faith Archives

Developing a Passion for Evangelism and Discipleship

Anyone who’s familiar with Ray Vander Laan appreciates his gift for teaching. For over 40 years, he has empowered others to see the story behind the story in Scripture.

Ray has partnered with Focus on the Family for 30 years on the popular video series That the World May Know. He’s also been a religion instructor at Holland Christian Schools in Holland, Michigan for more than 40 years.

Ray is amazing at uncovering the mysteries of ancient Jewish culture and putting the Bible in its proper context.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith July 23, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Practical Ways to Strengthen Your Marriage

A door-to-door salesman from a local cable company once stopped by Dave and Ashley Willis’ house with an offer they couldn’t refuse. At least, that’s how good the offer sounded at first. The man promised his company would take good care of Dave and Ashley and give them the best package at the best price.

However, the deal went south when Dave asked the salesman, “How long is this package available at this price?”

“Twelve months,” the salesman said.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage July 19, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Moms and Anger: Understanding Your Triggers

Parenting can be frustrating!

Authors Amber Lia and Wendy Speake thought they were the only moms who struggled with anger and shame. Then they talked to a lot of other moms and discovered that they weren’t alone.

Anger catches many women off guard. Stress, helplessness, and feelings of inadequacy slowly build until some final straw pushes them over the edge. Shame quickly follows, which pushes women into isolation. For every brave mom who acknowledges a problem with anger, hundreds more wonder if they alone struggle.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family July 17, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When it Comes to Protecting Preborn Life, We Will Never Give Up

As the Republican National Convention kicks off this week in Milwaukee, and as I recently mentioned on my blog, political party platforms matter – especially when it comes to the sanctity of preborn life.

Many of us with pro-life convictions were disappointed last week when the GOP adopted a party platform that, while supporting the banning of third-trimester abortions, is silent regarding the first two trimesters.

Meanwhile, the Democrat Party Platform endorses the codification of abortion rights and opposes any measure restricting the killing of preborn children.

We can be grateful the GOP is unanimous that preborn life should be protected in the latter stages of a pregnancy, but 94% of all abortions occur in the first 15 weeks of development.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family July 16, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Pray with Your Eyes Open

Critics of religion say it’s all make believe. They say the Bible is nothing but a collection of fairy tales. And people who profess faith in God may as well believe in magic and unicorns.

When I hear people talk about faith like that, I scratch my head. Some of the stories in the Bible are remarkable, but there’s nothing akin to fairy dust and houses made of candy.

The Bible doesn’t sugarcoat human suffering, corruption, or the consequences of evil.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family July 16, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When God Allows Suffering

Joni Eareckson Tada calls suffering a “splash-over of hell.”

Few people can talk about the intensity of suffering with Joni’s authority. A tragic accident fifty years ago left her a quadriplegic in need of 24-hour care. She has also survived a stage-3 breast cancer diagnosis, the removal of a three-inch tumor, and months of chemotherapy.

So when she talks about handling suffering in a way that enriches our lives and glorifies God, we all do well to listen.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family July 15, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Statement from Jim Daly Regarding Today’s Events

“We are grateful that President Trump was not seriously injured in the the tragic shooting at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania this afternoon. We are praying earnestly for Mr. Trump and his family and the loved ones of the bystander who was killed and ask our fellow Christians to call on our mighty and merciful God to comfort all those affected.

While the full details of what occurred are still rightfully being carefully investigated, it is in no way premature to call for Americans of all ideological perspectives, Republicans and Democrats alike, to commit to bringing greater civility to their advocacy in the public square.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family July 13, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Pursuing Our Untamable God

In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, we’re introduced to Aslan, a great lion who rules Narnia. Susan, a little girl who stumbles into the enchanted world through a magic wardrobe, asks Mr. Beaver if Aslan is safe. “Safe?” Mr. Beaver replies. “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King.”

God, whom Aslan symbolizes, isn’t safe, either. We never know when or how God will show up in our lives.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family July 11, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Snapping the Ties that Bind

It’s a helpless feeling to suffer negative emotions caused by a troubling past. The question is this: Is it possible to break free from bonds that hold us down? I say yes, if we rely on God’s grace and deal with our past one step at a time.

If your past negatively impacts your life today, you may feel like the main character in the tale, Gulliver’s Travels. After a storm at sea, Gulliver swam to shore and fell asleep on the beach.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith July 5, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Midnight Ride

How would you like to eavesdrop on the events leading up to the Revolutionary War?

Imagine witnessing the dumping of nearly 350 crates of tea into Boston Harbor. Or searching for lanterns in a church tower while riding a horse at full gallop to warn colonists about a British invasion.

You and your family can experience the drama of the American Revolution and Paul Revere’s midnight ride on a special edition of Focus on the Family with Jim Daly featuring an episode of Adventures in Odyssey called “The Midnight Ride.”

If you’re new to Focus on the Family, Adventures in Odyssey is a radio drama for children (click here for more information).

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family July 4, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura