faith Archives

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

Should Churches Display the American Flag?

With the opening of the Republican National Convention this week and the Democratic Convention next, the American flag will be front and center as members of both parties proudly fly and wave the red, white and blue.

It’s difficult to put into words the emotions and sentiments that stir when the Stars and Stripes ripple in the breeze. When you know that men and women have died in its defense, you can’t help but stand a little straighter when you see it.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, pastors, policy August 28, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Communion on the Moon

The passing of Neil Armstrong this past Saturday stirs up a wave of nostalgia for me. At the time he became the first man to walk on the moon, I was seven and had just two great loves of my life: football and astronomy. My affinity for space was cultivated by my mother, who used to get gas for the car at the Gulf station by our home in Southern California. Gulf Oil used to sponsor NBC’s coverage of the U.S.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, events, faith, news August 27, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What’s So Wrong About a Church Feeding a Football Team?

A high school football coach in Georgia is under investigation today. But he’s not being scrutinized for sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse or recruiting violations.

He’s being investigated for allowing his football team to receive meals from local church groups. He’s also being accused of violating the Constitution by praying with his team, quoting the Bible in his inspirational messages and interacting with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Parents haven’t complained. Neither have school officials. The complaint was filed by the Wisconsin-based group The Freedom from Religion Foundation.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, kids, news, pop culture, religious liberty August 23, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Tim Tebow, Chastity and New York

Is it more difficult to remain a virgin in New York City than elsewhere in America?

Some pundits and culture-watchers seem to think so, leading to speculation in Monday’s New York Times that New York Jet Tim Tebow is going to have a tough time remaining chaste in the Big Apple.

The writer of the piece spoke with Miki Reaume, a Christian and former Rockette at Radio City Music Hall. “When my friends found out I was planning on waiting until I was married, I got laughed at quite a bit,” she said.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, pop culture, relationships, sex August 22, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Secret to Finding Joy

Do you want to have Christian joy?

Meditate on Him; think about Him. Try to think about the glory of this person, this incomparable person. The New Testament is constantly dealing with this. Our Lord told us that the Holy Spirit has been specially given in order to glorify Him: “He shall not speak of himself … he shall glorify me” (John 16:13-14).

The way to test whether or not our experiences are the work of the Spirit is always to ask what view they give us of Him.

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

A Dad Reflects on the First Day of School

Today I want to share with you a poignant reflection from my friend and colleague, James Anderson. If you have children, I know you’ll relate to his words.

A Morning I Will Never Forget

My wife and I walked our first-born daughter, Charlie Mae, to kindergarten the other day. The kids were decked out in new sneakers, sparkly clothes and backpacks so new they were stiff. The scene was full of parents with cameras in hand and tears in their eyes.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, kids, parenting, religious liberty August 16, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura