http://www.opiso.org Finding and Following Jesus Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:10:23 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en By Andrew Franklin When I was given the chance to preach a couple of weeks back, I was debating playing a recorded song. The song had spoken to me strongly and profoundly when I first heard it and perhaps stronger when I thought of it in context ... http://www.opiso.org/2010/09/there-will-come-a-time-youll-see/ You’ve just taken the big step.  You placed your faith in Jesus Christ.  You are probably wondering what’s next.  The first answer is that there are a lot of things you could do.  This is a relationship with a living God, not a to-do list.  But, there ... http://www.opiso.org/2010/05/im-a-christian-now-what-part-2/ by Peter Konz I don’t know about you, but I sometimes have trouble wrapping my head around “Good Friday.”  Not in what God wrought, but more in the name.  It seems a paradox when we consider the trial and passion of our Lord, to think of it as good. It is ... http://www.opiso.org/2010/03/good-friday/ You've just taken the big step.  You placed your faith in Jesus Christ.  You are probably wondering what's next.  The first answer is that there are a lot of things you could do.  This is a relationship with a living God, not a to-do list.  But, there are a few ... http://www.opiso.org/2010/03/im-a-christian-now-what-part-1/ 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/