Family and Home Archives

The Kindness Club

A couple of weeks ago, Trent and Troy, who go to a charter school here in town, attended a special assembly called “Rachel’s Challenge.” This program was based on the life and story of Rachel Joy Scott who, you may recall, was the first victim killed during the Columbine High School shooting.

About a month before she was gunned down, Rachel wrote an essay for her fifth period class entitled, “My Ethics, My Codes of Life.” In it, she threw out the challenge to treat others with compassion, kindness, love, and mercy.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids February 23, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Recycling Resources

There’s a difference between being a collector and a pack rat. Whether it’s baseball cards or classic cars, collectors are interested in specific items of interest, value, or vintage. And while they collect things, they’re quick to sell or trade or toss items as needed.

Pack rats, on the other hand, are a different breed. They’re interested in saving everything—forever. Their compulsive hoarding frequently involves stuff most folks understand is worthless—like 6-foot-high stacks of old yellowed newspapers and magazines, or mountains of old clothes that no longer fit bulging from closets or displayed on rows of racks in a back room as if it were Wal-Mart.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: divorce, staff February 22, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Write a Tribute to Dr. Dobson

Jean and I were big fans of Dr. Dobson and the Focus on the Family broadcast long before I came to work at the ministry. And while we didn’t have kids at the time, I personally benefited from Dr. Dobson’s insights into marriage—especially since I came from such a dysfunctional home. Considering the fact that my father was a gambler and an alcoholic who walked out on our family when I was six, I had no idea what a “healthy” husband and wife dynamic should look like.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, parenting, staff February 20, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When I’m Weak I’m Strong

Over the last several weeks I’ve been putting the finishing touches on my new book entitled, Stronger, which is scheduled to be released this fall. I realize the title might be a bit misleading. After all, it’s not a workout manual, a primer on pumping iron, or getting fabulous abs of steel. While I do have a treadmill in the basement and believe in physical fitness, the idea here has to do with building strength of character.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, promos February 17, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Super Bowl Ad Scores Super Stats

The other day a friend asked me, “Jim, was the Super Bowl ad really worth it?” Without question, absolutely yes! Even USA TODAY described our ad with Pam and Tim Tebow a “Touchdown!” The pre- and post-game response has been beyond our wildest dreams.

Take the mountain of “free media” leading up to game day and the on-going post-life presence in YouTube Land and other news sites. Our YouTube channel has already garnered 756,423 views of the in-game spot!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, events, news February 10, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When Telemachus Stood for Life

On January 1, 404 AD, thousands of spectators crowed into the Roman Coliseum itching to see a good fight—a fight to the death, that is. While the bloodthirsty fans took their seats in the stadium, dozens of Roman gladiators steeled themselves for the afternoon battle.

This was a kill or be killed contest.

Wearing colorful body armor, the gladiators marched around the perimeter of the battlefield. They raised their weapons of choice—a war chain, a three-pronged trident spear, a dagger, a net or lasso—to the cheers of the throng.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, pro-life February 4, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Was Brit Hume Right About Tiger Woods?

You’ll want to tune into tomorrow’s Focus on the Family broadcast featuring a conversation with former Fox anchorman, Brit Hume. I caught up with Brit during a recent trip to Washington, D.C. and discussed the suicide of his son, journalism as a profession, and his faith in Jesus.

Of special interest is what Brit told me regarding his “controversial” suggestion that Tiger Woods should embrace the forgiveness offered by Christianity.

Let me take you back to January 3, 2010 when Brit, as a guest commentator on Fox News Sunday, offered this analysis of Tiger Woods future in light of his adulterous relationships:

Tiger Woods will recover as a golfer.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, news, pop culture February 2, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Touchdown for Life

Our Super Bowl XLIV commercial with Pam and Tim Tebow has kicked off quite the media firestorm. Okay, that’s an understatement. Last week the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette described it as “perhaps the most controversial commercial in the big game’s 43-year history.”

From National Public Radio and The New York Times, to Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly, there’s been no shortage of national coverage over an ad which has yet to air. Even SNL got into the act by poking fun at the brewing controversy over the weekend.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, news, pop culture February 2, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Leaving Planned Parenthood

We recently finished airing a compelling, two-day Focus on the Family broadcast with Abby Johnson, the former director of a Texas Planned Parenthood clinic. While I first blogged about Abby back in November, this is one of those life-changing conversations you won’t want to miss. (Click here for PART 1 and PART 2).

In 2008, Abby was given the dubious honor of “Employee of the Year” for the Southeast Texas region having counseled thousands of women to have an abortion.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, pro-life January 30, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Turning the Tables on Me

Dr. Kevin Leman, psychologist and author of Have a New Husband by Friday, has been our guest for several days on the Focus on the Family broadcast this week. I really appreciate Dr. Leman. Although, boy, did he do a number on me during yesterday’s program! After spending two broadcasts giving marital advice to wives, he ambushed me right there in the studio.

Let me set the stage for what happened.

Dr. Leman began by explaining that the average marriage lasts just seven years.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, marriage January 29, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura