Jim Daly

Seeing Christmas Through Women’s Eyes

Has it ever occurred to you how many holiday traditions sterilize the historical truth of Christmas?

This time of year, the joy of the season is everywhere. There are lights and decorations; the smell of cookies, pies, and freshly cut Christmas trees; and music that remind us of snow, sleighs, and reindeer.

But all of that beautiful imagery stands in stark contrast to the difficult circumstances surrounding the very first Christmas. Consider the lives of three women who lived it: Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: christmas, faith

Celebrating the Miracle of Thanksgiving

“The story of Squanto is one of the freakiest miracles in history.”

With an introduction like that, I know you’ll want to tune in to our radio program today while you’re preparing Thanksgiving dinner and keeping an eye on the football game.

Our guest, author and radio host Eric Metaxas, is sharing the true story of Squanto you’ve probably never heard. The very founding of our country might never have happened had Squanto not walked out of the woods and had his heart prepared by God, like Joseph when he was sold into slavery by his brothers (Genesis 37-50).

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Thanksgiving — 20 things to still be grateful for in 2020 (yes, even in 2020)

If you’re already counting down the days till next year this Thanksgiving week, eager to be out with the old and in with the new, especially in this pandemic-torn year, I’d like to recommend that we still pause to count our blessings in 2020 – and even name them one by one.

Why?

Gratitude provides perspective and level sets today’s troubles, trials and tribulations.

I presume everyone could assemble their own individual list, but here are 20 things that I think many of us can be appreciative of as we approach Thursday’s celebration of Thanksgiving.

1. Doctors, nurses and medical professionals: Even at great risk to their own health, they have cared for millions of infected patients this year.

2. First responders: Because they’re willing to be available at all hours, you and I can sleep soundly each night.

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Living in Peace with People Who Drive You Crazy

Although your family Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers may look different this year, you still may be worried about spending time with that one family member who is sure to make the holiday season … interesting. Whenever they’re near, there’s friction.

What can you do to manage that relationship better and find peace in the midst of chaos?

We’re having a conversation with Dr. Mike Bechtle, author of the book People Can’t Drive You Crazy If You Don’t Give Them the Keys, on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Living in Peace with People Who Drive You Crazy.”

Dr.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family

Encouragement for the Single Life

Life as a single adult can be daunting, especially when it comes to maintaining a high moral standard in a romantic relationship.

How can Christian women honor God in their dating?

Cheryl Martin asked herself that question many times over the years about her own singleness. She decided, “Until I’m married, I don’t want to endure my singleness. I want to enjoy it. And since I’m God’s child, I don’t want to be an average single.

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Practical Advice for Parenting Strong-Willed Children

Jean and I have a strong-willed boy. Over the years, we’ve joked that we were raising a lawyer-in-training. He could find a loophole in anything.

Once, Jean hosted a women’s tea and set out chocolates in the living room. She later discovered half the bowl was gone. When she asked him if he’d eaten all the chocolates, our son responded, “No,” without hesitation.

“You didn’t eat the chocolates?”

“Oh, I ate some of them. But you asked if I had eaten all of them.”

If you’ve got a strong-willed child, you’ve probably encountered situations like that.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: children, parenting

Video: Where Do We Go From Here? Post-Election Thoughts

It’s been over two weeks since the 2020 presidential election.

Believe it or not, ballots are still being tabulated – and in some states, recounted.

How should Christians respond to the current circumstances?

I recently recorded some thoughts:

Please let me know what you think.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: presidential election

Embracing Messy, Beautiful Forgiveness

C.S. Lewis once said, “Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.”

Isn’t that true? We all want a fairy tale ending to our pain, but we struggle to do the messy, difficult work of forgiving someone who’s hurt us so deeply.

Lysa TerKeurst didn’t think she could ever forgive her husband after he engaged in a long, drawn-out affair. She misunderstood the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, thinking they existed together, like two sides of a coin.

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Bringing Laughter to Everyday Life

What’s the difference between a poorly dressed man on a tricycle and a well-dressed man on a bicycle?

Attire.

Get it?

Okay, so I’m not much of a comedian. Which is why you’ll enjoy our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Bringing Laughter to Everyday Life” with a real comedian, Tim Hawkins.

Tim finds humor in everyday circumstances. Like the video below, about a time when fixing breakfast for his children didn’t go so well.

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Surprising News About Divorce

With the exception of the loss of a child, nothing takes an emotional toll on a family quite like the devastation rendered by divorce.

In fact, since Focus on the Family’s inception in 1977, the preservation and promotion of marriage has been at the forefront of our ministry’s efforts. From our broadcasts to our books, programs, articles and numerous other forms of media, championing the marital union and preventing divorce has been one of our top priorities.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: divorce, marriage