Jim Daly

Focus on the Family President Jim Daly on the Retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy

We congratulate Justice Anthony Kennedy on the announcement of his retirement, and note with appreciation his 30 years of service to the country as Associate Justice, and the nearly 13 years prior to that serving on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

After becoming Focus’ President, I had the privilege of meeting with Justice Kennedy. Although we occasionally differed on the issues, sometimes strongly so, when we met I found him to be quite personable and was impressed with his dedication to the Court and to his duties there.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: events, policy

Guest Blog: Why My First Year of Marriage Was Both Easy and Hard

By: Ashley Durand

Everyone said marriage would be hard.

But our first year of marriage wasn’t hard in predictable ways.

Sure, there were little adjustments here and there, tiny conflicts like agreeing on how much to budget for groceries or what time to go to bed. But we had a lot of fun together, laughed constantly, and loved each other more every day. We led small group and kids club at church, and felt God’s hand of blessing.

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

VIDEO: A Win For Life and Free Speech at the Supreme Court

We’re grateful to learn of today’s Supreme Court decision in the free speech case of NIFLA v. Becerra.

This case was a textbook example of government overreach. Thankfully, the court overturned a dangerous encroachment of our time-honored First Amendment freedoms of speech and religion.

No person should be compelled by government to speak a message contrary to their beliefs. Yet, that is exactly what the California legislature did, in an attempt to force pro-life pregnancy care centers to promote the availability of free and low-cost abortions.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: events, policy, pro-life, religious liberty

Navigating the Common Challenges of Marriage

Well-known author and popular guest Dr. Gary Chapman says that if you really want the marriage you’ve always dreamed of, you have to be daring.

It takes courage to ask, “Honey, how can I be a better husband/wife to you? How can I make your life easier?” Those are daring questions because your spouse will give you an answer, and he or she will expect you to respond.

Look at that scenario from a different perspective, however, and you’ll see it as a chance to minister to your spouse’s heart with the love of Christ.

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

Reaching an Adult Child Who’s Turned Away from God

Luis Palau is one of the most well-known evangelists in the world. And yet, for many years, while he stood in front of stadiums of people and witnessed thousands respond to his call to receive Jesus, his own heart was aching for his son, Andrew, who had turned away from God.

Luis and his wife, Patricia, saw him moving in the wrong direction, and they did everything within their power to guide him back. But there came a point, Andrew says, “where I had wandered so far away from God that all they could do was have faith.

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

What’s the Deal with God, Marriage, and Our Happiness?

Did God design marriage to make us happy?

Before I answer that, let’s define our terms.

On one end of the spectrum is happiness that’s rooted in pleasure-seeking. Happiness of this sort isn’t necessarily bad, but it does have a shelf-life. It’s like eating ice cream – the dessert is tasty, but the pleasure doesn’t last very long.

On the other end of the spectrum is happiness rooted in meaningful activity, purpose, and deeply-held values that endure.

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

Depressed by Headlines? Here are 3 Reasons to Be Joyful

Do the headlines and circumstances of the world sometimes get you down? Do they irritate and frustrate you? From the border debate to the ongoing political wrangling on various other issues, we exasperate easily, don’t we?

My friend Dr. Tim Keller, the former senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, once preached a sermon on “The Christian’s Happiness.” He used Romans 8:28-30 as the basis for his message.

I think his three main takeaway points will encourage anyone regardless of where they find themselves emotionally.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith, family

Thoughts on the Border Crisis

The controversy at the southern border continues to churn. Like many of you, I’ve been following its many twists and turns, straining to gather reliable information and, at times, struggling to separate the fact from the fiction. There is a lot of bad and biased information out there. To be sure, emotions are running high on both sides, a consequence of the very real human concern and the highly partisan nature of our times.

As I’ve previously indicated, separating children from their parents can be harmful and traumatic.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: family, kids, policy

Letting Go of Offenses

Why are we so easily offended?

That’s even a problem for Christians who believe in the fruit of the Spirit. Why do we get so upset about the guy that cuts us off on the highway? Why are we so easily irritated when something doesn’t go our way, or when we feel like we’re not getting what we deserve? And why do we deserve something in the first place?

There are different levels of anger. Sometimes it’s the result of feeling threatened.

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

How Parents Can Get Back Their Power from a Child Who’s in Control

Why do kids misbehave?

Dr. Kevin Leman offers these 3 reasons:

Attention-getting
Power
Revenge

He says the strong-willed child has been given a bad rap. We want our kids to be strong-willed. When the world tells them, “Do everything we do,” we want our son or daughter to know right from wrong and to have the conviction to stand for it.

What you don’t want, Dr. Leman says, is the “powerful child.” They have an agenda.

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