Wired To Connect

They say the human heart has a "void" that we all are trying to fill throughout our life's journey. I think we all realize it at some deep down level within each of us. CS Lewis often alludes to a "God-shaped hole". Augustine points to it in his writings. Blaise Pascal implied it when he stated, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person, and it can never be filled by any created thing. It can only be filled by God, made known through Jesus Christ.” Philosopher's and theologians alike have often determined that this "void" is never filled with anything but what it was designed to accommodate. The Master Designer in His desire to draw us towards Himself has made each of us with a "hole" that only He can fill. A remarkably ingenius way to allow us humans to crave a knowing of their Creator. It's like a relational magnet within our spirit that draws us. I read an interesting report from the Commission on Children at Risk that seems to validate this very concept and more. Our culture is plagued with what's known as "at risk children". It's not a new thing...in fact many "at risk kids" are now grown into adults and are now having their own "at risk children". At risk children are the effects of divorce, broken homes, single parent households, latch key environments, drug abuse, workaholism and various other disintegration factors of the traditional stable family environment. The number one cause of this crisis? The conclusion in this study says that as human beings we have been designed to be "connected". They term it as humans are "hardwired to connect". To quote the study, "In large measure, what's causing this crisis of American childhood is a lack of connectedness. We mean two kinds of connectedness---close connections to other people, and deep connections to moral & spiritual meaning." Jesus stated something very similar when He was asked what the greatest commandment was, He replied, "Love God with your whole heart, whole mind and whole soul. And... love others as you love yourself." Jesus tells us that God's desire is for us to live in connected relationship with God and with other people. We've been "hardwired" that way by our Creator. In a sense we have 2 relational holes within our soul that God has put within us...a void that yearns to know God in authentic relationship and a void that yearns to know others in a loving, genuine relationship. God said it was "not good for us to be alone" in Genesis, He said it from the beginning. Now as humans perhaps we are beginning to understand the value of "connectedness"...and the destructive outcomes of "aloneness". This study goes on to say we have learned to be experts in medicating & pyscho-analyzing our lack of "connectedness" but we have failed miserably as a culture in learning how to "connect". Yet, God has the pursuit of the answer hard-wired within each of us. God in His mercy desires us to be in right relationship with Him and in right relationship with each other. He's made us to crave it, to discover it, and to thrive within it. At FRIENDS we strive to create a safe environment for each of us to explore this craving...to discover it's significance... and to thrive in it's embrace. Join us as we learn to connect with God and with each other in authentic, genuine relationships...as we were "hardwired" to experience...from the beginning!

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Breathe Deep

Breathe Deep
by the Lost Dogs

Politicians, morticians, Philistines, homophobes

Skinheads, Dead heads, tax evaders, street kids

Alcoholics, workaholics, wise guys, dim wits

Blue collars, white collars, war mongers, peace nicks

Breathe deep

Breathe deep the Breath of God

Breathe deep

Breathe deep the Breath of God

Suicidals, rock idols, shut-ins, drop outs

Friendless, homeless, penniless and depressed

Presidents, residents, foreigners and aliens

Dissidents, feminists, xenophobes and chauvinists

Evolutionists, creationists, perverts, slum lords

Dead-beats, athletes, Protestants and Catholics

Housewives, neophytes, pro-choice, pro-life

Misogynists, monogamists, philanthropists, blacks and whites

Police, obese, lawyers, and government

Sex offenders, tax collectors, war vets, rejects

Atheists, Scientists, racists, sadists

Photographers, biographers, artists, pornographers

Gays and lesbians, demagogues and thespians

The disabled, preachers, doctors and teachers

Meat eaters, wife beaters, judges and juries

Long hair, no hair, everybody everywhere!


Breathe deep

Breathe deep the Breath of God

Breathe deep

Breathe deep the Breath of God

be God's!

BrianO

ECHO

Lead Pastor dude

Friends Community Church

Tyler, Texas

Independence Day?

Independence, hmmm? Well, as we have all celebrated the 4th of July with assorted BBQ's, weekend getaways to the beach or mountains, along with lots of fireworks and oodles of fun...I've been pondering the concept of "independence". Now I realize that "Independence Day" celebrates our nations beginnings, and especially our breaking away from British rule. It marks a time when a group of people from all over Europe and beyond, declared an "independence" from rulers, taxation, religious persecution and a host of other undue burdens. It's cool how our nation even declares that people are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights". Yet in that, our nation oozes a spirit of independence, and I wonder how biblical all that may be? We love the rebel...the outlaw...the non-conformist...the cowboy...the rugged individualist. We pride ourselves on being "self made men", "pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps", and being "lone rangers" & "mavericks". Some would even declare that us Americans have a favorite bible verse, "God helps them who help themselves". The most famous "bible verse" not found in the bible! To the contrary, in light of what the bible tells us consistently, it would appear that our "independence" is the key to our problems in life. This isn't just an American problem, independence is a human problem. The idea that we can do it on our own. The idea we can work it all out ourselves. The idea that we know whats best. The idea that we don't need anybody else. I would suggest that "idea" is the core root of our human dilemma. Our striving for "independence" cuts to our sin nature...our selfish nature...our self centered world views...the world revolving around us. When in fact God continually says we should live lives of dependence. Lives dependent on relationship with Him and lives dependent on relationships with other people. This flies in the face of what most of us believe and especially in the face of our core American value...independence. God would remind us that our independence is what causes our relational pain and the chaos in the world we live within. He would suggest that as we deepen our relationship with Him & other people, in dependent trust, the chaos becomes more manageable. At FRIENDS we desire to be people who learn the art of graceful, trusting dependence on the God whose crazy about us. It's a journey away from independence, yet one worth taking, together! In this world we will always have trouble, and the trouble is our independence from God. What a struggle that is, isn't it? God has designed us to be a people of dependence...we need God...and we need relationship with others. We crave these things from the depths of our soul, don't we? In the end its our way (independence) or His way (trusting dependence). For each of us, we hear the cry to, "choose you this day". Which one will you embrace? Join us on the journey of dependence...together!


be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Story

creation

harmony

thorns

blood

echoes

longing

silence

mystery

new wine

signs

vagabond

shadows

venom

broken

garden

friend

skull hill

darkness

scattered

spices

wonder

scars

life

everlasting

by Steven James

be God's!

Brian O

ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Grace Paradox

"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 

Environmental Concerns

Perspective? How often does our perspective get in the way? For some, it is a set of bias that have been inbred over many, many years. For others it is a "new" revelation that has opened them up to some "enlightened" viewpoint. But rarely, or shall I say NEVER...is it totally ours! We cannot help but be shaped by our environment, whether that be family or friends or philosophical input from various "experts". The key is, what "environment" do you "live" in? What "environment" do you place yourself in? For many it is an issue of the "environment" they were placed in, and how to escape its trappings. Isn't it interesting to see how, so often, we place ourselves in poor environments that have proven to reap hurt and confusion in our lives...or how we allow ourselves to remain in painful environments that we were placed in by others or by circumstance? How ironic that we should allow ourselves to be so "influenced", even to our detriment. We see a world where people are screaming out for "freedom" from that which binds them up. For some it is the memory's of abuse...for other's the "living hell" of addiction (alcohol, drugs, sexual etc...)...for some it's the guilt of bad choices made in their past...or the lack of hope for a better future. Psychologists and Counselors are making millions of dollars, as people desperately scramble to be set free. Many are willing to do almost anything to be free from their "bondage", that "curse" that seems to weigh them down. The "good news" is that there is a way to break the "chains" that bind us. There is a "freedom" that can set us free. There is a "hope", that can guide and direct us into a future of unspeakable joy and fulfillment. There is a "relief" from our guilt. There is a "healing" for our pain...past, present and future! At FRIENDS we want to journey with you on that discovery. We desire to encourage you as you explore these very things for yourself. The "key", once again is your environment. The environment you "choose" to place yourself in. In the presence of loving people that care enough to point you towards a loving God. A God who chose to reach out to you in Jesus, to share your pain, to take your guilt away, to give you hope, to bring you joy, and to give you genuine freedom! By allowing ourselves to live in His environment...by allowing His perspective to guide our own...by trusting His guidance over our own...we discover what true freedom can be. A freedom to know you're on the "right track" and that you are focused on the right perspective!

Today consider these 5 biblical truths as you explore God's design of freedom for you:

"Jesus is a light unto your path." psalm 119:105

"Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life." john 14:5

"Jesus came to set the captives free." luke 4:18

"Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world...

...but to save it." john 3:17

"When you are free in Jesus, you are free indeed." john 8:36


be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Lines In The Sand

People are funny.  I mean they really are funny.  We are so good at missing the obvious.  We are particularly good at missing the obvious in church circles.  Even though Jesus would say, "Take the log out of your eye first...then remove the speck in another's eye", we miss the obvious sarcasm and exaggeration in this word picture.  Jesus paints a picture of a person, let's call him "Bob", and he's trying to make sure that "Ralph" gets the speck out of his eye...yet he is doing it while carrying a much larger problem in his own eye...a stinkin' log!!!  Picture this dude with a freaking log jammed in his eye...and he is on your case about the "speck" that you have in your eye!  How ridiculous is that picture?  Yet, how awkwardly real is that picture?  Step back from the hyperbole for a moment and consider the last time you were critical of, or quick to point out the "speck" in someones life...yet you yourself are carrying a much larger, serious "log" in your own?  How easy is it for us to examine others lives but not our own?  We often examine in the name of righteousness or holiness, in church circles...cause somehow that makes it right?  I have had people ask me to correct someone because they dress the wrong way...too revealing or too tight.  I have had people insist I correct the guy who cusses...or drinks...or smokes...or smells like pot in church.  I have had people demand I get on the case of someone because of a whole myriad of faults in that other person's character, habits and rough edges.  Yet rarely do I have someone ask me to keep "them in line"...with their "habits"...their "faults"...or their "rough edges".   It's like a guy is standing in front of me smoking his cigarette demanding I go tell another guy to quit cussing...cause its making the church look bad somehow?  How weird is that?  We see the others flaws while embracing our own.  Apparently grace is sufficient for one but not the other.  Apparently mercy is extended to one, but not the other.  Apparently love and patience is available to one but not the other.  Is this what Jesus taught?  Is this what God requires?  How foolish we often look...before God...and before men.  Sometimes we are so busy contending for "righteousness" and "holiness" we are forgetting the obvious.  First of all, righteousness and holiness are not based in our behavior...they are based in God alone, for He alone is holy and righteous...not us.  Righteousness and holiness are attributed to us by faith in Jesus, not by our performance.  Secondly,  Jesus contends for "relationship" first...then for "righteousness".  We often get it so wrong.  We demand "right living" often to the detriment of the "relationship".  God, on the other hand, offers "relationship", so that we may learn to become "right living" people, through experiencing His love.   We often get so caught up in drawing lines in the sand...you should not smoke...you should not cuss...you should not drink...you should not wear tight clothing...you should not listen to secular music...you should not watch TV...you should not play pool...or go into movies theatres...or whatever other crazy arbitrary line we want to draw.  What makes us think that will attract anyone closer to God?  Let's face it, it has proven it does not.  Why?  Because our random quest for "right living" that are usually based on our own personal preferences, have not drawn people closer to a relationship with God or a relationship with us.  In fact, it reinforces a terrible myth, that if you do the right things, God is pleased with you...and if you don't you are unacceptable.  Really, is that it...do right stuff and you are in?  Huh?  Whatever happened to grace...to mercy...to patience...to not keeping a record of wrongs...to kindness...to encouragement... to forgiveness...to being "saved by grace through faith, so that no one can boast".   We are "saved by faith, not works"...yet we present "lines in the sand" that declare "do the right stuff, according to my standard, and then you are welcome here".  How sad is that?  It must grieve the heart of God to see people hurt and pushed away by our "lines in the sand".  Fortunately, God's heart is a love that crashes in on the sandy beach and washes away any lines drawn...because its His righteousness, a gift...not things we manufacture, or demand and draw in the sand.  At FRIENDS we continually are learning to create room for Jesus love to transform lives...in a place where everyone is welcome, as they are...rough edges and messiness in tow.  Because we know that by accepting people with the open arms of Jesus, a relationship with God may begin, and then God will lovingly and patiently work out all the rest through His mercy and grace.  Our prayer @ FRIENDS is to not get in the way...

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Living Proof

We live in a world of skeptics it seems. People seem to be pessimistic, on guard, suspicious of others motives. It seems to be the darker side of our human tendencies I suppose. We're all prone to it from time to time...some more than others. Perhaps its the media age where we learn so easily of all the scandals of religious leaders, politicians, corporate CEO's, celebrities, pro athletes etc... Perhaps it's also a by product of living in a "marketing age" where you gotta "read the fine print"...there's "always a catch"...you got to "buy 2 to get one free"...you get the idea. It seems it's never for real, so we're conditioned to be suspect of the "deals" that are too good to be true. I've been burned...I'm sure you have to. The same skeptical tendencies come into our hearts as we explore things spiritual or religious...is it for real? It's too good to be true? It's another scam? There must be a hidden agenda? It's got to be about money, ego, or some kind of power trip...at least we tend to think that way sometimes...so we don't trust easily. Many see philosopher's, and religious teachers this way. Whether its Socrates, Plato, Buddha, Confucius, Mohammad, Joesph Smith, L. Ron Hubbard, or Jesus...we tend to be suspect of whats the "real story" behind the facade. Now I'm not one to simply say, there all nuts or evil people trying to deceive us...and only Jesus is right. That would be very presumptuous of me. The bible encourages us to "believe the best of every person", so I choose to believe these philosophers and religious teachers all were seeking truth...genuine truth...as best they could. They all were attempting to discover God's truth and explain it to mankind as best their search would allow. Now, though sincere in their search, they may have only discovered a portion of the truth, being limited, as all human beings are. It is interesting though to see how they all have found room to include Jesus into their philosophical and religious equations. To some He is a wise philosopher, to others a prophet, perhaps another might say He attained christ-consciousness or was simply a humble teacher of what was good and right. But the real proof lay in the events of the first Easter morning. That morning, Jesus proved He was God...not just another guy talking about God. That's what separates Jesus from the rest. He conquered the one thing no philosopher or religious teacher has ever conquered...death! All the great leaders of the past have indeed died, in spite of the noble search for truth. But Jesus said "He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life"...and proved it. Living Proof, He rose from the dead. Hundreds saw Him after He rose. Men and women who hid in fear suddenly became bold and very. very public about seeing Jesus alive again. In fact they changed the world with that message...a message of hope...victory over sin and death was available to everyone through Jesus! Many of them died cruel martyrs deaths as they spread that message. History tells us not "one" ever denied Jesus was alive again. No one ever said they "made it up", even when facing torture and impending death. The significance of the resurrection of Jesus at the very least should prompt any of us to examine who Jesus said He was, and what He taught...regardless of your spiritual view...its worth a serious look. This once in history occurrence completes the miracle events of Good Friday...Jesus sacrifice on the cross (that we spoke of in a previous blog entry "Things Are Not Always As They Seem"). The sacrificial death of Jesus, paying the price for you and me, removed the penalty of sin for all who trust Jesus in that sacrifice. That penalty the bible says is "the wages of sin is death"...and Jesus took care of that and proved it! He not only died for all our sins...He rose from the dead to prove He even had the power over death itself! That penalty of sin was of no effect now...in the hands of the giver of life...Jesus! Living Proof He was God and that we could trust Him with our eternal life. How cool is that! "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life though Jesus Christ", the bible tells us (Romans 6:23). To think God loves us that much! Our hope at FRIENDS is that we can be a group of Jesus followers who will share this Good News with everyone within our spheres of relationship, in authentic and loving ways, so that all may know how much God loves and cares for them! Join us in this adventure and watch what God does through us and in us!


be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Winning!!!

Charlie Sheen has been on a rant about winning for a few months to the point that "winning" has become a phrase in our culture tied to him.  Sadly, poor Charlie seems far from winning, but sadly spiraling out of control.  Hopefully not, but believing you are "winning" while your life collapses around you is sadly delusional and tragic.  I suppose Charlie is like most people.  Most people want to "win".  Most people desire to be "winning" in life according to their motivations and core beliefs.  I suppose its a cry of the soul to live a life of substance and meaning.  Life without it seems shallow and hollow...a cruel joke.  It's been said that "80% of success is showing up".  This famous quote has been used by coaches, athletes and motivated individuals in a variety of fields.  It is interesting that this quote originates with a rather quirky, yet brilliant actor, producer and playwright...Woody Allen!  His quote has traveled the world and speaks volumes towards a simple truth.  Step #1 in being successful at any endeavor is "showing up".  Obviously, if you ain't there...you are not going to have any opportunity to discover what "may happen".  Now there is no guarantee that by just "showing up" anything great will happen...but there IS a guarantee that if you do NOT show up you will never find out!!!  The early followers of Jesus got it...they showed up BIG TIME!  They didn't live as if Jesus was coming back in 2,000 years...perhaps its good they didn't know.  They lived a life of urgency.  Every day they lived as if it was their last.  They showed up and layed it all down for the task at hand..."sharing the good news of Jesus invitation of grace, forgiveness and relationship"...to all who would listen.  How ironic that they layed down their lives, possessions and personal agendas to share this Good News with such passion...while today's followers live a life of self serving complacency...with very little passion...sacrifice...or urgency.  Even more ironic, is all you need to do is take a casual glance at the news and you'll know we are living in urgent times, where biblical warnings of "end time events" are commonly shared as today's news.  You'd think we'd be "showing up"...passionately, urgently, sacrificially...laying it all on the line for the sake of those who have not received the Good News yet!  The early followers of Jesus should have been the one's sitting on their laurels...they were 2,000 years from it all.  Yet they showed up...day after day...sharing all they had...materially, financially, spiritually, relationally...even to the point of losing their own lives.   While we sit back, say we love Jesus...say we love people...but do very little about it.  We rarely "show up"....heck we rarely show up to our own churches, let alone in our communities.  A church gathering has become a self serving convenience for many.  Is it any wonder that those who don't know Jesus yet, keep their distance?  Because we do.  We don't show up...so why should they?  It's apparently not that important to "us'...so why should it be important to "them"?  And God forbid, if a not-yet-believer actually showed up at one of our churches, bravely going where he isn't familiar... in hope....that maybe you showed up.   Maybe you are the kind of person they would relate to...or perhaps your family is similar...or your field of employment...or school you went to...or simply the way you look or the music you like or...????  Who knows?  But if you don't "show up"...you will never know...and either will they.  Your greatest value is not "what you do"...or "what you give"...but "who you are"!!!   You are the only "you" on planet earth...and its a great loss when you don't show up.  God made it to be that way, it's His idea!  Your presence is the greatest gift.  That is why God tells us to "not forsake gathering together".  Because "showing up" means so much.  God's people...His church...His followers... can only be successful according to His design...IF they "show up".   The only way to "love others" is to show up and be around "others"...and in that "showing up" God's love flows from person to person as He has always intended it to.  At FRIENDS we are trying to learn to take our love of Jesus beyond ourselves and our homes...and into our community...and it all "begins" with "showing up"...at our church gatherings where we learn and practice together...and then in our city where we show up representing lives impacted by the love of God!

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Things Are Not Always As They Seem

Have you ever heard of the Knob Cone pine? They grow predominantly in the Pacific Northwest. They are a very interesting tree, a very unique creation in God's world of nature. You see the Knob Cone pine tree can only reproduce under the most unusual of circumstances, or so it seems. There is one circumstance that ideally releases the seeds contained in the "cones" of the tree. The cones are extremely hard, and virtually impossible to open...except by fire! The heat of forest fires causes a reaction within the cone that releases gases, that as the cones cool after a forest fire, the cones slowly expand and pop open, releasing the seeds... and that allows the Knob Cone pine to flourish! Isn't that wild! The very thing you think would destroy these trees, actually is essential to their survival as a species! To think God wired into the trees DNA a way for them to survive and even flourish in the aftermath of their greatest threat...fire! That's so cool...amazing really. It's a constant reminder to me of how we, as humans, don't always see things, as God does. Things are not always as they seem. The bible says we "know in part", that we "see through glass dimly", that in a sense, we just don't know what God does. Isn't that the truth! I suppose if we were smarter than God, then what kind of God would that be? I know we "think" we are smarter sometimes...we think we know what is right...or wrong...or just...or fair...or what makes sense. But in reality, we are very limited in our understanding of our world, human nature, our universe, and things spiritual. Now its awesome to strive to gain more understanding in all those things, but not to the point where we diminish God's view in favor of ours. Because much of life, naturally and spiritually isn't always as it seems. Like the Knob Cone pine tree, it almost doesn't make sense...but in the end...how brilliant was that idea! As we learn to trust God's ways, our ways begin to make more sense, even though, to a degree we simply can't always comprehend everything. Like when Jesus died at the crucifixion. We remember this time in history, on the Friday before Easter. Now that's an event in history that almost doesn't make sense in human terms. Anyone who has seen the "Passion of the Christ" got a taste of the injustice of that day. Jesus, a man of the people, a lover of the downtrodden, a forgiver of the sinner, an includer of the outcast, a man who brought a taste of the Kingdom of God in such a way that crowds gathered wherever He went...and He was unjustly accused. Not only accused, but a sham of a trial convicted Him...to death. Now His enemies probably figured he was toast. Satan himself, in the spiritual realm, celebrated the defeat and end to Jesus attempts to reveal the Kingdom of God to people on earth. His death would end that...or so they thought. You see God was once again, one step ahead. Like the Knob Cone pine, the very thing that seemed to destroy...actually was essential in bringing new life! As Jesus died, He paid the price of every sin, that anyone has ever committed, for all time. It gave each person the opportunity to have a right relationship with God...no more barriers between man & God. The payment for sin was paid, so you and I wouldn't have to pay it. "There is no greater love than this", Jesus said, "than a man lay down His life for another". Now I know it seems harsh for God to declare that "the wages of sin is death"...you may not think its even fair. But since God Himself submitted to His own punishment, in place of you and me, then does it matter if you "think" its fair? If God's penalty is "way over the top unfair and harsh" to you, then what's it matter, since He paid the penalty for you! If anything it shows how incredibly determined He is to have you know Him and be in relationship with Him...He wanted nothing to get in the way! Now it all rests in your free will...your choice to trust Him with your life...or your choice to do your own thing? God is gentleman enough to give you that choice...so now it's your call. I know that I have personally come to a place in my spiritual journey where I trust God enough to admit "His ways are not like mine". He is God and I'm not, and I'm glad. The fact that God can bring the opportunity of eternal life to you and me through death...seems very ironic, even baffling, yet somehow brilliant. The very thing that Satan thought would end the Kingdom of God...actually has caused it to flourish. For now, 2,000 years later, hundreds of millions, even billions have said "yes" to trusting Jesus...accepting His sacrifice on their behalf...and enjoying the benefits of living in right relationship with a God that's crazy in love with them! Now this is why this Friday before Easter, is known as a "Good Friday".


be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Go Outside...Soak It In...

Go outside... And praise the God who mapped the stars out in the sky. Gather ‘round with those who love and sing...He is our King. No one should be left out... No one should be left out... No one should be left out... No one should be left out... If you have air to breathe, Hear your call to sing... I love this song by Robbie Seay. If you don't have it downloaded on your iPod yet...you should! Soak it in as you take in the wonder all around you. It evokes that sense of awe we feel when we take time to linger a bit and enjoy God's creation. A sense rises up...a wonderful sense of I'm so small...and He's so beyond my imagination. Yet a humbling sense that God created it all for you & me. You see it wherever you live or travel. In Texas you see the wide open plains, the rolling hills to the south, the forested hills and wide open spaces in the eastern part of the state. Rivers, lakes, and wonder as far as the eye can see. It's amazing, from the sky scraping metropolis of Dallas to the farms, ranches and forests surrounding Tyler, God's handy work is on display. When I lived in Hawaii, it was the majestic mountains rising over the tropical rain forests that meet the crystal clear turquoise blue ocean. The waves gently rolling in with a breeze onto the soft grainy sand unique to Hawaiian shores. When we lived in the Northwest we saw God's hand at work in a uniquely blessed location. Man it's everywhere...lush green landscapes, forests, lakes and rushing rivers. With Eugene, in particular, being such a cool area where all these things are right around us every day...and drive 15 minutes and your rolling through awesome fields of farm land and pastures of grazing animals. Go 45 minutes east and you're seeing waterfalls and snowy peaks throughout the Cascade mountains. Go 45 minutes west through the Coastal Range and you'll see the incredible Oregon coast where the forest meets the beach and rolling sand dunes. It truly is so inspiring to take some time and "go outside"...and admire God's handy work...a Master Artists' work no doubt! Whether its the rolling hills of east texas, or the oceans of Hawaii, or the forests of the Pacific Northwest...and everywhere in between...God's artistic flair is on display. The bible speaks of creation itself testifying to God's awesomeness, wonder and awe! We are so blessed to have it so close to us every day. So take some time to "go outside" and praise the God who mapped it all out...for you! I also love how the song speaks of "the call" that goes out to everyone...that no one should be left out. God's heart is that all of us are His...we're all included. It encourages me to "go outside" in other ways...perhaps out of my comfort zones...beyond my convenience... beyond my preferences...to include others. To reach out to everyone, so that they may be drawn towards the One who loves them so much...a God that's crazy about them! That means I need to get "outside" church..."outside" my home perhaps...maybe even "outside" my neighborhood...but what a privilege it is to "love others" as I am loved by God. It's a challenge, but something FRIENDS is deeply committed to...to go "outside"...so that no one is left out...so that all have an opportunity to explore and experience their journey of faith. Our privilege is to be a group of Jesus followers that is willing to "go outside", and "love others" in the hope we may point them towards a God that wants to draw them close. And together we can "go outside" and join the song of praise to the God that paints us a new canvas every day! At FRIENDS our commitment is...as long as we "have air to breathe"..."no one should be left out!"

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Green Beer, Shamrocks & Lost Causes

St. Patrick's Day...man I love this holiday...one of the best holidays of the year in my opinion. Now it's not only my favorite because I am Irish. My parents were raised in Ireland, and yes most of my relatives live there. In fact my family went last summer 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 FRIENDS 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...

be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Echo of Love

Tis the season...love is in the air...or so they say. 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 (as seen in the picture below of the Chinese army in formation on February 14th, 2009). 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
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Looking Back To The Future?

The other day I was surfing through channels on the TV when I came across that old Michael J. Fox movie “Back to the Future”. As I saw it, I said, “Oh this was a cool movie”, to my son. He replied clearly puzzled, ”uh…what’s it about…it looks old…but that car seems kinds cool…” Ah, reality as spoken through a 12 year old (who happens to like cars & cool space ship type stuff). But really as I watched it, I realized how cheesy the special effects were, and how lame it may look to my kids, but oh well. Actually I had already faced that when my kids got into Star Wars a few years ago. When I told em that there was a bunch more older Star Wars movies, they got excited. As I rented them and they watched them all…the "cheesy effects factor" became all too apparent. I suddenly saw that this old movie that "seemed so great" years ago...wasn't all I remembered it to be. It reminds me of a tendency we often have in church circles. There seems to be this overwhelming sense that the “older” something is the better it must be…the closer to truth it must be? I’ve often wondered about this phenomenon. I suppose people think that the closer we get to Jesus day the more accurate things are? In some ways it presupposes that the further from Jesus day the more distorted and foggy things get. I have had people over the years insist that for followers of Jesus to “get it right” they need to study the “early church fathers”…or go back to “Eastern Orthodoxy”…or study Martin Luther and the Reformationists…or its all about the Puritans…or the famous revivals or awakenings…but rarely do any of these same people point out 2 important facts. #1. in many ways we know church writings, history & cultures better than ever before due to advances in technology, archeology, linguistics etc… #2. each of the eras I mentioned above have contributed some error, as well as truth to the Christian discussion of our day. For instance, even the people of Jesus day missed the fact that He was the Son of God, their Messiah…they crucified Him in that ignorance. Clearly living in Jesus day, seeing Him personally, didn't give them a corner on truth. The era of the early church fathers had just as many heretics among them…as well as many valuable contributors. Gnosticism was prevalent during this time in history for instance…which distorted many a concept around issues of sin, the spiritual, reality, lifestyle and what the significance of a relationship with Jesus was. Eastern Orthodoxy gave us many cool things but it also gave us unhealthy doses of religiosity and mysticism that still plagues pockets of Christianity today. They were a great example of the symbolic, iconic, and religious ritual becoming so dominant that their “meaning” was lost and irrelevancy set in. Martin Luther, who did some awesome things during the reformation also contributed to some crappy theology that still seeps into church life from time to time. For instance, Martin Luther preached many a sermon on God’s judgment of the Jewish people for killing Jesus, which helped inflame anti-Semitism and people like Adolph Hitler. In fact Hitler quoted the influential Luther in some of his propaganda speeches, as if to give a spiritual stamp of approval to his ever growing, warped ideas of the Arian race and the inferiority of the Jewish people. He actually thought it was his God given task to punish the Jewish people. Scary stuff, not that it was Luther’s fault that Hitler turned out to be a “whack job”, but Luther didn’t get it all right either. He misunderstood some scripture passages just like any of us can & do. Even the Puritans, who many hold up as the Christian ideal, gave birth to many unhealthy spiritual concepts that still plague many believers. Their over emphasis on the pursuit of holiness, to the degree that many completely separated from the “world”, so as not to be "contaminated", was not a good thing. They also helped spawn and entrench some extreme ideas of “predestination” to such a degree, that “if God has already decided” who are His people, then the need to evangelize, and tell people about Jesus became moot. In fact some went so far as to believe that this concept meant man’s “free will” was virtually non-existent. These concepts were dangerous and quite contrary to what the bible says overall, yet their influence pollutes some churches and believers hearts to this day. Now I say all this to say…each of these eras have value and have contributed to the Christian discussion…but each has also thrown a few monkey wrenches into the mix as well. It is important to realize, that because something is “older”, does not make it better or more accurate. We have a tendency to exaggerate the "old" and diminish the "new", as if God's truth was limited to some bygone era. Yet the bible tells us God's word is "alive & active"...still at work today! “Everything”, the Apostle Paul cautioned, “should be checked against what the bible says”…not what the early church fathers said, nor what Martin Luther said, nor what the Eastern Orthodox say, nor what the Puritans said, nor what any of the great revivalist/evangelists say…we should check all versus what the bible says. This is a simple discipline that protects you & I versus human error. Check everything…even what your pastor would teach…what a book may say…even what scholars say…even what that "well meaning Christian friend" may say, against what the Bible says. By saying "check what the bible says", that is not a “find a pet scripture” to back up what you believe, type of thing…it’s a "check the bible" to see what it says about that concept, principle or topic consistently throughout the bible. In that you will get a fuller, more accurate picture…not some cheesy “special effect” created, that seems accurate at an glance, but isn’t actually real. At FRIENDS we want to learn together, to consistently point each other towards “what the bible says”. We love what books, film, art, & music say…but in the end, what lines up with scripture we hold onto…what doesn’t we toss aside. The same goes for any resource, commentary, or church leader who may contribute to a discussion. We realize not one of them have a corner on the truth, just like the church fathers didn’t, just like Eastern Orthodoxy doesn’t, just like Martin Luther didn’t, just like the Puritans didn’t, just like none of the great revivalists didn’t, and just like today, where no Christian author, scholar or pastor does either…the only one with a “corner on truth”, is the One who is Truth. Jesus is the Truth, and the bible is all about Him & our opportunity to be in close relationship with that Person, who is Truth. At FRIENDS we desire to grow closer to Jesus, learning to trust Him more and more, as we continue to discover Truth that is the same yesterday, today and forever!

Be God’s!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas

Just 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 FRIENDS 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
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas