Daly Focus Blog
Critics of religion say it’s all make believe. They say the Bible is nothing but a collection of fairy tales. And people who profess faith in God may as well believe in magic and unicorns.
When I hear people talk about faith like that, I scratch my head. Some of the stories in the Bible are remarkable, but there’s nothing akin to fairy dust and houses made of candy.
The Bible doesn’t sugarcoat human suffering, corruption, or the consequences of evil.
Joni Eareckson Tada calls suffering a “splash-over of hell.”
Few people can talk about the intensity of suffering with Joni’s authority. A tragic accident fifty years ago left her a quadriplegic in need of 24-hour care. She has also survived a stage-3 breast cancer diagnosis, the removal of a three-inch tumor, and months of chemotherapy.
So when she talks about handling suffering in a way that enriches our lives and glorifies God, we all do well to listen.
“We are grateful that President Trump was not seriously injured in the the tragic shooting at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania this afternoon. We are praying earnestly for Mr. Trump and his family and the loved ones of the bystander who was killed and ask our fellow Christians to call on our mighty and merciful God to comfort all those affected.
While the full details of what occurred are still rightfully being carefully investigated, it is in no way premature to call for Americans of all ideological perspectives, Republicans and Democrats alike, to commit to bringing greater civility to their advocacy in the public square.
In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, we’re introduced to Aslan, a great lion who rules Narnia. Susan, a little girl who stumbles into the enchanted world through a magic wardrobe, asks Mr. Beaver if Aslan is safe. “Safe?” Mr. Beaver replies. “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King.”
God, whom Aslan symbolizes, isn’t safe, either. We never know when or how God will show up in our lives.
It’s a helpless feeling to suffer negative emotions caused by a troubling past. The question is this: Is it possible to break free from bonds that hold us down? I say yes, if we rely on God’s grace and deal with our past one step at a time.
If your past negatively impacts your life today, you may feel like the main character in the tale, Gulliver’s Travels. After a storm at sea, Gulliver swam to shore and fell asleep on the beach.
How would you like to eavesdrop on the events leading up to the Revolutionary War?
Imagine witnessing the dumping of nearly 350 crates of tea into Boston Harbor. Or searching for lanterns in a church tower while riding a horse at full gallop to warn colonists about a British invasion.
You and your family can experience the drama of the American Revolution and Paul Revere’s midnight ride on a special edition of Focus on the Family with Jim Daly featuring an episode of Adventures in Odyssey called “The Midnight Ride.”
If you’re new to Focus on the Family, Adventures in Odyssey is a radio drama for children (click here for more information).
Are you a “Dead Sea” or a “babbling brook”? Those odd labels describe different communication styles that often exist between husbands and wives.
Dr. Gary Chapman says some spouses communicate like the Dead Sea in Israel. The Jordan River flows into it, but nothing flows out. A Dead Sea spouse takes in the world around them, but he or she is perfectly happy not to talk about any of it.
Babbling brooks, on the other hand, are a constant flow of water.
Many single men and women don’t know how to pursue marriage with purpose.
When asked what they’re looking for in a spouse, most will say something about good looks. While physical attraction is not unimportant, for a marriage that stands the test of time couples must rise beyond that initial connection point. They must keep character top of mind, understanding that marriage is a relationship with a whole person, not just a body.
A second idea for single men and women to consider is the length of their engagement period.
If your marriage is in trouble, I have one question: Do you believe God can work a miracle in your relationship?
Even if your answer is no, I encourage you to tune in to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly to hear the story of Ron and Jody Zappia. To say that they had a shaky start to their marriage is an understatement. Within the first six months, Jody was overcommitted in her career and Ron had an affair with a co-worker.
According to a recent Barna study, a lot of moms feel pressure:
95% of mothers said they want to do better in at least one area of their lives.
80% say they feel stressed.
62% say they are dissatisfied with their work/life balance.
56% say they are overcommitted.
Many moms feel riddled with guilt. Author Alli Worthington researched “mommy guilt” and found that the number one trigger was social media. Online influencers give tips on feeding children “properly,” keeping a home clean, being a fun mom, and fostering a thriving marriage and relationship with God.
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.
