Daly Focus Blog
THE CLIMB TO CALVARY
Meditations on The Seven Last Words of Christ
Tuesday: The Second Words
“And Jesus said unto him, ‘I say unto thee, Today thou shalt be with me in paradise’” (Luke 23:43).
A lot has been written about bad things happening to good people. But it is equally jarring for many in our world to reconcile, accept and embrace the truth of our faith that tells us in the end, good things can happen to “bad” people.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
It may not have garnered the hype or the headlines of last night’s Academy Awards, but the death last week of Dr. Howard G. Hendricks, the longtime professor of Dallas Theological Seminary, marked the promotion of one of God’s great saints to Glory.
Dr. Hendricks, known as “Prof” to his students, taught for over sixty years. John Fuller, my friend and colleague and co-host of our radio program, has fond memories of his old professor.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, pastors by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
A recent article in Relevant magazine, “Confessions of a Prude”, explored the role cultural relevance has for Christians.
The author writes:
We culture-savvy Christians recoil at the labels assigned to us by society… sheltered, out-of-touch, or prudish.
True?
Well, just think of how often we seek to be culturally relevant, watching every movie, keeping up with every popular program on TV and making sure we understand the references on “Saturday Night Live.”
After all, don’t we have an obligation against coming across as self-righteous?
Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, relationships by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
The Barna Group released a new study last week finding almost two-thirds (64%) of Americans believe professional athletes have a greater influence on society than faith leaders. The report also suggested most people are increasingly comfortable with the blending of faith and sports, even to the point of having no problem with the fact that an athlete like Tim Tebow is widely seen as a more effective ambassador of the Christian faith than a given national religious figure.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, entertainment by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
I’ve always liked the poem by William Wordsworth titled “Character of the Happy Warrior.” Though not so intended, it is an appropriate charge to Christians who seek God’s strength in their efforts to engage the culture winsomely. Space does not permit me to share it in its entirety, but here are a few poignant verses:
Who is the happy Warrior? Who is he
That every man in arms should wish to be? …
Whose high endeavours are an inward light
That makes the path before him always bright …
Who, doomed to go in company with Pain,
And Fear, and Bloodshed, miserable train!
Topics: Family and Home Tags: church by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
I recently came across this and wanted to share it with you:
NOAH got drunk.
ABRAHAM was too old.
ISAAC was a daydreamer.
JACOB lied.
LEAH was ugly.
JOSEPH was abused.
MOSES was a murderer and couldn’t talk.
GIDEON was afraid.
SAMSON had long hair and was afraid.
RAHAB was a prostitute.
JEREMIAH and TIMOTHY were too young.
DAVID was a murderer and adulterer.
ELIJAH was suicidal.
ISAIAH preached naked.
JONAH ran from God.
NAOMI was a widow.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, friendship, relationships by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Is it possible that the worst thing that happens to you this coming year could turn out to be the best thing that happens to you this year?
In 1939, J.R.R. Tolkien prepared an essay to be delivered as a lecture at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. It was titled “On Fairy-Stories,” and in the piece he explained and defended the use of fantasy as a literary form.
The entire work is worth reading, but one part in particular speaks to our current state of affairs—and in a most hopeful way.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, relationships by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
The Reverend Graham J. Baird is the senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs.
He’s also my friend.
Prior to coming to Colorado, Graham served as the founding pastor of Highlands Church in Paso Robles, California. The ministry started with twenty-five people in a drive-in movie theater and has since grown to over two thousand weekly attenders.
Graham’s philosophy has been to pull down the barriers and make it easier for those wanting to come to church to learn about God.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, homosexuality, kids, pastors by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
When a good friend dies, especially under tragic circumstances, the mind tends to wander with a degree of wistfulness. We think back to moments now frozen in time, to memorable conversations, funny stories or meals together.
In the midst of all that joy at the time we didn’t think of sorrow, we didn’t think of the brevity of it all, the temporal nature of life.
Why would we? Yet, it was Solomon who once wrote that even in laughter the heart may ache – and all joy ends in grief (Proverbs 14:13).
Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
I have a treat for you.
We’ve just received the first publicly released scenes from the upcoming History Channel series, The Bible. The ten-hour program will air on the four Sundays prior to Easter, beginning March 3, 2013, and will culminate on Easter Sunday with a special grand finale.
As we move quickly toward the celebration of Christmas in two weeks, I invite you to imagine what it would have been like to witness firsthand the wonder of that night that changed the course of the world:
I love the passion and enthusiasm that my friends Mark Burnett and Roma Downey have invested in this new series.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, pop culture by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.Home
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