2 Things...

Your Love Is Strong

lyric by Jon Foreman (Switchfoot)

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

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

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

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

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

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

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

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

The Luck of the Irish...Slainte!

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

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

So Where Do We go From Here?

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

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

Another Brick In The Wall

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

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

What's Authentic?

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

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

Focus

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

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

.

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Love Myth?

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

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

What If We Finally Got It?

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

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

Up

A Terrible Prayer

by Mike Yaconelli

I have always been terrible at praying

I forget

My mind wanders

I fall asleep

I don't pray enough

I don't understand what prayer is

Or what prayer does.

If prayer were school...

I would flunk praying.

But prayer isn't school.

It is mystery.

Maybe the mystery is...

Jesus loves terrible prayers.

Maybe...

When I can't think of anything to say,

He says what I can't say.

When I talk too much,

He cherishes my too-many words.

When I fall asleep,

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

When I am overwhelmed with guilt

at my inconsistent, inadequate praying

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

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

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

Praying the mystery.

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

Broken

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

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

Brilliant

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

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

Boxing Day

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

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

Overcome

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

And I can see that my hands are trembling,

I can see that my legs are weak

I can see that my head is spinning,

but I will overcome

And I know that my heart is hurting,

And I know that my soul it aches

And I know that it seems I'm failing,

but I will overcome, yeah

O Lord I'm strong in You

O Lord I am wise in You

O Lord I can see in You

so I will overcome

O Lord I'm loved by You

O Lord I am free in You

O Lord I'm complete in You

So I will overcome

I will overcome

I will overcome

Oh God, You are my God

And I will ever praise You

Oh God, You are my God

And I will ever praise You

I seek You in the morning

And I will learn to walk in Your ways

And step by step You'll lead me

And I will follow You all of my days

And step by step You'll lead me

And I will follow You all of my days

O Lord I'm strong in You

O Lord I'm wise in You

O Lord I can see in You

so I will overcome

O Lord I'm loved by You

O Lord I am free in You

O Lord I'm complete in You

So I will overcome

I will overcome

I will overcome

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

arrangement by Rick McElmurry

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

Gimme Some Christmas

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

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

The Why?

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

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