faith Archives

Day of Dialogue Helps Students Express Their Biblical Views

About 90 percent of today’s school-age children attend public schools – and they’re discussing a lot more than reading, writing and arithmetic in their classes.

Conversations on controversial topics like homosexuality, transgenderism and same-sex marriage now form a surprising part of a teen’s school life. Part of it can’t be avoided – these topics dominate the national conversation as courts hear case after case devoted to homosexual rights and same-sex marriage.

However, it’s also becoming apparent that an increasing number of schools are actively promoting views that are contrary to biblical teaching.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: events, faith, homosexuality, kids, religious liberty April 2, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

World Vision’s Reversal Is the Right Decision

Since its founding in 1950, World Vision has put the teachings of Jesus Christ into daily practice around the world by feeding and caring for those in dire need. As a ministry, it’s been one the great gems of evangelical Christendom. The organization has made – and is making – a dramatic difference in the lives of countless individuals.

Which is why I was so perplexed and concerned after learning of their policy change allowing their employees to live in homosexual marriage.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, homosexuality, news March 26, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Please Pray for Religious Liberties Cases before the Supreme Court Today

Today the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments for two cases that will have far-reaching implications for our religious freedom: Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties v. Sebelius.

I’d like to ask for you to please pray about these cases – but before I go into specific prayer requests, I want to share a bit about why they’re so important.

Both cases have to do with objections the families who own these for-profit companies have to certain requirements found in the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, policy, pro-life, religious liberty March 25, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Man with One Ear

I’ve always been fascinated by the story of Peter cutting off the ear of the servant of the high priest. It’s by no means a major part of the Passion, but it communicates quite a bit in just a few short sentences.

According to John’s Gospel (18:10), the servant’s name was Malchus.

But that’s all we know about this man, except that Jesus stepped in and miraculously healed him.

We don’t know anything about his family, his background or what happened to him after that fateful Thursday night.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith March 5, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Focus on the Family Friend Has Gone Home

Speaker and author Ann Kiemel comforted others with the comfort she herself received from the Lord (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Now this woman with the soft voice and strong faith is in heaven, receiving her eternal reward.

Ann passed away Saturday after a difficult battle with cancer – but most of you know her because she so openly and bravely shared about her battle with infertility.

Through her books (she sold more than 20 million of them) and her numerous times on our broadcast, she told her story of multiple miscarriages.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, broadcast, faith, news, parenting March 4, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

“Son of God” Jesus Epic Opens Tomorrow

This past weekend at the National Religious Broadcasters event in Nashville, I had the pleasure of meeting with a wide array of Christian leaders, executives and creatives, all looking to help spread the Good News.

Among those I met with were two very good friends, Mark Burnett and his wife, Roma Downey, who we’ve had the opportunity to work with on various occasions. These committed Christians were behind last year’s hit miniseries, “The Bible,” which helped make faith part of the national conversation and compelled many people to dust off their Bibles and read them again.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture February 27, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Loving the Prodigal Home

Chief Financial Officer.

The job title alone can be a little intimidating. It might conjure images of a serious, somewhat gruff individual who’s more interested in numbers than people.

I’m happy to say that Focus’ CFO, Dan Mellema, is nothing like the caricature would suggest.

Dan is a warm and friendly man with a real heart for our ministry and the people we help. He’s been with Focus since 1994 and has headed up our finances since 2011.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, kids, parenting February 26, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What’s the Best Christian Response to the Mistreatment of Homosexuals?

In various countries around the world, homosexuals are being beaten and even killed with their governments’ approval.

For example, in Nigeria, a recent law criminalizing homosexuality provides punishments, like whippings, to men who are caught having homosexual relations. The New York Times reports that crowds in the African nation are demanding their local officials to go even further, because local Islamic law requires the penalty for such an act to be death by stoning. In many places these same types of punishments are also meted out for other nonmarital sexual behaviors.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, homosexuality, news, pro-life February 25, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: This Pastor Forgave the Man Who Killed His Wife, Son in Crash

Sometimes, God’s biggest miracles are what He does in our hearts. Just ask Erik Fitzgerald and Matthew Swatzell.

Swatzell, then 20, was on his way home after working a busy 24-hour shift as a firefighter and EMT. He had slept only 30 minutes during his shift, and had fallen asleep at the wheel two miles from his house. What awoke him was the sound of his vehicle crashing head-on into a car driven by 30-year-old June Fitzgerald.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, pastors February 21, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How This Dad Made Sure His 12 Kids Paid for College Themselves

Francis L. Thompson and his wife managed to raise 12 children who not only all have college degrees, but who paid for their education themselves.

Most importantly, their children, ages 22 to 37, all share their parents’ values: self-respect, gratitude and a desire to give back to society.

In a recent article, Thompson shares how he and his wife accomplished such a feat. He provides a lengthy list of things he considers they “did right.” You might not agree with every single item he includes, but you’ll probably think his advice is good food for thought.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, finances, kids, parenting February 12, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura