faith Archives

How to Forgive When It Seems Impossible

Forgiveness may be one of the hardest things God asks us to do.

Not so sure? Well, think about Jonah.

Jonah was a prophet of God. His life was devoted to serving the Lord and following His will. But then God said, “Forgive the Ninevites.”

Now, remember who the Ninevites were. They weren’t the innocent-looking people so often portrayed in Sunday school lessons. They were cruel and wicked and enemies of God’s people. It would be the equivalent of God saying to us, “I want you to go to the Middle East to forgive ISIS.”

I’m sure you remember Jonah’s initial response.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, family, relationships November 19, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

WATCH: God Saves a Marriage from Addiction

Everyone knows that alcohol addiction can destroy a marriage. In fact, my own father could never break free from the battle with the bottle.

But it doesn’t have to be so.

Today, I want to share with you a story about an Indiana couple who reached out to us for help. Their story might be yours or someone you love and care about. If so, please share it with them.

Focus on the Family’s National Institute of Marriage can help couples get back on the path towards a healthy, stable relationship.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, husband, marriage, promos, wife November 17, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Do You Believe in these Christian “Superstitions”?

Today is Friday the 13th, a day some associate with bad luck. Just saying the phrase brings to mind other (imagined) connections with misfortune, like black cats, broken mirrors and an open umbrella indoors.

While as Christians we should steer clear of these “silly myths,” (1 Tim 4:7) the reality is we have a few “superstitions” we believe, too. Ours might not be rooted in magic or chance, but in a misunderstanding of what Scripture truly teaches.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, marriage, parenting, pop culture November 13, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Escape the Comparison Trap

Theodore Roosevelt, always quick with a succinct and witty quip, said it well.

“Comparison,” he once observed, “is the thief of joy.”

And so it is.

Kay Wyma, our broadcast guest today, shares this illustration for how easily – and early – comparing ourselves to others begins.

She took her kids and a few of their friends to a day of fun at a local water park. On the very first ride, a young boy in their group was told he wasn’t tall enough to join everyone else.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, pop culture November 6, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How God Healed a “Messy” Marriage

We’re inspired by love stories because of their happy endings. But, more often than not, before the “happily ever after,” fairy tale couples usually have to travel a lot of hard road.

That was certainly the case with Irene and Domingo Garcia. In fact, the beginning of their story was characterized by so much brokenness and conflict it was unlikely they could have ever had a happy ending.

Irene was 13 when she first met Domingo, a 16-year-old, street-wise tough guy who was already an alcoholic.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, husband, marriage, wife November 5, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Four Ways Failing Marriages and Healthy Marriages Look the Same

If a couple in your church was headed for divorce, would anyone be able to see it coming before it was too late?

Chances are less likely than you might think, according to a new study that Focus on the Family sponsored through LifeWay Research. The study found that in the three months leading up to divorce, churchgoing couples in troubled marriages show similar levels of involvement as those in healthy marriages in four areas:

Attend church once a week or more
Involvement in a small group
Serve in community ministries
Hold positions of responsibility at church

What’s even more astounding is that nearly one-third of churchgoers who divorced never told anyone in their congregation that they were experiencing marital problems.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, husband, marriage, wife November 3, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What Is God Asking You to Do?

Are the people around you struggling in some area of life? Maybe the real question is: Are you attentive enough that you would notice?

Let’s face it, we tend to have pretty shallow relationships with most of the people we cross paths with every day. We ask co-workers how they’re doing when we pass in the hall, but we expect a generic “fine, thank you,” rather than a genuine answer.

It could be that someone near us is having a rough go of it, but we’d never notice because we’re too wrapped up in our own daily routines.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, faith, pastors November 2, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Can We Love Ourselves Too Much?

Pinocchio had a big nose.

Of course, that’s because it grew when he told a lie.

But the old tale about a wooden puppet who wanted to become a real boy conveys a message much deeper than just the perils of lying.

It’s a cautionary tale about selfishness.

Pinocchio lied to feed his selfish nature, and selfishness only offers temporary happiness. In the end, it makes you less than what God created you to be.

The story begins with Gepetto, Pinocchio’s father, telling him the wise way to live.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith October 30, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Halloween and The Reformation: Thoughts for Today

Many Americans, especially children, eagerly await the arrival of Halloween this Saturday. I understand and respect that some of my readers choose not to participate in the tradition of the day. If that is you, I appreciate your convictions. However, I think equally devoted Christians can respond differently. My wife and I have opted to allow our sons to trick-or-treat over the years.

We do, though, impose one important caveat: We’ve chosen to stay away from any of the gore and horror of the holiday.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, pop culture October 28, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Answering the Tough Questions Your Kids Ask

Kids sure come up with a lot of fun questions – like the little boy who asked his mom, “Was everything in black and white in the olden days?” Or the little girl who really wanted to know where the light goes when you turn off the switch.

But sometimes the questions children ask are tough and quite serious, like “Why does God allow bad things to happen?”, “Why do people get sick and die?”, or “Why are there things like war?”

Those kinds of inquiries aren’t easy to answer, and they usually come out of left field when parents least expect them.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, family, kids, parenting October 27, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura