faith Archives

The American Church Has a Choice to Make

Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, has been consistently coming out with interesting and relevant perspectives on the Christian faith, the general culture and the interaction between the two. I enjoyed sitting down with him in Nashville recently for an interview on his popular internet-based show.

In a piece published last week for Christianity Today, “4 Trends for Churches to Consider,” Stetzer builds on some of the points he presented earlier this year refuting the myth about the “dying” American Church.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, pop culture, religious liberty June 9, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Focus Joins with National Institute of Marriage to Help Couples in Crisis

We’ve all seen a marriage in crisis.

We all know people who have struggled (or are struggling) within their marital relationship.

Maybe that someone is you.

Or perhaps it’s someone you love, like a son or daughter or your best friend from high school.

You can’t stand to see the marriage falling apart. You feel helpless.

When you ask, you’re told that everything that can be thought of has been tried.

Traditional counseling. A visit with the pastor.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: faith, husband, marriage, news, wife June 3, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Post-Abortive Woman Calls Focus Broadcast “Voice of Hope” (VIDEO)

For those of us whose pro-life convictions stem from our Christian faith, the New Jersey Star-Ledger’s recent headline was disconcerting: “Why I perform abortions: A Christian obstetrician explains his choice.”

Willie J. Parker, who performs abortions up to the 24th week of pregnancy, explains his decision this way:

In listening to a sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King, I came to a deeper understanding of my spirituality, which places a higher value on compassion.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, news, pop culture, pro-life May 30, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Human Cloning Advancements Pose Serious Questions for Life Advocates

I consider myself blessed to live at a time where we benefit from so many advances in medical science. In terms of physical health, we’re all much better off today than we were or would have been just a few decades ago.

But what happens when the latest and greatest in medical science comes at the expense of another human life? How would you feel knowing that a human life was created only to be destroyed for your benefit?

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, policy, pro-life, technology May 29, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Joan of Arc… Noah’s Wife?

The Bible may be the best selling book in America, but that doesn’t mean we read and retain its content.

Consider:

At least 12 percent of adults believe Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife.
A survey of graduating high school seniors revealed that more than 50 percent thought that Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife.
A considerable number of respondents to one poll indicated that the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture May 20, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Tale of Two Countries

Two stories struck me yesterday. In one way, they’re unrelated and yet at the same time, very much connected.

LaChanze Sapp-Gooding is the widow of Calvin Joseph Gooding. Mr. Gooding was killed on September 11th as he worked inside the North Tower of the World Trade Center. At the time of the attack, LaChanze was 8-months pregnant with their second child.

Meriam Yehya Ibrahim is a Sudanese Christian who was sentenced to death yesterday for refusing to renounce her faith and embrace Islam.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news May 16, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Thank You, MVP Moms

No one can make a grown man cry with humble appreciation like a mom.

Take Kevin Durant, the 25-year-old winner of the 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player award. During his emotional speech that took place just in time for Mother’s Day, Durant reflected back on the uphill road his single mother, Wanda Pratt, walked with her two young sons.

From finding a way to make ends meet to cheering him on at his basketball games growing up, Durant’s tears are a testament to his mother’s powerful impact on his life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, news, parenting May 9, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Boy Praises His Way Out of Kidnapping

A 9-year-old Atlanta boy had a unique response to being kidnapped from his own driveway last month: he sang praises to God.

Willie Myrick, now 10, repeatedly sang Hezekiah Walker’s “Every Praise” during the three-hour ordeal. Eventually, his abductor – who had been cursing and telling the boy to shut up – pulled the car over and kicked him out.

One can’t learn of a story like this without thinking of Bible verses that promise God’s protection, like Psalm 46:1, which says, “God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.”

The song itself references the theme of deliverance in its chorus:

God my Savior
God my Healer
God my Deliverer
Yes He is, yes He is

Thank God that those lyrics proved prophetic for Willie Myrick – and thank God for a family and church community that influenced his young faith.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, kids, news May 8, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

WATCH: Tim Keller Talks About Suffering

I’m in New York right now on a whirlwind trip. In a matter of a few days, I’m meeting with representatives of the media, giving interviews on Focus’ new movie, “Irreplaceable,” (out May 6) and my newly released book, “The Good Dad.” (Watch for me on Fox News Channel’s “Huckabee” this Saturday and Sunday.)

I’m also here to interview two important thought leaders for the Focus on the Family daily broadcast: my conversation with author Dr.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith April 25, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Jesus, the Lamb of God

“He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith April 18, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura