Author Archives: Don Follis

Pictured here are Kyle, Ellen and Ethan Benefield, standing with a school principal in Reynosa, Mexico.Kyle and Ellen are spending their young married life working as missionaries in Mazatlan, Mexico.  I have known them for years and stayed in their home for a week (in late February and early March).I really respect and admire them. ContinueContinue reading “The next generation … bring them on”

Some people rarely pour their hearts out to God.  And yet, Psalm 62:8 reads, "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."Dan Allender says "Ignoring our emotions is turning our back on reality.  Listening to our emotions ushers us into reality.  And reality isContinueContinue reading “Pouring out our hearts to God”

I am working at improving my eating… mostly no snacking, or at least bad snacking [cheese and crackers and little miniature Snickers] and no big desserts.  I love desserts … desserts with big portions.The kind of work I am proposing for myself takes intentionality and practice.  I have to train my brain to adopt a behavior thatContinueContinue reading “Watching people eat … watching me eat”

These are the Vineyard pastors who came to the hospital in Appleton, Wisconsin, last week and loved on me when I got my special present … a heart stent.They are part of a two-year course called The Center for Excellence in Christian Leadership (CECL).  It is sponsored by the American-Baptist sponsored Green Lake Conference CenterContinueContinue reading “The guys…”

This will surprise some of the readers of my blog who are not in touch with me on a daily basis.  But very early Monday morning I had a heart attack while at Green Lake, Wisconsin.  I awoke in the middle of the night with extreme discomfort in my chest.  I was about to helpContinueContinue reading “Grateful … very grateful”

Patricia Hampl her book In Search of the Contemplative Life, says …"Prayer only looks like an act of language.  Fundamentally it is a position, a placement of oneself."  I think it was C.S. Lewis who wrote that our best prayers are one where no words are spoken.Absolutely!

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer … Romans 12:2There seems to be so much about these 3 fruits of the Spirit … joy, patience and faithfulness … that is about choice.  "Choose this day whom you will serve."  "So Lord, give me a desire to choose what is best for your Kingdom,ContinueContinue reading “Choosing the fruit of the Spirit”

My poor mom is now in her 21st day in the head injury unit at the Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, IA.  Given every thing she has gone through (see my post from 5/15), she is both amazing and strong.  The closest she's come  to complaining has been to say, "Golly, how in the worldContinueContinue reading “My dear mother…”