Author Archives: Don Follis

I have officiated at lots and lots of weddings.  Most are not hard to do, although I have had my moments.  These days, I often get to work with a wedding planner, whose job is to make sure that everything goes smoothly and pleases everyone.I’ve watched wedding planners navigate the roads between the bride’s familyContinueContinue reading “I like wedding planners well enough, but that’s not what I am…”

 Yesterday, today and tomorrow I am praying, thinking and pondering at the Chiara Center just northeast of Springfield, IL.  This quiet, peaceful retreat center is a ministry of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis. I have a simple, private room and bath.  I take my meals at the retreat cafeteria…This is the entrance to theContinueContinue reading “Thinking, praying, pondering, walking…”

Know who you are and what God thinks of you, says Pastor John Piippo, which is infinitely more important than what those in the world think of you, or how they evaluate you.  Thus, in Piippo’s view, it always is worth it to struggle against the world system that holds people captive.  I couldn’t agreeContinueContinue reading “Let yourself be evaluated by the eyes of Jesus only!”

At the cafe this morning I heard two people talking in the booth next to me.One said to the other, “If you had one do over in your life, what would it be?The person across the table said, “Hmm…”  After 5 seconds of silence came the answer with these 3 additional words: “I don’t know.””IContinueContinue reading “What is your one do over…”

I like how pastor Larry Warner speaks about adding Jesus to the equation of life…”The inclusion of Jesus into the equations of life shatters the conventional, common sense 2 + 2 = 4 way of looking at the world, turning it on its head and kicking it out the door. Adding Jesus to the equationContinueContinue reading “You + Jesus=Possibilities that you can only imagine!”

While we struggle with the countless questions of each day (what food to buy, what to say to the boss, how to spend my money, etc, etc), we don’t ever want to lose track of the questions about things that always and ultimately matter, the life-and-death questions about meaning, purpose, and value.Frederick Buechner, one ofContinueContinue reading “What is the one question God is asking you to grasp hold of today?”

When I pray the Lord’s prayer and get to the phrase, “Your kingdom come, your will be done,” I sometimes pray it with these words: “Lord, I trust that you will make all things new, as I surrender to your will.”This from a guy who has struggled so much of his life acting/being self-sufficient.  “IfContinueContinue reading “Your Kingdom come, Your WILL be done”

Making peace with other people is very hard work.It is humbling; it can be humiliating. Sometimes you just have to eat it, say you’re sorry and accept the fact that you might not get much in return.Here’s what I’ve been pondering lately…* Jesus is described as a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief (Isa. 53:3).ContinueContinue reading “Fake it until you make it? … Ah, I don’t think so!”