Author Archives: Don Follis

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”  I am deeply saddened and I am grieving for people in Boston.  I am so sorry.  I pray for them … the medical personnel, the firemen, the clergy, the policeman, the school teachers, the parents of young children, and the families of those killed orContinueContinue reading “So hard… We can only imagine”

[This religion column appeared in section B-3 of the Sunday Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette (4/14/2013).  With their permission, here it is.] The Christian world was shocked last week when news spread of the death of 27-year-old Matthew Warren, the youngest son of internationally-known pastor Rick Warren of the famed Saddleback Community Church in Orange County Calif. TheContinueContinue reading “Compassionate care key for those struggling with mental illness”

I read Albert Hsu’s book Grieving a Suicide, written by Hsu after his own father ended his life in 1998. This piece written by Hsu for the TU 4/9 online edition of Christianity Today magazine is excellent.

Trusting God does not mean that we will never have questions, doubts, or fears. It doesn’t mean we won’t be depressed or discouraged.  Trusting God does not mean we won’t have to take anti-depressants or get sick. We cannot simply turn off the natural thoughts and feelings that arise when we face difficult circumstances. Author Ken SandeContinueContinue reading “Trusting God does not mean not having questions and doubts”

The Internet is hopping today, and with every good reason, with condolences for Rick and Kay Warren (prominent pastors from Saddleback Community Church) on the death of their youngest son, who ended his life late last week.Warren’s son had suffered from debilitating mental illness for many years.  Mental illness effects so many families in veryContinueContinue reading “Embracing the mystery of mental illness”

The signs during the Christmas season say, “He is the Reason for the Season.”  How about this one for Easter…..He who did not spare his own son but gave him up for YOU!  Romans 8:32

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies,do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28).Man of peace making Ken Sande says it so well:Even when we say, “I forgive you,” many of us have a difficult time not thinking about what othersContinueContinue reading “Striving to forgive completely is worth the work, however long it takes!”

The prayer from Colossians 1:9-14 that we must never stop praying for others (for our family members, for our spouse, for our children, for our friends, for our pastors):Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his willContinueContinue reading “Don’t ever stop praying this prayer…”