Author Archives: Don Follis

I do like the title of the book on the left.  I can describe a very good marriage in three words that also uses the word very — very hard work!  But I’d add three more essential words after very hard work — well worth it.Having just passed the 27-year mark of marriage to myContinueContinue reading “Very Hard Work but well worth it!”

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, at nearly 600 years old, has to be one of the most widely read books ever written, aside from the Bible.Crosses are spoken of throughout the book.  These are the sufferings, disappointments and difficulties of life.  Every follower of Jesus experiences them.How can we deal with difficultiesContinueContinue reading “We all have our crosses”

I so like the thoughts of John Stanford, a wonderful devotional writer and retired physics prof.  from Iowa State University.  This morning’s post speaks to what so many people tell me all the time…This morning life seems ordinary. I anticipate no flash of insight, no great battle requiring a rush of adrenalin. I must tellContinueContinue reading “Drudgery is part of life, friends”

So I’m driving along I-10 here in Phoenix and I’m passed by a white vine.  Printed in bright red letters I saw these words:  Emergency Chiropractor … at your work or at your home.   Call anytime: xxx-xxxxSince my back was hurting from the long plane ride and I was lost in my rental car andContinueContinue reading “In case of emergency”

The Irish Jesuits sacred space devotional site always makes me think deeply about my faith.  Here’s a paragraph from the Jesuits pondering how the church infiltrates the world in which we live…When Jesus speaks about care for ‘the little ones’, he includes in their number his own followers. In many parts of the world theContinueContinue reading “In the World but not of the world”

Interesting words on how we view our image from Christian leadership guru John Maxwell from his recent Leadership Wired newsletter (Vol. 8, #11)… "A key to effectiveness—in life and as a leader—is to project a true image of who you are. The only problem is that we all carry with us four images of ourselvesContinueContinue reading “The true image of who we are”

I really like Caravaggio’s painting of Jesus calling St. Matthew (painted around 1600).  Matthew the tax collector is called to leave his $$ and follow Jesus.  (Luke 5:27-32)Look at the painting closely.  Click on the painting to enlarge it and better understand my take on this stirring piece of magnificent art.To the far right isContinueContinue reading “When God Calls…”

"There are very few peoplewho realize what God would make of them if they abandoned themselves into his hands, and let themselves be formed by his grace." (St. Ignatius)I ask for the grace to trust myself totally to God’s love.