Jim Daly

It’s Legal to Bring This to School

It’s that time of year again when parents and kids are checking their back-to-school lists twice before heading out the door:

Three-ring binder? Check.

Pencil sharpener? Check.

Lunch bag? Check.

The Bible?

Yes.

The Bible is now a must-have school supply for students like Ethan, who considers it essential for surviving the school day.

“When you have the Bible right out in front of you … when it’s sitting out on the corner of your desk, or in your backpack,” said Ethan, a 16-year-old student in Colorado, “it’s a constant reminder of what God has in store for you and to do what God wants you to do, rather than doing things off of your own selfish ambitions.”

Ethan was just one of the half a million students who participated last year in Bring Your Bible to School Day—an annual, religious-freedom event for students sponsored by Focus on the Family.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, religious liberty

Understanding God’s Plan for the End of Life

Did you know that about 39 percent of evangelicals believe that “mercy killing” for someone who’s suffering is morally permissible?

That raises another question: How many Christians today understand the Bible’s perspective on suffering?

Few people have the credibility to address issues as poignant as suffering and the value of human life like Joni Eareckson Tada. Fifty years ago, she broke her neck in a diving accident and was left a quadriplegic. Since then, she’s been a tireless advocate for people with disabilities and has stood against the growing movement that promotes suicide for disabled and disadvantaged people.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, pro-life

Senator McCain’s Death Teaches Us About Life

Saturday’s death of John McCain marks the close of a long and remarkable life. The Arizona senator and famed Vietnam war hero was a committed public servant who honorably served his country over the course of the past six decades.

The senator’s reputation as a “maverick” resulted in political sparring from time to time, especially within his own Republican party, and even within our own circle of social conservatism. But despite his sometimes unpopular positions, Senator McCain engaged his opposition or detractors with good manners and good taste.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: events, policy

Preparing for the Empty Nest Years

Marci Seither and her husband owned a sawmill in Northern California. A customer hired them to remove a huge tree from the spot where their new home would be built. The homeowners thought it a shame to lose such a beautiful tree and planned to recycle the lumber by using it in the house’s construction.

Once the tree was cut down, however, they discovered that the wood was too weak to be used. The tree rings were too far apart.

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

Guest Post: Five Questions & Answers About Today’s Schools

My colleague, Public Policy’s Director of Education, Candi Cushman, recently answered some questions about the public schools that were posed to her from Decision Magazine. I thought you would find her answers both enlightening and interesting.

On a related note, if you are a parent of a school-age child, I hope you’re aware of our upcoming, Bring Your Bible to School Day. It’ll be on Thursday October 4th. It’s not too early to register and participate in some of our pre-event promotion.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, religious liberty

The Five Love Languages of Teenagers

My son Troy’s love language is physical touch. When he was younger, he was the first one to run into my arms when I got home each night. Even now as a teenager, he loves when I give him a big bear hug.

My older son, Trent, is more introverted and cerebral. I’ve asked him if he’s okay with hugs, and he says yes, but sometimes he stands so rigid he’s like hugging a pole. I have to remind him to use his arms.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, kids, parenting

Democrat Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is Right

Earlier this month, the city of Chicago made headlines when 74 people were shot in a single weekend in numerous incidents and neighborhoods. As of today, 12 of those wounded have died.

Sadly, rampant crime in the Windy City is not a new phenomenon. During the July 4th holiday weekend in 2017, 101 people were shot, 14 of whom died.

For years, liberal commentators have been attributing the rise in violence to guns – or easy access to them, inadequate laws, insufficient government spending, drugs and the proliferation of gangs.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: discipline, family, news, parenting

Restoring Your Marriage After Infidelity

“He walked in, and I knew something was horribly wrong. I thought someone had died. I didn’t know it was our marriage.”

That comment from Mona Shriver about the moment she learned her husband Gary was committing adultery, reflects a sentiment felt by almost a third of couples. One or both partners admits to involvement in extramarital affairs, and life as they know it dies.

Gary and Mona Shriver are here with us from California to talk about the emotional devastation they went through as a result of an affair.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, husband, marriage, wife

Sharing Jesus’ Love Through Food and Fellowship

Have you ever noticed how much of Jesus’ ministry on earth was centered around meals? Among others, there was the wedding at Cana, a dinner with the reviled Zaccheus, and the beautiful symbolism of the Last Supper. Jesus was even criticized for eating with “tax collectors and sinners” (Matt. 12:16).

As one scholar put it: “Jesus ate his way through the Gospels.”

For Bri McKoy, Jesus’ ministry through meals became a model through which she created community and shared God’s love with the people He placed in her life.

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Guest blog: My Summer at Focus on the Family

Every summer we have the privilege of recruiting a group of young adults for our internship program here at Focus. We believe it’s important to invest in the next generation of men and women who will carry the torch for faith and family! Rebecca Wirth was our 2018 intern in the Master Writers department. These are her reflections on her experience in the internship program. – Jim Daly

On any given Tuesday morning this summer, you could find me with five of my fellow interns sitting at a table at Focus on the Family, chatting about everything from the weather to biblical truths.

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