Reality? What a Concept !

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