Family and Home Archives

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

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