Daly Focus Blog
The man requested to see the well-known preacher prior to embarking on an around-the-world cruise. He said it was urgent. Slumping down in a chair across from the pastor’s desk the visitor explained the reason for his visit.
“I have no zest,” he told him flatly. “I’m really dragging bottom.”
The minister proceeded to inquire about the man’s condition. He was happily married to a good woman. His business was booming. He was in good health.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, finances, staff by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Note: The following post ran earlier this fall to coincide with the release of the inspirational film, Seven Days in Utopia.
Now, just in time for Christmas, the movie is available for purchase on DVD. If there’s someone on your list who enjoys the game of golf and/or needs a little dose of encouragement, simply click here. It would be our pleasure fulfill your order.
In the meantime, let me ask you:
Is there one person you can point to who helped “turn the tide” in your life?
Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, events by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
To many, Christmas is the season of angels, and I’m not referring to Clarence Odbody, George Bailey’s fictional guardian angel (Second Class) in the perennial holiday favorite It’s a Wonderful Life.
During Advent and Christmas we remember Gabriel’s historic appearances to Zechariah (Luke 1:11-20) and, of course, Mary (Luke 1:26-38), as well as the angel’s message to Joseph (Matthew 1:20). Then there is the angel who appeared to the shepherds (Luke 2:9-14) announcing Jesus’ birth. And finally, we remember the angel who appeared to Joseph again in a dream, warning him of Herod’s intent to kill his newborn son and advising him to escape with the family to Egypt.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, faith, promos by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
It came as a shock last week to learn that Bibles had been banned at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The official memo, issued by the hospital’s Chief of Staff, C.W. Callahan, was blunt and to the point:
“No religious items (i.e. Bibles, reading material, and/or artifacts) are allowed to be given away or used during a visit.”
Yet, just as soon as the stunning and disturbing news spread, the ban was rescinded.
Sandy Dean, a public affairs officer at Walter Reed, tried to explain the origin of the offensive policy.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, policy, religious liberty by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
What do you think about standardized tests?
Writing in this past Monday’s Washington Post, Marion Brady, a veteran teacher and curriculum designer, shared a fascinating story that confirms what many people, including the late Albert Einstein, have long suspected:
“Not everything that can be counted counts,” observed the German physicist, “and not everything that counts can be counted.”
He was right.
In the essay, Ms. Brady relays the story of a longtime friend who agreed to take a state-sponsored 10th grade reading and math exam.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: news by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Although he struck many of us as something of a curmudgeon, I enjoyed watching and reading Andy Rooney over the years.
Mr. Rooney lived a long and colorful life before passing away at the age of 92 last month. Many of his newspaper columns were compiled into various books. The following essay that I’m going to excerpt, “What Every Kid Should Have Growing Up,” comes from one of his best-selling works titled Sweet and Sour.
Reading over this list, I have to admit that I wish I had all these things growing up.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
By now you’ve probably heard the story of an Ohio mother whose 8-year-old son was taken away from her because of the boy’s weight.
The Cleveland Heights youth tips the scales in excess of 200 pounds. Doctors recommend that a child of that age and height should weigh somewhere between 55 and 60 pounds.
To be fair, I’m not aware of all the facts of the case. I did read that state workers had been monitoring the child’s situation for over a year.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, policy, religious liberty by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Tomorrow’s celebration of Thanksgiving conjures up so many memories for all of us. As I’ve shared in the past, my recollections of the holiday as a child bring with them a mixed bag of emotions.
While I looked forward to the celebration, we didn’t have much. And, when my parents got divorced, with mom working several jobs just to make ends meet, times were hard. My mom did her best to pull together enough stuff to make it special.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith, family by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Paul Harvey, the late radio legend, shared the following essay at the 1978 National F.F.A. (Future Farmers of America) Convention. As we prepare our homes and tables for Thanksgiving, it’s always good to remember that the Lord uses many bright minds and talented hands to help keep the world warm and well fed (James 2:16). May God bless the farmer!
Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
I was on a recent flight with our family and encountered something unexpected. There was nothing out of the ordinary about the trip, just another full plane with hundreds of people squeezed together, row upon row. On this particular segment, though, I happened to be sitting right across the aisle from the boys and kept an eye on them as they read and talked with each other.
Then it happened.
Troy proceeded to put up his tray table.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, family, kids by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.Home
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