Author Archives: Don Follis

The Word became flesh and lived among us.  Because of that, says writer Dallas Willard, “nothing irredeemable has happened or can happen to us on our way to our destiny in God’s full world.”And it was J.R.R. Tolkien who who once spoke of “Joy beyond the walls of the world more poignant than grief.”Jesus livedContinueContinue reading “Merry Christmas way beyond the walls”

The Dragon LOST!! … Rev. 12MARLEY was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it…  Thus begins Charles Dickens’ The Christmas Carol.”Here are the things I am sure of today, asContinueContinue reading “Let’s be clear, carolers”

Who of us, at some point, does not feel like the odd person out?  We are not pretty enough, smart enough, nice enough, thin enough, wealthy enough.  We just are not enough.  We “look down” and say to ourselves, “I will never fit in here.  I am the black sheep.”My Advent reading this morning, theContinueContinue reading “This is the week for the black sheep”

The Advent reading today from Luke 21 comes with Jesus speaking.  One the one hand, Jesus says Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies.  He seems to be speaking of very imminent events … events right around the corner.  How dreadful that day will be, he says.  (In fact, the temple was destroyed in A.D. 70ContinueContinue reading “Keep looking up … The biggest challenge of Advent”

 …And three questions to ponder. Reasons #1 and #2 are from my Advent readings this morning.  Reason #3 is from Ephesians chapter 6, a passage I constantly return to where the Apostle Paul admonishes us to put on the entire armor of God.1.  Mark 13:35-37 (New International Version, ©2010)   35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not knowContinueContinue reading “Three sobering reasons why Advent should make us want to pray more”

Yesterday I drove to Indianapolis and back. The first 5 miles on the interstate I dialed back and forth between the 240+ stations on the satellite radio — Christmas carols, Latin jazz, ESPN sports, CNN.  Suddenly I hit the off button and said loudly, “Stop it.” For the next 100+ miles I kept the radio offContinueContinue reading “Quieting the wild steeds …a big challenge during Advent”

Watching, praying, listening … Garden of the Gods (Sept. 2009)In view of the coming of the Lord, there are 3 constant messages the Church always has considered during the weeks of Advent…1.  Be careful how you live.  Don’t be caught off guard.2.  Watch for his coming.  It will come like a thief in the night.3. ContinueContinue reading “Be careful, Watch, Pray … the constant messages of Advent”