faith Archives

Thanksgiving

The Desolate Wilderness

A chronicle of the Pilgrims’ arrival at Plymouth, as recorded by Nathaniel Morton.

Here beginneth the chronicle of those memorable circumstances of the year 1620, as recorded by Nathaniel Morton, keeper of the records of Plymouth Colony, based on the account of William Bradford, sometime governor thereof:

So they left that goodly and pleasant city of Leyden, which had been their resting-place for above eleven years, but they knew that they were pilgrims and strangers here below, and looked not much on these things, but lifted up their eyes to Heaven, their dearest country, where God hath prepared for them a city (Heb.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith, family November 22, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: Now Thank We All Our God

This classic, soaring hymn was written in the mid-1600s by a German minister named Martin Rinkart. His ministry began at a church in Eilenburg, just as the Thirty Year War began. The town soon became overpopulated and disease ridden with many taking refuge in the pastor’s house. A deadly plaque swept through the village, killing 8,000 people including Rinkart’s wife. At one point, the beleaguered minister was conducting 50 funerals per day.

Yet, in the midst of it all, Martin Rinkart wrote this hymn, originally designed to be used for grace before dinner.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family November 20, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Have You Heard About this Christian Scandal?

What if I told you there’s a story circulating within the national media today about a controversial female Christian evangelist who’s wrapped up in a scandal of major proportions?

Would you be shocked?

Are you cringing right now, wondering who the “she” may be?

To be sure, the details of the story are sordid.

The married evangelist in question has been rumored to have had several extramarital affairs, even one with a well-known Hollywood celebrity. Known for her progressive theology, some have accused her of peddling feminist propaganda in the midst of her preaching.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, entertainment, faith, pop culture November 15, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Real Lesson Behind the General Petraeus Affair

Retired General and now-former CIA Director David Petraeus was originally scheduled to testify today before Congress to answer questions about the deadly terrorist attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Instead, the man some believed a likely candidate for President, is reeling from his admission of an extra-marital affair and subsequent resignation from the Central Intelligence Agency. The scandal is continuing to unfold and expand, almost hour by hour.

Even with so many details still unanswered, it’s a sad and sordid story, an example of how quickly a person’s life and reputation can be marred by moral indiscretion.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, marriage, news, policy November 14, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

My “Foolish” Reaction to President Obama’s Re-election

The election is over, and I sense there’s something of a gloomy spirit in many conservative corners of the country this morning.

Analysts and pundits, and even the candidates themselves, billed this year’s contest as a crossroads of great consequence.

They were right.

As many Christians who see the confluence of our faith and the many issues of culture, we poured our hearts and souls into this year’s election. We donated our time and gave of our treasure.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, policy, pro-life, religious liberty November 7, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Noah’s Ark Delayed by Rain?

Both theologians and management consultants like to point out that it wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

They’re right, of course. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of the Darren Aronofsky-directed film, Noah, scheduled to release in 2014.

The forthcoming movie starring Russell Crowe and Emma Watson was forced to suspend production in both Brooklyn and on Long Island earlier this week due to the arrival of Hurricane Sandy.

Unlike in the real Noah’s day, though, the Hollywood-produced ark was heavily damaged in the storm.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, news November 1, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are the Producers Behind “Duck Dynasty” Uncomfortable with Christianity?

A&E’s hit reality series “Duck Dynasty” has made celebrities out of Duck Commander Phil Robertson, his wife Kay and their bearded, camo-clad sons Willie, Jase and Jeptha, not to mention “Uncle Si,” Phil’s younger brother.

As the network portrays it, the series — whose Season 1 finale drew 2.6 million viewers — follows a Louisiana bayou family living the American dream as they operate a thriving duck call and decoy business while staying true to their family values.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, pop culture October 26, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

UPDATE: Texas Cheerleaders Granted Temporary Victory

Two weeks ago I shared with you news out of Kountze, Texas, that a group of high school cheerleaders were forced into court when their school district prohibited them from displaying banners with Bible verses at football games.

Last week, the judge in the case issued a temporary injunction, which allows the young women to continue creating and displaying the signs for the remainder of the season. A trial date was set for June 24, 2013.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, news October 22, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Handle Any Problem

Sami Yacoub is the Regional Director of Focus on the Family in the Middle East. He’s also a friend, and those of us here at Focus US have long admired his courage and bravery. Given his location and the politics of the area in which he lives, you can appreciate just how tenuous day-to-day living is for him.

With that in mind, I want to share an excerpt of an insightful article that Sami recently wrote.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith October 22, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Postcard from Hawaii

I was in Hawaii last week. Hawaiian Island Ministries (HIM) graciously hosted us for several meetings and I enjoyed learning more about their outreach. HIM has been serving and showing the love of Jesus to people in the area for nearly 30 years. The Lord has clearly blessed their work and I’m proud to call them my friends.

Given where we are culturally and with the election looming just weeks away, I was struck by a few thoughts the other day.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith October 17, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura