On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “My Passion for the Harvest,” we’re airing a recorded message by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California and founder of Harvest Crusades, which has reached over nine million people since the 90s.

Because of his mother’s promiscuous lifestyle, seven marriages, non-stop partying, and constant relocating from place to place to place, Greg had a tumultuous childhood and was lost in a lifestyle of drugs and alcohol by the time he was in high school.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith February 23, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Do you believe in miracles?

You should if you’re clinging to hope. Because success doesn’t always boil down to skill or hard work. Victory often requires something intangible – a miraculous intervention when the odds are stacked against you.

The “miracle on ice” on February 22, 1980, was a classic David versus Goliath tale of victory. That year, Russia was expected to win the Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey. Their players were the best in the world.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith February 22, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The phone company made me mad.

At least, I thought it was their fault. I couldn’t get them to understand that their customer service was terrible. They continually overcharged me and disconnected my boys’ phones even though I hadn’t asked them to do it. I had to call them repeatedly for months and had a terrible time getting my account straightened out.

I tried to stay patient, but I finally reached the end of my rope, and the poor customer service representative got the brunt of my attitude.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith February 15, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

They say behind every great man is a great woman. But just as often, great women take the lead.

In 1865, Emily Roebling married her husband Washington. He was the chief engineer who oversaw construction of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. Two years into the project, he developed decompression sickness while he was working underwater. He was debilitated so severely that he lay bed-ridden for nearly a decade.

Meanwhile, there was still a bridge to be built.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith February 8, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Bitterness will lie to you. It’ll trick you into believing that you build a better future by holding on to the past. The truth is the past eventually spills out.

That’s what happened between Stacy and Janet, who were friends from high school. They were so close for so long that Stacy asked Janet to be her maid of honor at her wedding.

On the big day, the ceremony was beautiful, and Stacy was all smiles … until the reception.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith February 6, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Morality has rapidly declined in America in the past few years. Culture seems to be descending into chaos on many fronts. I’d describe it as a cultural tsunami in which tolerance no longer reflects a willingness to listen to different points of view. It now means joining a revolution that seeks dominance.

How do Christians reach out in the name of Christ to a culture that is drifting further and further from its biblical moorings?

Renowned theologian, popular public speaker, and award-winning author, Dr.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith February 6, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Most Americans believe that the secret to happiness is having more, going faster, or working harder. In reality, happiness is a byproduct of balance.

Balance is hard. Our natural tendency is to overreach, to go too far, and to want too much. It’s like the reporter who asked billionaire John D. Rockefeller who, when asked “How much money is enough?” answered, “Just a little bit more.”

We all answer, “Just a little bit more,” in some area of life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith February 1, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Winter can stir up sadness within the happiest of hearts. Depending on where you live, the weather can be dreary this time of year. The days are short, the air is cold, and clouds often hide the sun for weeks.

If you’re struggling to escape the winter blues, take heart – spring is coming! The days are growing longer, and in just a few weeks, the temperature will get warmer. Before long, you’ll see signs of new life – blue skies will appear and flowers and green grass will emerge.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith January 30, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura