faith Archives

Tim Tebow is Today’s Seabiscuit

He arrived at a time when the nation was fearful and fighting malaise, hungry for a hero to root for, eager to find hope amidst the dark clouds of uncertainty.

That the “he” was a three-year-old thoroughbred racehorse made no difference. After all, Americans enjoy rooting for the little guy, especially when that little guy is criticized and counted out by so-called experts.

Do you remember the story?

It was 1938, smack in the middle of the Great Depression.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture November 28, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Seconds and Thirds

Tomorrow’s celebration of Thanksgiving conjures up so many memories for all of us. As I’ve shared in the past, my recollections of the holiday as a child bring with them a mixed bag of emotions.

While I looked forward to the celebration, we didn’t have much. And, when my parents got divorced, with mom working several jobs just to make ends meet, times were hard. My mom did her best to pull together enough stuff to make it special.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith, family November 23, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Paul Harvey: So God Made a Farmer

Paul Harvey, the late radio legend, shared the following essay at the 1978 National F.F.A. (Future Farmers of America) Convention. As we prepare our homes and tables for Thanksgiving, it’s always good to remember that the Lord uses many bright minds and talented hands to help keep the world warm and well fed (James 2:16). May God bless the farmer!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith November 22, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What I Saw at Saturday’s Discussion

It is in the act of discussion, suggested the late Christian writer C.S. Lewis, that you rouse the patient’s reason.

And when such a deliberation is approached thoughtfully and pointedly on a stage, you awaken the senses and stir the hearts of the audience, too.

This is precisely what occurred in Iowa at the first Thanksgiving Family Forum. Hosted by the Iowa Family Policy Center’s political arm, The Family Leader, and co-sponsored by Citizenlink and the National Organization for Marriage, the forum showed America something that almost always gets lost in presidential politics: candidates are real, regular people who face the same challenges in life as the rest of us.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, news November 19, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Happy Orphans?

It’s common to wax nostalgic for the past, to suggest that the “good old days” weren’t just good – but great. If only we could turn back the clock, so the logic goes, all would be well.

The only problem with such a theory is that it’s just so often not true. Case in point:

One hundred years ago, on April 14, 1911, the following headline appeared in the New York Times:

5,000 HAPPY ORPHANS AT A CIRCUS TREAT

Youngsters from Many Institutions in the City Have Their Annual Merry Day

The article went on to highlight just who these orphans were, referring to them as “little waifs and strays, orphans and half orphans” who had their one “happy day” of the year at the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, faith, family November 18, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Our Magnificent Obsession

Fred Barnes is the executive editor of the Weekly Standard and an astute political writer and commentator. I want to call your attention to his most recent column. It was titled “Hidden Persuaders: The unheralded gains of the pro-life movement.”

Fred writes:

That the pro-life movement is bigger is a given. It’s also younger, increasingly entrepreneurial, more strategic in its thinking, better organized, tougher in dealing with allies and enemies alike, almost wildly ambitious, and more relentless than ever.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, policy, pro-life November 17, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are Married Men Better Workers Than Single Ones?

Dr. Brad Wilcox is a friend and the highly respected Director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia. He’s also an Associate Professor of Sociology.

For years, Brad and his colleagues have been studying the positive impact of marriage on the culture. His work is not manipulated to prove a point. He’s a scientist who studies and analyzes data and draws conclusions based upon facts. In one of his most revealing articles, he makes an interesting statement, but one that also confirms what Christians believe about God’s institution of marriage:

The long-term fortunes of the modern economy rise and fall with the family.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, marriage November 14, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Burned Biscuits

“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain,” wrote the late Dale Carnegie, “but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” Let me ask you: What is the spirit like in your home and around your table?

The origin of the following story is unknown, but the moral is clear – and convicting.

BURNED BISCUITS

When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, marriage November 8, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Have You Heard of This Wonder Drug?

Tim Sanders is a writer and speaker who is often quoted in the national media. Billed as a “people-centric business expert,” he’s widely respected in corporate circles. He recently spoke at the Talk Media Conference in Dallas where my co-host, John Fuller had the opportunity to attend and participate.

I was particularly impressed with this thought that Mr. Sanders shared during one of the sessions:

Giving is critical. The mind is a success mechanism when you point it somewhere.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, finances November 4, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Should Boys Be Allowed in the Girl Scouts?

Perhaps you’ve heard about Felisha Archuleta of Denver. For the last few months she’s been trying to sign her 7-year-old son up to join the Girl Scouts.

Why?

“I consider Bobby to be born in the wrong body,” Ms. Archuleta told a Denver television station.

According to the story, Bobby acts and feels like a girl even though he’s a boy. Not surprisingly the application for admission was originally denied, citing the fact that, well, it’s called the Girl Scouts.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, kids, news November 2, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura