Author Archives: Don Follis

  Today I went out again with the team on the Hope Coach, one of the ministries of the Phoenix Rescue Mission. We traveled to a park in west Phoenix, a place where people on the streets are known to hang out. As soon as we arrived at the small “City of Phoenix” park, weContinueContinue reading ““Pray for me,” Sunny Bear said…”

  I like the challenge of trying to figure out what makes people tick.  At one level, it’s rather “easy.” We all make quick judgments when we meet people. I do; you do. But what don’t we know?  Oh my goodness. As you know from all the levels of your own life — many levelsContinueContinue reading “You may know me at one level, but not at the next”

Out here in Phoenix on my study break, I exercise early. Most mornings I am out the door by 5am, heading out for a 22-mile bike ride along the Indian Bend walking and bike path. The path runs nearly 20 miles from the north side of Scottsdale down to Arizona State University in Tempe. AboutContinueContinue reading “New friends on the Indian Bend bike path”

The Last two Fridays I have been hanging out at the Phoenix Rescue Mission in So. Phoenix. This is a multi-level outreach to the estimated 20,000 homeless people in Phoenix, with thousands of them sleeping on the streets every night. (About 10 days ago it was 106 degrees @ 10:20pm.) The Rescue Mission describes theContinueContinue reading “Riding in the Hope Van”

In helping people discern between spirits, I often consider St. Ignatius and his rules of discernment.  Ignatius calls discernment simply the process of knowing one thing or idea from another. When Ignatius talks about discerning different spirits, he refers to “discerning of spirits”. The phrase —  “of spirits” — is that which is being discerned.ContinueContinue reading “St. Ignatius and discerning spirits”

At least 3 times Jesus physically turns his body to get the attention of the person or persons to whom he is speaking. Turn as in, “Let me turn, face you and speak to you directly.” Once is when Jesus has just announced his impending death, recorded in Matthew 16. Peter, one of his closest disciples,ContinueContinue reading “Jesus might just turn toward you, if he wants to get your attention”

Early in the morning Jesus went out to a lonely place to pray. I don’t know what time that was. David Swartzendruber, my friend in Champaign, IL, told me it was about 4:30am. “That’s when I start hearing my chickens. So I think it had to have been 4:30am or even 4:15am,” Dave told meContinueContinue reading “The words Jesus heard most frequently in the land called “STILL””

Very frequently Jesus went out early in the morning to pray.  Where do you think he went? “Well, probably outside somewhere.” you say. “Or maybe he walked along the Sea of Galilee.” I’d say you’re likely right on both counts. I have another thought.  Prayer is something we do, something in which we engage. ButContinueContinue reading “A place called “Still””