faith Archives

Darrell and Stevie Waltrip on God, Faith, and Marriage

This coming weekend in Richmond, Virginia, upwards of 200,000 NASCAR fans will gather at the Richmond International Raceway for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and millions more will watch on television.

Detailing the event’s “play by play” for FOX Sports will be Darrell Waltrip. I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with Darrell and his wife, Stevie, and I’m excited to welcome them to our program as our guests.

Darrell was one of the most successful drivers on the NASCAR circuit in the 1980s.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, marriage April 19, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

From Manson-Follower to Christ-Follower

Over a period of two nights in 1969, seven people were murdered in their homes in the Los Angeles area.

Several of the victims were bound, and strange messages were written on the walls in their own blood. The most well-known victim was actress Sharon Tate, who was 8 ½ months pregnant. Her baby boy died in her womb.

The crimes became known as the Tate-Labianca murders and were carried out by members of the “Manson Family” at the instruction of their leader, Charles Manson, who is considered one of the most notorious murderers of the last century.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, pop culture April 18, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Trusting God in the Barrenness of Life

Writing about a time of deep struggle in her life, Sara Hagerty described her experience this way:

“My awareness of my infertility was as variable as the rain. Some days it was a drizzle on the backdrop of my story. Other days it was a downpour altering my whole day.”

That captures so well the emotional upheaval that often accompanies life’s difficulties.

We all go through seasons where we’re overwhelmed, the answers to our problems are hard to come by, and our faith in God is tested.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith April 14, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Loving Others Without Sacrificing Conviction

“Christians hate gay people.”

That succinct message defined most of Caleb Kaltenbach’s childhood. He learned it from his lesbian mother … and from religious people whose behavior seemed to confirm her declaration.

While in elementary school, he marched with his mother in a gay pride parade. Along the route some protestors held up signs conveying hateful messages against homosexuals. They also sprayed water and urine on the marchers as they passed by.

When Caleb asked why people would do something like that, his mom said, “They’re Christians.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, homosexuality, pastors April 8, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Good News of the Gospel Brings Hope and Success for African-American Men (Guest Post)

The struggles that Africa-American men, in particular, face in our culture have been well-documented. But recent research offers some helpful signs.

Here to share some explanation and insights about these findings is husband, father and lawyer Timothy Allen. Timothy works in Focus’ public policy area analyzing state legislation and also serves as a member of Focus’ Employee Resource Inclusion Council, which I’ve previously shared about. He’s also a Fellow with Alliance Defending Freedom’s Blackstone Legal Fellowship.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news April 6, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Find Common Spiritual Ground with Your Spouse

You and your spouse could probably easily count any number of ways in which you’re different from one another.

Maybe they talk too much – or not enough. One of you feels hot while the other is shivering cold. Or maybe one can’t leave early because the other is always running late.

Those sorts of dissimilarities are common. But spiritual preferences are a key area where couples often differ.

Many husbands and wives tend to expect more spiritual compatibility from each other than they should.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, marriage April 1, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Who is the Wisest Person You’ve Ever Known?

How would you define wisdom?

Merriam-Webster defines it as “accumulated philosophic or scientific learning” or the “ability to discern inner qualities and relationships.”

Yet, for Christians, wisdom is so much more.

It was Solomon who wrote that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Proverbs 9:10).

Just last month, Focus on the Family Board Member Rev. Dr. Ken Fentress (who is also the senior minister of the Montrose Baptist Church in Rockville, Maryland) spoke to the staff about four types of wisdom the Bible teaches about, and how they translate in the workplace.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith March 30, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

In Remembrance of Good Friday

Yesterday here at Focus, we enjoyed our Maundy Thursday chapel. It was a special time for our staff to come together and reflect on our Lord’s final hours before ascending Calvary to shed His blood on our behalf.

Today, our offices are closed in honor of the holy remembrance of Good Friday.

A few of my non-Christian readers may not understand what today represents. Even some Christians may not fully appreciate the deep, meaningful symbolism ascribed to Jesus and His sacrifice.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith March 25, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When Holy Week & Terrorism Collide

Mobile phone video taken in the moments immediately following the terrorist attack in Brussels shows people running in a smoky airport terminal.

Dust settles on an empty stroller.

We watch a mother hug her young son, fear and worry in her eyes.

Sadly, scenes like what I’ve described above are becoming the new normal. Since June 2014, ISIS has carried out 75 attacks in 20 countries, killing at least 1,280 innocent people. While the majority of these attacks have occurred in the Middle East, ISIS is increasingly targeting the large cities and suburban areas of Europe and North America.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, news March 23, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Help a Friend in Trouble

Job’s friends have endured a lot of criticism through the centuries … and justifiably so.

I’m sure you recall that at the height of Job’s suffering they each, one by one, let loose a barrage of accusations about how Job’s pain and misfortune were all his fault.

Maybe they meant well. Maybe they thought they were offering Job solutions to the mysterious predicament overtaking him. “Who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, friendship March 23, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura