. In fact, He usually only used it to humble the religious "know-it-all's" who "knew the scriptures well...but not the One who it was speaking about"...Jesus Himself, hello! What we don't see Him doing is demanding people commit to a cause or a club...but, rather, to enter into a relationship. Jesus invites those He meets to discover who He really is...and follow. Not coercive...but in relationship...by choice...not pressure or manipulation. So what then? Have we been doing this church thing wrong all these years? What's the answer? Well, a huge stat jumped out of this study...something Jesus people should not just know...but live... 90% of people do respond to "compassion"!!! What we do see in Jesus...consistently... over and over...was compassion. He cares for the downtrodden...the widow...the orphan...the guilty...the outcast...the sick...the hungry. His heart of compassion drew huge crowds. His teaching was so unlike the know-it-all teachers of the day...His words oozed grace...mercy...forgiveness...love...compassion. It didn't demand...it accepted. It didn't judge...it forgave. It didn't beat down...it lifted up. It spoke of another chance...an opportunity to get back up. At ECHO, we hope to be a group of Jesus followers that is known for compassion...as Jesus was. Yes, there are times when loving instruction from scripture is helpful and needed...but its done in love. Yes, there is the encouragement to press on and not give up...but its done in grace, mercy & forgiveness...not as a demand or some kind of performance thing. If 90% of people respond to compassion (as the study suggests), then maybe Jesus was onto something...How brilliant is that!?

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Boxing Day

2010-01-06T16:53:00.000-06:00

OK, in the aftermath of Christmas bliss, does anyone know what's up with "Boxing Day"? How weird...we celebrate "boxing" the day after Christmas? Well, at least in Canada and the British Commonwealth they do. Why is the sport of boxing glorified...and if so...why the day after Jesus birthday? Now I'm not a sporting prude of any kind...I get the sport of boxing, as violent as it is to some...so I'm not saying, "boxing sucks"...but why the holiday? Are those beer swilling, hockey brawling Canadians that desperate for another day off work? Whats up with that, and who signed off on it? So I checked a bit on why...and guess what "Boxing Day" ain't what most of us think it is. It's not about "boxing" the sport at all...though we often joke and refer to it as such. It's actually a day firmly rooted in the Great Commandment...in the true Spirit of Christmas. "Boxing Day" was a tradition that took place the day after Christmas...it was a day to give gifts to those less fortunate than you. The more fortunate gave to the less fortunate. Often those items were very practical...clothes, food, tools, cash... usually based on the families needs you were giving to....and they were often put in boxes to be given to those families. Hence the term "boxing day". It was a "loving others as you love yourself" kind of day. After being showered with gifts on Christmas by those that love you...you in turn, took December 26th to give to those with less than you. Wow, how'd we miss this holiday in America? In our churches? It's quite the cool thing really...this "Boxing Day". Somehow we missed the point. It reminds me of how we often miss the point in church circles. Too often we get caught up in building our kingdoms... our churches...our ministries...our legacy...but we miss the main point. Jesus summed it up for us...love God with all you got...and love others as you love yourself...the "point" is relationship...with God and with others. Real, authentic relationships of love, grace, forgiveness, compassion...of being known and of knowing...of doing life together. But somehow we box ourselves into what "church is"...its 2 fast songs and 3 slow songs...announcements and a message...its cool, state of the art performances that are as slick as slick can be (even timed to the minute)...its Walmart greeter type people at the doors saying "hi", but never knowing or caring to really know me...its programs that dazzle...its events that attract the biggest crowds...its buildings built to impress...its eye catching marketing to draw people in...oh ya, and of course we need to work in some kind of small group thing, cause that 'community' thing is popular these days. What? Have we boxed ourselves in? How closed in are we? Because that's what others "do"... are we to do the same? Is that what Jesus really asked us to do? Have we missed the point entirely? "Community" isn't a cool trendy word to put on your website...its the goal. Relationships are not "one of" our programs to attract more people...it is THE "point". It is emphasized throughout scripture...over and over...without love you are not God's...even miracles done without love are meaningless (even annoying)...and lest we forget...even churchey stuff done super well, if done without love, Jesus says, "go away I never knew you". Relationships...real authentic, relationships as God designed...is the point...not a peripheral add on or option. All we do at ECHO gets filtered through this...does it enhance a persons growth in their relationship with Jesus?...and does it create an environment where love grows person to person?...if not, we don't do it. It simply is not what its all about. Some of that stuff can be helpful...but without relationship...it is a waste. So why waste time thinking church is about something it isn't. In the end we look foolish...completely ignorant of the obvious...yet our boxed in viewpoints limit our perspective. Jesus would challenge us to look to the source...look to what He says is vital...if you do, you'll be able to step out of those boxes of "church-ianity" and begin to live life as God intended...a process of loving Him more and more...of receiving His love at a deeper level...and of passing that love on to others, as His Spirit teaches you. At ECHO, we love getting out of the box...how about you?

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Overcome

2010-01-01T00:55:00.001-06:00

As the 2010 arrives, we often think of resolutions. Things we can change...hopefully for the better. Lose weight, get a better job, stop smoking, drink less, cuss less, work out more, go back to school, pay off debt...or whatever. They are all usually things we try to muster up the self-discipline to do. Unfortunately, statistics say that most people don't make it to the end of January! I wonder why? Perhaps it is the "self" part of self-discipline. Maybe we lack the ability to "stay the course" when it comes to this thing called "self". As noble as our "resolutions" are, we meltdown within weeks. "Oh well, maybe next year," we say. At ECHO, we applaud those of you trying to make a change, we really do, it's often not easy...that's why we avoid tackling these issues till each New Year comes 'round. But we also know of a God who says He can "be" in us, what we cannot "be" in our own strength. Perhaps this year you will invite Him to "be" in you...what you cannot be otherwise. After all the hardest changes are internal... not external (and they sure can be hard, can't they?). Those internal deep things of the heart and soul...are so hard to understand...and control...and live with. Its often easier to control our actions or appearance...rather than our emotions. Perhaps this year we can work inside out...rather than outside in. At ECHO we encourage you to rest in the love of Jesus and invite Him to "be" those very things your heart & soul long for...and struggle with...in God's love may you overcome in 2010. If you've never asked God to work in your life in this way before...may these words of song be your prayer. May the lyrics of the following medley encourage you as they remind you of God's heart for you... and His desire to work in you!

And I can see that my hands are trembling,

I can see that my legs are weak

I can see that my head is spinning,

but I will overcome

And I know that my heart is hurting,

And I know that my soul it aches

And I know that it seems I'm failing,

but I will overcome, yeah

O Lord I'm strong in You

O Lord I am wise in You

O Lord I can see in You

so I will overcome

O Lord I'm loved by You

O Lord I am free in You

O Lord I'm complete in You

So I will overcome

I will overcome

Oh God, You are my God

And I will ever praise You

Oh God, You are my God

And I will ever praise You

I seek You in the morning

And I will learn to walk in Your ways

And step by step You'll lead me

And I will follow You all of my days

And step by step You'll lead me

And I will follow You all of my days

O Lord I'm strong in You

O Lord I'm wise in You

O Lord I can see in You

so I will overcome

O Lord I'm loved by You

O Lord I am free in You

O Lord I'm complete in You

So I will overcome

I will overcome

lyrics "I Will Overcome" by Charlie Hall and "Step by Step" by Rich Mullins,

arrangement by Rick McElmurry

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Gimme Some Christmas

2009-12-20T18:31:00.000-06:00

Christmas has become such a selfish endeavor. It all gets started with our "lists", doesn't it? These lists are full of our overly optimistic hopes that someone will invest a ton of money in satisfying our "wants". Now kids are known for quite the optimistic lists...but I've seen adults of all ages fall prey to the very same illusion. I know, I know...its all part of the fun. Make your lists...dream and hope you get the stuff...send it off to "Santa"...and maybe you will get a few...and be disappointed in a few that were missed. But somehow in that "fun" we've lost focus. With all the lights, decorations, yummy food and shopping malls taking priority...are we missing something? Christmas was never about "getting stuff", was it? Yet most of us experience it primarily at that level. That's too bad. Though gift giving and receiving is central to how we celebrate, its not the main point. Ya, I know...this is where a bunch of you go..."oh no, here comes the Christmas is about Jesus birthday guilt trip". "Way to ruin our fun dude!" You may be pleasantly surprised to know that's "not" where this is going (though of course it is Jesus birthday). Even bigger than it being Jesus "birthday"...we should ask why did Jesus choose to be born as a baby in the first place? I believe its because of God's heart for relationship with us. In fact, the bible tells us He would be called "Emmanuel"..."God with us". That tells us something very intregal to the Christmas story. It tells us something central to God's heart in all this. You see Christmas is not "getting" ...but "being with." As a matter of fact, its always been about God "being with" us...and in turn us "being with" others! Simply put...love is best manifested by "being with" someone. Christmas is God's love expressed in its best form...God with us...in the person of Jesus. So as ECHO, we hope to be a people that as we celebrate Christmas in the future may we always remember, Christmas isn't about "getting stuff"...its about "being with". God with us...and us being with others. In this the heart of Christmas is best expressed. Perhaps beginning with this year... "being with" can be our focus...in the midst of all the fun :)

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

The Why?

2009-12-04T00:56:00.000-06:00

Have you ever been around young kids...especially pre-schoolers or early grade school kids? They do something that many of us have forgotten to do. They do something that we often don't like...yet it is so healthy. They do something that we often discourage, yet, I believe Jesus would encourage. You see, Jesus said that we needed to become like little children to enter into the Kingdom of God. Perhaps this is one area he was referring to. I'm speaking of young kids tendency to ask "why?" What a great word! They ask it over and over...and we sometimes answer...but mostly we don't. Unfortunately, we teach them that their "why" questions are not important...or at least not worth our time to answer. What a shame. The older we get, it seems we ask less "why" questions...we seem to acclimate to our surroundings and "go with the flow", so to speak. Whether at home, at work, at church or in our culture...we often do stuff without ever asking why? Which begs a big question...Why? What a shame we have stopped asking this important question. Why questions, when honestly pursued, will often take you to the core...the central truth... the foundation...if you dare to ask of it...and if you dare explore its depths. Often in church circles we do stuff...lots of stuff...lots of churchy stuff...lots of "good" stuff" even...but we never ask why? Shouldn't we? If, as followers of Jesus...Who is Truth...shouldn't we be the biggest askers of "why"? Shouldn't we be the biggest pursuers of "truth"? Unfortunately we often are not... because we fail to ask...why? For example...when asked, why do churches even exist...some would say "to worship God". Now, though this is partially correct, wouldn't a "why" fit in well here? Why is church conducive to worshipping God? Why is church necessary in the worshipping God equation? Why is that the method of choice? Another common answer to why churches exist, some would say, "is to go into all the world and preach the gospel" (known as the "Great Commission" in church circles). Wouldn't this be a good place to ask, "why"? Why do we need to "go"? Why do we need to preach the gospel, and what is "the gospel" by the way, that we are preaching? Though both of these common answers are partially correct...they are not. A simple "why" will take you deeper...to the "foundation" as to why we do these things at all. Why do we worship God together? Why is the Great Commission a big deal? And are these 2 things the "most important" thing followers of Jesus are about? Dare I say..."no!" Why, do I say that? Simple...Jesus was asked very directly what was "most important"...and he answered very directly...and simply...Jesus said "everything" (as in all things...as in even church things...as in life things...as in every single thing!) ..."everything" hung on this (as in hanging like a picture on a nail...i.e. "completely dependent on") ...Everything hung on this..."love God with your whole heart, mind and flesh...and love others as you love yourself". If you ask "why" long enough...and dig deep enough...you'll end up at this central... foundational truth...that EVERYTHING HANGS ON! Why do we gather to worship together? Because we are created to love God AND love each other...and gathering together is very conducive to doing just that. (it should be noted that "if" your gathering together is "not" conducive to worshipping God and loving each other well...then some serious adjustments need to happen...it may begin with a "why" not question?) Gathering ALONE...seperately...may allow you to worship God...but it hinders the second half of Jesus emphasis...the loving people part. Can we gather in mass and not love each other well? Sure...many churches do...sadly, they are missing a key component of what Jesus calls His "church" (His people) to be. But being alone ensures you fail on the loving people thing...cause their ain't no people around for you to love on! Why is the Great Commission so important? Because if you really do love God with all you got...His love will grow in you and you'll naturally want to share that love with others. As you love them, the Great Commission happens...its a natural flow out from your life, as you love God and allow His love to flow through you to others. So what's the danger of not asking "why"? Well, you may gather...or not gather in worship...without fully understanding why. Too many gather because "you should" without knowing "why". Knowing "why" gives you greater motivation...and a more natural flow into worship... rather than it becoming some stale ritual you do, because you are "supposed to". The same can happen with the Great Commission. Too many "do" the preaching the gospel thing...without living it. The result...people are repelled by the gospel...not attracted to it. Without love as its motivation, even evangelism and outreach, can become an exercise in ritual...without the heart to it that Jesus intended. People sniff it out quickly too. People know when you really care and love them...and when they are some project for you...some notch in your church belt...somebody you need for your agenda. May God forgive us for not asking "why". May God forgive us for doing so much churchy stuff...without even knowing why...without even having Jesus heart at the core of what we live. At ECHO, our challenge is to become a group of Jesus followers who will always ask "why"...and not be afraid of the answer. If the answer takes us nowhere...then perhaps what we're doing is not rooted in Jesus truth. If that's so, then we need to adjust. If we ask "why" and it takes us back to what Jesus said "it all hangs on"...then we know we are on the right track... motivated by whats right...God's love for us, flowing through us, to those around us...and in that the Kingdom of God will be expanded...because we dared to ask "why?"

