Family and Home Archives

Selective Hearing

A thought-provoking story:

It was high noon in Manhattan, and the streets were, as usual, buzzing with crowds, cars, taxis, horns blowing, brakes screeching, sirens wailing. Two men were making their way together through the crowd. One was a native New Yorker, and the other a visiting farmer from Kansas. Suddenly the farmer stopped in his tracks. “Hold on,” he said, “I hear a cricket.”

His friend replied, “Are you kidding? Even if there were a cricket around here, which isn’t likely, you would never be able to hear it over all this noise.”

The farmer remained quiet for a few moments and walked several paces to the corner where a bush was growing in a large cement planter.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith October 3, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

You Can Make a Difference!

Many of you are already a friend of the family, of course. But I’d like to invite you to take your commitment to families one step further by joining a special group of our most loyal supporters, called Friends of the Family.

“Who are Friends of the Family?”

Friends of the Family are key partners who faithfully support family ministry with monthly gifts.

As a member, you’ll provide families with the help they need most: practical radio broadcasts .

Topics: Family and Home Tags: finances, promos September 29, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Roger Ebert’s Curious Faith

It would have been hard to grow up in America during the past 40 years having never seen or heard the name of Roger Ebert. The Chicago-based 69-year-old film critic was the first movie reviewer to win the Pulitzer Prize, in addition to hosting numerous television shows and penning a syndicated newspaper column.

Mr. Ebert is paid to give his opinion, a job he takes very seriously. Although I prefer to get my reviews from our award-winning Plugged In team, I wouldn’t begin to wade into the deep waters of the movie review business.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith September 28, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: Tim Hawkins – Things You Don’t Say to Your Wife

Many of you are familiar with Tim Hawkins, the popular Christian comedian. He is a husband and father of four children – and a very funny man.

I’d like to share the following clip with you because, well, sometimes it’s just good to laugh!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: humor September 27, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Leggo My Eggo?

Just a quick slice of life from the Daly household last week; perhaps you can relate?

The other morning I was preparing my coffee in the kitchen and our boys, Trent and Troy, were enjoying their blueberry waffles. Troy, age 9, popped up from the table in the hope of searching out a second helping. But when he got to the toaster on the counter he noticed there was just one waffle remaining.

What was he going to do?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, kids, parenting September 26, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Portrait of Grace

Our daily broadcast today features a fascinating conversation with my dear friend and colleague Tim Goeglein. Tim is currently serving this ministry as our Vice President of External Affairs.

Prior to joining the Focus team, Tim was with President George W. Bush for seven and a half years. He knows Washington – but even more importantly, he knows and appreciates the gift of God’s grace and forgiveness. Today’s discussion is a beautiful story from that era about redemption and a remarkable turn of events.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast September 23, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Paradox of Life

It’s easy to be swept up into the world’s value system, to be tempted by the lie that suggests our worth or importance is based upon a job, our level of income or even our social status – maybe even in our church circles. The Bible suggests the opposite is true. The apostle Paul reminds us that in Christ we may be rich despite our poverty and that while being void of material or temporal abundance we actually possess every good and necessary thing (2 Cor.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith September 20, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

I Dare You!

I recently came across a small book from another era. It was written by the late William Danforth, the founder of the Nestle Purina Company. In addition to his business pursuits, Mr. Danforth dedicated his life to helping youth, and traveled the country with a simple message for youngsters:

In order to really enjoy the life God has blessed you with, you need to be square – as in living a “four square” life that includes play, work, love and worship.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, faith September 15, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are Cartoons Bad For Children?

There’s a new study out that suggests when compared to gentle and slower animated fare, “fast-paced” cartoons negatively (and immediately) impact a child’s ability to think creatively and regulate their behavior.

Are you surprised?

This would seem to fall into the “common sense” category, especially given the numerous studies through the years about the detrimental impact of television on children. For example, a highly respected study sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics several years ago recommended no television for children under the age of three.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, parenting, technology September 14, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Your “Federal Family”

President Ronald Reagan used to joke that the nine most terrifying words in the English language were, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

It was one of his classic tongue-in-cheek references, but memorable because it contained a grain of truth.

Well, according to a recent report, some officials are taking his faux warning to heart.

A review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website suggests that the term “government” is out and the phrase “federal family” is in.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, policy September 13, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura