Want to be TRULY strong in the Lord? Understand your weakness

We know from II Corinthians that the Apostle Paul was taken into heaven and given an incredible view.  It was a view, a vision, that few have been afforded.  And yet, he seemed quite reluctant to speak about it most of the time.  In fact, to keep him humble, grounded, and in touch with reality,ContinueContinue reading “Want to be TRULY strong in the Lord? Understand your weakness”

Swallow the frog, baby! We’ve got to do it!

Mark Twain once said, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning  and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”What I need, what you need to do is identify your frog — our absolute worst-case scenario — and  swallow it whole.May God give us courage to swallow the frog.  YouContinueContinue reading “Swallow the frog, baby! We’ve got to do it!”

You don’t get a second chance at today … You get a first chance!

Today the name of your church changes!!When my daughter was a student at Anderson University in Anderson, IN, she lived in an apartment near Second Chance Baptist Church and walked by it everyday going to class.I felt a strong sense of grace and mercy when I walked by the church.  But you know what?  God’sContinueContinue reading “You don’t get a second chance at today … You get a first chance!”

Best place to “discuss theology” when you are engaged!

Drew Hall and Maddie Follis are engaged! (Wedding: 7/06/13)Drew Hall and Maddie Follis are “discussing theology” recently learned at graduate-level Kanakuk Institute, where they are studying this year in Branson, Missouri. When you’re engaged and stricken with pre-marital giggling, you “discuss theology” while sitting in the middle of empty railroad tracks.You didn’t know that?  Isn’tContinueContinue reading “Best place to “discuss theology” when you are engaged!”

Condemnation is never specific; Conviction always is

My always thoughtful friend Karen Rabbitt recently wrote: God does not condemn believers. He does convict. Condemnation is non-specific and without hope. Conviction is specific, clear and hopeful.Karen then linked to an excellent piece in Charisma News by Michael Brown, where he says…It is because God loves us that he rebukes us (not condemns us)ContinueContinue reading “Condemnation is never specific; Conviction always is”

Reading the Scriptures can lead to some major remoding

[This religion column appeared in section B-3 of the Sunday Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette (2/17/2013).  Currently, the paper does not include their local columnists pieces on their website.  With their permission, here it is.]Don Follis February 17, 2013 column: “Reading the Bible can lead to some major remodeling”One day when I was a student at Kansas StateContinueContinue reading “Reading the Scriptures can lead to some major remoding”

A Sunday morning service centered on Lectio Divina

This morning at the Mercy Vineyard church in Minneapolis, MN, they kicked off their Lenten series called “Leap of Faith.”Christena Cleveland from their preaching team shared a beautiful and thoughtful message on the Beatitudes and then in the final 15 minutes she led the congregation back through the passage (Matthew 5:1-10) using Lectio Divina, theContinueContinue reading “A Sunday morning service centered on Lectio Divina”