Don Follis

Stephens Ministry … An outstanding Resource

My idea for the post on “How to give and Receive compliments” (1/21) came from the book Speaking the Truth In Love — How To Be An Assertive Christian by Ruth Kock and Kenneth Haugk. This and other great resources on how to live as a citizen of God’s Kingdom are part of the outstandingContinueContinue reading “Stephens Ministry … An outstanding Resource”

Morning habits, prayers…

Almost every morning for the last 20 years or so, these are 3 of the prayers I try and pray… Good morning, heavenly Father; good morning, Lord Jesus; good morning, Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, I worship you as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Lord Jesus, I worship you, Savior and Lord of theContinueContinue reading “Morning habits, prayers…”

Learn to receive a compliment…

How do you receive compliments and appreciations? Receiving a compliment graciously and assertively is as much of a challenge as giving a gracious, assertive compliment.One time after I preached a sermon someone complimented me. I immediately deflected it saying, “Oh, no big deal. That’s just my job. That’s why I get the big bucks, youContinueContinue reading “Learn to receive a compliment…”

Relational IQ can grow long after IQ (intelligence quotient)

Your raw intelligence doesn’t change much after your teens.Not so your relational intelligence. Author Ken Sande calls relational intelligence “the ability to discern emotions and interests in yourself and others, to interpret them in light of God’s Word, and to then use this insight to manage your responses and relationships constructively.”Of course you have toContinueContinue reading “Relational IQ can grow long after IQ (intelligence quotient)”

Life’s lessons best learned when we jump all the way in

[This religion column appears in section B-3 of today’s (1/20/13) Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette. Currently, the paper does not include their local columnists pieces on their website. With their permission, here it is.] Don Follis 1/20/13 column: “Life’s lessons best learned when we jump all the way in”After years of pastoral-care trips to missionaries and pastors, IContinueContinue reading “Life’s lessons best learned when we jump all the way in”

Don’t be surprised! All together now: DON’T BE SURPRISED!

1. Conflict will likely heat up as you grow in the Lord.2. Stay present … to the very end. “At your post, soldier!”3. Be willing to live in this tension: Is this a time where I just let it go, or should I speak up, speaking the truth in love? (If it is the latter,ContinueContinue reading “Don’t be surprised! All together now: DON’T BE SURPRISED!”

Jesus never was afraid of conflict … It seemed to follow Him!

I grew up in a home and in a church where, generally speaking, conflict was kept at bay. “Let it go,” was one of the phrases I often heard. “Speak the truth in love” was not something I heard very often. Because if you speak the truth someone might not like you and being likedContinueContinue reading “Jesus never was afraid of conflict … It seemed to follow Him!”

Moving into the neighborhood

Eugene Peterson’s The Message clearly depicts the incarnation with this rending in the first chapter of John.John 1:14The Message (MSG)14 The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son,Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.For the last five-and-a-halfContinueContinue reading “Moving into the neighborhood”