Does belief in God really help us survive tough times?

Millions of believers around the world say yes. And so does research out of Notre Dame and Ohio State University, which examined the role of faith in overcoming life’s hardships. The study drew a strong correlation between a lack of religious faith and what is known as “death by despair” – death caused by suicide or by drug or alcohol overdose. Researchers found that people who claim no religious faith are much more likely to seek an escape from life’s hardships through unhealthy means, sometimes tragically so.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith April 26, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Longtime friends and readers will remember a book I wrote and released back in 2012 titled, “ReFocus: Living a Life that Reflects God’s Heart.”

The offering was motivated by a desire to encourage Christian believers to engage the culture in both a convicting and loving manner. The hostility facing followers of Jesus Christ is real and rising, and it’s tempting to respond in kind. Our faith calls for us to do the opposite.

In that same spirit, I’m delighted to announce that I’ve decided to launch a new podcast echoing many of these same themes – and I have the privilege of talking with individuals who have a lot to say about the subject.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith April 24, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

If you’re unfamiliar with Christianity, or your passion for your faith has cooled, you’ll want to join us for our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Reasons to Believe in Jesus.”

We’re sharing a recorded message by author and British evangelist J.John. With plenty of humor, he explains why he is certain that the teachings of Christianity are absolutely true and reminds us why only Christ can fill our lives with real hope in the midst of the problems of this world.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith April 24, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Parenting is the toughest job in the world.

Why?

For one thing, you never truly master parenting. By the time you make sense of one stage of your kids’ lives, they’ve already moved on to the next. One minute you’re a Ph.D., the next minute you’re starting from scratch in “Parenting 101.”

Parenting is also tough because you can never resign or retire. From toddlerhood to adulthood, your role as a parent will change, but parenting itself never really ends.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith April 17, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Forgiveness is one of the most powerful forces in the world.

So, why is it so hard to do?

Because, while we want mercy for ourselves, we want others to be held accountable.

Jesus told a story about a servant who owed the king a substantial debt of 10,000 talents.  For reference, one talent was roughly equivalent to a year’s wages. A debt of 10,000 talents, then, meant the servant was hopelessly trapped in his miserable circumstances.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith April 13, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Few things in life are as good as we think they are.

Believe it or not, there’s even a scientific term for that phenomenon called the Better-Than-Average Effect. In short, our tendency is to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to.

We don’t sing as well as we think we do.

We don’t eat or exercise as healthy as we should.

We minimize our addictions.

We downplay our depression.

We believe that our marriages are healthier than they are.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith April 11, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Once more, innocent children have become casualties in the ongoing cultural revolution.

The state of Oregon recently prohibited Jessica Bates, a mother of five, from becoming certified as a foster care parent.

Why?

Oregon’s Department of Human Services requires foster parents to “respect, accept and support the race, spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, disabilities, national origin, cultural identities, immigration status and socioeconomic status of a child or young adult in the care or custody of the Department.”

As a Christian, Jessica told state officials that she respects everyone, but that she believes “God gives us our gender/sex and it’s not something we get to choose.” In other words, she cannot in good conscience support any effort to try and change one’s biological sex.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith April 10, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

From growing up dirt poor to becoming reality television superstars, Phil and Kay Robertson, of A&E’s Duck Dynasty, have experienced more than 50 years of ups and downs together.

Their first years as a couple were marred by poverty and alcohol abuse so severe that, at one point, Miss Kay kicked Phil out of the house. Their future together looked bleak.

What transformed them and their relationship? According to Phil: repentance.

He says:

“We look at the word ‘repent’ as a bad thing.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith April 10, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Yesterday at Focus on the Family, our staff came together for our Maundy Thursday chapel, a special time for reflecting on our Lord’s final hours before ascending Calvary to shed His blood on our behalf. Today, our offices are closed in honor of Good Friday.

Some of my non-Christian readers may not understand the meaningful symbolism ascribed to Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross. They see Jesus as a wise prophet, a good man, or a great teacher in a long line of equals to be imitated as we would any other great person.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith April 8, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura