Family and Home Archives

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

The Gospel Is Timeless

The gospel of Jesus Christ confronts and challenges the modern world with the statement that it alone has the answer to all man’s questions and the solution to all his problems. In a world that is seeking a way out of its tragedy and its troubles, the gospel announces that the solution is already available. In a world that is feverishly looking to the future, and talking about plans for the future, the gospel proclaims that the search is not only mistaken in direction, but is also quite unnecessary.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith October 21, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

I Hope You Don’t Forget This

Little Fellow

by Shirley Mitton

There are little eyes upon you,

And they’re watching night and day;

There are little ears that quickly take in

Every word you say.

There are little hands all eager

To do every thing you do,

And a little boy who’s dreaming

Of the day he’ll be like you.

You’re the little fellow’s idol.

You’re the wisest of the wise;

In his little mind about you

No suspicions ever rise.

There’s a wide-eyed little fellow

Who believes you’re always right;

And his ears are always open

As he watches day and night.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting October 19, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guest Blog: Chuck Colson

I consider Chuck Colson to be a dear friend and a great man. I was particularly impressed with a recent Breakpoint commentary of his and wanted to share it with you in this space.

Please let me know what you think:

The 0.2% Solution
Crunching the Same-Sex Marriage

The pressure to redefine marriage to include same-sex couples keeps increasing. The impression is given that thousands upon thousands of gays and lesbians are unable to do the one thing they want to do more than anything else: That is, have a wedding.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, homosexuality, marriage October 19, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why Baseball Is More Than Just a Sport

I realize that not everyone loves baseball. In fact, I’m sure some of you don’t even care for it, preferring other sports – or no sport at all. But stick with me here, because with the start of the World Series tonight in St. Louis, I’m reminded that baseball is more than just a sport.

It’s even more than just a game.

My childhood is full of some tough memories. Memories of a broken home, broken promises and dreams that just didn’t come true.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, family October 19, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Fact Every Parent Needs to Know

In this age of exploding technology, not to mention statistical spin, it’s important to remember that things are seldom as they first seem.

Consider a new study that was released last week from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control). At first glance, the findings appear promising, even encouraging. According to the report, nearly 75% of teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17 are now choosing to abstain from sex.

Given previous negative trends on this matter, this is good news, unless, of course, you’re the parent of a teen who falls within the other 25%.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, sex October 18, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Can You Imagine Forgetting Your Spouse?

It seems like a scene straight out of Hollywood, but with a script almost too implausible to believe – even for fictional film:

At the time a pilot and CEO of a private jet company, former NFL player Scott Bolzan, slips on some oil at work, falls hard, hits his head on concrete and forgets everything.

And I mean everything.

Rushed to the hospital, a nurse informed him that his wife was on the phone. Not only didn’t he know who his wife was – he claims he didn’t even know what a “wife” was!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage October 13, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Meet a Twenty-Something Who Doesn’t Believe in Sex Outside of Marriage

Do you know couples who live together outside of marriage?

So do I.

In fact, the narrative has become a familiar theme, even within the Christian church: twenty- and thirty-somethings have grown sour on the institution of marriage, for all kinds of reasons. But instead of swearing off romantic relationships (after all, “Love does make the world go ‘round”), couples have decided to move in together. Give it sort of a “test-run.”

No wedding, no ring, and presumably, no worries.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage, pop culture, relationships October 12, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Historic Clash for Religious Liberty

As a contributor to Newsweek’s On Faith blog I was recently asked the following question:

Q: John Garvey, President of The Catholic University of America wrote on the op-ed page of the Washington Post Sunday about the new health insurance regulations which, he writes, “will require Catholic University to offer its students sterilization procedures and prescription contraceptives, including pills that act after fertilization to induce abortions. If we comply, as the law requires, we will be helping our students do things that we teach them, in our classes and in our sacraments, are sinful — sometimes gravely so.”

Is this just?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, policy, pro-life October 11, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura