faith 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

Little Angels Help Lift Up Little Eyes

To many, Christmas is the season of angels, and I’m not referring to Clarence Odbody, George Bailey’s fictional guardian angel (Second Class) in the perennial holiday favorite It’s a Wonderful Life.

During Advent and Christmas we remember Gabriel’s historic appearances to Zechariah (Luke 1:11-20) and, of course, Mary (Luke 1:26-38), as well as the angel’s message to Joseph (Matthew 1:20). Then there is the angel who appeared to the shepherds (Luke 2:9-14) announcing Jesus’ birth. And finally, we remember the angel who appeared to Joseph again in a dream, warning him of Herod’s intent to kill his newborn son and advising him to escape with the family to Egypt.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, faith, promos December 8, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What Everybody Ought to Know About the Military Bible Ban

It came as a shock last week to learn that Bibles had been banned at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The official memo, issued by the hospital’s Chief of Staff, C.W. Callahan, was blunt and to the point:

“No religious items (i.e. Bibles, reading material, and/or artifacts) are allowed to be given away or used during a visit.”

Yet, just as soon as the stunning and disturbing news spread, the ban was rescinded.

Sandy Dean, a public affairs officer at Walter Reed, tried to explain the origin of the offensive policy.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, policy, religious liberty December 7, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Tim Tebow is Today’s Seabiscuit

He arrived at a time when the nation was fearful and fighting malaise, hungry for a hero to root for, eager to find hope amidst the dark clouds of uncertainty.

That the “he” was a three-year-old thoroughbred racehorse made no difference. After all, Americans enjoy rooting for the little guy, especially when that little guy is criticized and counted out by so-called experts.

Do you remember the story?

It was 1938, smack in the middle of the Great Depression.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture November 28, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Seconds and Thirds

Tomorrow’s celebration of Thanksgiving conjures up so many memories for all of us. As I’ve shared in the past, my recollections of the holiday as a child bring with them a mixed bag of emotions.

While I looked forward to the celebration, we didn’t have much. And, when my parents got divorced, with mom working several jobs just to make ends meet, times were hard. My mom did her best to pull together enough stuff to make it special.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith, family November 23, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Paul Harvey: So God Made a Farmer

Paul Harvey, the late radio legend, shared the following essay at the 1978 National F.F.A. (Future Farmers of America) Convention. As we prepare our homes and tables for Thanksgiving, it’s always good to remember that the Lord uses many bright minds and talented hands to help keep the world warm and well fed (James 2:16). May God bless the farmer!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith November 22, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What I Saw at Saturday’s Discussion

It is in the act of discussion, suggested the late Christian writer C.S. Lewis, that you rouse the patient’s reason.

And when such a deliberation is approached thoughtfully and pointedly on a stage, you awaken the senses and stir the hearts of the audience, too.

This is precisely what occurred in Iowa at the first Thanksgiving Family Forum. Hosted by the Iowa Family Policy Center’s political arm, The Family Leader, and co-sponsored by Citizenlink and the National Organization for Marriage, the forum showed America something that almost always gets lost in presidential politics: candidates are real, regular people who face the same challenges in life as the rest of us.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, news November 19, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Happy Orphans?

It’s common to wax nostalgic for the past, to suggest that the “good old days” weren’t just good – but great. If only we could turn back the clock, so the logic goes, all would be well.

The only problem with such a theory is that it’s just so often not true. Case in point:

One hundred years ago, on April 14, 1911, the following headline appeared in the New York Times:

5,000 HAPPY ORPHANS AT A CIRCUS TREAT

Youngsters from Many Institutions in the City Have Their Annual Merry Day

The article went on to highlight just who these orphans were, referring to them as “little waifs and strays, orphans and half orphans” who had their one “happy day” of the year at the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, faith, family November 18, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Our Magnificent Obsession

Fred Barnes is the executive editor of the Weekly Standard and an astute political writer and commentator. I want to call your attention to his most recent column. It was titled “Hidden Persuaders: The unheralded gains of the pro-life movement.”

Fred writes:

That the pro-life movement is bigger is a given. It’s also younger, increasingly entrepreneurial, more strategic in its thinking, better organized, tougher in dealing with allies and enemies alike, almost wildly ambitious, and more relentless than ever.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, policy, pro-life November 17, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura