Author Archives: Don Follis

I often say the key to good pastoral work, the key to life coaching, the key to mentoring, the key to counseling, indeed, the key to good communication, is listening.Because a person truly listened to will be a person who feels loved.  Indeed they hardly will know the difference between being listening to and feelingContinueContinue reading “There are times when you quit listening … Of Course!”

[This religion column appeared in section B-3 of the Easter Sunday Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette (3/31/2013).  Currently, the paper does not include the columns of their local columnists on their website.  With their permission, here it is.] —–Don Follis March 31 column:  “In spite of what we see this Easter we keep living by faith”     At age 14ContinueContinue reading “At Easter especially we have to keep living by faith”

 Isaiah 29:16New Living Translation (New Living Translation)16 How foolish can you be?    He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay!Should the created thing say of the one who made it,    “He didn’t make me”?Does a jar ever say,    “The potter who made me is stupid”?I like how writer Ken Sande thinks about this intriguingContinueContinue reading “God exercising his control”

A while back a pastor said to me, somewhat playfully, but quite seriously, too:  “I need to figure out the secret to life this year.  Talk to me, Don.”Oh great.  I just love easy assignments.  Don’t you?Actually, I do.  🙂 I.  First of all.  This guy is the expert on his life.  I’m not.  IContinueContinue reading “5 great questions”

My 70-year-old friend told me his health issues started when he was born.The mystery, the wonder of life…”I was born dead,” he told me, “and that didn’t do me any good.””I guess not,” I said.  “Not a particularly great way to start.””I was born at home and the country doctor eventually just covered my bodyContinueContinue reading “Sometimes you just have to bake a little bit longer”

 So, Jesus, (age 33) how do you plan to spend your final week on the earth?   Well, what would you do if it were the final week or month of your life?* Spend it with your family and friends?* Fly to the far away country you’ve always wanted to visit?* Drive a race car?* Go toContinueContinue reading “One week to live”

Pastor Ron Edmondson gets it on church drama…  Sigh…Here are the things Edmondson has learned about church drama.  All 10 are right on.  My responses in red follow each of Edmondson’s comments …Not all rumors are true. Most aren’t. Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. Proverbs 18:8. NLTPeople like to expandContinueContinue reading “Sigh! Church drama 101 and what to do about it.”