Family and Home Archives

Five Best Movies for Kids

Parents in search of reliable analysis of entertainment, especially movies and television intended for children, will find no better friends than our terrific team at Plugged In. And since Oscar season is here, they’ve decided to offer their own nominations for best films of the year.

Today, I’d like to share their list of the top five cinematic productions for the youngsters in your family.

BEST MOVIES FOR KIDS*

*Since the word kids is a pretty broad descriptor, we’ll give some context here: Generally speaking, we’re looking at middle school- and elementary-age children, but we’re also aware that different kids have different sensitivities.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, family January 16, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Before You Say You’re Not Qualified…

I recently came across this and wanted to share it with you:

NOAH got drunk.

ABRAHAM was too old.

ISAAC was a daydreamer.

JACOB lied.

LEAH was ugly.

JOSEPH was abused.

MOSES was a murderer and couldn’t talk.

GIDEON was afraid.

SAMSON had long hair and was afraid.

RAHAB was a prostitute.

JEREMIAH and TIMOTHY were too young.

DAVID was a murderer and adulterer.

ELIJAH was suicidal.

ISAIAH preached naked.

JONAH ran from God.

NAOMI was a widow.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, friendship, relationships January 14, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Life Lesson from the ‘Dancing Guy’ Video

Have you seen the “Dancing Guy” video making its way around the Internet?

As you’ll see below, it shows one person performing a bizarre dance at an outdoor concert. Initially, he’s just out there all by himself and he looks odd and out of place. But then, one person joins him. Before long, that first person’s willingness to join in draws a second person, then a third. And in a matter of minutes, what was once a lone dancer becomes dozens.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, pop culture January 10, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Story of Billy Graham and Ronald Reagan

At the time Dr. Billy Graham and Ronald Reagan first met in 1953, both men were rising stars, one in the pulpit and the other in a pseudo-political role.

Mr. Reagan was on the verge of signing a lucrative deal as a corporate spokesman for General Electric, a move that would not only earn him a good living but also put him in everyone’s living room for the next eight years.

Still, Dr. Graham’s future appeared even brighter.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, news, pop culture, religious liberty January 8, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Did You See This Magazine Cover?

The January 14th edition of Time Magazine featured a startling admission.

Did you see it? Here’s the image:

The writer of the feature, Kate Pickert, suggests that abortion is losing ground in America because pro-life legislation has made it less accessible. I believe she’s partly correct. After years and years of toiling away at the task of defending the sanctity of life, the remarkable and heroic efforts of dedicated pro-lifers are bearing fruit each and every day throughout this country.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: pop culture, pro-life January 7, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Don’t Forget: Saturday is Hobby Lobby Appreciation Day

Hobby Lobby, the popular arts and crafts retailer, is being threatened with a $1.3 million daily fine for refusing to provide insurance coverage that pays for contraception that induces abortion. Their lawsuit is working its way to the Supreme Court, but a recent ruling denied their request to suspend the mandate pending resolution of the case.

In response, the family-owned Christian business announced their intent to disobey the law. David Green is Hobby Lobby’s CEO.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, pop culture, religious liberty January 4, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Every Mom Needs to Watch This Video

Do you have two-minutes to spare?

If you’re a mom who has grown weary or you’re just in need of a dose of loving encouragement today, I have something for you.

Sally Clarkson is a talented and popular author who lives just up the road from us here in Colorado Springs. She and her husband, Clay, have four children and for nearly two decades have devoted themselves to helping mothers become better parents. You can learn more about their ministry here.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, wife January 3, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why the Worst Thing That Happens to You Could Wind Up Being the Best Thing

Is it possible that the worst thing that happens to you this coming year could turn out to be the best thing that happens to you this year?

In 1939, J.R.R. Tolkien prepared an essay to be delivered as a lecture at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. It was titled “On Fairy-Stories,” and in the piece he explained and defended the use of fantasy as a literary form.

The entire work is worth reading, but one part in particular speaks to our current state of affairs—and in a most hopeful way.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, relationships January 2, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Resolved

Do you make New Year’s resolutions?

By the time the ball falls in New York City’s Times Square tonight, millions of Americans will have compiled their lists. Many of the changes we want to make are often practical – from losing a few pounds to keeping our cars and closets better organized.

Some of our resolutions might delve a bit deeper. When I wanted to find new ways to study God’s Word as I drove and traveled, I decided that I would begin listening to the Bible on CD.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith December 31, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Fiscal Cliff Stalemate: It’s Dangerous to Discourage Generosity

Would you give as much as you’re currently giving to your church or charities of choice whether or not you were entitled to deduct the amount of the contributions from your taxable income?

The charitable contribution deduction has been available to American taxpayers in some form or fashion since 1917. This incentive (some may say reward), has been welcomed by both the giver and the receiver for obvious reasons.

But in the midst of the “fiscal cliff” discussions, the deduction is now in danger.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: pop culture December 30, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura