Author Archives: Don Follis

Grant me, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while I am placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for everContinueContinue reading “The peace of Christ …”

Here's Psalm 62:9 in two versions … the English Standard Version first:"Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath."And the New Living Translation:"Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerfulContinueContinue reading “Are you common or powerful?”

As a pastor I have occasionally said, "Wow.  There are just some things I do not want to know." Just when I think I have heard it all, I get blown away by what someone says.Rod Dreher, columnist for the Dallas Morning News wrote a fascinating op-ed piece for the February 9 USA Today called How MuchContinueContinue reading “What are you willing to know?”

That's why we need to extend grace and mercy toward one another.  Over and over again we have to remind ourselves of Jesus vital words, "Treat others the way you want to be treated." (Matthew 7:12 … Follis paraphrase)  I heard a recent sermon on-line by an old Bible college classmate.  He is a talented guyContinueContinue reading “All human relationships have their limitations”

Peter Kreeft, one of my favorite writers, says nothing falls outside God's ultimate sovereignty and creative purposes.  He will accomplish what he says…In Heaven: The Heart's Deepest Longing, Kreeft writes:"Galaxies revolve and dinosaurs breed and rain falls and people fall in love and uncles smoke cheap cigars and people lose their jobs and we all die –ContinueContinue reading “Earth is heaven’s workshop…”

"O Lord, I ask you to deliver me from the fear of the unknown future … from the fear of failure … from the fear of poverty … from the fear of bereavement … from the fear of loneliness … from the fear of sickness and pain … from the fear of age … andContinueContinue reading “One of my new prayers for 2009”

 I discovered the writing of Gerald Sittser over Christmas break.  Sittser's A Grace Disguised is very, very thoughtful.  In 1991, Sittser lost his mother, his wife and his daughter in an accident when the van they were traveling in was hit by a drunk driver.  Through that loss, Sittser hung in there and, in time, discovered whatContinueContinue reading “Grace comes in surprising ways”

Check out Questions Jesus Asked by Joel Giallanza.  Jesus asked scores of questions of people.  Many are recorded in the the Gospels.  The questions I most hear from Jesus are, "Who do you say that I am?" "Do you love me?" and "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' but then not do what I say?"TheContinueContinue reading “The questions of Jesus”