Family and Home Archives

Thanksgiving

The Desolate Wilderness

A chronicle of the Pilgrims’ arrival at Plymouth, as recorded by Nathaniel Morton.

Here beginneth the chronicle of those memorable circumstances of the year 1620, as recorded by Nathaniel Morton, keeper of the records of Plymouth Colony, based on the account of William Bradford, sometime governor thereof:

So they left that goodly and pleasant city of Leyden, which had been their resting-place for above eleven years, but they knew that they were pilgrims and strangers here below, and looked not much on these things, but lifted up their eyes to Heaven, their dearest country, where God hath prepared for them a city (Heb.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith, family November 22, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: Now Thank We All Our God

This classic, soaring hymn was written in the mid-1600s by a German minister named Martin Rinkart. His ministry began at a church in Eilenburg, just as the Thirty Year War began. The town soon became overpopulated and disease ridden with many taking refuge in the pastor’s house. A deadly plaque swept through the village, killing 8,000 people including Rinkart’s wife. At one point, the beleaguered minister was conducting 50 funerals per day.

Yet, in the midst of it all, Martin Rinkart wrote this hymn, originally designed to be used for grace before dinner.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family November 20, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Ten Things I’m Thankful For

It was the beloved English writer G.K. Chesterton who once observed that the critical thing is whether or not we take the turns of life for granted or with gratitude.

So, in that spirit, I’d like to share with you ten things I’m thankful for this year.

I would love to read your list, too.

1. I’m thankful for the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST … that He died for me – and you (!) and that He represents a power so awesome that its force cannot and will not be stopped on earth.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, marriage, parenting November 20, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Proverbs 31 Woman – Or Victoria’s Secret Model?

Alex Eklund is a student at Baylor University and noticed a disturbing trend on Facebook both during and after the Victoria’s Secret fashion show which aired on CBS.

Female friends and acquaintances began to lament their body, with many suggesting it was time to go on a diet.

“There was an underlying sense of insecurity which I sensed throughout the entire thing,” he told World Magazine.

In response, Alex decided to offer some encouragement. He decided to update his own status and wrote:

“I’d rather have a Proverbs 31 woman than a Victoria’s Secret model.”

According to published reports, the post went viral, and hundreds of messages began to pour in.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, pop culture, sex November 19, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guest Voice: Hope for Marriage and the History of Homosexuality

Hope for Marriage and the History of Homosexuality

Glenn T. Stanton

Last week, we saw something unprecedented in American politics. Four states voted in support of the radical redefinition of marriage where men and women, husband and wife, mother and father become merely optional for families. This view of family is quite radical and contrary to how humanity works.

But do these victories mean it’s all over for natural marriage?

Not even close. Here’s why:

We must understand some important realities:

1.) These four states – Washington, Minnesota, Maine and Maryland – are deeply blue, largely liberal states.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: homosexuality, marriage, policy, religious liberty November 15, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why this School is O.K. with a Man Exposing Himself to Young Girls

Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, is allowing a 45-year-old man to use the school’s women’s locker room. He’s been reportedly spotted by young girls sitting exposed in the sauna.

How could this be true?

The man is said to believe he’s a woman. He goes by “Colleen” and is a student at the school. The locker room is used by several swim teams and local clubs – clubs that have young girls on their respective squads.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, news November 13, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why You Should Not Wait for Tomorrow

Dr. R.G. Lee was the longtime pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church of Memphis TN, once the home of our late friend and Focus Board member, Dr. Adrian Rogers.

Dr. Lee is perhaps best known for his sermon, Payday Someday, which he preached over 1,000 times. The following excerpt comes from a message titled, God’s Cure for the World’s Worst Disease.

Some messages are timeless:

The time is NOW.

‘Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart” (Heb.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family November 9, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Campaign 2012: My Predictions

Millions of Americans have already voted this year, but tens of millions more will cast their votes tomorrow. Will you be among them? I hope so.

Are you getting anxious as the polls swing back and forth and the pundits prognosticate?

The curtain is falling on arguably the most contentious and expensive election in American history. We’ve all been living through history – and phone calls, advertisements – and more advertisements.

Is there anything else that we can do?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, news, policy November 5, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Go. Vote. Pray!

On Tuesday we must vote through the filter of the morals and values by which we live.

We all know the issues in this year’s election:

The economy. Jobs. The ongoing and multifaceted threat of terrorism. Abortion policy. Health care and what role the government ought to play in it. Whether same-sex marriage should be legalized nationwide. Immigration.

There is no shortage of deeply held, passionately articulated opinions on these matters. You talk about them with your friends and family.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: news, policy, pro-life November 2, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Paul Harvey Audio: If I Were the Devil…

“The United States was not and is not a democracy — which is essentially mob rule,” the late radio legend Paul Harvey once said, but rather was founded “upon the guidance and blessing of Almighty God.”

He was right.

I miss Mr. Harvey’s radio program. The Tulsa-born boy with the golden-pipes had a wonderful way with words, didn’t he? And in many ways, he was also a man before his time. Take for example this radio commentary which first aired in 1965:

Thoughts?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment November 2, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura