faith Archives

This Video Shows the Challenge of Being a Christian in the Secular Workplace

I had the privilege of being with a unique group last week: Christian CEOs. They’re part of a ministry that began within the walls of Focus on the Family. They’re now an independent and self-sustaining fellowship, regularly meeting to pray together and encourage one another in both their faith and careers.

Corporate America can certainly be a challenge for Christians to navigate.

Of course, navigating a secular workplace isn’t unique to just Christian CEOs. Believers who strive to live out their faith at their places of employment must sometimes steer through choppy waters.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, relationships March 8, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

‘The Shack’: Must-See Movie, or Stay Away?

Tim Tebow liked it.

“Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines recommend it.

But blogger Tim Challies refuses to even see it.

I’m talking about “The Shack,” the film adaptation of the 2007 novel of the same name, which is reviving the controversy around William P. Young’s bestselling book about a grieving father who encounters the Holy Trinity … in human form.

The movie debuted in theaters across the nation last Friday, making a very respectable $16.1 million during its first weekend.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, news March 7, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

An Accidental Felon’s Stint in Federal Prison

Have you ever said to God, “What are You doing? I’ve served You to the best of my ability. I’ve tried to be an honest, godly person. Why am I suffering through this trial?”

Many of us have. Several years ago, my good friends Bo and Gari Mitchell endured an unimaginable time of trouble. Until then, neither of them had been guilty of anything worse than a traffic ticket. But that changed the day Bo stood before a judge who declared him guilty of a felony and sentenced him to prison.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith March 3, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Meet Two “Ordinary” People God Used to Accomplish Great Things

Our spirits are uplifted when we see ordinary men and women who overcome amazing obstacles in their lives through unwavering faith.

Like Corrie ten Boom. Almost 34 years after her death, she is still a spiritual giant for millions of Christians around the world. We’re drawn to her because she was a common person who had moments of doubt, but who also had tremendous faith in God.

While imprisoned in a German concentration camp, her barracks were overrun with lice.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith February 23, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Christian Business Owners Who Dissent on Same-Sex Marriage are Free Speech Heroes

I’ve shared with you many times about the growing number of Christian businesses who are being sued for refusing to service same-sex commitment ceremonies and weddings.

At first blush, one would think that this is a religious freedom issue – and obviously, that is the case.

But have you considered that these are also free speech cases?

Let’s look at what’s happening to Washington State florist Barronelle Stutzman, who is the owner of Arlene’s Flowers.

A born-again Bible-believing Christian, Mrs.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, policy, religious liberty February 22, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

They Trusted God with Their Micro Preemie Baby

Kayla and Jeff got excited about all of the choices that were coming when they found out they were pregnant. Baby names. Nursery decorations. Pink clothes or blue?

But they could never have anticipated the gut-wrenching decision that doctors would soon confront them with about their baby.

Before they were married, Kayla and Jeff had been told that it was highly unlikely they’d ever be able to get pregnant. So the newlyweds were ecstatic – if not a little surprised – when a pregnancy test came back positive.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, parenting February 17, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

He Told Her He Was Prejudiced. This is How She Responded.

Every February the nation observes Black History Month and recognizes the many contributions of African Americans to the United States and the world. Here at Focus on the Family, it’s no different. We recognize the special commemoration during our monthly chapel service with our staff and through other special educational and celebratory activities over the course of the four-week period.

While reflecting on the celebration, I was reminded about something that happened last August on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, friendship, news, relationships February 15, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Love Your Neighbor… Without Being Weird

“And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29).

If we’re being honest, a lot of us would admit that we like the idea of loving our neighbors more than actually getting to know them and investing part of our lives into theirs.

I’m sure your family’s schedule looks a lot like mine. You’re busy with work and kids and everything that goes into making that all run smoothly. If you’re introverted, maybe just breaking the ice with the couple next door and starting a conversation is hard.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, relationships February 13, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Take a Virtual Tour of the 430,000-Square-Foot Museum of the Bible

As I previously mentioned, I had the opportunity to travel to
Washington, D.C. last week to attend the 65th Annual National Prayer Breakfast. I usually try to “bundle” various activities and
meetings per trip, and this visit was no different. All in all, I spent nearly three days in the nation’s capital meeting with several members of Congress and with media.

During my visit to D.C., I was also able to tour the Museum of the Bible, which is located about three blocks from the Capitol.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, news, promos February 10, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Where Is God When We Grieve?

Do you allow yourself to grieve?

Some Christians push away feelings of sadness or anger, worried that those darker emotions indicate a lack of faith. It can certainly feel like God has abandoned us when we’re enduring emotional anguish so deep that we can feel it in our bones.

Think of the agony David was feeling when he wrote in Psalm 22, “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death” (14-15).

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith February 2, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura