Family and Home Archives

Prayer—For Such a Time as This

Today is the National Day of Prayer, a beautiful and sacred time-honored American tradition. Ironically, a lawsuit threatening its legality and waged by atheists is now making its way to the Supreme Court and bringing more attention to the subject of public prayer than ever before.

But for now, over the course of the next twenty-four hours, there will be thousands of prayer events hosted and conducted throughout our nation. Some will be attended by scores of people and framed by pomp and pageantry; others might consist of two or three co-workers who give up their lunch and gather in a quiet office break room for the simple but profound purpose of praying for this great country.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith May 6, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

An Eye to the Future

Do you remember the movie Back to the Future, the fun iconic film of the 1980’s featuring the then-rising star, Michael J. Fox? It spent 11 weeks at the top of the charts in the hot summer of 1985 and spawned two popular sequels. That seems like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it?

In a way, I was reminded of that film while recording yesterday’s Focus on the Family radio program. Along with Dr. Juli Slattery and John Fuller, the three of us went back in time and discussed the foundational principles of the ministry.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, promos May 4, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Ultra Good News From Sooner Country

William Shakespeare said it: “Troubles come not as single spies—but in battalions!” Well, old Will wasn’t always right. Only days after sharing the good news about the pro-life movement in the Cornhusker State (Nebraska Passes Two Major Pro-life Bills), there’s more encouraging reports regarding the sanctity of life out of the state of Oklahoma today.

One week after Governor Brad Henry vetoed two pro-life bills, the state’s legislature has voted overwhelmingly to override the vetoes.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: news, pro-life April 27, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Day of Prayer for Judicial Common Sense

The news came as a bit of a shock last week: According to a federal judge in Wisconsin, the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb ruled that a federal endorsement of the day somehow violates the “Establishment Clause” of the First Amendment.

To even the casual observer, Judge Crabbs’s decision was a curious and perplexing one. After all, there have been federally recognized days of prayer in America for as long as there have been stars on the flag.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, policy April 22, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Nebraska Passes Two Major Pro-Life Bills

Something remarkable happened last week which has been largely ignored by the national press. After a quick Google search, aside from the pro-life news agencies whom you’d expect to cover it, I found that just one major media outlet has touched on the story: ABC. Candidly, I would have thought such a big news story would have sparked much more of a national dialogue.

Here’s what happened.

Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman signed into law two groundbreaking measures that will change the way abortions are handled in the Cornhusker State.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, policy, pro-life April 21, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Tebow Chooses Principles Over Pocketbook

Tim Tebow will know in a couple of days where he’ll be playing professional football. Far more important, though, before he signs his first NFL contract, he already knows what his off-the-field priorities are: principles before pocketbook.

The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and former University of Florida standout made that abundantly clear this past weekend while speaking to a Christian college audience about the reaction in some quarters to his appearance in a commercial for Focus on the Family during this year’s Super Bowl.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture April 20, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Father’s Field of Dreams

There’s a degree of mystery surrounding my father’s life that will forever remain unsolved. I remember listening to Dad as he shared stories about his younger days playing baseball. Of particular interest were the stories he told from the year he played with the Detroit Tigers.

I can’t prove that he actually did play pro-ball with that team for several reasons: he’s dead, which complicates asking any follow-up questions. And, as I described in my first book, Finding Home, there’s a lingering issue regarding our real last name.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting April 19, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Bringing Up Girls

It’s been forty years since the release of Dr. Dobson’s first book, Dare to Discipline. Between then and now, several generations have come of age, but Focus on the Family’s founder has continued to offer his signature advice to parents with the same passion, precision and poignancy.

Dr. Dobson’s latest offering, his 33rd title, Bringing Up Girls: Practical Advice and Encouragement for those Shaping the Next Generation of Women, hit bookstores nationwide on April 13th.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting April 17, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Secrets of the Mountain

When it comes to finding wholesome family entertainment on network television, there are so few family-friendly options that when one comes along, I’m eager to support it. Thanks to a joint effort between Wal-Mart and Proctor and Gamble, Secrets of the Mountain, a made for TV movie, will air on NBC tonight (8 PM EDT).

Taking a page out of Hallmark Hall of Fame and the days of the Wonderful World of Disney Sunday night films, executives with both corporations have committed to helping fund “family-friendly” entertainment.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, pop culture April 16, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Heartbreak Across America

By now you’ve probably read or heard the news regarding Russian adoption in America.

“Future adoptions of Russian children by citizens of the United States, which are now suspended, are possible only if an agreement is reached,” said Andrei Nesterenko, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry.

On a good day, international adoption is a complicated and high risk affair, not to mention an emotionally exhaustive endeavor for all parties involved. In recent years you’d need a scorecard to keep track of what countries have opened or closed or changed their adoption programs.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, faith, parenting April 16, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura