Deep Thoughts (reprise)

"If the Divine call does not make us better, it will make us very much worse. Of all bad men religious bad men are the worst. Of all created beings the wickedest is the one who originally stood in the immediate presence of God."
-cs lewis

"Christians are like manure: spread them out and help everything grow better, but keep them in one big pile and they stink horribly."
-francis chan

"I went to the charismatic disneyland of evangelical christianity only to discover that I would never be tall enough to go on any of the rides." -paul anderson-walsh

"Jesus never let me down you know,
Jesus used to show me the score,
then they put Jesus in show business,
now its hard to get in the door."
-bono

"I flew on the jumbo jet of traditional fundamentalism and disembarked with far more baggage than what I boarded with."
-david borum

"It's not candles but community...not art but attitude...not liturgy but love...that makes the difference in our broken world."
-john burke

"wealth can't be defined in terms of what we have, but only in terms of how free we are to give and take." -rich mullins

"The Scriptures are filled with commands and references about caring for the poor and for those who cannot help themselves. The crazy part about God's heart is that He doesn't just ask us to give; He desires that we love those in need as much as we love ourselves." -francis chan

"When you know a pretty story you don't let it go unsaid
you tell it to your children as you tuck them into bed.
When you know all of a secret you tell it to your friends,
you tell 'em that a lifetime filled with happiness
is like a street that never ends."
-larry norman

"If we dare to look... we may even see God 'not' as this nice, passive, passionless "Breck lady"-looking mystical thing, and instead we may discover a maniac God, a God who is wild and ferocious, uninhibited by our arrogance, unafraid of any cruelty---a God who is passionate about people, One who would truly go to Hell and back out of love for us." -rich mullins

"Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself." -donald miller

"People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God's Kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being sheltered from pain or distress." -francis chan

"You can't always get what you want,
but if you try sometimes, you just might find,
you get what you need."
-mick jagger

"The news of my impending death
came at a really bad time for me,
yeah the news of my impending death
any other day might have been OK.
I was starting to track with my inner guide
I was getting in touch with my feminine side
but when the doctor starts whistling "Happy Trails"
tends to knock a bit of wind out of the old sails."
-steve taylor

"We are haunted by the ghosts of the 'what ifs' who live in the shadows of the 'if onlys' ." -rich mullins

"I do believe in miracles, and I want to save my soul,
and I know I'm a sinner, I'm gonna die here in the cold..."
I thought I heard an angel cry
I thought I saw a teardrop falling from his eye..."
-mick jagger

"In a civilization like ours, I feel that everyone has to come to terms with the claims of Jesus Christ upon his life, or else be guilty of inattention or of evading the question." -cs lewis

"I did not come to condemn the world, but to save it". -jesus

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

Luck of the Irish?

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 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...

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

If God is Love?

Stand Up Comedy

by Bono

from U2's album, "No Line On The Horizon"

Love love love love love…

Love love love love love…

I got to stand up and take a step

You and I have been asleep for hours

I got to stand up

The wire is stretched in between our two towers

Stand up in this dizzy world

Where a lovesick eye can steal the view

I’m gonna fall down if I can’t stand up

For your love

Love love love love love…

Stand up, this is comedy

The DNA lottery may have left you smart

But can you stand up to beauty, dictator of the heart

I can stand up for hope, faith, love

But while I’m getting over certainty

Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady

Out from under your beds

C’mon ye people

Stand up for your love

Love love love love love…

I gotta stand up to ego but my ego’s not really the enemy

It’s like a small child crossing an eight lane highway

On a voyage of discovery

Stand up to rock stars,

Napoleon is in high heels

Josephine, be careful of small men with big ideas

Out from under your beds

C’mon ye people

Stand up for your love

Love love love love love…

God is love

And love is evolution’s very best day

Soul rockin’ people moving on

Soul rockin’ people on and on

C’mon ye people

We’re made of stars

C’mon ye people

Stand up then sit down for your love

Love love love love love…

Love love love love love…

This is my favorite song off the new U2 album...not only is it a catchy guitar riff, but the lyrical call to wake up and make a stand drew me. If God is love...and love is creations highest ideal...then why are the followers of Jesus so tentative? My favorite line is "Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady". What a great word picture of a believer trying to ever so gently help God across the road...as if He is some frail, weak old lady...in contrast to the bold call of the song...to "stand up for your love". If God is love...then why are we asleep...so distracted...so tentative? Shouldn't that love be boldly proclaimed...confidently lived out...and actively expressed? Isn't that something to stand for? At ECHO we think so, do you?

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Religiosity

Living in this scenic postcard known as the Pacific northwest of the good ol' U.S. of A. has it's unique advantages... clean air... rivers & lakes everywhere...lots of fresh green forests...lots of open spaces...some of the most awesome coastal landscapes sitting on the shores on the Pacific Ocean... mountains...valleys... deserts... rolling plains...all within an hours drive or two. But with all the blessings of God's country, the Pacific northwest still "boasts" itself as one of the "least religious" areas of the country. To be honest the New England states are fighting to contend, with Vermont now leading the way...with 34% of the people in that state claiming "no religion" as their lifestyle. Nationally 15% of Americans claim to be of "no religion", up from 14.1% in 2001 and 8.2% in 1990. So this group of "non-religious" appears to be rising in every state. There definitely seems to be trend pretty easy to track in the sands of American culture. To be fair, many spiritual people (Christians included) may be put off by the term "religion" and thus may not want to wear that badge in a survey...so that is bound to have some effect on these stats...but the trend is there none the less. 76% of Americans claim to be Christians in 2008, slightly down from the 77% in 2001, but dramatically down from 1990's 86%. Now, the flat or decline trend looks to be in all areas of "religion". Mormons are still about 1.4%...Buddhism has slowed slightly in it's appeal...practicing religiously observant Jews has dropped from 1.8% (in 1990) to 1.2% (in 2008)...Muslims are about .6%...about 1.2% (combined) are into various fringe beliefs like Scientology, Wicca, Santeria etc...while 12% claim to believe in a "higher power" that is not a personal God, so to speak. Mainline protestant churches (Lutheran, Episcopalian, Methodist etc...) and Catholic churches are declining the most...down about 17%. Even with the influx of the Latino population, Catholics are diminishing. 45% of all Americans (including Christians & Catholics) claim to be "evangelical or born again", which is a decrease, as well. The one group that has increased the most is the non-denominational Christian, who were only about .1% (in 1990) and now are 3.5% (in 2008). A small but significantly growing group. Some would say we are in a "post-denominational" era...where people don't join churches based on denomination anymore...but based on the style or personality of the church. This is a major shift from previous generations where people based their church choices on the denomination of their preference. Why is this worth looking at? Well, in the Pacific northwest, approximately 80% of the people who live here, don't go to church. That means our churches are "competing" in reaching 20% of the population who are "shopping" for a church. Outside of that group, though, anyone who lives in the northwest would agree that the population is very spiritual...but in an independent, anti-establishment, anti-institutional way. At ECHO, we recognize this and rather than ridicule or chastise the community for "being that way"...we ask, why? Why do people search spiritually...but don't trust "the church" for honest answers? Why do people see "the church" as some sort of establishment organization that uses people and can't be trusted? Why do people feel used or even abused by "the church" in how their time, money and talents are used (or mis-used)? These are fair questions to ask...and the answers are multiple. But in short, the quick and direct answer is...because we have given them "good reason" to believe that is what we are about! As followers of Jesus we need to be forth right with the fact that "the church" has used the scriptures to forward agendas that are not always biblically consistent...to the point that even people who are not followers of Jesus (yet), raise an eye brow as they smell something disingenuous...so they back away. As followers of Jesus, we have, at times forwarded agendas that seem much more about building our denominations, individual church kingdoms and ministries...rather than God's Kingdom...and people searching for truth see it...smell it...and back off. We have been guilty, at times of being more about "butts in the seats", "dollars in the plates", and "building monuments unto ourselves". Is it any wonder, that people who are spiritually wandering...yet searching for truth...back away? So much of what "we" have done, and still "do", seems inconsistent with a Jesus-like lifestyle...even to the casual observer. Does it matter? The bible says we are to "let our light shine before men..." so that they may be drawn towards God. The bible says we are "to be a pleasant aroma" that is attractive. If what we are doing is having the opposite affect...then should we examine if we are "shining light", and "giving off a pleasant aroma"...or perhaps something that "smells like _____ (insert your own word choice here). At ECHO, we hope to be honest in addressing these short falls...and bridging the gaps...and barriers that keep people away from the Truth they seek. Jesus said, "If you seek Me, you will find Me." That promise should be of the utmost concern to those of us who follow Jesus. We should pave the way in how we live out our faith...not create "potholes" that hinder that search...as we point others towards the One who is Truth! Some of that is being honest about the "potholes" that do exist in church culture...past... present...and inevitably...will be in the future. As long as people are involved, we are bound to get it wrong sometimes...we are bound to get off track sometimes...but if and when we do...our admission and re-alignment to the ways of Jesus will speak volumes to a culture spiritually wandering. If we model humility in our errors and a heart that trusts Jesus agenda over our own, as we serve God and people, then maybe...just maybe, we can draw some in closer to the God that is Love and is the Truth they seek! At ECHO we embrace the wanderers...the messy lives...and the spiritually wounded...as we follow the One who knows the Way...Who teaches us how to Live as we were designed...and Who is the Truth!

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Lyrics Pro Bono

After my first few listens of the latest album from U2 entitled,

"No Line On The Horizon",

I thought I'd share a few random poetic moments from the CD...

enjoy...

"Here's where we gotta be

Love and community

Laughter is eternity

If joy is real"

lyrics by Bono, "Get On Your Boots"

"I can stand up for hope, faith, love

but while I'm getting over certainty

Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady"

lyrics by Bono, "Stand Up Comedy"

"Every generation gets a chance to change the world

Pity the nation that will listen to your boys and girls

'Cos the sweetest melody is the one we haven't heard"

lyrics by Bono, "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight"

"I was speeding on the subway

Through the stations of the cross

Every eye looking every other way

Counting down 'til the pain would stop

At the moment of surrender

Of vision over visibility

I did not notice the passers-by

And they did not notice me"

lyrics by Bono, "Moment of Surrender"

"I was born

I was born to sing for you

I didn't have a choice but to lift you up

And sing whatever song you wanted me to

I give you back my voice

From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise...

Only love, only love can leave such a mark

But only love, only love can heal such a scar

Justified till we die, you and I will magnify

The Magnificent"

lyrics by Bono and the Edge, "Magnificent"

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Rising Above the Fog

I recently had a conversation with a few people regarding someone else. They had their takes on the guy...and to be quite honest... they felt they had him all figured out...that they knew the low down on the dude. It was a weird moment...maybe you've had one like this yourself...as they talked convincingly about this guy...I sat there knowing they were flat out, dead wrong!!! They didn't know what they were talking about...there was so much more to the story...yet they spoke as if they had it all nailed down. Now the tension begins. What do I say and how do I say it? Now, honestly, depending on my mood, I may not say a thing (except in my mind) and just leave knowing they don't have a clue or I tactfully share the truth of the matter. If the situation is vital to the person in question...I will speak...and usually very clearly & detailed, to bring truth into the discussion. What's weird is... many times... people don't want to hear the truth. In fact they are so convinced of 'their story'...they can't back off it when given the facts of the matter. How weird is that? People seem to enjoy the fog of rumor...gossip... half truth...distortion...and exaggeration? Why do we like the self delusion? Usually we get bits & pieces of info...or rumor...and then the "phone game" begins...it gets passed on with a little extra...with a little twist...with a little forgotten detail. Then the next person gets it and the same thing happens...and they tell 2 friends...and they tell 2 friends and so on and so on and so on. One day they'll sit with a guy like me, and the person's name will come up...and "blah" they barf up the "info" they got...and now the distortion lives on. It's like they are living in the Matrix of gossip...where their story is right no matter what...even though it is totally detached from reality? I'm sure we've all done it. I'm sure it has happened to each of us as well. In this situation it was pretty slandering...the dude was a candidate for a big opportunity...and these 2 people shared what they "knew". Well guess what, they were not only wrong...but actually had most of it backwards? The guy was being labeled as a malcontent...someone who was disruptive...not a team player...a loose cannon etc... In actuality, I knew the situation first hand, and knew 2 others involved personally. The situation was in short, one of where, the guy...let's call him Sven...asks some crucial questions respectfully in a board meeting situation...and the lead guy blasts him in front of everyone. Now this was the most recent of several of these "blasting" moments...so as Sven raised the issues of "integrity lacking" in how things were being handled...he was blasted again. Finally, Sven walked out of the meeting, never to return. Later 2 others left the same "board" over the same issues, though they sucked it up and didn't walk out (though they wanted to). Anyway, this kind of stuff happens in church...in businesses...in organizations and even families. I suppose, when ever people are involved "stuff" may hit the fan. Well the problem wasn't what "hit the fan" but how it was reported afterwards. The lead guy makes it known that Sven was not submitted...rebellious...not a team player. Well, away the rumors go. The sad part was, in this case, Sven was the noble one...attempting to point out error appropriately to the "lead guy" who WAS out of line...and had been functioning out of line for some time to the detriment of the board's effectiveness. So why do I share this. I suppose this is a vivid example of what commonly happens due to rumor...gossip...backbiting and the like. In order to cover "our bad", we make some else the "bad". The bible speaks strongly about gossip...it says it is like the sin of murder. Whoa, murder! Think about it, when you kill someone, you can't take it back...what's done is done...the damage is permanent. The same with gossip and rumor, once it's spoken, the damage spreads like a disease...and you can't stop it, contain it, or correct it. The damage is permanent...and ever growing. It may cost someone their reputation...a job...an opportunity... relationships...and even peace of mind. A old Jewish parable speaks of a man taking a pillow case to the town square and cutting it open as the feathers fly where the wind should take them. When the man returns, the wise rabbi tells him to now go back and collect all the feathers and put them back in the pillow. The man protests that it was impossible to do so. The rabbi agrees and then says "the same result applies to your words...you cannot take them back...so be careful where you spread them." The bible also speaks of how hard it is to "tame the tongue"...because it is like "a spark in a dry forest"...you can't contain it and it's damage. Yet our culture...and yes even church culture is included...rumor...gossip...half truths...back biting... innuendo's...and wild fires are everywhere. Relationships are being hindered...destroyed...and left in ashes. Some say, well what I said was the truth, so it's OK. They think under the guise of speaking the "truth" they are free to say as they please regardless of the impact on others. First, you "think" it's true, isn't the same as being "the truth". Second, gossip can be the truth used to harm someone else. Let's realize most importantly that God is not pleased with our excuses. Why? Because He values relationships above all else...and gossip destroys relationships between people...and harms our relationship with God as well. Our culture embraces tabloid entertainment...a culture of gossip...so many of us live it as well. Yet at ECHO we realize God strongly warns about our "idle words"...the words that flow off our tongues...the destruction of gossip. God's heart is that we rise above the fog of the lowlands...the lowlands of gossip... rumor...exaggeration...lies. If we valued each other as much as God did, we would protect and cover the failures of others...and be very, very, very careful to not speak what we don't "know"...regardless of "who we heard it from".

I heard someone speaking yesterday about an event in someones life that happened 10 years ago...and they spoke as if it happened last week? What made it worse, they had so much of the info wrong...and they did not even know it...yet "their version" of the story lives on. At ECHO we desire to honor, cover and protect people...in how we speak about them...as Jesus would...honorably and in truth. If we don't "know first hand"; then our mouths should remain shut. If the "truth" harms, I am slow to speak it. Most importantly, as followers of Jesus, we are to live in the light of Truth...not half baked stories rooted in the rumor mill.

Consider this: Noah was a drunk; Abraham was too old and had a son by a woman who was not his wife; Isaac was a daydreamer; Jacob was a liar; Leah was ugly; Joseph was abused; Moses killed a man and stuttered and doubted God; Gideon was afraid; Samson had long hair and had a weakness for the ladies; Jeremiah and Timothy were too young; David had an affair with another's man's wife and then had him killed to cover it up; Elijah was suicidal; Isaiah preached naked; Jonah ran from God and God's plans for him; Naomi was a widow; Job went bankrupt; Hosea married a known prostitute; Peter denied Jesus and had some anger issues; the disciples fell asleep while praying; Martha worried about everything; the Samaritan woman was divorced multiple times; Zacceus was too small and made a habit of ripping people off; Mary Magdalene was a prostitute; Paul was a very zealous religious person who was overly legalistic; and Lazarus was dead...yet God used em all. Now do you think we could spread some rumors about these folks if we wanted to? Oh ya...and some of it is true...juicy stuff...and think of the twists and exaggerations we could add to make them all look like sleaze bags. Yet God used each of these "flawed" people to help change the world. At ECHO we believe God used them as examples for us today...that God can use anybody, regardless of what you "think about them" and regardless of "what they may have done". It seems God's criteria is very different than ours doesn't it? The bible says we only see "through the glass dimly"...God see's through clearly. We get blinded by the "fog" of gossip, rumor and perception...God cuts through it. Perhaps God is not afraid of the mess of our lives (as we are) and see's right through the "fog" to the real us. At ECHO...we call that "good news"...as does Jesus by the way!
.

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Britney

Have you noticed how low our entertainment has gone? With the advent of "reality TV" and the like...it seems we love to watch the storms of people's lives...the destruction before our eyes...the train wrecks. Now actual storms can be cool to watch...even better is real trains "wrecking"...now that would be cool to watch...as long as no one got hurt or anything. Ya know, cool explosions... fire... train parts flying everywhere...now that would be cool to see...just make sure no people get hurt, OK? Maybe it could be a video game or something, hmmmm, I may be onto something here? Unfortunately, it probably wouldn't sell because we seem to enjoy the kind of train wrecks that hurt people...that ruin lives...that destroy? Now that's a weird cultural phenomenon don't you think? Our magazines and TV's are full of "gossip" as entertainment? The internet is full of gossip and rumours about anyone who is anybody...and the sad thing is we seem to enjoy it? We laugh at celebrities like Paris & Britney & Lindsey Lohan. We think its funny that football star Plaxico Burris shot himself in the leg at some strip club. We joke about Joaquin Phoenix acting so oddly wasted on David Letterman. Celebrity mug shots and rehab are featured news these days. It's become a form of entertainment. Now I'm not immune to laughing at some moron celebrity, politician or athlete making a fool of themselves publicly... yet, I have to admit, their is a tension in it. The tension is, as a follower of Jesus, should I be laughing at or joking about that celebrity going into rehab...or that politician caught in a sex scandal...or that athlete jailed for DUI? I realize there is this human tendency where we like seeing the rich, famous and powerful brought down to size. I guess somehow it makes us feel better about ourselves. We naively think "well I may not be a gazillionaire, but I'd never be so dumb as to do that...what an idiot." It's really a crass way to feel better about oneself...looking down on another...don't you think? Yet, that is often how we react isn't it? In concert recently, Bebo Norman shared frankly about this...and he wrote a song about it. He said he would sit with his friends bagging on Paris...and LiLo...and Britney...laughing at their stupidity and how they behaved...until the day he saw Britney Spears on a gurney, being loaded in an ambulance. In the background, were her children in tears...obviously scared to death. In that moment he realized that this "pop culture" cartoon image...was actually a real person. A confused, hurting and desperate person...being loaded into an ambulance. Her kids were real kids...like any other kids...afraid of what was wrong with mommy...will she die...will we ever see her again? In that moment Bebo said he felt the heart of God overtake his. He realized this woman he saw as some kind of cartoon character...was not that at all...she was a person Jesus loves...a person He died for...a person He was crying for, in that very same moment Bebo was laughing & mocking. That moment hit him hard. He wrote a song about that moment...to Britney, on behalf of himself, and those of us who have felt like Bebo did...it is a song...a prayer...an apology. The song is entitled, "Britney I'm Sorry". I found this YouTube clip from some dude who doesn't appear to be a follower of Jesus (based on his other videos?)...but it captures the spirit of Bebo's song so well...so I share it with you...

Perhaps like me, the spirit of the song will be an echo of God's heart to you, me and people like us...as we interact with the Britney's of the world. At ECHO, we know the world is full of Britney's...people like her are around our lives...unfortunately most of them are not noticed. Even worse, those that are noticed are often laughed at and mocked... not loved, not cared for, not protected (even from themselves) and not comforted in Godly compassion. Somehow I think Jesus and people expect more from His followers. I think Jesus would like us to learn to see beyond the surface to the troubled soul within...as He does.

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

An Echo of Love

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
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Return to Splendor

I recently received an email from a friend of ours in Massachusetts. Nelson and his family, live outside Boston, towards the north, on a lake. The opposite side of the lake is New Hampshire, for you geography buffs. Anyway, he is a great guy, with a cool family, and my wife & I have fond memories of hanging at their house, enjoying the lake view, having dinner and sharing stories of what God has done in our lives. Nelson often spoke of a man who was a good friend, mentor and pastor to him... you know, one of those people who has made a dramatic impact on his life. Well recently, this man, who had so much impact on Nelson, passed away. He sent us an email to let us know...obviously it was a hard time for him...he will miss him. He shared a portion of this man's last message...and it seems so appropriate and well said...that I share it with you also. You see at ECHO we believe, that in the Kingdom of God, relationships are not by accident. Our relationship with Nelson and his family...his relationship with this man...and our relationship with each other is part of how God encourages us, loves us, and points us towards Him. Perhaps there is a nugget in this for you too...the part that jumped out to me in his email, read like this:

"I went to Yankee stadium to see a game with the family. We arrived early. So I decided to spend some time watching the ground crew prepare the park for the game. They do an extraordinary job. In the process, a small tractor makes perfect circles inside the diamond as it grooms the dirt. It takes him about 20 minutes, but at the end, it looks fantastic. It does not matter how much they disturbed that dirt in the previous game, they always manage to bring it to its original splendor, every time.

It is the same with our lives. It doesn’t matter how the ills of this world may attack us; God has a way of bringing us back to the splendor of his peace. In Jesus, we find the peace that the world is eagerly searching for. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. John 14:27
~ Dr. Benjamin Matias

May God's "process" continually bring you into "the splendor of His peace."

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

I Don't Like Mondays

The challenge we all have is not what we learned on Sunday...but what we live out on Monday. All too often we confuse "knowledge" or "more information" with somehow growing more into the people God desires. Yet in reality the bible is clear that if "we are hearers" only but not "doers"...then we are fooling ourselves. I don't think the problem is a lack of information. Rationally, we are the most educated generation ever. We have more access to biblical knowledge than ever before...in books...media...and through the internet. There are churches of every "flavor" in almost any city in America...yet the true test comes on Monday. For too many, we feel our Sunday attendance is all God requires...when in actuality, He requires the trusting application of His truth in how we live. God is more concerned with "who we are" than in "what we know". We discover "who we are" on Mondays (and all throughout the week as well). How do you react to stress at home? How do you react to the insensitive customer? How do you react to the intentional harm done to you? How do you react to the temptations that come your way? Do you choose "selfishness" or "selfless-ness"? When the opportunities for "self-sacrifice" happen, do you accept? When persecution or offense comes, how do you react? When an opportunity to serve someone else comes across your path, do you joyfully step forward? When a need is before you and you can give...do you? In many ways, these questions let us know "who we are"...they can gage where we are on the journey of becoming more Jesus-like. Most people who are not yet followers of Jesus see the disconnect. Do we? They see how we "learn" stuff on Sunday...but we don't "live" it on Monday. Most of them, in a sense, don't like Mondays...it reminds them that this "hope of transformation" promised in Jesus, isn't real. Or at least it appears to not be real...on Mondays. I remember a song from the Irish punk group, the Boomtown Rats, called "I Don't Like Mondays". The lead vocalist, Bob Geldof, has become famous for relief efforts in Africa since his Boomtown Rats days...but this song was one of their most well known. Sadly, it is well known because of tragedy. You see, the song speaks of a shooting in which the young man who killed classmates was asked why he did it...his stoic answer was "I don't like Mondays". The huge disconnect between the feeling of "not liking Mondays" and the action of killing innocent people, was haunting...as was the song. It's hard to comprehend. Much as it is hard to comprehend people who say they follow Jesus...but do not do as He teaches. Sadly, many people observe our non-action to Jesus words and hopelessly conclude... "it's not real". In many ways it kills the hope so many are looking for. In a world desperately looking for hope...not just speeches about hope...but hope that transforms and impacts. A world that is desperately looking for that "redeemer", that "one" who will save them, that "one" who can make things as they should be, the "one" who knows the way, the "one" who knows the truth...the "one" who is love...they often come to a place of doubting it really exists. How sad is that? In many ways most people don't like Mondays. Many Christians don't like leaving the safety of "their" Sundays, as they enter the real world on Mondays...it's too hard. Many not-yet-christians don't like Mondays because its when they see those who claim to "follow Jesus" act like they aren't. And most importantly...maybe God doesn't like these Mondays...as it often stands as a barrier to so many... keeping them from knowing & trusting Him. So many "hear" but don't "live" His truth. So many seeking truth are disillusioned by those who claim to "know" Him. God feels strongly about this...He says that those who "know Him" will "hear His words" and "will obey them" and "live them" out. He says those that are His will "let their light shine before men" so that people will get a glimpse of who God is. He also strongly warns those who "stumble" others of His severe judgement towards their inactions and false action...especially, if it keeps people from Him. God values us "loving Him", not in just word, but in lifestyle...He values it because it reflects His love in our "love of other people"...and that He takes seriously... very seriously. At ECHO, we take serious what God takes serious. The challenge to not just fill up our heads with bible knowledge...but to live it out authentically...which should be so obvious in our lives that it affects those around us...perhaps even drawing them toward God also. If we say "we love God, but don't do what he says, we are a liar", the bible says. Whoa! That's pretty blunt. That's pretty straight-forward. That's what God thinks...and so should we. If we take our "Sundays" as serious as God does...then our Mondays should just be another opportunity to shine God's love...to be a part of His transforming power...as we live as examples of His saving grace...to a world desperate to find it.

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Context For Living

Life is so diverse. Depending on where you live geographically, economically, relationally, politically, emotionally and spiritually...it can really make a huge difference in how one lives and how they see life. The context of one's life speaks volumes in understanding it. For instance, I am of Irish descent, 100% Irish as a matter of fact. Both my mom & dad were raised in Ireland. As it so happens, one of my favorite bands is the Irish rock band U2...I have followed them since they began almost 30 years ago! I often hear people in the U.S. comment on Bono (the lead singer & song writer for U2) and his views on the church, the bible & Jesus. Some don't think he is a follower of Jesus...others think he is...some don't care either way. But I often hear Americans comment on Bono's views of the "church" as if he was speaking about the American church that most of us have experienced. This "assumption" that he is speaking about what "you think" leads you to some very incorrect views on what Bono has said. In proper context, realize Bono is Irish...so the "church" he is referring to is not the American model of church. Bono is referring to the "church" he knows. In Ireland, that is the Irish Catholic Church and the Anglican (British) Protestant Church. Those same entities fought and killed each other for years...in Bono's lifetime. He has lived in a country that has terrorized and brutalized each other for years...under the label of the "Catholics" versus the "Protestants". Though the battle is really an Independent Ireland versus British rule...it has been labeled religiously, primarily because the British national church is the Anglican church, and the Irish have traditionally and primarily been Catholic. So when Bono speaks critically of the "church", he is speaking of misuse of the institutional church he grew up around. But don't be mistaken...he is not against the "church" as the bible defines it...but he is against the "church" as his culture defined it. The bible defines the "church" as any of those people who are authentic followers of Jesus...and for this Bono has been a big advocate, whether Catholic or Protestant, he has always been an advocate of followers authentically walking in Jesus footsteps biblically...not the missteps of corrupt politics nor institutions nor the powers that be. In fact, Bono met the Edge (U2's guitar player) in an experimental school, in Ireland, that allowed both Catholics and Protestants to attend together. This was a rare and advant gard thing in those days, and obviously has influenced their view of the "biblical church" and their music. My dad told me when he grew up in Ireland, he remembered seeing Catholic Priests and Protestant ministers refusing to look each other in the eye as they passed each other on the sidewalk...he even saw them walk to the other side of the road to avoid contact with each other! Now that is the hostile environment the Irish "church" lived within. That is the context Bono speaks from...not from an "American who has gotten disillusioned to church" perspective. Yet, we all too often will look at "Bono's words" as if he is speaking from "our context"...and that takes us to a place of flawed conclusions. The same goes for how one reads the bible. It is so easy to grab bible passages "out of context" and misapply them to our lives...all the while not recognizing the "context" in which it was written, the people to whom it was written to, and the circumstances of that time. Without understanding the context it is too easy to misapply it to my current viewpoint, culture or bias. I see this very obviously in Philippians chapter 4. In this chapter are several examples of scripture passages that are often "used and applied" incorrectly, because they are taken out of their "context". The one that seems to most often be "misused" is Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." I think I even saw Tim Tebow, quarterback of the Florida Gators, wearing that scripture in the SEC championship game. All too often we use that verse in ways that it wasn't intended. I know of college students who have "claimed" that verse in prayer as they enter a biology test that they have not studied for. Huh? As if God will let them supernaturally get an "A", even though they didn't deserve one, because of this verse? I think we are missing something here? In proper context, Philippians 4:13, is in the midst of a passage that is speaking about "contentment". Paul has just outlined some practical ways he has learned Godly contentment in his life...and he has just said, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether I am well fed or hungry, whether I live in plenty or in need." Immediately following this, he says, "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me". Notice the context...Paul has said, since he has learned how to live content regardless of his circumstances...he can do everything through Christ who strengthens him! That's not a strength to run marathons...or pass tests...or win football games...it is a strength that comes from learning Godly contentment. That is not a strength that leads to personal success or accomplishment, so to speak...but a strength that allows one to be content regardless of circumstance! That is quite a shift of context isn't it? Too often we read the bible and try to inject it into our lifes context...verse by verse...when in reality God desires we learn His way, within His context. At ECHO, we want to correctly read and apply the Bible to our lives...in proper context...so that we can live a life that loves God and others properly. That can only happen when my life lines up with God's context...not the other way around...

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Faith...?

"Faith is trusting God even when it doesn't make sense."

.

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

The Pursuit of Happiness

Who ever said life's goal was happiness? In reality, we all live as if that is true, don't we? We strive for the right job to make us happy...we strive for the right house, the right friends, the right experiences, the right stuff...in hopes it'll all end up taking us to that elusive goal..."happiness". Of course the ultimate is that place called, "a state of happiness"...somewhere down the dusty road of life we are to "arrive" in that place...that destination...that place...that "state of happiness". I think with that mindset, we set ourselves up to be disappointed, and with that our journey leaves us frustrated, unsatisfied and forever seeking happiness. Even Christians live in this mindset. Some came to begin their relationship with God under the guise that now everything in their life will finally "click"...no more bumps in the road. Unfortunately, too many quickly realize that a relationship with God doesn't guarantee "happiness"...so some get angry with God...or feel He is mad at them...or their faith is too weak...or even that maybe this "God thing" isn't even real. It's a shame, because we have set people up to be disappointed. Does God provide eternal life, and is heaven a place where all is provided and their are no more tears? Oh ya, definitely, but that's heaven, not earth. Too often we don't make that clear. The bible makes it clear "we only see things in part", as humans on earth, so it's hard to comprehend it all. People still die. Children contract horrible diseases and suffer. War exists. Tragedy's still occur. Couples still get divorce. Addictions still can ravage people's lives. Whether you are a Christian or not, life still hits you in face! Now if you believe that being "happy" is the goal... then many are bound to be disappointed. Some will point to the bible verse that says, God gives us, not just life "but life more abundant". That's true abundant life is promised, not just eternally, but also now in the present life. But what about the scriptures that say, "we are to take up our crosses daily", and others that speak of living a sacrificial life, where we willing lay down our lives for the sake of God's Kingdom and others? What about the road "being narrow and hard" not wide and easy? What about the greatest "being the servant?" What about Jesus promise that those who follow Him "will be persecuted" for it? This raises an important question: Maybe God's "abundant life" isn't what we think? Maybe God's "abundant life" doesn't equal our visions of "happiness?" Maybe "happy" isn't the goal at all. If you think about it, "us" being "happy" is really a very selfish, self-centered view of our relationship with God and life. Since when is the story about "us?" Last I checked the story was about God, and we are bit players in what "He is doing." If we don't understand that simple truth, then we live as if God is our "great vending machine in the sky" that's waiting around to meet our never ending list of wants and needs. There is this tension in most of our lives, where we seek after "what we don't have", rather than be content with "what we do have" each day. If we are always seeking that elusive "thing or person or experience" we don't have...then we live continually frustrated...which chokes out noticing all that we do have today. What we do have is "never good enough", which becomes our mindset...surely not an "abundant life" way of thinking. Philippians chapter 4 gives us a better picture, perhaps, of what God's abundant life is like. It speaks of "learning to be content whether I have a little or a lot". It speaks of not being anxious...but instead submitting to God all our concerns, wants and desires, in prayer and trusting Him in that...and instead thinking on what is good, right, pure, lovely etc... In other words, stop fretting over your vain attempts to be "happy" through whatever means you feel will get you there. Instead God suggests, that we learn the art of being "content", because in "contentment" we discover the "peace that surpasses all understanding" and we experience "the strength to do all things". Notice its centered in God not us. It's a very subtle but profound truth, but oh what a difference it makes. Life centered in "us" brings a lot of frustration and anxiety...cause the search for "happiness" is ever elusive. But life centered in a growing, trusting relationship with God... where we learn to think on the right things...submitting our concerns to God in prayer...well that brings a "peace" in the midst of the craziness of life, a peace that is supernatural. Not only that, but we experience a "strength" that sustains through whatever life throws at us. In that, we find a joy, that is beyond what we call "happiness". Somehow we need something to get us through life when we don't "feel happy". A joy centered in a God that wants to journey with each of us through life...through the darkest valleys...and to the most majestic mountain tops. GK Chesterton once said, "one sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peaks." We can never underestimate what God can do in and through us, regardless of life's circumstances. He desires for us to trust Him enough to allow Him to bring peace and strength when we need it...often in the midst of circumstances beyond our understanding and capabilities. I read where CS Lewis said it this way, "God loves us not because we are so lovable, but because He is love." At ECHO, we want to encourage a pursuit of this God...rather than a vain pursuit of happiness that is so elusive. Jesus said, "that if we seek Him, we will find Him". That's a pretty good place to start and a safe road to journey on... At ECHO we just want to point you in the right direction!

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude
ECHO

Deep Thoughts

"I have felt pain in my own life and am acutely aware of the suffering of people around me. I have seen struggles and setbacks were not always due to sinfulness but were simply a part of the human existence. People get sick and die. Cars crash. Children contract diseases and never recover. Friends betray one another. Couples fight and divorce. Sometimes it's hard to believe life is good. It's not always pleasant, but life is a gift, and your job as a human being is to go out there and live it the best you can. Christianity doesn't answer all my questions or make me comfortable and happy. What it does is give me a context for living."

-rich mullins

"Earth's crammed with heaven; and every common bush afire with God; but only he who sees, takes off his shoes...the rest sit around it and pluck blackberries."

-elizabeth barrett browning

"The best moments any of us have as human beings are those moments when for a while it is possible to escape the squirrel-cage of being me... into the landscape of being us."

-frederick buechner

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal...lock it up safe in the coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket...it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable... The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell. For love is not there."

-cs lewis

"The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost."

-gk chesterton

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Opportunity Knocks

Oh, the New Year is upon us...2009 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 2009. 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 ECHO, 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 ECHO that is an opportunity we embrace, experience, enjoy, express and explore...together!

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