May God give us all the beautiful and innocent part of self-confidence!I love Lucy's self-confidence.  Reading from the book of Hebrews this morning, I pondered this thought:  God wants people to know they can approach his throne of grace with confidence. Hebrews 4:14-16 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,Continue reading "God, full of mercy & grace, gives us the confidence to approach him boldly"

This afternoon I called a meeting with 7 pastors from my city -- Urbana, IL -- who have a heart for the city, especially the poor and disfranchised.  Each of them briefly told their story...and how Jesus and his call gives form and shape to their ministry...* A pastor from the Evangelical Covenant Church* AContinue reading "Listening to pastors tell their stories…"

Here's my Sunday (9/08/2013) column in the Champaign-Urbana, IL, News-Gazette on "Agreeing and disagreeing in love"

In one of my tweets this morning I said:Isn't part of agreeing/disagreeing in love accepting the inborn tension in conflict? I  pray neither for my success nor for you to change.— Don Follis (@donfollis) September 6, 2013Well, okay you say...  Nice in theory..."But what if I speak to you, in love, and you don't change?"AsContinue reading "Ah yes, learning patience, as we see such seemingly incremental change in ourselves, and others!"

My friend Pastor John Piippo is coming to my city Champaign-Urbana, IL, to speak on prayer September 20-21.  Here are a few words from John's outstanding blog this morning:To work with purpose in life is to co-labor with God and his purposes. Here we are at the heart of true prayer, which is: talking withContinue reading "Thinking about what you and God are doing together (September 20-21)…"

Clergy coach/trainer Val Hastings' Top Ten favorite questions:What do you really, really want?What is the simplest next step?What is past this?Who can help you with this?What is your responsibility? Others responsibility?What is your belief about this?What are you most excited about?Where is God in this?Are things as bad as you say they are, or areContinue reading "Good questions can elicit clear answers"

Do you ever think ...* Why do I to condemn myself, saying, "Look at my stupid family.  There is nothing good about us.  No wonder we hate ourselves."* Why do I justify myself, saying, "I am, after all, right!  So quit arguing with me."* Why do I rely so much on my self-will, saying,  "IfContinue reading "Let it go, friends. LET IT GO!"

We're always sizing others up, and others are doing the same of us.  We do make a first impression.  Sometimes we make a lasting impression, for good or for ill.I was talking with a friend yesterday about sizing up people first and foremost in light of Paul's challenge in Philippians 4:8. Philippians 4:8New International Version (NIV)8 Finally,Continue reading "How are you sizing others up these days?"