faith Archives

Five Things You Might Not Know About the Ryder Cup

You’ve heard of the Ryder Cup and might even know a little bit about the storied golf tournament, but do you know anything about the man behind the trophy?

In this age of negotiating naming rights and corporate sponsorships, a youngster recently suggested the Ryder Cup was named after the Ryder Truck Company.

Not quite.

Because many of you are interested in golf and since Focus on the Family will be sponsoring a special event (more on this in a moment) in conjunction with this year’s tournament in Medinah, Illinois, I thought it would be fun to share five things you probably don’t know about the history of the Ryder Cup.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: events, faith, family September 17, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Strangest Secret

Over sixty years ago, Earl Nightingale, a former United States Marine who had been one of only twelve survivors of the bombing of the U.S.S. Arizona at Pearl Harbor, struck upon an idea.

At the time of his epiphany, he was an announcer at the legendary Chicago radio station WGN. Residents of the Windy City were drawn to his soothing, sonorous voice. But it was off the air, while reading a book by Napoleon Hill, a well-known motivational writer and speaker of that era, that Nightingale’s revelation came to him, like “a bolt out of the blue,” he said.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, faith, relationships September 17, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Before You Get Too Excited About the New iPhone 5…

“The fascination we have with the newness of these things…can be so undoing to our affection for Christ and our devotion to prayer and His word.”

– John Piper

“Sit loose to this world’s joy,” cautioned Robert Murray McCheyne, a Scottish pastor who passed away in 1843 at the age of 29. “The time is short.”

Amen?

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture, technology September 13, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Six Myths Christians Believe About Politics

After nearly a year of toiling away on the project, my latest book, ReFocus: Living a Life that Reflects God’s Heart, will be released next month.

What’s it all about?

I don’t want to give it all away, but if there is one theme woven throughout all the pages of the book, it would be this:

Are we more concerned with shaping (and winning) the debate than we are with shaping and refining our own attitudes toward the world?

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, policy, relationships September 12, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What Do You Tell Your Children About 9-11?

To some, September 11, 2001 seems like a lifetime ago, especially to the parents of young children. Our oldest son, Trent, was just one year-old and Troy hadn’t even been born when the serenity of that late summer morning was shattered by terrorists.

As I drove the boys to school this morning we discussed the anniversary. Over the years we’ve talked a lot about what happened on that tragic day, about the loss of innocent life and how so many dreams of so many families never came true – all because their father or mother never came home.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, family, parenting September 11, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Child’s Ten Commandments to Parents

1. My hands are small; please don’t expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture, or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow down so that I can keep up with you.

2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely: don’t restrict me unnecessarily.

3. Housework will always be there. I’m only little such a short time—please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids, parenting September 9, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Timely Quote

“We have forgotten God.

We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.”

– Abraham Lincoln, 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, policy, religious liberty September 7, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Do You Live in a Generous State?

A recent study commissioned by the Chronicle of Philanthropy revealed something that won’t surprise many people of faith: the more “religious” a state or region of the country, the more likely its people are to give generously to charity.

Here are the top ten most charitable states:

1. Utah

2. Mississippi

3. Alabama

4. Tennessee

5. South Carolina

6. Idaho

7. Arkansas

8. Georgia

9. North Carolina

10. Maryland

All of the bottom five states are located in the New England area: Rhode Island (46), Massachusetts (47), Vermont (48), Maine (49) and New Hampshire (50).

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, news, pop culture September 6, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Miserable Christians

It surprises me when many Christians engage in work to redeem the culture with a somber, morose, and even anxious spirit. I don’t pretend to be smarter or more spiritually mature than anyone else, but this particular attitude is curious and even a bit contradictory.

Have you ever encountered this from time to time?

A dear friend of mine who is a pastor once preached on an uplifting text of Scripture. He spoke of God’s sovereignty and perfect will, of His love and goodness and graciousness.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, pastors September 4, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Urban Meyer’s Contract with His Family

Urban Meyer will take the field on Saturday for his first game as head football coach of Ohio State.

In many ways, the 48-year-old will be coming full circle, both personally and professionally.

Born in Toledo, Meyer met his wife, Shelley, while attending the University of Cincinnati. He was hired as an assistant coach at Ohio State in 1986 and earned a master’s degree at the school prior to his departure for another coaching position with Illinois State.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids, marriage, parenting August 29, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura