faith Archives

Engaging Hearts and Minds in a Broken Culture

In set 16 of the That the World May Know series, titled “Cultures in Conflict,” Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan leads viewers on a journey to where the Apostle Paul founded the church in Corinth and preached in Athens, Greece on Mars Hill. Ray highlights Paul’s tremendous ability to share God’s truth in a way the culture of his day could understand.

For example, at one of the most important structures in Corinth – a temple dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing – Paul communicated God’s truth by taking advantage of a popular custom.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family April 18, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Capable of More

You and I have never met, but I already believe one thing about you is true: you’re capable of more than you think. I also believe this: you won’t discover how strong you are until you’re tested.

An unusual example of that is seven-year-old Chase Poust. On a weekend boating trip with his dad, he and his four-year-old sister, Abigail, jumped overboard for a swim. Dad had anchored off-shore at a slow point in the river, but the current was stronger than anyone realized.

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

Marriage with a Smile

There’s an old saying that “laughter is good for the soul.” It’s good for the soul of your marriage as well.

My wife Jean and I have certainly discovered that to be true. Some of our greatest memories involve laughing together. A few times, we’ve laughed so hard for so long that we forgot why we started laughing in the first place. We were laughing at each other’s laughing.

One thing that’s obvious after laughing yourself to tears with someone is how connected you feel afterward.

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

Operation for the Soul

Would you forgive someone who shattered your life?

On a beautiful summer afternoon in 2015, Bryan Kuck and his wife, Lynn, went for a motorcycle ride. On their way home, less than a mile from their house, they were run off the road by a drunk driver whose blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit. Lynn was killed instantly. Bryan was critically injured with two crushed hips, a broken pelvis, and a left leg that was amputated after being pinned under the wreckage.

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

Sniglets

Back in the 80s, comedian Rich Hall did a routine called Sniglets. A Sniglet was any word that should be in the dictionary but isn’t. Like the word “snackmosphere.” That’s what he called the huge pocket of air inside a potato chip bag when you first open it. Or “Pepsiluvium.” That’s the soda that bubbles through the plastic lid when you push your straw through.

Sniglets illustrate the limitations of language. English currently uses more than 170,000 words.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family April 10, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Walking with God Through Trials

We all think we have strong faith. Until our world gets rocked.

An adverse diagnosis.

A child who loses their way.

A divorce.

The storms of life leave us shaken, wondering if God is really there.

Psalm 34:18 assures us that He is: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

What a comfort that is!

God’s presence has anchored author Michelle Cushatt’s life through the upheaval of many trials and difficulties.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family April 9, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Simple Habits to Embrace in Your Marriage

The wear and tear of everyday life takes a toll on a marriage. On any given day you may face challenges in:

your faith

your church

extended family relationships

recreational opportunities

sexual intimacy

friendships

household responsibilities

finances

hectic schedules

a never-ending stream of parenting decisions

fill in the ___

Whew! Is it any wonder most marriages could use some maintenance?

The question is how do you fill your marriage with good things without it all becoming just more things to juggle?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage April 8, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Fight it Out

As the president of an organization called Focus on the Family, you might expect me to say something like, “Never argue with your spouse.” The truth is I believe that even the most healthy, well-rounded couples need to hash things out from time to time. The key is to disagree in ways that move your relationship forward.

To do that, first recognize that avoiding conflict doesn’t strengthen your marriage – it weakens it. That sounds counterintuitive, but it’s true. Unresolved conflict doesn’t magically disappear. It festers beneath the surface, deepening resentment and eroding emotional intimacy.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, marriage April 3, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Evidence for the Existence of God

Do you ever wonder:

Is there a Creator?

If God is real, why do people suffer?

What does Easter have to do with the existence of God?

If God exists, why does He seem hidden or distant?

Can we deduce anything about God from scientific evidence?

Does our DNA reveal anything about God as a designer?

Can God be personally experienced?

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Evidence for the Existence of God,” we’re talking with former atheist, Lee Strobel.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family April 2, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Loving Your Teen Daughter Well

Author Kari Kampakis says teen girls have it tough. Every day is a renewed battle against anxiety, toxic friendships, cyberbullying and pressures associated with social media.

Which is why teen girls need strong women in their lives to protect, encourage, and guide them – to support them in confronting adversity, so they learn to handle life with confidence on their own.

That’s why Kara encourages mothers to be strong parents instead of “buddy parents.” Though your daughter won’t often show it, she cares deeply about your opinions.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, parenting April 1, 2024 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura