faith Archives

New Study Shows Religion is Good for the Economy

A new study puts a dollar value on faith in the United States – and it turns out religion is good for the economy. $1.2 trillion good.

Father-and-daughter researchers Brian Grim and Melissa Grim examined how much of an economic contribution religion makes in America, and provided conservative, mid-range and high estimates.

On the low end, looking only at the revenues of faith-based organizations, the figure adds up to $378 billion annually.

That’s a bigger amount than the global annual revenues of tech giants Apple and Microsoft – combined.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith September 23, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When God Gives You a Second Chance

I’ve needed God to give me a second chance to do His will a few times in my life.

Just one example would be my high school football career. I was my team’s starting quarterback and spent long hours honing my performance and pushing myself to be at the top of my game. Several colleges had offered me scholarships and future opportunities seemed wide open for me.

But God started moving me in another direction the night my big brother came to a game.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith September 22, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

One Practical Way Parents Can Encourage their Kids to be Bold in their Faith

Last Friday on my blog I shared a troubling trend with you: schools banning Bible verses. Despite students having a clear Constitutional right to include Bible verses in their personal work projects, or with their friends outside of classroom time, some children are finding themselves silenced when it comes to their faith.

However, I also shared a way for students to celebrate their First Amendment rights: the Focus on the Family-sponsored and student-led “Bring Your Bible to School Day,” which will be held on Oct.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, events, faith, parenting, religious liberty September 19, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

God’s Love When We’re Suffering

Tragedy is like a sucker punch to the face.

The blow comes out of nowhere, and you’re left reeling. Your view of life is blurry for days, weeks, maybe even months.

One of the worst parts of tragedy in the initial moments is the feeling of isolation that can settle in around you. The pain can be so deep, so intense, that you feel strangely detached and all alone, even if you’re surrounded by friends and family.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith September 12, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Need a Laugh? Watch these Tim Hawkins Videos

What’s the difference between a poorly dressed man on a tricycle and a well-dressed man on a bicycle?

Attire.

Get it?

Okay, so I’m not much of a comedian. Which is why you’ll enjoy our broadcast today with Tim Hawkins.

Tim finds humor in everyday circumstances. Like the video below about a time when fixing breakfast for his children didn’t go so well.

https://youtu.be/M41m79VMx2w

I guess that sort of thing happens when you see the world the way Tim does.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, entertainment, faith, family August 31, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Handle Disappointment

We run from suffering … but God invites us to join Him in it.

Financial hardship. The death of a spouse … a child. The breakup of a marriage. The list could go on, but in every case, God says to us, “Let me redeem this and use it for your good. I’ll teach you through your suffering. Just rest and trust Me.”

He’s saying we have a choice even when we don’t have a choice.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith August 23, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Trusting God in a Difficult Pregnancy

“We’re not gonna have a baby, we’re gonna have a funeral instead.”

There are few events in life that bring more excitement to a couple than the anticipation of a new baby. The height of that joy is rivaled only by the depth of heartache that comes with a troubled pregnancy.

Josh and Laura had three children under five and were pregnant with their fourth. Each of the first three pregnancies had progressed without complication.

But the fourth…

Call it a mother’s intuition – that mysterious and beautiful bond between a mother and her baby that not only connects them physically, but at a heart level.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, parenting, pro-life August 19, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Ben-Hur: A Great Faith-Based Movie to See This Weekend

By the time the 1800’s came to a close, Lew Wallace’s bestselling novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, was considered by many to be “the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century.” Adapted for film a couple times, most recently in 1959, Ben-Hur became a runaway Hollywood hit, eventually capturing eleven Academy Awards.

Even today, over a half-century later, many critics consider it to be one of America’s greatest movies of all time.

Tomorrow, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey are releasing a new version of the classic adventure for the big screen.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, family, pop culture August 18, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Unique Role God Has for Strong-Willed Christian Women

Men are usually held in high esteem for their strong will. “What a leader!” people say. “He’s bold and lives with conviction.”

But a woman with a strong will is often characterized quite differently. “She’s bossy, controlling, and too self-assured.” It’s as if a woman can only be virtuous if she’s quiet and meek.

I think women and men are identical in this sense – God doesn’t want to rid us of our personalities, He wants to direct it and use it for His purposes.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, relationships August 17, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

From Bullied to Olympic Champion: Tamika Catchings-Smith

Did you know that Colorado Springs, where Focus on the Family is located, is an Olympic city? Our mile-high location and thin air make it the ideal place for more than 10,000 Olympians, Paralympians and Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center located here in town.

That connection helps explain why here at Focus we’re pretty excited about the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In my post yesterday I introduced you to two divers, both Christians, who will be competing in the Rio Games.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, news, pop culture August 5, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura