Daly Focus Blog
Dr. E. Stanley Jones was a 20th century Methodist Christian missionary. A prolific author, he spent a considerable amount of his life in India laboring to spread the good news of the Gospel. He was a bold man whose actions earned him the nickname, “The Billy Graham of India.”
In one of his many books, Dr. Jones made a powerful observation regarding contentment.
“I don’t know of a thing that I want that I haven’t got,” he wrote.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Take a look at the picture of this billboard.
Do you find it offensive?
Not surprisingly, the Reverend Al Sharpton, a flashpoint figure and known agitator, does, saying it “demonizes women.” He demanded it be taken down. Planned Parenthood agreed, calling it a “condescending effort to stigmatize and shame African-American women.”
The controversy surrounding the billboard created a predictable circus like atmosphere in New York, with Reverend Sharpton threatening a protest in front of the building.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: news, policy, pro-life by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
The Obama Administration’s decision to no longer defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act, while not completely shocking, is still startling and significant on numerous levels.
Setting aside the president’s personal opposition to DOMA and the history of his contradictory positions on marriage over the years, yesterday’s announcement ostensibly reduces the legal interpretation and enforcement of the United States Constitution to but two people:
President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder.
In essence, the president and his AG have unilaterally determined that DOMA is unconstitutional.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, marriage, policy by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
This is a story about three people: a 16-year-old boy named Joel Northrup, a 14-year-old girl named Cassy Herkleman and popular ESPN columnist, Rick Reilly.
For context, Joel and Cassy are high school wrestlers from Iowa; Rick is a talented and often humorous sportswriter, prone to zany antics. (He was so certain our Colorado Rockies wouldn’t make the playoffs in 2009 that he threatened to lick Denver’s Capitol dome if they did. They did – and he did.)
That said, this story is really more about the distinctives surrounding gender than it is about these three individuals – or wrestling itself.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, pop culture by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Are any of your kids (or you) “Beliebers” – i.e. fans of singer Justin Bieber?
In pop music circles, Mr. Bieber is a big deal. An overnight sensation whose music was first posted online, the sixteen year-old also has a new movie out. Opening two weeks ago, the film has already grossed nearly $50 million.
But according to the New York Times art critic Jon Caramanica, Mr. Bieber has big-time trouble brewing. A scandal? Drugs? Sex?
Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, pop culture, pro-life by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Writing in Saturday’s Wall Street Journal, John R. Miller, a former U.S. Ambassador, reminded readers of some history behind President’s Day:
In 1968, the public-employee unions, seeking a three-day weekend, convinced Congress to move the commemoration of Washington’s birthday to the third Monday in February. This eventually led to what we now call President’s Day, which marks the birthday of not only Washington but of Lincoln and all the other presidents. By celebrating every birthday, we effectively celebrate none.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith, staff by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
History repeats itself.
Back when I was in high school I can remember the buzz among friends surrounding the release of SI’s famed swimsuit edition. Over thirty years later people are still talking and arguing about this annual tradition. Turn on FOX News and you’re likely to hear them discussing it; try and buy a copy of the Wall Street Journal at an airport newsstand and you’ll be visually accosted with displays promoting this issue.
It would be easy to dismiss this year’s release with the trite observation that “sex sells” – a true statement.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, entertainment, pop culture, sex by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Don’t you find it interesting that babies laugh before they talk?
Everybody likes to laugh. In fact, it’s a healthy habit. “A cheerful heart is good medicine,” wrote Solomon, “but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength” (Proverbs 17:22).
Good parents and healthy children tend to see the humor in life.
Several months ago we received a letter from a young boy. I figured he wanted some advice on how to help his sibling break a bad habit.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, humor by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Whether young or old, yesterday was a happy day for those in love. On one end of the spectrum you have Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher of North Carolina. They’ve been married 86 years! What’s their advice for a strong and happy marriage?
“Respect, support and communicate with each other. Be faithful, honest and true. Love each other with ALL of your heart.”
That sounds right to me.
Then there is Stephanie Hull and US Air Force Captain John Wu from Louisville, Kentucky.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage, relationships by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
As I mention on today’s broadcast (listen here) I’m in a bit of a spot. For last year’s Valentine’s Day I prepared a special dinner for Jean (baked pasta). Trent and Troy served as the waiters, and we had a great time doing it. In fact, it was such a hit that I was planning on cooking another dinner with the same menu again! I shared this with the team and they were aghast. The same thing?!
Topics: Family and Home Tags: humor, marriage, relationships 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.