Daly Focus Blog
One of the first things people ask each other when they meet is, “What do you do?” Sometimes we offer the answer to that question without even being asked. We define who we are by what we do.
That God made man responsible for naming the animals is testimony to His desire that we be creative and productive (Genesis 2:20). The “dark side” of finding our identity in what we do is that we can get caught in a performance trap.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Christian faith, or your passion for your faith has cooled, you’ll want to join us for our next couple editions of our Focus on the Family Broadcast.
We’re sharing a recorded message called “Reasons to Believe in Jesus” by author and British evangelist J.John. With plenty of humor, he explains why he is certain that the teachings of Christianity are absolutely true and reminds us why only Christianity can fill our lives with real hope in the midst of the problems of this world.
If you’re like most parents with students in the home, the coronavirus pandemic has thrown a real wrench in academic plans – not just for the last two months but even looking ahead to the prospect of summer camps and other nontraditional instruction.
For the last 57 years, our friends over at Summit Ministries in Manitou Springs– led by Jeff Myers – have been helping to equip high school and college students during the summer months to become next generation leaders.
The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent quarantines and lockdown orders have posed substantial challenges for everyone – especially not being permitted to worship together in person with fellow believers.
But according to a recent poll conducted by the Pew Research Center, the pandemic has actually caused faith to grow.
Imagine that – God using a tough time for good!
The poll found that almost one-quarter (24%) of U.S. adults say their faith has become stronger because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A
lot of people wonder, “Can God truly be good, even when He allows pain and
suffering in my life?”
That
question deserves a serious, thoughtful answer. To that end, we’ve invited Dr.
Larry Crabb to join us on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Trusting God When We Don’t Understand His Ways.”
Dr.
Crabb is author of the book When God’s
Ways Make No Sense. He has some
timely thoughts about how faith can anchor our lives in the midst of uncertainty.
On the 100th day of the COVID-19 global pandemic, I would offer to you that the world has learned a few lessons.
This list is hardly exhaustive, but it’s nevertheless irrefutable – at least from my perspective:
1. We are not in control. God is.
2. Humans are frail, fragile – and resilient.
3. Because of sin, bad things happen to everyone.
4. No matter how dark the night, the sun rises in the morning.
5.
Fortunately,
I got out of it. Not because I outsmarted anybody, but because somebody showed
me grace when I deserved judgment.
My final
year of high school I worked for a produce company in southern California. One
day my boss had me tag along with one of the truck drivers. We drove for hours
to drop off a load of potatoes, only to discover when we got there that all of
the workers had gone on strike.
The question we get from a lot of moms and dads as the spread of the coronavirus dominates the news is, “What’s the best way to do family devotions, practically speaking?”
Could it be that for all the uncertainty and fear associated with this pandemic, it also presents you with an opportunity to make the most of this unanticipated extra time together?
My wife Jean and I have done devotions with our boys all their lives.
The new and rapidly escalating COVID-19 outbreak has left families with far more questions than answers. As developments unfold hour by hour, it’s important to take a deep breath and remember that the Lord continues to hold dominion over every aspect of creation. Psalm 33:11 says, “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.”
As I met with the Focus on the Family team this morning, I shared that the Lord’s words, “Do not be afraid,” have been at the forefront of my mind during prayer.
When Duck Dynasty’s Lisa Robertson was 16 years old, an abortion provider promised her that she was dispensing with a glob of tissue, would leave the clinic that day as good as new, and would never think about that moment again.
None of that was true.
Lisa immediately felt guilt about her decision. She sensed deep inside that something profoundly significant had just happened.
Years later, after she and Al married, she became pregnant with their first child.
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.
