church Archives

VIDEO: Carols of Christmas – Part II

History isn’t just dry dates and statistics. History is human. History can be a great source of strength and affirmation, an aide to navigation, especially in dark and dangerous times. And the words and music we love that have stood the test of time mean still more when we know their story.

– David McCullough, American historian and author

ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY

There is considerable disagreement among experts concerning this carol. Several give it as a loose translation or paraphrase of an 18th century French noel, Les Anges dans nos Campanges (including both Elizabeth Poston and William Studwell).

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, entertainment, faith December 20, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: Carols of Christmas – Part I

– David McCullough, American historian and author

ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY

Cecil Frances Alexander took her position as an Anglican bishop’s wife very seriously.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, entertainment, faith December 19, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Get Zest Back in Your Life

The man requested to see the well-known preacher prior to embarking on an around-the-world cruise. He said it was urgent. Slumping down in a chair across from the pastor’s desk the visitor explained the reason for his visit.

“I have no zest,” he told him flatly. “I’m really dragging bottom.”

The minister proceeded to inquire about the man’s condition. He was happily married to a good woman. His business was booming. He was in good health.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, finances, staff December 12, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guest Blog: Chuck Colson

I consider Chuck Colson to be a dear friend and a great man. I was particularly impressed with a recent Breakpoint commentary of his and wanted to share it with you in this space.

Please let me know what you think:

The 0.2% Solution
Crunching the Same-Sex Marriage

The pressure to redefine marriage to include same-sex couples keeps increasing. The impression is given that thousands upon thousands of gays and lesbians are unable to do the one thing they want to do more than anything else: That is, have a wedding.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, homosexuality, marriage October 19, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

On the Murder of Christians in Egypt

By now you have heard that an estimated 26 Christians were killed in Egypt this past weekend. This is not the first time that Christians have been targeted in violent acts over there. Since the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak, Cairo and its surrounding cities have become a dangerous place for followers of Jesus Christ.

The Associated Press is reporting that the ruling council and deputy defense minister are attempting to place the blame for the violence on the very people being persecuted:

At a lengthy news conference to present their version of the events, generals from the Supreme Council of Armed Forces showed footage of priests and a Coptic Christian activist they accused of instigating the violence on Sunday night with calls for demonstrations and storming the state television building.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, events, faith, news, religious liberty October 14, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Christian Classics – Part V

Conversion: The Life-Changing Power of the Word

(from Augustine’s Confessions, Book VIII, Chs. 8-12)

There was a garden attached to our lodging, and we had the use of this as of the whole house; for our landlord, the owner of the house, did not live there. To this garden the tumult in my heart had driven me, as to a place where no one could intervene in this passionate suit which I had brought against myself until it could be settled—though how it would be settled You knew, not I.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith July 28, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Christian Classics – Part IV

On the Benefits of Continual Conversation With God

(from The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence, Fifth Letter)

I know that for the right practice [of the presence of God], the heart must be empty of all other things; because God will possess the heart alone; and as he cannot possess it alone without emptying it of all besides, so neither can He act there, and do in it what He pleases, unless it be left vacant to Him.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith July 27, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Christian Classics – Part III

On Thinking Rightly about God

(from The Knowledge of the Holy, by A.W. Tozer)

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.

The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith July 26, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Christian Classics – Part II

On The Hidden Life in Christ

(from The Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan)

Then I saw in my dream, that the Interpreter took Christian by the hand, and led him into a place where was a fire burning against a wall, and one standing by it, always casting much water upon it, to quench it; yet did the fire burn higher and hotter.

Then said Christian, What means this?

The Interpreter answered, This fire is the work of grace that is wrought in the heart; he that casts water upon it to extinguish and put it out, is the devil: but in that thou seest the fire notwithstanding burn higher and hotter, thou shalt also see the reason of that.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith July 25, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Christian Classics – Part I

If you had all the time in the world to read, what books beside the Bible would you invest your time in?

Jim Ware is a longtime member of the Focus team. He is a highly talented writer as well as a gifted musician. He can often be seen simultaneously reading and walking on his lunch break around the streets of our campus. He would probably deny it, but he may be the most well-read person you would ever meet.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith July 24, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura