Daly Focus Blog
Do you view God as distant, unhappy, or angry? Do you wonder if He cares about your happiness?
Some in the Christian community consider happiness an ungodly pursuit, one for the spiritually immature. They say that God calls us to joy, while happiness is what the world offers.
If that’s how you’ve been taught, you may be surprised by what our broadcast guest Lisa Harper has to share – that God is happy and that happiness is a gift from Him that we should actively pursue.
I’ve always liked the poem by William Wordsworth titled “Character of the Happy Warrior.” Though not intended, it is an appropriate charge to Christians who seek God’s strength in their efforts to engage winsomely.
Here are a few poignant verses:
Who is the happy Warrior? Who is he
That every man in arms should wish to be? …
Who high endeavors are an inward light
That makes the path before him always bright …
Who, doomed to go in company with Pain,
And Fear, and Bloodshed, miserable train!
We are pleased by Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ announcement of the creation of a new Religious Liberty Task Force within the Department of Justice designed to promote and protect the freedom of people of faith.
Freedom of religion is considered to be our “first freedom,” not simply because it is the first guarantee contained in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, but also because it is the freedom upon which our nation was founded and the national heritage that gives deeper meaning to our other freedoms.
If God is loving, why does He allow pain and suffering in our lives? Can He truly be good, even in dark circumstances?
Jesus’ death on the cross guaranteed heaven for us in the next life. Then, there will be no more struggles, no more heartache, no more tears.
But what about in the meantime? What good is God to us in this life? What is He up to in our lives right now – especially if He doesn’t appear to be up to anything at all?
Week ending July 20th:
I Don’t Want a Divorce (by Dr. David Clarke)
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue (by Deborah Smith Pegues)
The 10 Best Decisions Every Parent Can Make (by Bill Farrel)
Ken Davis: Good News (by Ken Davis)
Parenting Your Powerful Child (by Kevin Leman)
Raising Kingdom Kids (by Tony Evans)
Job – Bible Study Book: A Story of Unlikely Joy (by Lisa Harper)
Red-Hot Monogamy (by Bill Farrel)
Kingdom Marriage (by Tony Evans)
Unoffendable (by Brant Hansen)
Sharing God’s Big Love with Little Lives (by Jean Thomason)
Growing Kids with Character (by Hettie Brittz)
Through the Eyes of a Lion (by Levi Lusko)
Week ending July 13:
Sharing God’s Big Love with Little Lives (by Jean Thomason)
The 10 Best Decisions Every Parent Can Make (by Bill Farrel)
Letters from My Father’s Murderer (by Laurie Coombs)
From Anger to Intimacy (by Dr. Gary Smalley and Ted Cunningham)
Raising Kingdom Kids (by Tony Evans)
Parenting Your Powerful Child (by Kevin Leman)
Growing Kids with Character (by Hettie Brittz)
Kingdom Marriage (by Tony Evans)
The First 9 Months (by Vicki L.
According to the latest research, 77% of Americans are social media users, with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest serving as the most popular sites of engagement. The growth, popularity and influence of this forum is staggering, especially when you consider that back in 2005, only 7% of Americans had any type of social media account.
Clearly, not all social media users are equal. Many of us primarily use it to stay in touch with family and friends, sharing pictures, stories and other points of interest.
Jesus is your redeemer.
I hope you believe that.
Christians say that they do. That is what good Christian theology teaches, after all. But do we believe it?
Let’s face it, some days the hill we’re climbing can seem so steep we lose hope that we can survive to the top. Life is hard. Jesus told us it would be. In John 16:33 says, “In this world, you will have trouble.” But he also offered hope to the suffering through His suffering on the cross.
On today’s Focus on the Family Broadcast we’re hearing from Laurie Coombs, who has an amazing story of forgiveness.
Luke 6:27-28 says, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you. Pray for those who abuse you” (ESV). For me, and for many of you, that verse is one of the most convicting in all of Scripture. It’s hard to live up to God’s standard in this area. In fact, without His Spirit and character enabling you, I’d say it’s impossible to achieve that depth of forgiveness.
The agonizing 18-day ordeal and successful 3-day rescue of 12 school-age boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Thailand has captivated the world’s attention. In fact, there is news out today that corporate executives are already negotiating book and movie rights to the story. You can be sure that both will be blockbusters, maybe even by next summer.
Throughout the nearly three-week ordeal, both social and traditional media were replete with calls for prayer – for the boys, their coach and the Navy Seals who ultimately coordinated and assisted in their dramatic rescue.
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.
