Jim Daly

Guest blog: My Summer at Focus on the Family

Every summer we have the privilege of recruiting a group of young adults for our internship program here at Focus. We believe it’s important to invest in the next generation of men and women who will carry the torch for faith and family! Rebecca Wirth was our 2018 intern in the Master Writers department. These are her reflections on her experience in the internship program. – Jim Daly

On any given Tuesday morning this summer, you could find me with five of my fellow interns sitting at a table at Focus on the Family, chatting about everything from the weather to biblical truths.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, relationships, staff

The State of Colorado is Harassing Baker Jack Phillips

Here we go again.

Despite the fact that the United States Supreme Court ruled this past June that the state of Colorado had violated Masterpiece Cakes owner Jack Phillips’ freedom of religion, the Colorado Civil Rights Commission has once again notified the beleaguered baker that he has violated Colorado law for declining to create a cake symbolizing a gender “transition.”

We’re finding out that it all started in June of 2017 when a transgender activist attorney began a series of communications with Masterpiece Cakeshop asking for certain kinds of cakes: one celebrating the attorney’s “transition” from male to female (with blue icing on the outside, pink on the inside), others celebrating Satanic messages or containing graphic sexual imagery.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith, pro-life, religious liberty

Cultivating a Healthy Single Life

Imagine two keys.

Now imagine threading those keys onto a ring. Here’s the question: Are either of those keys more complete together than they were individually?

Answer: No! And neither will you be if you’re single and hoping to be married one day. “Singlehood” is often mistakenly assumed to be synonymous with “incomplete” – as in, there’s something unfinished in you that only a spouse can complete.

As romantic as Hollywood makes that scenario sound, it’s not really true.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, relationships

In Praise of Law Enforcement

Colorado Springs residents woke up earlier this month to the difficult and upsetting news that a police officer had been shot, a victim of a targeted assault just east of the city’s downtown area.

Cem Duzel, a 5-year veteran of the force, remains hospitalized and in critical but stable condition. A native of Long Island, New York, the Turkish-American patrolman has been described by friends and colleagues as “quiet,” “kindhearted” – and “one tough cookie.”

Since news of the shooting, support and prayers for the wounded officer have been pouring in from all over the world.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: events, policy

Does God Care if You’re Happy?

Do you view God as distant, unhappy, or angry? Do you wonder if He cares about your happiness?

Some in the Christian community consider happiness an ungodly pursuit, one for the spiritually immature. They say that God calls us to joy, while happiness is what the world offers.

If that’s how you’ve been taught, you may be surprised by what our broadcast guest Lisa Harper has to share – that God is happy and that happiness is a gift from Him that we should actively pursue.

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What to Do When Your Fairy Tale Marriage Fades

King Artaxerxes commissioned Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah and his men set to work with trowels in one hand and swords in the other (4:17) defending against enemies on all sides.

In many ways, married couples face similar opposition. They’re building their homes with jobs, hard work, and children in one hand and the sword of the Word of God in the other, defending their families against a culture that’s increasingly hostile to them.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: husband, intimacy, marriage, wife

Is This the Best Ad You’ve Ever Seen?

Buzz surrounding television commercials is usually reserved for the Super Bowl, and for good reason. For last year’s big game, NBC commanded in excess of $5 million for a 30-second advertisement.

But I have to tell you, I saw a spot the other day from Gillette that put a lump in my throat and a smile on my face.

Yes, it’s an ad for a new razor, of which there are many, but it’s a lot more than a company simply hawking its wares.

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Don’t Be a Miserable Christian

I’ve always liked the poem by William Wordsworth titled “Character of the Happy Warrior.” Though not intended, it is an appropriate charge to Christians who seek God’s strength in their efforts to engage winsomely.

Here are a few poignant verses:

Who is the happy Warrior? Who is he

That every man in arms should wish to be? …

Who high endeavors are an inward light

That makes the path before him always bright …

Who, doomed to go in company with Pain,

And Fear, and Bloodshed, miserable train!

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How to Help Help Your Child Thrive in the Middle School Years

By the time kids enter middle school, their march toward independence is well under way.

But let’s face it – it can be a confusing time for parents.

When a child spreads his wings, it can feel like he’s turning his back on you instead. But that’s not really the case. Your middle schooler needs you as much as he always has.

In some ways, more.

He just needs you in a different way than he did in his formative years.

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Conquering the First Day of Grade School … as a Parent

On my first day of kindergarten, I refused to go. My mom had to drag me down the block to the school.

But something magical happened that first morning – and her name was Mrs. Smith, my kindergarten teacher. I had an immediate crush on her. In fact, I was so smitten, I didn’t want to leave that afternoon. So just like my mother had to drag me to school, my teacher had to drag me home.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, kids, parenting