http://www.opiso.org Finding and Following Jesus Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:13:49 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en A natural human tendency is what I call "linear" living.  As we conduct our daily business we operate with a sense of self, on  the one side, and, on the other, the person or task currently before us.  God calls us to "triangular" living.  It is never just "us" and ... http://www.opiso.org/2010/01/triangular-living/ Accountability is a discipline fraught with spiritual landmines.   In fact, most of us would prefer to avoid it altogether.  For clarity's sake, by accountability I'm talking about speaking truth to someone to correct behavior or thinking.  The problem with our avoidance strategy is that, like a jettisoned boomerang, neglected ... http://www.opiso.org/2010/01/accountability/ by Andrew Franklin My failure to live up to the standard of Jesus has a long, consistent history that has been well chronicled in my lifetime; in fact, I write a new paragraph daily. I am constantly frustrated by my shortcomings, but I have come to understand that until I leave ... http://www.opiso.org/2009/12/some-thoughts-on-jesus-mark-14/ The Solano Community Church leadership has been reflecting on how better to disciple people who fall into the category of "mature Christian."  These are people who regularly worship, serve, reach out and participate in community but find the process of growth still needs a little "something."  For many, we believe ... http://www.opiso.org/2009/11/emmaus-partners/ For those of you part of the Solano Community Church Home Group ministry, we're about to embark on a journey that will be exciting, at times challenging, and, Lord willing, very fruitful.  We're calling it Project Feed and the goal is provide all of us the opportunity both to grow ... http://www.opiso.org/2009/09/project-feed-in-home-groups/ One of the more challenging and enjoyable aspects of being a follower of Jesus is that this life is an adventure. If you’re doing it right, this life is never boring, and in fact brings some compelling surprises. Unfortunately, however, whether through timidity or simply because they’ve never ... http://www.opiso.org/2009/08/finances-and-faith-%e2%80%93-kevin-peet/ I recently read an article from some twenty years ago, written by a university professor in the Humanities, in which he was describing changes he was observing in the attitudes and perspectives of his students.  Among the things he mentioned was that books did not have nearly the same significance ... http://www.opiso.org/2009/08/my-bible/ Starting this Fall, we return to our series "Gospel Soaked" in the book of Romans.  We'll be exploring Paul's famous words, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."  At the same time, we want to create an ... http://www.opiso.org/2009/08/coming-soon-project-feed/ Once in awhile it is good to remind ourselves that there is something we need even more than the next morning bun from La Farine (man, those are good!).  We need spiritual bread: Jesus Christ.  I’m not a faster by nature. I’m an eater.  It took a lot to get ... http://www.opiso.org/2009/04/good-friday-devotional-april-10-2009/ I’ve recently had several discussions with SCCers about how we as Christians relate with the peoples and cultures here in the East Bay.  To stimulate even more discussion, I’m recommending Culture-Making by Andy Crouch.  Crouch is great at surveying the land, sizing up options and envisioning a way forward without ... http://www.opiso.org/2009/03/becoming-agents-of-grace/