Family and Home Archives

Burned Biscuits

“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain,” wrote the late Dale Carnegie, “but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” Let me ask you: What is the spirit like in your home and around your table?

The origin of the following story is unknown, but the moral is clear – and convicting.

BURNED BISCUITS

When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, marriage November 8, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Have You Heard of This Wonder Drug?

Tim Sanders is a writer and speaker who is often quoted in the national media. Billed as a “people-centric business expert,” he’s widely respected in corporate circles. He recently spoke at the Talk Media Conference in Dallas where my co-host, John Fuller had the opportunity to attend and participate.

I was particularly impressed with this thought that Mr. Sanders shared during one of the sessions:

Giving is critical. The mind is a success mechanism when you point it somewhere.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, finances November 4, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Seven Billion

My friend and colleague, Glenn Stanton, is Director of Global Family Formation Studies here at Focus on the Family. With news of the world’s population topping seven billion people this past Monday, some commentators have been expressing concern, suggesting that the world is reaching its tipping point. In response, Glenn offered a succinct and insightful analysis of the situation. I am pleased to share it with you:

A fact: Christians don’t see people as accidents or problems.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, news November 3, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How Well Are You?

In this past Monday’s USA Today, columnist Gail Sheehy suggested that 50-year-old Mary Claire Orenic of Southern California may be “one of the happiest women in America” – at least according to Gallup’s Well-Being Index.

“I’m lucky to be married to a man I adore and living in a community we love,” she told the paper.

Gallup’s index evaluates the health of your personal and professional life, as well as your mental/emotional state and body mass index.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, faith, news November 1, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Halloween and the 95 Points that Changed the World

In contrast to Halloween, few people will be celebrating “Reformation Day” today, the official anniversary of Martin Luther posting his “95 Theses” on the door of the Church of All Saints in Wittenberg, Germany. (The document was officially titled the “Disputation of Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences.”) Instead, many children (and some adults) will be donning costumes and participating in the time-honored tradition of trick-or-treating.

The topic of Halloween triggers strong reaction.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, events, faith, news October 31, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

PHOTOS: The Brevity of Time

We’ve had a glorious fall in Colorado this year. The mornings and evenings have been cool and the days delightfully warm. Aspen trees have painted the forests bright shades of yellow and gold. But as an illustration of just how quickly the tide of life can turn, I thought I would share four photos with you. They were taken from the same location here on our campus over the course of the last six days. How do they strike you?

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

Tim Tebow – a Fool?

Just over 60 miles north of my office in Colorado Springs sits Mile High Stadium, home of the Denver Broncos and the official headquarters of Tim Tebow mania. Excitement is not only growing in these parts, but fans around the country and even the world are rooting for the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback. A colleague recently returned from China and informed me that Tim’s #15 is the number one selling jersey in the Middle Kingdom.Never mind that the team is 2-4 this season, hasn’t been to a playoff game in five years and isn’t expected to qualify for the postseason this year either.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture October 27, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Is Tattooed Barbie a Sign of the Times?

When the late Ruth Handler conceived and created the first Barbie doll in 1959 (named after her daughter, Barbara), she was trying to come up with a simple toy that would resonate with preteen girls. The wife of Mattel’s co-founder and a savvy business woman, she quickly had a megahit on her hands. Over 350,000 dolls were sold in the first year.

Amidst the fame and fortune, though, controversy has continuously dogged Mattel’s franchise brand. Even in its early years, parents protested the doll’s unrealistic body proportions.

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

Are Optimists Brain-Damaged?

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

According to some new research, individuals who regularly look at life from a positive perspective may likely do so because of “faulty” functioning of the brain.

In other words, those of us who are optimistic are, well, brain-damaged!

The study was conducted by scientists at the University College London. Based on the research findings, optimistic people tended to reject negative information, especially if it pertained to them.

As a self-acknowledged optimist, I’m inclined to reject these findings!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith October 25, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Stalking Your “Ex” on Facebook

Have you ever looked up your “ex” on Facebook?

By “ex” I mean either your former spouse or someone you once dated.

If you have, you wouldn’t be alone. According to some recent research, 48% of Facebook users admit to looking at their ex’s profile too often. Of course, “too often” is a subjective term. But if nearly half of those polled are acknowledging perusing a person’s profile excessively, you can be sure the number of those looking once or even twice is higher still.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: relationships, technology October 24, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura