Author Archives: Don Follis

It is sheer grace or it is nothing at all!

I took this on the Sea of Galilee (July 2010)The most incredible story is found in Luke 5:1-11. Jesus chose Peter to be his disciple, and Peter left his fishing business and followed him.But here’s what precipitated that, at least in part, in my opinion.  First, a bit of context.  Jesus spoke to a crowdContinueContinue reading “It is sheer grace or it is nothing at all!”

How Jesus resisted temptation

Very simply, he spoke the Word of God directly to Satan … all from the book of Deuteronomy.  With his third temptation while Jesus was still in the desert enduring a 40-day fast, Satan quoted Psalm 91, assuring Jesus God would protect Him.In effect, Satan said Jesus had no worries, should he give in toContinueContinue reading “How Jesus resisted temptation”

Hearing perfectly

John the Baptist heard the Lord perfectly.  Luke 3 describes the precision of John’s hearing.  “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar — when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene — during the high priesthood ofContinueContinue reading “Hearing perfectly”

What’s a pastor to do?

Last week I spent the week in Wisconsin with about 100 pastors.  I listened and coached and asked questions.  About mid-week one pastor in the group I was leading asked:  “What’s the very best thing we can do for our congregations?”I immediately thought of the answer of Pastor John Piippo from Monroe, Michigan.”Abide in Christ.” ContinueContinue reading “What’s a pastor to do?”

You don’t have to know what everything means

     The third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after  his resurrection, he was standing on the beach of the Sea of Galilee at dawn.  The disciples had gone out to fish but had caught nothing.     Jesus called out from the shore, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, andContinueContinue reading “You don’t have to know what everything means”

Thinking early this morning of the Pascha Nostrum…

After a pleasant Easter Sunday, I awoke at 4:50am this morning thinking of the ancient Gregorian chant called the Pascha Nostrum.  Even today it is chanted in some churches early on Easter Sunday.  Here are the words… Alleluia.  Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast, Not with theContinueContinue reading “Thinking early this morning of the Pascha Nostrum…”