Jim Daly

Connecting with Your Teen or Young Adult

There’s no one way to raise children. Discipline that works magic with one child may be completely ineffective with another.

At the bottom of every effective parenting strategy lies a universal foundation to good parenting: relationship.

Author Josh McDowell says, “Rules without relationship leads to rebellion.” That means your child’s primary concern in life is not your rules.

What matters most to your teen or young adult is knowing that you love them.

That sense of intimate connection won’t come through your instruction, lectures, or rules.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, parenting, relationships

Preparing to Care for Aging Loved Ones

We don’t like to think about getting older. We especially don’t like to think about death.

Maybe that’s why studies show only a third of us prepare for the inevitable with advanced directives. It’s also why a growing number of people are finding themselves ill-equipped for the rigors and responsibilities of caring for an aging loved one.

Taking on the care of an aging parent or family member is a big job that rarely comes about at a convenient time for the caregiver.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family

Guest Post: Pressing on through Rejection

By: Linsey Driskill

When a project I poured my heart and soul into was rejected, it stung. Badly.

While these painful moments happen to all of us, it’s easy to feel alone – thinking we’re the only ones.

But, even C.S. Lewis experienced rejection. Dr. Seuss’ first book was rejected twenty-seven times. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. In 1919, Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star because his editor said he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” Elvis was told he’d be better off driving trucks than singing.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith

Reaching Your Child’s Heart When They Disobey

I remember taking our boys to Disneyland when they were around 6 and 8. One of them was determined to get his way and had a meltdown. My attempted solution was to threaten, “Control yourself, or you will never come here again.”

It was a silly parenting strategy on my part because at the time, Jean and I enjoyed taking the boys to Disneyland and creating memories. In other words, I wasn’t really willing to follow through on the consequences I threatened.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, children, parenting

What We Believe

Focus on the Family is headquartered in Colorado Springs. When you visit the area and ask for directions, there’s a good chance you’ll hear something like this: “Head toward the mountains and take a right.”

Our city’s entire western border is the Rocky Mountains, and our crown jewel is America’s mountain – Pike’s Peak. Not only are the mountains beautiful, they’re how we locals find our way around here. You can always get to where you want to go by figuring out where you are in relation to the mountains.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith

From NASCAR to New Orleans, ‘Bring Your Bible to School Day’ Momentum is Growing!

The late Dr. Adrian Rogers, who used to serve on the board here at Focus on the Family, liked to say that the Bible was like a pool shallow enough that a little child can come and get a drink without fear of drowning, yet so deep scholars can swim in it and never touch bottom.

I’m reminded of that observation as our promotion of ‘Bring Your Bible to School Day’ on October 3rd continues to heat up. Here are just a few updates.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, religious freedom

Examining Your Part in a Difficult Marriage

Darryl and Tracy Strawberry are living proof that with God’s help, any couple can overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable and build a happy marriage. Their life together has been a difficult but rewarding journey.

They met each other in recovery. At the time, neither one was living for the Lord, and they were both broken people.

Darryl was $3 million in debt. He had been a power hitting, eight-time Major League All-Star who earned four World Series championships in 17 seasons with teams like the New York Mets and the New York Yankees.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, conflict, couples, marriage

Working Together as a Team in Your Marriage

The secret to winning in a team sport is no secret at all. Teammates have to share a common goal and know how to work together to achieve it. When you wear the same uniform, it’s not about “me,” it’s about “we.”

That commitment to unity is what makes a marriage work, too. But working together as a team isn’t always easy.

Just ask Joshua and Christi Straub. Their teamwork isn’t so great sometimes, either. And that’s saying something.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, couples, marriage

What to Do When Tragedy Impacts Your Family

I still remember when a small airplane crashed across the street from where I lived when I was 14 years old. I heard the crash, then called 911 and ran to the plane. I was able to help two 20-somethings get out of the burning wreckage.

At first, I thought the young men were the only two in the plane. I soon realized two other men had been in the front – the young men’s fathers.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, family, tragedy

Celebrating the Bible in New Orleans

Did you happen to catch any of the Monday Night Football match-up between the New Orleans Saints and the Houston Texans?

A dramatic Drew Brees-led drive in the game’s final 37 seconds culminated with a clutch 58-yard field goal lifting the Big Easy’s favorite team to victory.

Although I’m a diehard Denver Broncos fan, I was inside the Louisiana Superdome rooting on the city’s home team.

Why?

I was there to express my support for Drew Brees and all the fans who had vowed to bring their Bibles to last night’s opening game.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, football, religious freedom