Family and Home Archives

The Lessons Money Can’t Buy

Every now and again, I’m struck by how relevant the popular author Ken Blanchard’s managerial adages are to family life.

Probably best known for his blockbuster book, The One Minute Manager, the sought-after business guru is regularly reminding his audiences to “Catch people in the act of doing something right.” It’s a tactic I try to employ around the office of Focus on the Family, but it’s not a bad habit for parents to use at home as well.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting July 15, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Get Your Game On

Former NFL Head Coach Joe Gibbs knows a thing or two about football, having taken the Washington Redskins to the Super Bowl eight times, winning three. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, this champion expanded his playing field to include the creation of his own NASCAR team. Driven by the pursuit of excellence, his Joe Gibbs Racing team captured three NASCAR Championships.

Joe stopped by Focus on the Family Monday to record a broadcast in which he tackled a different topic: doing life God’s way.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith July 15, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Hogging the Highways and Byways

In 2007, I took up a new hobby: crusing the countryside on a rented Harley. That foray into Harley riding and leather duds has turned into an annual gathering of guys. Last year ten of us hit the trail to Vail. About a week ago, five of us took off for Estes Park. This time out, retired Major Leaguers Dave Dravecky (Padres, Giants), Frank Pastore (Reds, Twins), Tim Burke (Expos, Mets, Yankees), joined Mark Stapleton, a businessman from Nevada, and myself for a ride to remember.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, friendship July 13, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

More Families Like the Obamas

Several months ago, during the news conference at which Dr. Dobson announced he was stepping down as Chairman of the Board of Focus on the Family, the media were on hand in full force. I was there to support him in that watershed moment. After Dr. Dobson was finished with his remarks, I had a few minutes to speak with the reporters who had come to our campus.

The first question I received was this: ”How does this move change the future of Focus?” I said that the media is often critical over our efforts in the public square which can, at times, overshadow our core mission, namely, strengthening marriage and families.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: pop culture, staff July 2, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

I’ll Make a Note of It

The other day there was an issue that required parental attention in the Daly household. Trent was upset that he had been disciplined. I can’t remember whether the offense warranted a spanking or a timeout. Either way, Trent’s reaction was to run to his room and plop down into his soft, oversized-bean bag chair.

One of the things Jean and I try to do after we discipline the boys is to reaffirm our love for them.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, kids, parenting June 29, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Dinner: the Antidote for Risky Behavior

Ken Windebank, a colleague of mine, likes to ask a question of people, and I have begun to do it myself. The question is simple, “What’s one thing you did well as a parent?” The other day, for instance, I was meeting with a very successful financial manager in Southern California. I’ll call him Gary. I asked Gary that question and, after a brief pause, he said, “The best thing we did was to have dinner together as a family every night.”

Eating dinner together?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting June 27, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On

A surprising number of business owners I’ve spoken with over the last several months are shaken by the state of the economy. They’ve been candid about the difficult predicament this tight economy has put them in. Many are concerned about having to cut the size of their staff in order to stay financially viable. Others are painfully aware they’re about to lose their family business and, with it, their entire life savings if sales don’t improve.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, finances June 14, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

God Speaks Through Little Kids Books

Sometimes God has to use simple words to get through to me. Case in point.

One of the things I like to do after dinner is to engage the family in a brief time of devotions. Given the age of our boys, we’re reading from a children’s picture story version of the Bible. The other day I was reading the story of King Saul, David, and Goliath. Keep in mind that the editors of the children’s Bible condensed the whole 58-verse saga down to about eight illustrated pages with maybe six words on each page.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids, parenting June 4, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

My First Commencement Address

I don’t know about you, but God seems to find new ways to stretch me. My latest stretching moment occurred earlier this month. The Honorable Bill Armstrong, former Senator from Colorado and now the president of Colorado Christian University (CCU), invited me to give the commencement address for the graduating class of 2009. Me? I had never done that type of thing before. Weren’t there more qualified people to do the job?

Talk about being outside of my comfort zone.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith May 28, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Thanks, Coach!

The official start to the football season is several months away, but I’ve got football on my mind probably because I just had the privilege of spending some time with Jim Zorn, NFL head coach of the Washington Redskins. Jim was hired by the Redskins franchise shortly after legendary head coach Joe Gibbs retired in January of 2008. Jim’s been a long time friend of Focus on the Family and, I might add, his daughter graduated from our Focus on the Family Institute.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture May 25, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura