Author Archives: Don Follis

The fragile, benevolent sovereignty of God

I was reading about William Cowper (1731-1800) yesterday.  He was one of the great English poets of his day.  Sadly, he suffered from very serious depression and often felt he would be damned forever to hell.  Even though his friend John Newton (“Amazing Grace” author) told Cowper it wasn’t true, that he was indeed a son ofContinueContinue reading “The fragile, benevolent sovereignty of God”

There’s only one person who can help Tiger

After Tiger Woods had hit it big about a dozen years back, the first Nike ad emerged with young children saying, “I am Tiger Woods.”I was talking with a pastor friend of mine about that time who told me about a young girl he knew that contracted a fatal disease and was dying.  The disease caused herContinueContinue reading “There’s only one person who can help Tiger”

Show me your credentials!

One of my favorite guys is John Sanford, retired physics professor at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.  Here’s his take on credentials needed during the Advent season …For a very important job, we look for someone with experience and proven ability.  But the person chosen for the most important job in the history ofContinueContinue reading “Show me your credentials!”

The wonder, the mystery of Christmas

Augustine wrote in the 5th century…Oh food and bread of Angels, the Angels are filled by you, but where are you for my sake? In a mean lodging, in a manger. He who rules the stars, sucks at the breast; he who speaks in the bosom of the Father, is silent in the Mother’s lap.ContinueContinue reading “The wonder, the mystery of Christmas”

The Lord has done this for me…

Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, was barren prior to giving birth to her son.  And she apparently was not young.  Zechariah, John’s father, told the angel Gabriel that he was an old man and that Elizabeth his wife was well along in years.  But Elizabeth did become pregnant.    Luke 1:24 says, “AfterContinueContinue reading “The Lord has done this for me…”

Two visits, One prayer

Two visits, one prayer…Visit one:  “Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod.  About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?”  We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2VisitContinueContinue reading “Two visits, One prayer”

Transferred

One of the Advent readings this morning is Colossians 1:13  … “For he has transferred us from the dominion [kingdom] of darkness and brought us into the king of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” New International VersionWhat do you think transferred means?  I think of it this way…InContinueContinue reading “Transferred”