Family and Home Archives

Eating Humble Pie

Last year my family was living in a community just around the corner from Focus on the Family. I remember one particular evening Jean needed to go shopping after dinner. I offered to hang out with the boys while she ran errands. I should point out it was already dark by the time Jean backed the minivan out of the driveway . . . right into our neighbor’s car across the street.

Jean wasn’t distracted or in a hurry.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, marriage, wife December 4, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Pastor to Pastor Hotline

There are five unsung heroes at Focus on the Family whom I’d like to extend a hardy “Well done!” These men are the backbone behind the Pastoral Care Hotline. Day after day, Roger Charman, John Barner, George Stahnke, Ralph Kelly, and Alex Person field phone calls from pastors who are in crisis. They don’t seek the limelight, just an opportunity to bear the burdens fellow pastors carry.

Here are three short examples of the kind of situations these men address.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: pastors December 3, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Counting My Blessings

How was your Thanksgiving? Let me tell you about Thanksgiving at the Daly’s household. In some ways it was quite miserable – as you’ll see in a moment. On the other hand, I came away with a fresh reminder of what’s really important. Here’s what happened. In preparation for Thanksgiving last week, Jean worked hard and long preparing a mountain of fixings to compliment the turkey. She cleaned the house and made sure everything was in order in anticipation of some fifteen guests.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting November 24, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

This Thanksgiving

This Thursday, with the aroma of baked bread and a freshly roasted turkey filling the air, our family will sit down to dinner for a meal shared by millions of other grateful Americans. I can’t wait! One of our traditions is to take turns sharing something that we’re thankful for before digging into the feast. I’m sure we’re not the only family who recites what God has done in the past twelve months. This year, however, I plan to take that tradition to the next level.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family November 20, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Kids ‘R Us

My mother died when I was nine. My dad died when I was twelve. With both parents gone, I became an orphan back in elementary school. Which is why I relate so closely to the deep longing orphans have for a family where they can belong; for a place to call home.

No wonder my heart goes out to the 143 million orphans worldwide who hunger for the chance to call someone “Mom” and “Dad” and to feel safe in their care.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, family November 12, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

California Screamin’

When the Mamas & the Papas recorded California Dreamin’ in 1963, I’m sure they never envisioned a heart-stopping roller coaster ride inspired by their song. Sure enough, the engineers at Walt Disney Imagineering drew inspiration from that Sixties classic when they built California Screamin’ at Disneyland, the 5th longest roller coaster ride in the world.

Talk about built for speed, this baby launches guests into hyperspace from zero to 55 miles per hour in just four seconds.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting November 9, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Don’t Let it Hurt

As a senior in high school, I was heavily invested in football. I punished my body through many a long practice to become the starting quarterback on the team. In my view there was no such thing as half-excellence. I pushed myself to be at the top of my game–and recruiters for several big-time 1A colleges took notice. I received letters of interest from the University of Las Vegas and Texas Christian University among others.

My plan was to take a scholarship from one of the colleges courting me and then move on to play in the NFL.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, faith November 8, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Behind Bella

When was the last time you saw a movie at the theater with a pro-life theme? If you’re having trouble thinking of one, join the crowd. With all of their talk about celebrating diverse viewpoints, Hollywood filmmakers don’t appear to be comfortable portraying pro-life characters in a positive light. Which makes the movie Bella such a breath of fresh air. Although it debuted in limited release last weekend, Bella is an exceptional movie.

While you can read the full review of Bella at PluggedInOnline.com, I wanted to share the story behind the lead actor, Eduardo Verastegui.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, family November 1, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Star Struck

I’m reading a fascinating book by Chet Raymo called The Soul of the Night. Although the book was first published some twenty-five years ago, it’s a must read for those who enjoy wrestling with the connection between science and faith. Chet, who is a poet trapped in the body of a scientist, is understandably captivated by “this thing called life that dances on the surface of creation like an abiding flame.”

His warm, inviting collection of essays explores the micro and the macro of Creation.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith October 31, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Lifesaver

I don’t know her name. I’ve never met her. But her story captured my heart. With trembling hands, she held the test results hoping against hope there was some mistake. Although too young to drive a car, a pair of blue lines indicated she was old enough to get pregnant.

The reality rocked her world. Now what? Fear overwhelmed her to the point of tears. She was afraid to involve her parents. She didn’t want to be pregnant, yet she was scared of having an abortion.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, pro-life October 20, 2007 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura