Author Archives: Don Follis

Some have been wondering about my coaching & Mentoring techniques.  I think I finally found the words for how to describe it!

Everyone I know wants to improve the quality of their conversations.  I certainly do.  Here, in my 8/25/2013 Sunday religion column for the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette, are four ways to help ensure you get the best out of your conversations.

My friend asked me this morning “Do you think it’s natural to trust?”  He spoke about I Corinthians 13 where Paul says love always trusts. Hmm… I thought it was a good question. We talked about our willingness to be transparent with people.  Sometimes we are; sometimes we aren’t.   I said, “If I want people toContinueContinue reading “Trust is not natural — it’s supernatural!”

How many times in conversation do I keep going, keep speaking, even after the dam gets breached?  … And how many times do I regret it when I see that the flow of words can’t be stopped?  Proverbs 17:14 describes the age old scenario: “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quitContinueContinue reading “What to do after the dam gets breached…”

From my reading of I Corinthians 11-13 this morning God reminded me that …* The Body of Christ really, really needs each other. I think when we fight and divide it must break God’s heart.* Nothing in the Church and all the myriad relationships with their ups and downs, is as great as love.  *ContinueContinue reading “Love is the greatest force on the planet”

[I am offering my friends and fellow pastors a great opportunity on September 20-21 — a prayer seminar with Pastor John Piippo.  Below is the announcement that is going out this week to more than 100 pastors in East-central Illinois.  After I took John Piippo’s 40-hour class on prayer last year at Payne Theological Seminary,ContinueContinue reading “Learning about Prayer … a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT … A Great Opportunity!”

 How to “SERVE every person you meet”, according to Peacemaker strategist Ken Sande: Smile (At home, in the office, at the store; even on the phone, a smile changes the sound of your voice and sends a message of warmth and friendliness)Explore and Empathize (Observe others, ask questions, and show interest and compassion)Reconcile (Be aContinueContinue reading “Now you know how to SERVE everyone you meet”

I was reading the news this morning and thinking of the disgraced …Anthony Weiner Eliot Spitzer Bill ClintonMark SanfordBob Filner… all being mentioned in the last few days for being such bad boys.  And indeed they were.  Indeed they are.And yes, several of them are still popular, very popular.  Trusted?  Well, now that’s a differentContinueContinue reading “Put these verses alongside the tawdry news stories of Anthony Weiner, et. al. …”