Family and Home Archives

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

Six Words to Change the World

Yesterday, President Obama wrapped up a 47-nation nuclear summit. Given the national attention to the summit, I found myself reflecting on something that occurred in 1979 during my freshman year in college. It was then that Mother Teresa was presented with a Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work amongst the poorest of the world’s poor.

As she received her award, Mother Teresa was asked, “What can we do to promote world peace?” Her answer might surprise you.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting April 15, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Case for Optimism?

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Somebody once said that optimists invented the airplane (Orville and Wilbur Wright) but a pessimist invented the parachute (Louis-Sebastien Lenormand).

Of course, rarely are things so simple and so straightforward, especially when you discover the parachute was actually conceived long before the introduction of the airplane! The “modern” parachute was created to escape from ill-fated hot air balloons. Two people might look at the very same thing but wind up coming to very different conclusions.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith April 8, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Feeding My Time Capsule

Moms and dads know that some of the most enjoyable moments with kids will often come like lightning out of a clear blue sky. Secularists called it “serendipity”—chance encounters. But those of us who are Christians see them for what they are—gifts of insight and pleasure from our gracious and loving God.

I was reminded of this during a recent ski trip to Salida, Colorado. When Jean and Trent and Troy and I sat down to wait for a pizza at a local restaurant one evening, I decided to try something we hadn’t done before.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting April 5, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Your Family Live!

I’m thrilled to announce that last Wednesday Focus on the Family launched Your Family Live! If you missed it, don’t worry. This is a web-based TV program airing live each week, Wednesdays 2-3pm EST. Co-hosted by Dr. Juli Slattery and Yvette Maher, Your Family Live! is especially dedicated to the topics of marriage and parenting.

The debut program featured special guests Jill Savage, Blog Mom Jennifer “McKMama” McKinney, Tammy Maltby and Toby Mac.

I believe you’ll find this hour-long dialogue to be a source of insight and hope—not to mention filled with fun and encouragement!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage, parenting, promos April 5, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The BEST news!

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?
He is not here; He is risen!”

Luke 24:5b-6a

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith April 4, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Birds of a Feather – #2

I originally posted this post several years ago. With Easter approaching, I thought it appropriate to repost it today.

Here’s one from the travel file.

During the last twenty years I’ve had the opportunity to visit more than seventy countries. I noticed there’s a rather unusual feature found on the churches in the Baltic States, France, Germany, Hungry, and the Netherlands among other countries in the region.

Upon close inspection, you’ll discover that many churches don’t have a cross at the top of their steeple, spire, or bell tower.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith April 1, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Picture of Perseverance

Please take a good look at this photo of our sweet little nephew. His name is Ethan. What do you see?

The scene is a familiar one, isn’t it? On the surface, a young child is drawing with chalk on a sidewalk in the warm sunshine. It’s a simple and carefree pleasure of childhood, a cheap one, too—and in this instance, a young boy’s chance to creatively express himself.

It’s also a picture of innocence; a sweet and happy outing.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids March 31, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Question for an Astronaut?

You may remember my blog back in February detailing our family’s magnificent visit to the Kennedy Space Center and the night launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavor. Trent and Troy (& Dad!) are still talking about it. Jean is, too, but the Daly boys are a bit more obsessed.

Thankfully, Endeavor’s 13-day mission was deemed a wild success.

It included three spacewalks and the delivery of the final module to the U.S. portion of the space station.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family March 30, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Fifth Member of our Family

I have a confession to make.

For the longest time there were five of us in the Daly household. About eighteen months ago, Trent, Troy, Jean and I had a family meeting and decided to send the fifth member packing. I know that might seem harsh, but the four of us believed it was the right thing to do. And, while saying goodbye wasn’t easy at the time, none of us have regrets about our decision.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, technology March 29, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura