Author Archives: Don Follis

I was having breakfast with a brother this morning, and he was telling me about his family.  He tells me he rarely sees his mother anymore.  She’s got her struggles, he added, and then he said, "I haven’t seen her much for a couple years."  It’s pretty sad because his mom lives right in thisContinueContinue reading “Praying with Imagination and Hope!”

"Light your candles quietly, such candles as you possess, wherever you are." — Alfred DelpAdvent (literally — coming or arrival) has been observed for centuries.  Down through the centuries, people have taken time to contemplate Jesus’ birth.  This season of four weeks of contemplation and anticipation has been highly regarded historically.  And yet, for theContinueContinue reading “Priming the pump for Advent”

I must confess that I rarely think about my religious freedom.  I take it for granted.  Always have.  Mostly I’ve spent time complaining about a church on every corner.  "This town has way too many churches, and most of them are half empty on Sunday morning" I grunt.  Shame on me. This Sunday, November 14,ContinueContinue reading “Pray for the Persecuted Church”

The mind a beautiful, complex and mysterious animal.  I was talking with a friend recently, and we chatted about how we occasionally obsess about things.  Some people obsess about money, as the guy in the photo here may be doing. Most men obsess about sex. If he’s honest, every man knows what triggers his temptationContinueContinue reading “How to keep from Obsessing”

I never tire of hearing another person’s story.  Behind almost every story is some happiness, usually, but nearly always plenty of pain.  A child is disabled, a brother was killed in a wreck, the divorce went through last week, a relative is dying of cancer.  Ask anyone, "Tell me about the most painful thing you’reContinueContinue reading “God holds this world together by his power”

What a joy for me to spend last weekend with about 40 Manitoban Vineyard men (including 5 Vineyard pastors). Pastor Jan Steffen from the Brandon, Manitoba, Vineyard asked me to lead a men’s retreat October 29-31. Jan (on left) and I (on right) are shown talking with one of the brothers during a break afterContinueContinue reading “Manitoba Vineyard Men”

Vote on Tuesday, even though you feel disillusioned. Neither Bush nor Kerry is all he claims to be. I understand disillusionment. I don’t like either candidate very much. Their oversimplified positions and their cock-sure demeanor is not what I look for in a great statesman. There is, however, a kind of greatness that is possibleContinueContinue reading “Even Disillusioned people should vote”

Last week at the Vineyard Midwest pastor’s conference near Carlinville, IL, I led a one-day retreat on emotional health for 21 pastors and leaders from Vineyard churches. I said at one point that being truly listened to and truly loved are nearly indistinguishable. I thought about it some more after I got home and wroteContinueContinue reading “People need a listening ear, not advice”