Family and Home Archives

How The Church Can Help Children with Special Needs

I started my blog a few days ago with this comment: “Every life is precious. Young and old, weak or strong, planned or unplanned.”

It’s true, and I believe every word of it.

But to be perfectly candid, I worry that statements like that get tossed about too easily.

Yes, all life is precious, and we should proclaim that boldly from the rooftops. But the flip side of that boldness is the humility that compels us to roll up our sleeves and come alongside the weak, the elderly, and special needs children and the families who care for them.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, kids January 21, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Incredible Stories of Life

Every life is precious. Young and old, weak or strong, planned or unplanned.

Every January here at Focus on the Family, we observe Sanctity of Human Life Month. The idea that God has woven His image into the very fabric of every human life is a fundamental teaching of the Bible and is core to who Focus on the Family is as an organization.

In fact, one of our foundational principles reads: “We believe that human life is created by God in His image.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, kids, pro-life January 19, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As the nation pauses today to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I’d like to share something very special with you.

Several years ago, the earliest recorded sermon of Dr. King was discovered. At the time he delivered it, February 28, 1954, he was still a seminary student. The site was the Second Baptist Church of Detroit. He titled it “Rediscovering Lost Values.”

It is a work of timeless oratorical genius.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, news January 18, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Two Ways Football Teaches Us About Life

Are you a football fan?

Well, whether you like the game or not, two of the NFL playoff games this past weekend provided both the young and old with some lessons about life.

One good. One bad.

First, the bad.

Saturday night’s AFC Wild Card contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals set a few records, but not the kind you want.

More fans were arrested during the game than ever before, including one guy for urinating on someone.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, pop culture January 12, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What Your Middle Schooler Needs from You

The middle school years are a critical time in a child’s development, but it can be a difficult time for parents.

Middle schoolers are leaving behind elementary school and entering a larger environment with more classes, more students to rub shoulders with, and more responsibility. They’ll also face pressures they’ve never had to deal with before.

Helping your child through these changes is no easy task, but with a little guidance from our guest on a recent program, Dr.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, kids, parenting January 11, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Hope for Teen Moms

Have you seen the popular MTV programs “Teen Mom” and “16 and Pregnant”? I’ve never watched a full episode myself, but I’ve managed to catch a random segment or two to keep a pulse on the culture and the messages being sent to our kids.

If you’re not familiar with these shows, they’re so-called “reality” TV programs that follow the lives of young girls between the ages of 13 and 16 who are pregnant, having babies, and involved in intimate relationships.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, kids, parenting January 7, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Start the New Year By Conquering Your Debt

When was the last time you imagined yourself wearing a coat of chainmail, wielding a sword and shield, and setting out on your noble steed through a dense forest to slay a dragon?

If it’s been awhile, you may want to consider tapping into your imagination and reaching for your trusty blade. According to statistics, a large percentage of American families are at the mercy of a foe as dangerous to their homes as any fire-breathing dragon in folklore.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, finances, marriage January 5, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Avoid the Chore War with Your Kids

Do you require your children to do chores? Many parents don’t bother. They’ve decided it’s easier to do the work themselves. That’s especially true if the kids fight the idea of helping out around the house and getting them involved becomes a chore all its own.

My wife and I have had moments ourselves where we wondered if it was worth all the trouble. But we never entertain the idea for long. As parents of two young, maturing boys, we’ve identified household chores as one of the most obvious and important opportunities they have to prepare for adulthood.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, parenting January 1, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

New Year’s Resolutions

It’s that time of year when we pause, reflect, regret, repent, and resolve to make some changes. I can’t say for certain, but I imagine losing weight and getting fit has to be at the top of the list for a few million people. Others desire to quit drinking or smoking, get out of debt, spend more time with family and friends, and read more books. If you are a person of faith, resolving to spend focused time reading the Bible might be a big one, too.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith December 30, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Paul Harvey Reporting “Live” From the North Pole

Fifty years ago tonight ABC Radio aired a delightful “live” broadcast of legendary newscaster Paul Harvey reporting from the North Pole.

If you appreciated Paul Harvey or love the magic of radio, you’re going to enjoy this one.

To listen to the special broadcast, click here.

Merry Christmas!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, pop culture December 24, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura