Family and Home Archives

Immigration Reform is a Family Concern

Immigration reform remains a hotly contested issue that stirs up a great deal of passion from a wide range of perspectives. In fact, when it comes to the subject of how to manage the millions of individuals who have illegally entered the borders of the United States and assimilated into our culture, almost everyone has an opinion.

But mere opinions don’t solve problems, especially a conundrum as complex and layered as what to do with upwards of 12 million individuals living in the shadows of our society.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: news, policy June 12, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When it Comes to Genetics, God Doesn’t Make Errors

According to research that was recently published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, scientists will soon be able to screen pre-born babies for as many as 3,500 different genetic disorders.

Currently, the only conditions that are (occasionally) tested for prior to birth include Downs syndrome, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and spina bifida.

News of this emerging technology raises a number of concerns, especially for anyone who respects and appreciates the sanctity and dignity of life. Case in point: 90% of pre-born babies who are diagnosed with Down Syndrome are aborted.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting, pro-life June 11, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Dying Father, a Grateful Son

John Strege is a friend and a talented author and writer for Golf Digest. He recently penned a moving story about a son’s last round of golf with his dying father at Pebble Beach.

John writes:

It began as a dream, a boy, 16, and his father, descending the steps behind The Lodge at Pebble Beach and gazing wistfully at Eden. Some day, the boy vowed on behalf of both of them, before life intervened, as inevitably it will.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family June 8, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

We Must Pray for Judges as Well as Outcomes

Whatever the pending Supreme Court case, you can be sure that people on both sides of the issue are praying for a decision in their favor.

But I wonder if instead of just praying for the outcome of the case, we should be spending more time praying for the justices who are making the decision.

Like many of you, I find it intriguing to follow the Supreme Court, especially during this timeof year. Over the course of the next four weeks, Chief Justice Roberts’ court will be wrapping up the year and issuing rulings on a variety of cases, including the all-important one on the Affordable Health Care Act.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, religious liberty June 6, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

12 Ways to Love Your Wayward Child

I recently came across an excellent article from Abraham Piper, the son of author and pastor John Piper. For parents who are currently struggling with a child (of any age) who has either strayed from their Christian faith or never professed Jesus as Lord of their life, this will serve as practical guidance to help you manage what is a very difficult reality.

Do you resonate with the following sentiments? If you do, I’d like to know what you’re currently struggling with and how you’re managing.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, family, homosexuality June 5, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Does Twitter Feed Narcissism or People?

Saturday’s New York Times featured a fascinating story on the power of the social media service, Twitter, when it comes to spreading the Gospel.

Created in 2006, Twitter allows users to distribute messages of up to 140 characters in length to a predetermined network of friends and followers.

According to the report, Christian “tweets” are forwarded, on average, 30 times more often than their secular-themed counterparts.

Why?

The author attributes part of the reason to the pithy nature of the Christian message:

On average, verses in the King James Version are about 100 characters long, leaving room to slip in a #bible hashtag and still come in under the 140-character limit.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, technology June 5, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Three Reflections Every Dad Should Read

Today’s Focus on the Family radio program features some very moving reflections about fathers and fatherhood and the reminder to make the most of your fleeting years as a dad.

I hope you’ll click here to access the entire show. But in the meantime, I wanted to share three poignant quotes from three of our featured guests:

I wasn’t the dad I should’ve been when [the] kids were growing up … And I’ve tried to make up for lost time and lost ground…I’m a crusader on this, because I was so determined in the Marines.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: husband June 4, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Thoughts on Homosexual Comic Book Characters

When it comes to the latest comic book news, I’m reminded of what the late humorist Will Rogers used to say:
“All I know is what I read in the newspapers.”

So, what I’m about to tell you is a bit more than I know, but if you have teenagers who read Marvel and DC comic books, you’ll want to know about it, too.

Both comic book lines are attempting to capitalize on the culture’s increased acceptance of homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, homosexuality May 31, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Marrying Yourself?

Straight from the files of It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World:

Writing in the American Prospect, Samhita Mukhopadhyay suggests that a growing number of people, especially women, are deciding to marry themselves. Here she quotes an individual named Sasha Cagan about such cases popping up around the country:

The choice to marry yourself takes the coming-of-age ritual to a new level. It’s not just about getting towels or diamond rings or attention. The common theme in most of the stories that I hear is a commitment to take care of oneself as one hopes or imagines that a lover would.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, husband, intimacy, sex, wife May 30, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Husband and Wife Apology Letters

I recently came across these two letters that were exchanged between a husband and a wife. I thought I’d share them with you:

Hi Sweetheart,

I’m sorry about getting into an argument about putting up the Christmas lights. I guess that sometimes I feel like you push me too hard when you want something. I realize that I was wrong, and I am apologizing for being such a hard-headed guy. All I want is for you to be happy and be able to enjoy the holiday season.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: husband, wife May 29, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura