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. Having lived in a college town, often people can't get home for Thanksgiving...now we live 2,500 miles from relatives so we can relate, so now 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
It is almost "Election Day" again, and they say our destiny rests in the hands of millions of "we the people". Yet I wonder? You see 
I was recently reading an interesting article the other day about Russia and the Communist Stalin era. It was accompanied by a photo of a government building with a statue of Stalin as seen through a bullet ridden window. A cool photo...which is also very symbolic of a broken political system. While it may have begun with good intentions...it reaped far more destruction than benefit...as history has revealed. I say this to lead into a topic this blog is not intended to be "about"...politics. In particular, American politics. Very specifically, how Christians should respond in the midst of American politics. Now let's be honest we have very different views as believers on how Christians should live out their political opinions. On one hand, the conservative, traditional, more fundamentalist side would project itself as the 'republican' side of Christianity. On the other hand, some would suggest the more "open minded" believer would be 'democratic'. Many in the emergent, postmodern movements of Christendom would backlash versus the 'republican' stereo type by simply being 'democratic' as an alternative reaction "against" the abuses of the 'republican right' concepts prevalent in American culture. Now politics is interesting to discuss and debate, but let's face it...American politics is very corrupt and manipulative. Most citizens don't really "know" what they are voting on...and don't have the time to research and vote wisely. Most vote based on "sound bites" and "image". A majority of voters in America (which is usually less than half of the population by the way) make major decisions without really "knowing"...unless seeing commercials and tabloids equals "knowing" to you? Now, I'm not being "anti" American here...I'm just being humbly honest...America is an imperfect thing, run by imperfect people, swayed all too easily by the wrong things. In my life time, especially during the last 20+ years, since the early 90's when it specifically got worse...there has been an escalation in impropriety in campaigns. It used to be accepted protocol for instance, that a former President "would never" criticize a sitting President. This protocol was done in the spirit of respecting the office and the country as a whole. Today that protocol is out the window...and we are not better for it. Losing "respect" for authority, even those we disagree with, is not healthy...nor biblical. It also used to be off limits for anyone to go after a candidates family...spouse... and especially their kids. That "respect" has been off the table for a long time, and I would suggest, that many a good candidate has "not" run for office based on the crap their family would have to go through...and that does not strengthen America...it weakens us as a country and as a culture. We live in an era when rumors, gossip, half truths and flat out lies get floated in the media to undermine opponents. Every campaign does it. Every party does it. The bigger the campaign, the bigger the sh** that flies. Then the pattern is...the candidate of the party that is the "source of crap flying"...will step up publicly and proclaim the "high road" of condemning "whoever" says such things and declare those things as inappropriate. But as both parties have learned, it's a win-win when this is done. You get to float "rumor, lies, and half truths" into the public discussion...while also looking noble by saying, "I do not condone this type of politics". You undermine your opponent while also making yourself look noble and "above the fray". This tactic has accelerated over the last 20 years, and its too bad. What's worse is, it works. It works, because most people vote on these "sound bites" even if they are fabricated... twisted...or half truths. Both Democrats and Republicans do it...so I'm not taking sides here...but it stinks. The integrity of American politics on a "marketing & journalistic" level is so below the belt...it lacks integrity, respect & honor. No wonder other countries are losing more and more respect for us...we don't even respect our own! OK, politics is a messy subject...and I haven't even gotten into the money behind the scenes that manipulates both parties agendas...and has polluted the judgement of far too many "public servants?" Let's face it, most politicians live far better lifestyles than you and me...most Senators, Congressmen & Governors are millionaires plus. So let's not pretend "money" isn't in play here. So as followers of Jesus what do we do? Is Jesus a Republican dude? Is Jesus some kind of Democratic guy? Maybe He's a Libertarian or Green Party or Independent? As followers of Jesus our agenda should be the Kingdom of God. God says we belong to His Kingdom...not of this world. So if the "King" lives in our hearts...and we "serve Him"...then His rule trumps all else! I would suggest that American Freedom is a far cry from the Freedom Jesus provides. American freedom has degenerated into a freedom without responsibility...a "do as you please, you can't stop me" kind of freedom. I would suggest that God's definition is very different, and if we serve Him then we better filter our "American Freedom" through God's Kingdom's Freedom. God makes it clear that freedom has responsibility attached to it. We are all given a "free will", the right to choose, even a right to choose selfishly or wrongly or even to our own detriment. But freedom is not absent from responsibility. The choice is clear biblically, you choose your own way, and you are responsible...you choose God's way, and He is responsible. But either way, someone is responsible. Now God chose to be responsible because of His desire for relationship with us, and after all He is the Ruler of His Kingdom, so all who choose to walk in His Kingdom ways are under the covering of His authority. Of course not all choose God's ways...they'd rather go with "their ways"...in that opinion...in that choice...in that freedom... comes a responsibility (good or bad). I would suggest that as citizens of the Kingdom of God then we should look at who we vote for, or what agenda's we support, in light of God's Kingdom. What does He say is consistent with His Kingdom. It will not be one party over another. I've lived long enough to know that as polluted as our government and political systems are, it would be hard to find any one candidate that is totally in sync with God's Kingdom 100%...but I'm running them through that filter anyway. Because God's ideals are more important than any candidates or party. As a follower of Jesus we should honestly look at the issues at hand in light of God's Kingdom... prayerfully consider complex issues like poverty, abortion, war, capitalism, taxes, global warming, education, law enforcement, the economy etc... in light of God's values...not your own. As subjects of God's Kingdom, we should align ourselves with Godly principles...not our party...nor our favorite candidate. It's a sad failure of many followers of Jesus to not honestly assess their politics in light of God's Kingdom. This is hard, and often complex. For instance it's easy to say God hates war because "killing is sin"...but what about the many biblical accounts of how God used war to rid evil and expand righteousness. Many love the passive, peace keeping images of Jesus...but forget that in the end of time, Jesus leads an army to defend His people versus the armies of the world that attack. History ends in an epic battle that Jesus is in!!! The issue of war is complicated, its emotional, and yes we don't have enough info to really know most of the facts (as common citizens we are usually in the dark dependent on sound bite media)...but its not as simplistic as "Who Would Jesus Bomb?" Is war right or wrong? Biblically, the answer is "sometimes yes and sometimes no". History would say the same as we look back in hind sight. There is a lot of biblical and prayerful reflection in seeking the heart of God on this matter and many others. Is capitalism "at all costs" biblical? In America it is, but isn't it also got a strong propensity towards selfishness and greed? How much is enough? Should we take advantage to get ahead? When are we as American's comfortable enough? Is the goal even comfort? The bible would suggest it all belongs to God, and we have the responsibility to steward it well. We are asked by God to use it appropriately, within a Kingdom concept...not necessarily a western capitalistic concept. Are we building our kingdom or God's Kingdom? Perhaps that is a better core question to ask. Global Warming? Interesting fact, while earth has risen a fraction of a degree over the last 20 years, Mars has risen by over 9 degrees, so apparently our green house gases are raising the temperature on Mars too? (I say, sarcastically) Actually, sun spot activity is the likely culprit in Mars case, but on earth? First off the science is all over the place on whether its happening or not. Some say we actually have just ended a warming phase, and now may enter another cooling cycle, some go as far as saying "ice age". That's funny because in the 70's that was what we were taught, that we were entering an ice age, because the earths temperatures were dropping. Now in the 90's and new millennium we're warming again, perhaps only to enter another ice age to come? Once again, few of us "know enough" to get beyond media soundbites...but the core question really is...are we being responsible? God clearly gave us this planet...He said it was for our pleasure & provision. The resources here are for our use...but when is the use of those resources wasteful? That really is the question...once again a question of stewardship or "responsibility". I really don't have a horse in this race, but I do have to constantly ask my self...to filter my opinions through God's opinions...or else I'm floating down the wrong river. Are people wasteful?...yep. Are people irresponsible?...yep. Are people selfish?...yep. What would God's Kingdom suggest we do with all that? Are we to become "like god" and try and control it all somehow in a feeble attempt to preserve whatever "we think" is necessary...or are we to preserve Kingdom values in how we steward what God has given us? I suggest that is the real question. Don't get me wrong, God cares about our human condition very much, but His ways are not like our ways...and the key as followers of Jesus, is not one party or another...not one candidate over another...they are all flawed...but if His people really pray, and consider Kingdom values honestly, then we can function as we should as citizens of the Kingdom of God first...who also happen to be Americans. If we get that backward, we'll continue to see the cracks of a broken political system grow and more and more get wounded in the process. Let's be honest, even American politics is broken whenever it strays from God's ways. We should never set aside God's Kingdom in favor of our own or our favorite parties. As followers of Jesus we should lean on His Truth, His Way and His Wisdom. At ECHO we are not a Republican thing...nor a Democratic thing...we are a Kingdom of God thing. The Kingdom of God is at hand, Jesus said, so as we learn to be as close to Him... learning His ways, values and principles...while trusting His rulership...we can learn to expand His Kingdom (rather than our own). Join us as we learn to honestly filter our life (even our politics) through the Kingdom of God...so that there may be more of Jesus and less of "us" in our culture. Discussing it all is challenging... opinions are ingrained in most of us...but challenging each other to go deeper than "our" opinion to God's Kingdom's ways...now, that's really where truth is discovered. Now I don't know about you, but I don't want to live in a lie...swayed by the latest tabloid or soundbite...as some kind of fool...I want the truth...and that's found only within the context of God's Kingdom. Can we challenge each other more based on God's opinion...rather than our own? At ECHO we desire to do just that. It's a wild, fun, crazy, messy ride...but one worth living.
be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude
ECHO
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. Having lived in a college town, often people can't get home for Thanksgiving...now we live 2,500 miles from relatives so we can relate, so now 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!