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Authentic Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T19:14:00.000-06:00

We love Thanksgiving in my house, don't you? Lots and lots of great food...turkey...stuffing...cranberry...carrots...yams...mashed potato...gravy...salads...pies...ice cream...hot cider...ahhhh good stuff! Lots of family and friends too...that makes it even better. We usually open up our home to whomever wants to join us. Being in a college town, often people can't get home for Thanksgiving...so we welcome whoever would like to join in the feast...the more the merrier. Then top it all off with lots and lots of football. Oh ya, just relax, laugh, tell stories and watch football till we slowly...drift off...to that "oh I ate too much"...nap...zzzzzzzzz. That's our Thanksgiving...sound familiar? Yep...its probably a lot like yours too. It seems that's the typical modern American Thanksgiving (barring a few minor variables). Yet the first Thanksgiving was quite different really. We seem to depict it as if it was almost like what we do today...except with a few Indians and pilgrims thrown in...but it wasn't. In 1621 life in America was very different. No grocery stores. No Walmart Super Centers with an abundance of cheap, affordable food. No wealth to speak of. No cities or established communities anywhere near what we have today. Life in 1621 was about survival. People farmed and hunted to survive. Remember people came to America to escape religious and government persecution. They desired freedom...and were willing to risk it all to have a shot at it. Not a guarantee of it...just a shot at it. Thankfully, for us, they succeeded. But for this first group of settlers, having enough of a harvest to survive the harsh winter was a big deal. Without it they die and the dream ends. But with the help of local Indians teaching them techniques to grow crops in this new land, along with the resources these settlers brought from Europe... together, the harvest was plentiful. Not plentiful, as in cook it all up and eat too much, till you fall asleep on the couch. But plentiful as in store the food after its been gathered...and be careful, even very moderate in using it properly...to ensure you make it through the winter. In fact, history tells us, this first Thanksgiving was not so much a "feast" of gluttonous proportions, as it was a day of quiet, thankful, worship to God. Most of the day was in prayerful solitude. These pilgrims knew without God's provision and protection they wouldn't survive. The cold, harsh winter would take its toll if their harvest wasn't sufficient. Their hearts were overwhelmed with gratitude. It wasn't a wild, loud party of celebrating till you puke. It was a day of prayer, worship and hearts of gratitude toward God...that happened to end in a meal...a modest meal...a meal of Thanksgiving. At ECHO, we know how easy it is look at history through the eyes of our current culture, and sometimes miss the essence of the moment. Isn't it weird how "our" Thanksgiving is a day of eat till you drop, over abundance...with a token prayer of thanksgiving thrown in. While the pilgrims Thanksgiving was a day of reflection, prayer and quiet gratefulness...with a moderate meal added in to seal the deal. Somehow we miss that part of "thanksgiving day". In America we do the same with most holidays. We can often miss the significance of Christmas, the 4th of July, Easter...and yes even Thanksgiving. Other cultures have faced the same dementia. The biblical era Hebrews often had celebrations to commemorate very significant things, usually tied to God and their nations history...yet often the scriptures tell us of their absent mindedness. Often the rituals of celebration had lost their meaning...and the party became the focus, rather than the celebration being about the significance and meaning they were reminded of in that moment...or holiday...or ritual. Unfortunately, we too often...do the same...I suppose its part of the human condition...this type of memory loss. But at ECHO, we hope to intentionally re-focus our minds and hearts on the foundational things God has done...and appropriately celebrate them! It's good to celebrate authentically. But not good to celebrate simply for the sake of the party. In that is a distinct hollowness...one that God would hope we would avoid. At ECHO, we hope to encourage all of us to avoid it also...because if we do...there is a lot to be thankful for!

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Bigger, Better, Best

2009-11-18T13:51:00.000-06:00

We live in a culture where the bigger something is, the better it is assumed to be? We see this in lots of things. Homes. Cars. Meals. Restaurants. Stadiums. Multi-Plex Theatres. Even churches. Now we know from practical experience that the place that serves that HUGE burrito...is not necessarily serving your cities "best" burrito. We know that the biggest truck or car, though eye catching and "impressive" initially...its not always the vehicle that is the best in drivability...maintence...gas mileage...and comfort. We know that the "best" home is not always the biggest. A huge home...with anxiety...stress...work overload...and an inability to manage it...can quickly crush your enthusiasm. The same goes in church circles. Biblically, does God like "big" churches? Well, He is definitely into as many people as possible being in relationship with Him as can be...millions...even billions. Clearly Jesus gathered crowds. Clearly heaven is full of angels and multitudes of people. So God is into "big"? Well, not necessarily. Sure God likes big and many, as long as its people gathered authentically, whose hearts are His...but not bigness for the sake of big...or for the sake of status or impressions. We often live like he does, but we have it all twisted and upside down. Look carefully at what God values most. Jesus said "everything" hangs on this..."everything" depends on this...in other words, He was making crystal clear what is of the MOST importance. What did He say? Build huge multi-million dollar churches? Gather large crowds no matter the cost? No...He said, "Love God with your whole heart...mind...and soul. And, love others, as you love yourself." So a huge "clue" into the heart of God is in this bold proclamation of what God thinks. Often we get it at a surface level...but we miss the essence of how important this is. God thinks people experiencing His love and trusting it in relationship with Him is of the highest priority. God thinks that as he teaches us what "authentic love" is...it should flow from one person to another, in real relationships. So the filter should be does "bigger" create the "best" environment for that to happen? Its a good one to ponder and consider. Let's face it, free pizza and beer can get a crowd. A great band and staging can attract a crowd. A funny, skilled speaker can draw a crowd. A knowledgeable marketing guy can suck many people in...to almost anything. But what creates an environment where God is authentically experienced on a personal level? Can that happen in a huge crowd? Sometimes. Sometimes, a very worshipful vibe is created by a mass of people centered in on God and giving Him free reign to touch their lives. More often than not, the large crowd allows people to be hidden, anonymous, impersonal, and if touched...its usually the emotion and hype of a well staged large group gathering. Too often we settle for this. God doesn't. What environment is conducive to people actually sharing their lives together...yes, even their mess...yet learning to love, forgive and persevere together? Can that happen in a large gathering of thousands? Can it happen in large group of even hundreds? Perhaps in isolated and rare occurrences... but most likely...not! The larger the group of people the harder it is to allow authentic relationships to flow as God intended...so we usually settle for surface...rather than whats real. Relationships are centered in trust. In revelation. In process. That doesn't happen in large gatherings of anonymity and hype. Most don't open up to another without knowing them for a while...and being known by them. That doesn't typically happen in a crowded room. In smaller, safer environments, its possible. As that natural process of revelation happens...trust grows...relationships grow...and become. Its the same with our relationship with God...as God reveals His heart to us...we begin a process of trusting His love...that grows as we journey in relationship with Him. At ECHO, we are not afraid to look closely at what God values...and not just glance at it on the surface and go chase after our tendency's which tell us, "bigger is better"...but to look beyond our western, cultural ways of looking at things...to look through that fog to the light of what God says is "best"! Now, that sounds easy...its not. Not as a church. Not as individuals desiring God's best. But at ECHO we want to encourage everyone...every not-yet-believer...every already convinced...every church leader...every church...to look through the fog of culture...yes, even church culture...to see God's best. That's the target. That's where our true value lies. That's where we discover the life that God says is "abundant". Perhaps the reason we don't experience it often enough is because we have settled for "bigger is better"...rather than what God says is "best!".

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

You Can Say That Again

2009-11-05T23:55:00.000-06:00

satisfaction,
satisfaction.
'Cause I try and I try and I try and I try.
I can't get no, I can't get no.

When I'm drivin' in my car
and a man comes on the radio
he's tellin' me more and more
about some useless information
supposed to fire my imagination.
I can't get no, oh no no no.
Hey hey hey, that's what I say.

I can't get no satisfaction,
I can't get no satisfaction.
'Cause I try and I try and I try and I try.
I can't get no, I can't get no...

lyric from "Satisfaction" by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards

You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You just might find
You get what you need
lyric from "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for harm, to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

be God's!

Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO