No One Should Be Left Out

Aloneness. Some people like being alone...for a while. It can be peaceful, a break from the hassle of daily living. But for the most part, being alone for some personal "quiet time" is quite different, than being in a state of "aloneness". You know that feeling of being in a crowd and no one knows you are there. You feel invisible, insignificant, that no one really cares. Our culture is plagued with signs of human aloneness. I see it through the multiple ways we try to manufacture some sense of community: myspace, facebook, chat rooms, online dating etc... Even text messaging and email has become very impersonal. It's all not very deep. It's surface. These are not real relationships, but they often fill the void of not having any...cause it sorta feels like a relationship, doesn't it? Now I won't say that these methods cannot foster and maintain existing relationships, cause they do, at times. I have family & friends in Hawaii, South Carolina, Texas, California, Ireland, etc... and we keep in touch through many of the methods I just mentioned. But so many people are trying to fill their "aloneness" through artificial means. We have this same problem in churches as well. People often come and go but no one really knows them. Even worse, no one really cares about what they are going through...because they don't know them well enough to care. It's sad to see churches with signs saying they are "friendly"...or slick brochures and websites touting how "friendly" they are...when in fact, after a few weeks or months of hanging around...you realize they aren't really that interested in "knowing you", so you move on to the next church...or maybe give up on church all together. How sad...another case of false advertising, so to speak. Shouldn't "friendly" be obvious...so obvious, that a sign or brochure isn't necessary for you to tell me "you are friendly"? Many times we settle for "surface" relationships in church, just like we do in culture in general. The sign says their "friendly". The nice people greet me at the doors with their smiles and official badges declaring that they have been "assigned the job of being friendly" today. Some churches have these "assigned nice people" at the doors, in the lobby, at the main auditorium doors...wow, by the time you get a seat, you've been smiled & welcomed 3 or 4 times. I know why churches do it...but "why" do we do it? I can handle one "Walmart greeter" with a flyer at the door...but a "Walmart greeter" at every turn, in every isle, at every door...now you're kinda creeping me out? It seems rather artifical, rather contrived... "we're friendly and we'll prove it! (even if we're buggin' ya)" It seems like false advertising, doesn't it? They say "hi" when you arrive but they don't talk to you during service, after service, or take you to lunch, or coffee? No one else talked to me either? Week after week, I'll see if it's for real or not...usually it's not. Hmmmmm...is it authentic, or just an image thing...a surface thing? The Pastor speaks of loving everyone, but he doesn't have time to take you to lunch or coffee or meet with you (unless you're a person of status or money...then you'll be invited on your first day to lunch & maybe golf). But for the rest of us "commoners", he may smile at you...but that's it...or just an atta boy pat on the back...but is there anything beyond the surface, the image, the facade? I've seen both "yes" and "no" to that question. Unfortunately, it's usually "no". Even sadder, is the fact that church congregations are often like their pastor. If he's surface and image only...then the people tend to have relationships to the same level...not much depth. If he's authentic, genuine, and truly relational...it seems to grow in the people of his church as well. Jesus, was like that. He had a way of truly caring in such an obvious way that people knew it was for real. Oh how we need more of that! Is it any wonder that 91% of non-christians believe the church is not sensitive to their needs. Even more surprising is 74% of Christians claim their church is not sensitive to their needs! If there is any place a person should sense people caring about them, it should be from followers of Jesus, right? God said it was not good for us to be "alone". Yet so many people hurt in our culture (both inside & outside of church) because of "aloneness". The symptoms are everywhere: dysfunctional family issues, divorce, children of broken homes, addictions of all kinds, materialism, violence, gang activities, sexual confusion and promiscuity etc... All are symptoms of aloneness and our vain human attempts at trying to cope with it. We either embrace a shallow substitute for "relationship"...or try to numb the pain of not having it. Yet God created us with a need for 2 vital relationships: a true relationship with God and authentic, genuine, caring relationships with other people. As churches we often emphasize the "relationship with God" side of the equation, often neglecting the vital human need for real community. God made us this way, yet we often diminish that sense of "aloneness" so many feel. Jesus taught us to "love others as you love yourself". That should be a natural outgrowth of our "loving God". Yet we can be so shallow and surface in "relationship" that no one ends up really "living life with each other". Living life with others is often messy. Maybe their marriage is falling a part? Maybe they are gay or sexually confused? Maybe their addicted? Maybe they are in financial ruin? Maybe they just cheated on their spouse? Maybe they come from a different spiritual background? Maybe they have a temper problem? Maybe they are suicidal? Maybe they just got out of prison? So where do people like this explore Jesus? Where is it safe for them to experience Jesus? Where can they see the love of Jesus expressed authentically...where no one is left out? Where no one is unacceptable? This is the essence of the relational ministry Jesus has called us to. For as we live this type of life together, this is where we learn the Godly qualities of being compassionate, generous, trusting, forgiving, and accepting. We learn to be less self centered and more other oriented. Less selfish, more of a servant of others. In this God's love is manifested and experienced, in us and through us. That love is patient, kind, does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs, it does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. This kind of love never fails. For God is this kind of love and we can experience it only in relationship with Him & others by doing life together! There is no other way, and Jesus constantly modeled it for us. Jesus comforted the sick, had compassion on the hurting, embraced the outcast, forgave the sinner, and loved the unlovable. At ECHO we believe our community needs to see more of this kind of Jesus. No one should be left out. Jesus taught us that, and the least we can do is live it. We do that at ECHO by intentionally trying to model and live out a Jesus like care and concern for our community, trusting that God's love will be revealed...one person at a time. Not as a "project" but as a "lifestyle". The bible says, "God draws all people to Him through His bands of love". It also says, "your loving kindness leads me to repentance". Our community needs to see more of that "loving kindness". Perhaps if we learn to spend time with people through the good, bad and the ugly...the messiness of life...then real, authentic, caring relationships will flourish. If we choose to, miracles can happen, and lives will be transformed. If not, we'll smile, pat each other on the back, and say "see ya next Sunday", perhaps never seeing that person again.

be God's!
Brian O
ECHOLead Pastor dude
Friends Community ChurchTyler, Texas

Paradox of Grace

"Give up trying to look like a saint," Brennan Manning's spiritual mentor once told him. "It'll be a lot better for everybody." If there is anything that ECHO hopes to contribute, it is this: we recognize that being a true follower of Jesus is not a matter of polishing ourselves up to make ourselves more presentable to God and others. But it is about being honest about how far we fall short of being the persons we know we should be and reaching out to accept the freely given, wild, crazy and untamed, scandalous grace of God. In an excerpt from The Ragamiffin Gospel, Brennan Manning says it best..."When I get honest, I admit I am a bundle of paradoxes. I believe and I doubt, I hope and I get discouraged, I love and I hate, I feel bad about feeling good, I feel guilty about not feeling guilty. I am trusting and suspicious. I am honest and I still play games. Aristotle said I am a rational animal; I say I am an angel with an incredible capacity for beer. To live by grace means to acknowledge my whole life's story, the light side and the dark. In admitting my shadow side, I learn who I am and what God's grace means. As Thomas Merton put it, "a saint is not someone who is good but is someone who experiences the goodness of God."

be God's!

Brian O

ECHO

Lead Pastor dude

Friends Community Church

Tyler, Texas

My Brightness

My Brightness

lyrics by Charlie Hall

I've been hit from every corner,
I've been thrown from side to side,
I'm cracked up on the inside, so I come to You for life,
Your presence always heals me, so I want to drink it in,
You know where we're going God,
You know where I've been.

Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning
Your love is like a rock
When I'm spinning
Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning around.

Yesterday I felt so angry
Today so insecure
I hate it that I wrestle
the God that I adore
Your presence always heals me
so I want to drink it in
You know where we're going God
You know where I've been.

And Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning
your love is like a rock
When I'm spinning
Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning...

And I know less about You
my heart loves You so much more
You're my pride in sadness
You're my brightness.

I wish this thing could pass from me
but I'm wanting what You want
so bring me high or bring me low
just hold me in Your love

And Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning
Your love is like a rock
When I'm spinning
Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning
Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning around.

be God's!

Brian O

Lead pastor dude, ECHO

Talkin' 'Bout Jesus, God & Stuff

Here is a collection of random quotes from various famous and not-so-famous poets, historians, artists, coaches, theologians, seekers, doubters, celebrities and wanna-be's, teachers, musicians, philosophers, leaders, believers and not-yet believers alike who are talking...may their thoughts draw you into the conversation also:

"I am an historian, I am not a believer,

but I must confess as a historian that

this penniless preacher from Nazareth

is irrevocably the very center of history.

Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history."

-H.G. Wells

"Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self."
-St. Francis of Assisi

"A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act."
-Mahatma Gandhi

"A heroic figure...

not wholly to blame for the religion that's been foisted on him."
-Ezra Pound

"I'm not doubting. I don't doubt God. I have firm faith absolutely in God. It's religion I'm doubting."

-Bono

"Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires; but what foundation did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love;

and at this hour millions of men would die for Him."
-Napoleon Bonaparte

"By a Carpenter mankind was made,

and only by that Carpenter can mankind be remade."
-Desiderius Erasmus

"I am pretty sure that we err in treating these sayings as paradoxes.

It would be nearer the truth to say

that it is life itself which is paradoxical

and that the sayings of Jesus are simply a recognition of that fact."
-Thomas Taylor

"I believe in person to person.

Every person is Christ for me, and since there is only one Jesus,

that person is the one person in the world at that moment."
-Mother Teresa

"Jesus Christ turns life right-side-up, and heaven outside-in."
-Carl F. H. Henry

"Jesus promised His disciples three things: that they would be entirely fearless, absurdly happy, and that they would get into trouble."
-W. Russell Maltby

"Jesus was the first socialist,

the first to seek a better life for mankind."
-Mikhail Gorbachev

"None speak of the bravery, the might, or the intellect of Jesus; but the devil is always imagined as a being of acute intellect, political cunning, and the fiercest courage. These universal and instinctive tendencies of the human mind reveal much."
-Lydia M. Child

"The Lord has turned all our sunsets into sunrise."
-Clement of Alexandria

"The word ''Christianity'' is already a misunderstanding -- in reality there has been only one Christian, and he died on the Cross."
-Friedrich Nietzsche

"Two thousand years ago there was One here on this earth

who lived the grandest life that ever has been lived yet--

a life that every thinking man,

with deeper or shallower meaning, has agreed to call divine."
-Frederick W. Robertson

"Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40,

and Jesus for only 3. Yet the influence of

Christ's 3-year ministry infinitely transcends

the impact left by the combined 130 years of teaching

from these men who were among

the greatest philosophers of all antiquity."

–Unknown

"I love the bit when Christ asked for his greatest hits and he says, 'OK, love God, and love your neighbours as yourself.' Christianity is not complicated, that's what it is."

-Bono

.

"As the centuries pass, the evidence is accumulating that,

measured by His effect on history,

Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet."
-Historian Kenneth Scott Latourette

"Ability may get you to the top,

but it takes character to keep you here."

-John Wooden

.
"I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise

and very beautiful; but I never read in either of them:

"Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden."

-Augustine

.
"I am a friend to God, a sworn enemy of the saccharine

and a believer in grace over karma."

-Bono

"As a child I received instruction both in the Bible and in the Talmud. I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene....No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word.

No myth is filled with such life."

-Albert Einstein

"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice.

Either this man was, and is, the Son of God;

or else a madman or something worse.

You can shut Him up for a fool,

you can spit at Him and kill him as a demon;

or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.

But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense

about His being a great human teacher.

He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."

-C.S. Lewis

.

"Jesus is God spelling Himself out

in language that men can understand."

-S.D. Gordon

"It was this same Jesus, the Christ who, among many other remarkable things, said and repeated something which, proceeding from any other being would have condemned him at once as either a bloated egotist or a dangerously unbalanced person...

when He said He himself would rise again from the dead,

the third day after He was crucified,

He said something that only a fool would dare say,

if he expected longer the devotion of any disciples—

unless He was sure He was going to rise.

No founder of any world religion known to men

ever dared say a thing like that!"

-Wilbur Smith

.
"You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—

every action is met by an equal or an opposite one.

It's clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe.

I'm absolutely sure of it.

And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that "as you reap, so you will sow" stuff. Grace defies reason and logic.

Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions,

which in my case is very good news indeed,

because I've done a lot of stupid stuff."

-Bono

.

“Drinking beer is easy. Trashing your hotel room is easy.

But being a Christian, that's a tough call. That's rebellion.”

-Alice Cooper

"I accept the resurrection of Easter Sunday not as an invention of the community of disciples, but as a historical event. If the resurrection of Jesus from the dead on that Easter Sunday were a public event which had been made known...

not only to the 530 Jewish witnesses but to the entire population,

all Jews would have become followers of Jesus."

-Pinchas Lapide, Orthodox Jewish scholar, Germany (born 1922)

.
"What can I give back to God

for the blessings he's poured out on me?

I'll lift high the cup of salvation - a toast to God!"

-Bono

"Despite our efforts to keep him out, God intrudes.

The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities:

"a virgin's womb and an empty tomb".

Jesus entered our world through a door marked,

"No Entrance" and left through a door marked "No Exit."

-Peter Larson

"I would like to ask Him if He was indeed virgin born,

because the answer to that question would define history."

–Larry King

"But with Christ, we have access in a one-to-one relationship, for, as in the Old Testament,

it was more one of worship and awe, a vertical relationship.

The New Testament, on the other hand,

we look across at a Jesus who looks familiar, horizontal.

The combination is what makes the Cross."

-Bono

.

"The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

is the crowning proof of Christianity.

If the resurrection did not take place,

then Christianity is a false religion.

If it did take place, then Christ is God and

the Christian faith is absolute truth."

-Henry Morris

"If I might comprehend Jesus Christ, I could not believe on Him.

He would be no greater than myself.

Such is my consciousness of sin and

inability that I must have a superhuman Saviour."

-Daniel Webster

“Failure is not fatal but failure to change might be.”

-John Wooden

"Our problem is this: we usually discover him within some denominational or Christian ghetto. We meet him in a province and, having caught some little view,

we paint him in smaller strokes.

The Lion of Judah is reduced to something kittenish

because our understanding cannot, at first, write larger definitions."
-Calvin Miller

"There was no identity crisis in the life of Jesus Christ.

He knew who He was.

He knew where He had come from, and why he was here.

And he knew where He was going.

And when you are that liberated, then you can serve."

-Howard Hendricks

"All the best songs are co-written by God, y'know!"

-Bono

.

“Talent is God given; be humble. Fame is man given; be thankful.

Conceit is self given; be careful.”

-John Wooden

"Whenever the method of worship becomes more important than the Person of worship, we have already prostituted our worship. There are entire congregations who worship praise and praise worship but who have not yet learned to praise and worship God in Jesus Christ."

-Judson Cornwall

.

"But I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge.

I'd be in deep s---.

It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace."

-Bono

"Christianity is not a doctrine, not truth as truth,

but the knowledge of a Person; it is knowing the Lord Jesus.

You cannot be educated into being a Christian."

-T. Austin-Sparks

"Jesus is God spelling Himself out

in language that men can understand."

-S.D. Gordon

"But the one thing we can all agree, all faiths, all ideologies,

is that God is with the vulnerable and the poor.

God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes

where the poor play house...

God is in the silence of a mother who has

infected her child with a virus that

will end both their lives...

God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war...

God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives,

and God is with us if we are with them."

-Bono

"I think God is a mystery.

I do not think Jesus' priorities are a mystery."

-Catherine Keller

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Keeping It Real

Have you ever had an opinion? Have you ever found yourself having an opinion based on partial information? Have you later discovered your opinion is wrong because you missed half the information about the subject? Sometimes that happens accidentally. Other times it happens on purpose. Sometimes it happens cause we're lazy. Other times because we choose not to see the real picture...because it may alter our opinion...because "our opinion" is so important. Unfortunately, in these cases its not based on facts...its based on our bias...so our opinion is just that..."ours" in our own little world...but not in the real world! As we celebrate Memorial Day in the great northwest... a time to honor the fallen soldiers and brave warriors of our country...our progressive bias here often clouds our opinions. Things get kinda fuzzy here...perspective wise sometimes. In Eugene especially...Berkley north...the land of progressive thought...all war is bad...thus all soldiers are not worthy of honor. Some actually believe this...though most temper that a bit. I see it in church circles as well. A rather naive view of God and war. Bumper stickers declare "who would Jesus bomb?", though obviously showing a political bias, some naively would nod in agreement. The subject of war, soldiers, and God is a touchy one. Obviously not all war is righteous. Clearly some are...that "stopping Hilter thing" seemed like a good move! Biblically God used war for His purposes. Other times scripture shows us battles that were clearly out of selfish ambition, revenge and ego. Yet is this new? Today some wars are selfish and purely about greed and power. Some are for righteous reasons, like protecting the downtrodden or impoverished or guarding against an ever growing tyrant perhaps. What is more righteous...allowing a tyrant to impoverish & enslave people for his ego's sake...or to defeat that tyrant to prevent it? Tough question. Tough answer. And let's face it, we do not have enough information to make these decisions. In a world of political agenda who knows? Sometimes nations go to war for political agenda...sometimes we don't go to war for political agenda, even when we should. Which is right or wrong? We don't know usually, but God does! But is this new? Hasn't man kind forever fought amongst itself for power and stuff? Sometimes have the brave fought boldly for freedom and to protect? Yes, is the obvious question. Yet some actually believe we, as a nation, are wrong for any war. That we are bullies. That we are too powerful. That we have taken our land from others, such as the Native Americian tribes...so thus we deserve no respect. This, I suggest is a clouded view, both realistically and spiritually. Consider, honestly, who are the first people...anywhere? OK, Europeans came to the Amercia's...took land in a variety of legit & not too legit ways. But the native American tribes also came to the America's from somewhere? Some say the south pacific...some Asia...some Europe...but they didn't originate here either. These tribes fought each other for land and stuff too. Some traded peacefully... others robbed, pillaged & raped there way. Where did the Europeans come from? Where did the Asian peoples come from? Well most DNA experts agree all people groups originally migrated from the northern Africa region &/or the Middle East. And as these tribes migrated... guess what...they sometimes traded peacefully... sometimes they warred! Throughout history every people group battled in war somebody! China's empire cost other weaker people groups a lot. The Roman Empire cost a lot of nations a lot. The Byzantine Empire, the Assyrian Empire, the Egyptian Empire...name it...they all fought someone...sometime. Sometimes for good reasons... other times for greed, power & ego. The point is this...every nation has fought wars...I would suggest, those wars were for both the right and sometimes the wrong reasons. But to suggest that God is against all war is naive. The bible is full of battles God asked to happen. The bible shows many good things coming from some of the wars depicted. Often evil nations or rulers were vanquished. Often God set the tables for some real good things by allowing people to be removed from oppression... due to their corrupt rulers losing in war! God, at times, even intervened on behalf of armies to lead them into victory...or defeat! At ECHO, we respect a persons right to their opinion...but be careful when attaching God's name to it. A blanket, God is a pacifist approach is not biblical. Jesus Himself will lead God's armies, on a white horse, in the battle to end all battles...so be careful in assuming God's a pacifist. Let's be honest...and lets be real. All nations have battled over history, and have taken & traded land for centuries...no one's innocent here. Even the small tribes of North America, Africa and Asia have battled each other. This isn't a big bully nation thing...its a people thing. The big question ECHO wants us to consider is this? Is it God's doing...or man's doing? Let's be honest...we usually don't know...so let's stop pretending we do! Sometimes it is...sometimes it isn't. This Memorial Day let's remember that...rather than judge those who have been lost. Their bravery and sacrifice should be honored regardless. Love would do as much, because their is no greater love than this...than to lay down your life for another! At ECHO we try to honor where honor is due...we pray you do too...in humility, knowing that you don't know as much as you think you do...and trusting a God who does know...even the hearts of men and nations! Sometimes we don't like how a story reads as it unfolds...and our choice is to trust the Author to complete the story as He intended, in spite of our opinion...or choose to disconnect from the story. Disconnecting from the truth, even the ugly truth, seems like a silly option...after all "history" is His-Story!
.

be God's!

BrianO

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Honey or Vinegar?

Paradox. Two things that don't seem to go together. They seem out of place when united. They don't fit when in the same sentence or thought. We see them if life all the time. It creates a tension. It gets our attention. We notice that there is a disconnect here. It troubles us. It confuses us. It gets our eye or ear for all the wrong reasons. I think we see paradox often in how God's love is spoken of...and in how we depict Him. God is defined as Love...yet is often depicted as a cruel ruler, sitting on His throne, watching the innocent suffer. He is described as a Father who treasures His children. Yet, He is often seen as the One in whom you'd better please...or you're toast...quite literally, burnt toast! God is powerful. Yes, He rules the universe He created. Yes, He made the rules & systems we try to live within. Yes, He holds our very breath... even our eternity in His hands. But why, oh why, have we reduced Him to tyrant? The bible says, "His loving kindness leads us to repentance". Not that our fear of Him, leads us to repentance. Yet, we often use fear as a weapon to draw people into God's arms? Huh? What are we thinking? We see God's loving kindness displayed most perfectly in Jesus. He didn't come as a King to rule, though He had the authority to do so. He came as a child, who would grow into a servant, a man who would ultimately lay down His own life for those He loves. Loving kindness in action. He treated the outcast, the sinner, and the overlooked with the utmost respect and dignity. He loved first. Shouldn't we? At ECHO we see Jesus loving kindness as our model...our heart to emulate. Repentance is a word we don't like. It implies guilt doesn't it? It says I did something wrong and I need to admit it. Man, I hate when that happens. But why? Is it because I am afraid of a God I have let down? Am I afraid of a God that's ticked off at me? Or perhaps, if I take a close look at God's heart, I see a kind heart, one that desires to be in relationship with me, in spite of my mess. If I look closely, I will see a heart in Jesus that desires to forgive. A heart that makes "repentance" easy. One that simply says, "turn from that...and come towards Me...I love you!" Our heart at ECHO is to point people towards that invitation...to come close to the God that oozes loving kindness...and makes turning from our own ways...so much easier. That is God's heart...and Jesus was exhibit #1... may His people be exhibit #2!

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

What a Mother...

Some mother's are amazing! You know, you hear those stories of the mom who picks up her Buick with one arm, while pulling her child to safety with the other! Wow! I don't know if it's true...but I wish I had one of those kind of mom's! Now my mom is cool, and she's been a great mom...but I've never seen her pull off any super hero kind of stuff...has yours? As I reflected on mom's...cause it's Mother's Day... and well I guess you got to...or you are the scum of the earth... but you should...really you should! I began a process of thinking...and a friend spoke about Mother's Day...and we got around to how it was totally appropriate to appreciate mom's...even bad one's...even so-so ones...cause without a mom, where would be all be? After all without a mom...you don't exist! Ok, mom, I got to give you that one!!! But seriously, the impact of mom's is beyond that really...good and bad... I suppose. As we bounced things around in conversation, my friend spoke of King David...then I thought...so what's the deal with David's mom? I don't know much about her? She must have been something special...cause he was a dude who became "a man after God's own heart"! What could I glean from her? What could I appreciate in her? Well what I discovered was quite interesting. There isn't much about David's mom in the Bible...but she is mentioned in Jewish writings. She was married to Jesse, David's dad, as the bible tells us. And apparently Jesse was a big shot, a respected man. Yet, when David was born, this prominent family greeted his birth with utter derision and contempt...he was not well received, to say the least. As David describes quite literally in Psalm 69, "I was a stranger to my brothers, a foreigner to my mother's sons...they put gall in my meal and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst." He was such an outcast within his own family that David was not permitted to eat with the rest of his family, but was assigned to a separate table in the corner. Wow, that's harsh...permanent naughty chair...yet worse! Apparently he was given the task of shepherd because "they hoped that a wild beast would come and kill him while he was performing his duties" and for this reason was sent to pasture in dangerous areas full of lions and bears, as 1 Samuel chapter 17, verses 34 through 36 describe. Ok, now that's cutthroat! From your own family no less! Yet, only one individual throughout David's youth was pained by his unjustified plight and felt a deep, unconditional bond of love for the child whom she alone knew was undoubtedly pure. This was King David's mother, Nitzevet bat Adel, who felt the intensity of her youngest child's pain and rejection as her own. Torn and anguished by David's unwarranted degradation, yet powerless to stop it, Nitzevet stood by the sidelines, in solidarity with him, shunned herself, as she, too, cried rivers of tears, awaiting the time when justice would be served. It would take twenty-eight long years of assault and rejection, suffering and degradation until that justice would finally begin to materialize...and David would be crowned King! Wow, now that is a mother's heart! That is to be celebrated! In fact, that echoes God's heart really. Amazing! It's as if a God deposit was in that mother's heart. Isn't that awesome! Maybe that is the seed that was planted in David's heart that eventually grew into him becoming "a man after God's own heart". Maybe that is why David felt confident to constantly return to God in his failures, in his fears, and when facing the battles before him. Maybe that is why David loved God so much...because his mom loved him so much...first! I have a feeling God desires each of us to have someone like David's mom in our life story...because the impact can be so transforming...and eternal. At ECHO we hope that that is a reminder to each of us of the heart of God towards us...in solidarity with us...even weeping tears for us...in the midst of our pain, rejection and suffering! When it seems as if everyone is against you...maybe even your own family...know that God desires someone to journey with you through it...so that you may get a taste of His heart for you through them! May we appreciate those who journey with us...our mom's...our dad's...perhaps other near one's...for in that we often experience the love of God in ways that are amazing!

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

Can't You See What Love Has Done?

Window In The Skies

The shackles are undone
The bullets quit the gun
The heat that's in the sun
Will keep us when there's none
The rule has been disproved
The stone it has been moved
The grave is now a groove
All debts are removed

Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's done to me?

Love makes strange enemies
Makes love where love may please
The soul and its striptease
Hate brought to its knees
The sky over our head
We can reach it from our bed
You let me in your heart
And out of my head, head

Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's done to me?

Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Please don't ever let me out of you

I've got no shame, oh no, oh no

Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's doing to me?

I know I hurt you and I made you cry
Did everything but murder you and I
But love left a window in the skies
And to love I rhapsodize
To every broken heart
For every heart that cries
Love left a window in the skies
And to love I rhapsodize

Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's doing to me?

lyrics by U2

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude
ECHO

The Price Is Right?

Its funny, as I write this my kids are watching the Price is Right. Man, that show has been on TV forever. I remember watching it as a kid. My parents watched it. Now the Price is Right has been handed to a new generation...my kids. It's not the most elaborate show...no special effects or CGI graphics...but people like it. The games are kinda dorky and stupid...but people like them. But its the winning stuff part that draws people in...especially the "new car"...or the "vacation to Hawaii". I guess we all like to get stuff... especially for free...even better if we won it! It's kinda like fate smiled on us...so now we're special...kinda of feeling. I read an interesting article that in Eugene/Springfield only 30% of the people living here were planning on attending an Easter service. Now 99% of them have heard of Easter. 95% of them will have Easter eggs, candy hunts, and a special dinner. 90% know that Easter is a Christian holiday. 82% know it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. But only 30% of the population have been impacted by that truth to such a degree that an Easter service would need to be on their calendar. I wonder why? Most parts of the country probably have over half the community in church on Easter...but not us? In the bible belt that percentage is probably even higher. Now church folks will tend to blame the people who don't show up, like it's their fault. But I wonder if it maybe because a generation of churches that have pushed so hard for the "big Sunday" on Easter, that our community in general feels like it is just a number on someone's stat sheet...and in this case, Easter is the BIG one! Maybe people have caught on...that Easter is a big numbers push...and the local church has their sites set on them...uh, their number? Maybe that is why the "meaning" is lost to them, from their perspective? Maybe, it is because the meaning is lost from the church's perspective also? Maybe us church folks have focused on the wrong stuff for so long...its become obvious to those we are trying to attract? Churches go to great lengths to draw crowds on Easter... mass marketing blitzes announcing...free brunches...free candy... people dressed as the Easter bunny for photos with the kids...free carnivals...free giveaways... even free cars...free TV's...free vacations! What are you crazy? No, seriously...a church in Corpus Christi, Texas gave away cars...flat screen TV's...vacations...on Easter! Everyone attending got a shot to win some of the million dollars in prizes they were giving away! It was like some kinda churchey Price is Right! Where's Bob Barker? Where's Drew Carey? Seriously, the whole thing drew HUGE crowds... as you might suspect...but it was only for 1 weekend... Easter. It looks good in the newspaper...it looks good on your denominational reports...it makes your church folks excited for a week or two...but what did it really accomplish? In all our efforts to "pack the place" on Easter...have we done anything that lasts? Is a big crowd for one day the goal? More importantly, is it the goal in Jesus eyes? Has Easter been reduced to some kind of church production to "get out the vote" so we feel better for a day...a week...? At ECHO, we strive to remind ourselves constantly, that getting a crowd by any means, isn't God's goal. Life transformation is Jesus' goal...changed lives for the better...for eternity! Free pizza and beer will get a crowd...but change no one...except maybe add to their weight problem or alcoholic tendency's...but I digress. A crowd gathered without them experiencing the transforming love of God is wasteful. Now did crowds follow Jesus? Of course, at times they did. But not for free cars or candy...it was because of His reputation as a man who taught about the Kingdom of God in such a way, that people were "amazed". It was because Jesus had so much compassion and love that word spread, "you gotta check this guy out...He's for real". It was because His healing touch on the sick and his grace on the downtrodden sinner, screamed LOVE. People didn't just hear about the Kingdom of God...they experienced it...they got a taste of it, when they were with Jesus. Maybe our churches could learn a bit more from Jesus? Maybe His ways are better than our ways? Maybe His ways draw a crowd... not just any crowd...but a crowd for a lasting purpose? Crowds are not bad in and of themselves...but a crowd gathered is one thing...what you allow them to experience when you have them gathered...is quite another! I can hear the conversation now..."but Lord, we had thousands at Easter"... and God will say, "but they never knew Me...and you didn't get to know them either!" Sadly Jesus will say, "It was quite a show, but I wasn't invited." At ECHO we don't want to miss the point. At ECHO we strive toward Jesus' ways and we recognize that we need to learn His way of reaching people. To often, they are forgotten. Maybe if we are more like Him...maybe then the crowds will come...and be transformed...forever...just maybe...

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Missing The Point?

Sometimes I wonder if we miss the point. It seems quite common in our culture to focus on the "less significant" detail and miss the "big point". I wonder if we do that at Easter too. Usually Easter is a time we focus on Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and then rising from the dead in victory 3 days later. Quite a powerful story indeed. Lets face it...that rising from the dead thing hasn't been pulled off by any other great religious leader or philosopher. So that alone should cause us to pay attention. And for some we do...well at least one day a year...Easter. What makes Easter difficult...is not the eggs, candy and bunny thing...but our tendency to focus on the Friday. Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. It conjours up horrible images ala Passion of the Christ. In reality the Passion doesn't show it as bad as it was...the bible says Jesus was beaten so bad you couldn't tell He was a human! Wow, now that's bad. Horrible really. And most of us weigh heavy the consequence of our sins and the cost Jesus paid. We must really suck bad for Jesus to have to innocently take that on. The guilt, shame & heaviness breaks us. The images horrify us. But are we missing the main point here? Is Easter about this horror? Is it about how much we suck and how much Jesus had to pay...because of our selfishness and sin? Is Easter just a final victory lap by God after all we put Him through? Now don't get me wrong...Jesus dying our sins is a huge thing...and His victory over sin and death sealed the deal...but is there something bigger in play here? I'd like to suggest this. This ancient story of betrayal, sin, torture, death and victory is way more than we often think...it is about God's deep desire for us to be in relationship with Him. God craves relationship with us. He knew our sin destroys relationship with Him...and each other. He knew we can't live sinless. Damaged relationships were a part of the imperfect human condition, God knew that. And it tore the very people God loves away from Him...bit by bit...sin by sin...slowly...selfishly. God's deep love for us is "why" He went to the extreme tactic of sending Jesus, knowing full well the death He awaited. He knew sin had to be dealt with for relationships to have an opportunity to be restored. The "Good News" is not that Jesus died for our sins...but that everyone has the opportunity to have relationship with God! It is available to all. God desires us so much that He actually took away any barrier that would keep us away from Him. The opportunity for relationship is available...if you want it. That's the Good News! That's what we often don't share...enough. That's what we often don't make clear...enough. That's what makes Easter such a great celebration. At ECHO we rejoice in the Good News, and simply want to proclaim God's crazy about you! Jesus said, "There is no greater love than this, that a man would lay his life down for another." Enough said! Enough done!
be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

Foolish Ways

The fool wonders, the wise man asks.
Benjamin Disraeli

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."

Psalm 14:1

The best way to convince a fool that he is wrong

is to let him have his own way.
Josh Billings

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 1:7

A fool thinks himself to be wise,

but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.
William Shakespeare

But everyone who hears these words of mine

and does not put them into practice

is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

Matthew 7:26

Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.
Benjamin Franklin

Fools talk way too much,
Chattering stuff they know nothing about.

Ecclesiastes 10:14

Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex...

It takes a touch of genius -

and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.
Albert Einstein

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar?

Where is the philosopher of this age?

Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

1 Corinthians 1:20

Showing off is the fool's idea of glory.
Bruce Lee

Extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
Ecclesiastes 7:7

A fool and his money are soon elected.
Will Rogers

Answer a fool in simple terms
so he doesn't get a swelled head.

Proverbs 26:5

A fellow who is always declaring he's no fool

usually has his suspicions.
Wilson Mizner

Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

Proverbs 10:14

The serpent, the king, the tiger, the stinging wasp, the small child, the dog owned by other people, and the fool:

these seven ought not to be awakened from sleep.
Chanakya

Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;
the prudent quietly shrug off insults.

Proverbs 12:16

Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day;

wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit.
Elbert Hubbard

The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 12:15

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep

to gain what he cannot lose.
Jim Elliot

Are you so foolish?

After beginning with the Spirit,

are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

Galatians 3:3

Any man is liable to err, only a fool persists in error.
Marcus Tullius Cicero

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

Proverbs 26:11

A fool's brain digests philosophy into folly,

science into superstition, and art into pedantry.

Hence University education.
George Bernard Shaw

Become wise by walking with the wise;
hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.

Proverbs 13:20

A fool is wise in his eyes.
King Solomon

A poor youngster with some wisdom is better off than

an old but foolish king who doesn't know which end is up.

Ecclesiastes 4:13

A mother takes twenty years to make a man of her boy,

and another woman makes a fool of him in twenty minutes.
Robert Frost

The perceptive find wisdom in their own front yard;
fools look for it everywhere but right here.

Proverbs 17:24

Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.
Euripides

What's this? Fools out shopping for wisdom!
They wouldn't recognize it if they saw it!

Proverbs 17:16

It is the peculiar quality of a fool to perceive the faults of others

and to forget his own.
Marcus Tullius Cicero

The fool sits back and takes it easy,
His sloth is slow suicide.

Ecclesiastes 4:5

I pity da fool.
Mr.T

be God's!

Brian O

Lead Pastor dude, ECHO

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