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
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
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?
