Jim Daly

Getting Rid of the Clutter in Your Home

A lot of us should probably throw some stuff out. We’re bursting at the seams.

Did you know that America has more self-storage facilities than McDonald’s restaurants? At last count, there were 48,500 self-storage facilities in America compared to only 14,000 McDonald’s.

If your home is overwhelmed with clutter instead of being a place of comfort and peace, there’s something you can do about it.

Author and popular guest Kathi Lipp is with us on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Getting Rid of the Clutter in Your Home.” She’s a self-proclaimed recovering “clutter-aholic” with some great advice that will help you better understand the spiritual issues that are often behind clinging to your stuff.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family

These are Sober Days – But We Are Not Without Hope

How should Christians respond to these unprecedented times?

Prayerfully.

Consider 2 Chronicles 7:14: “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

Are we confident that the Lord is sovereign and in full control of things?

The writer of Proverbs made clear that while our actions have consequences, it’s God who has the final say: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord” (Proverbs 16:33).

Trusting in the Lord isn’t pollyannish or passive.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: government

Managing Your Money During Uncertain Times

Over the last year, we’ve seen a rise in unemployment and devastating financial crises among many families.

In difficult times, the temptation is to place our trust in the amount of resources available to us rather than in the One who promises to meet all of our needs “according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Managing Your Money During Uncertain Times,” Deborah Pegues is with us to help you stop, take a deep breath, and stand firm in your faith in God and His promises.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home

Please Pray for Peace Amidst the Chaos in Washington, D.C.

In a stunning and sickening display of mass lawlessness, protestors have stormed the United States Capitol, halting an already contentious certification process of the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Striking images include rogue individuals on the House and Senate floors, Secret Service and police with guns drawn and tear gas unleashed into the air. There is a report that one woman has been shot.

The National Guard has been mobilized, and law enforcement officials are beginning to clear the building.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events

Simple Ways to Love Your Daughter or Son

My wife Jean and I have raised two boys, Trent and Troy. Throughout their childhoods, I was able to enjoy a lot of father/son time with them. Just the three of us. Baseball games. Football games. Camping. Fishing.

Looking back on it, the one thing I would change is that I would have done more with each of them individually, to invest one on one time with them. Individual quality time is a great way to show a child love.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: children, parenting

Starting Off the New Year Right

A new year is upon us, and you know what that means, don’t you?

It’s time to get the next 12 months off to a great start.

Some of us may choose to make New Year’s resolutions. Others may prefer to think in terms of goals, objectives, or plans. Whatever lingo you choose, the challenge remains the same: making it happen.

That’s where things get tough because there’s nothing magical about the flip of the calendar.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, New Years

Parenting the Heart of Your Teen

You can learn a lot from your kids’ report cards. Letter grades may not tell the whole story behind your child’s education, but they do give a sense of where your children are struggling in school and where they’re doing well.

Years ago, I started using the same idea to help me better connect with my two boys. Every few months, I’d ask, “How well do you feel I listen to you when you have a problem to share?

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: children, parenting

Discovering the Truth About My Identity

A homosexual activist once asked me, “When are Christians going to leave behind their medieval beliefs about sexuality and come into the 21st century?”

He was referring to the Bible, of course – which confronts all of us with some pretty powerful ideas that are not always easily digestible.

So, I responded, “Christians are followers of the Bible, not editors. We’re compelled to follow God’s Word because it’s His truth, and we believe Jesus when He says the truth sets us free” (John 8:32).

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, homosexuality

It’s a Pokenberry Christmas

One of the best things we’ve ever come up with here at Focus on the Family has been Adventures in Odyssey, our radio drama for children ages 8-12.

When it first began, a lot of people were skeptical the venture would be successful in the age of television, movies, and other visual entertainment. But our Adventures in Odyssey team members are some of the most talented people in the business. As a result of their creativity, this little radio program that could has been capturing the hearts of young and old alike for almost 30 years.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: adventures in odyssey, christmas

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our home at Focus on the Family to yours!

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: christmas