Uncategorized Archives

From Prodigal to Pastor

It was Easter Sunday 1972. Raul Ries was in the middle of his living room with a rifle in his arms, waiting for his family to come home so he could kill them.

Raul was no stranger to violence. His alcoholic father abused him, contributing to Raul being in and out of trouble throughout his childhood. At eighteen, he was arrested and given a choice: prison or the military. He chose the Marines and Vietnam. After 11 months of destructive behavior, Raul was bound in shackles and a straitjacket and spent six months in a naval hospital.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: faith May 20, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Rediscovering Faith in a Culture of Chaos

American history is at a critical juncture. Critical Race Theory, cultural Marxism, and other troubling ideologies have gained a foothold. Our culture seems more unsettled than ever before.

A lot of people look for solutions in politics. Our civic duty to vote is an important part of influencing the culture for Christ, but our ultimate citizenship and allegiance is to God’s kingdom. We can take hope that God’s light often shines the brightest when circumstances are at their darkest and most bleak.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: faith May 19, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Talk About Abortion to Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime

According to a Department of Homeland Security memo leaked to the press on Wednesday, the United States government is bracing for a surge of violence following the anticipated release of the Dobbs’ abortion ruling. They’re predicting a “summer of rage.” While a decision could come down any day, most expect its release toward the end of June.

I can guarantee you any attacks will not come from those who support life. They will come from anarchists and abortion activists committed to preserving a culture of death.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: pro-life May 18, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Taking Courageous Steps to Save Your Marriage

If your marriage is in trouble and you’ve lost hope, I encourage you to tune in for our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Taking Courageous Steps to Save Your Marriage.”

I’m talking with Ann White – a speaker, teacher, and author – about how God helped her and her husband Mike restore their marriage by having the courage to work through their issues to reconciliation.

Ann is refreshingly honest about how their relationship got so bad.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: marriage May 16, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Discovering Freedom in Your Faith

We Christians often give more time and energy to thinking about our summer vacations than our spiritual formation. Because our salvation is rooted in Christ’s righteousness, not our own, we tend to minimize the many scriptures that call for us to seek righteousness.

Deepening our faith isn’t about gaining heaven but about blessing the lives of the people around us.

Author Gary Thomas is with us on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Discovering Freedom in Your Faith” to describe the joy that we can find in practicing biblical virtues.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: faith May 13, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Improving Your Health to Strengthen Your Marriage

“In sickness and in health” is one of the most important vows a couple can make to one another. Even when we are at our weakest physically, our marriage can be at its strongest if we’ll lean on God and on each other.

Authors Dave and Ashley Willis experienced the beauty that can arise from a crisis after Dave’s father endured serious health challenges. The bonds of his parents’ marriage were tested like never before. Through it all, Dave’s mom acted with tenderness and grace.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: faith, marriage May 12, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Have You No Shame, Senator Schumer?

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has introduced legislation designed to codify nationwide access to abortion. Wednesday’s vote is expected to fall far short of the needed votes.

A zealot for abortion, Senator Schumer knows he doesn’t have the votes – but said, “This is not an abstract exercise, it’s as real and as urgent as it gets.”

What’s urgent, of course, are the thousands of babies being killed each day by abortion.

Last week’s leak of an early draft of the Dobbs’ abortion decision has ignited violence and unhinged protests across the country.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: pop culture, pro-life May 11, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Saying the Right Thing When Your Child Misbehaves

How do you respond when your children won’t put on their shoes, clean their room, or get into bed the first time you ask them? Or when they won’t eat the food you cook or do their homework without fussing about it?

Some moms struggle to navigate situations like that without yelling or speaking harshly to their children. And when they do succumb to knee-jerk reactions, they feel guilty and angry with themselves.

If you respond in unhealthy ways when your children misbehave, there’s a better approach.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: parenting May 9, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Passing on Your Faith to Your Kids

Like my world, yours is probably hectic and fast paced. You’re booked solid with work, household responsibilities, and obligations to your church and community. Some days it’s tough to keep up with all of the good that you’re doing.

Overcommitment is an easy mistake to make. Every opportunity seems deserving of a yes. But one yes too many is all it takes to go from “busy” to “overwhelmed.” One day you’re happily doing good things. The next day you can barely keep up with all the good things you’re doing.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: faith, kids, parenting May 5, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Remembering Peb Jackson – the Most Interesting Man in the World

Who’s the most interesting and adventurous person you’ve ever known?

My friend Peb Jackson, who died yesterday just 9 days shy of his 78th birthday, would be at the top of my list.

Born at the University of Kansas, Peb’s family migrated west during his childhood, settling in Southern California, where his father completed his Ph.D. at USC and taught history at Azusa Pacific University. As a young boy, his love for adventure found him going on bike rides or swimming with his twin brother.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: faith May 3, 2022 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura