Jim Daly

Do Nice People Go to Heaven?

Is it really possible for nice people go to Hell?

To answer that question, we have to define the word “nice.”

Picture a spectrum of holiness. Abject evil to one extreme and pure holiness to the other. The Hitlers of the world would be closer to the pure evil side, while people like Mother Teresa would be to the other extreme. The rest of us probably fall somewhere in between and could rightly say, “I’m no saint, but I’m no mass murderer, either.”

With that worldview, our standard of “goodness” is reduced to shades of gray.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith

Trump Administration is Right: Recreational Marijuana Use is a Growing Epidemic

As a resident of Colorado, a state that legalized recreational marijuana use in 2012, you get accustomed to all the so-called “jokes” about the popularity of the drug in the Rocky Mountain State.

Popular culture has been trying to destigmatize marijuana for years, and it’s often the punch line in movies, television shows and music.

The reality, though, is that the recreational use of cannabis is no laughing matter, most especially for young people and pregnant women.

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If You Want a Great Marriage, Do This

Hurdlers don’t usually stumble on the open stretch of track. Victory or defeat is mostly about clearing the obstacles.

It’s the same for marriage. Relationships don’t stumble when everything is calm, and life is rolling along smoothly. Problems tend to develop when couples encounter some kind of stress.

Those moments are an opportunity for husbands and wives to work together as a team.

My wife and I have gone through quite a few transition periods. We’ve faced challenges in our extended families, relocated to new cities, and raised two boys.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: book, broadcast, marriage, relationships

Andrew Luck’s Retirement Decision Has a Hidden Message (Even for Non-Athletes)

Are you a football fan?

I had the privilege earlier this week to contribute an essay to Fox News on the surprise retirement announcement from Indianapolis Colt’s franchise quarterback, Andrew Luck.

Here is in part what I wrote:

I suspect attitudes about money and happiness are at the heart of much of the public’s incredulity surrounding Luck’s retirement. While the NFL star has already earned nearly $100 million over the past seven seasons, he potentially stood to receive hundreds of millions more over the course of his remaining career.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: money, value

Radically Rediscovering Salvation

“Spirituality wrongly understood or pursued is a major source of human misery and rebellion against God.” – Dallas Willard

Christians use a lot of words like “salvation,” “grace,” and “faith.” How often do we stop and really think about what those words mean?

We’re hungry to the core of our soul for relationship. The degree to which that need goes unfulfilled is the degree to which we will lose ourselves in the pursuit of more. More everything.

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Braving Middle School Like a Boss

At some point, almost every boy will struggle with the feeling that he doesn’t measure up.

My teenage feelings of inadequacy shot to the surface one day while I was in gym class, standing behind a muscular upper-classman named Glen and one of his buddies. They were talking about how guys grow bigger as they get older.

Without warning, Glen wheeled around and – Bam! – he socked me right in the chest. “See this guy?” he said.

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Avoiding a Midlife Crisis

The middle of life is supposed to be a great time for men. Their marriages are doing well. Their children have launched, or are ready to go. Their careers are rolling, and the future looks bright.

Or maybe it doesn’t.

Maybe you’ve hit mid-life, and your marriage isn’t what you thought it would be. Maybe your children are struggling to launch. And your career is … sigh … fine.

If your life hasn’t slipped into a comfortable rhythm, we have encouragement for you today on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Avoiding a Midlife Crisis.”

Mid-life is a transition point, but it doesn’t have to be a crisis.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, manhood, men

A Mother’s Story of Loss and Redemption

Few parents have experienced the heartbreak of losing a child.

Fewer still have endured that suffering twice.

Lindsey Dennis and her husband, Kevin know the depths of that heartache. They also know how God’s comfort can bring beauty out of terrible circumstances.

Lindsey and Kevin are sharing their tragic and touching story with us on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “A Mother’s Story of Loss and Redemption.”

At what was supposed to be a routine prenatal visit, the couple was given shocking news: “We can’t find your baby’s skull.” Their baby was diagnosed with anencephaly.

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

A Poignant Day in the Daly Household

I’ll cut right to the point.

Jean and I are grieving a little bit this week – not over the death of a loved one or a dire medical diagnosis – but grieving nonetheless.

Our oldest, Trent, left for a nearby college earlier this week.

We couldn’t be happier for him, of course, especially seeing how he’s matured and grown over these last few years. We’ve been impressed with his choice of friends, his attitude and his overall goals and sense of direction.

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

Equipping Christians to Understand Sexuality

Take a look at these alarming statistics:

41% of practicing Christians believe that cohabitation is a good idea.60% of people on Christian dating websites say they have no moral inhibitions against sex before marriage.32% of Christian men ages 18 to 30 admit to having an addiction to pornography (not casual use, mind you, but an addiction).

How did we get so far away from God’s design for sexuality?

I’d love to read your thoughts in the comment section below.