Jim Daly

Why I am Encouraged by the Prospect of a Trump Presidency

The unprecedented presidential election of 2016 has ended and we have witnessed a watershed moment in American political history. The most optimistic of assessments were exceeded for the Republican Party, and as a result America will have a GOP-dominated White House, House and Senate, and the majority of state houses and governorships as well.

We congratulate and offer our heartfelt prayers for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence and all the winners. We pray for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and all those who were defeated.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: church, news, policy

Election Night Thoughts

As a Christian who believes in the ultimate sovereignty of God, I have to believe He allows our circumstances to fulfill his plans. As the prophet Daniel said, “He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”

I pray that God grants us the grace and wisdom to seek his heart for all people made in his image, the preborn, the elderly, progressive and conservative, each one of us.

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Teaching Children the Christian View of Sexuality

Note: Today is Election Day. If you haven’t voted already, I encourage you to do so. I also hope you’ll join me in praying for our country and the election today. -J.D.

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“What expressions of sexuality have you witnessed lately at your junior high?”

That’s not the sort of question I usually ask my son Troy on our morning drive to school, but I did today. He squirmed a little.

So did I.

That’s how the “Talk” with my older son Trent went a few years ago, too.

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

One Day When One Vote Made All the Difference

One single vote.

What difference can it really make? Not much, some would say.

If that’s how you’re feeling on the eve of tomorrow’s election, you’ve probably never heard the story of Jamison Shoemaker, whose one vote set in motion a chain reaction of political moments that altered the course of our nation’s history.

I won’t spoil the story for you here because I want to invite you to have some fun with us on a special edition of our broadcast today.

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Meet Middle East Christians Ready to Die for Jesus Christ

They pooled their resources to buy a graveyard.

Pastor Fareed Assad was secluded in an underground room with ten members of his leadership team when he issued this ominous invitation:

“ISIS is overtaking our region,” he said. “God may be calling some of you to flee and some of you to stay. Take a week to pray and fast. If God calls you to stay, come back to this location one week from today.”

By some estimates, half the population in Syria is homeless.

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

What God Taught This Long-Suffering Cubs Fan (guest post)

The longest drought in the history of American sports is over.

As we all know by now, after 108 years without a championship, baseball’s Chicago Cubs won the World Series last night, giving life-long fans like me a chance to celebrate after a lifetime of frustration, futility, and being the easy punch line to a seemingly limitless supply of jokes.

Simba: Hey Dad, what is a World Series?
Mufasa: I wouldn’t expect you to know, Simba.

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A Special Announcement for MercyMe Fans

How many of you are MercyMe fans?

Many of you, I’m sure – because the award-winning Christian band with proven crossover appeal has been releasing hit after hit for two decades now. From “I Can Only Imagine” to Word of God Speak,” MercyMe’s popularity has only grown with its most recent album and its current single, “Dear Younger Me”:

And for you MercyMe fans, I have good news: I’m happy to announce that the band will join us on the Focus on the Family 40th Anniversary Cruise in November 2017!

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: entertainment, events, family, promos

Why Country Singer Jimmy Wayne “Speaks Up for the Kids”

“I dreamt many times of making it and getting in front of a crowd and playing music.”

That’s a lofty vision for any kid who’s alone with a guitar and dreaming his empty bedroom will someday become an audience of thousands. But country singer and songwriter Jimmy Wayne still believed.

That was no small accomplishment given his tumultuous childhood, which didn’t exactly teach him life was filled with possibilities.

His mother was bipolar and wasn’t receiving proper treatment, so Jimmy never knew what her behavior might be on any given day.

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

The Foundation to a Fulfilling Marriage

My marriage enjoyed a significant boost a couple of summers ago on a family vacation to Glacier National Park in Montana.

Jean, the boys, and I hiked to a place called Hidden Lake but were stopped several hundred yards away. It was spawning season for the trout, and the bears were especially active. Still, from where we were, we could see the bears splashing through the water hunting for fish.

I should say my boys and I could see them.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, marriage

The Five Things Scott Hamilton’s Third Brain Tumor Can Teach Us About Life

By now some of you have received my October newsletter which featured an excerpt from my colleague and co-writer Paul Batura’s new book, “Chosen for Greatness: How Adoption Changes the World.” In his warm conversational style, Paul, an adoptive father himself, tells the fascinating stories of sixteen well-known adoptees.

Included in the book are such familiar names as Apple founder Steve Jobs, First Lady Nancy Reagan, the inventor and botanist George Washington Carver and President Gerald Ford.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, news