Jim Daly

Download Focus’ Free Resource for Families “7 Days of Gratitude”

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just a week from this Thursday?

Since it’s always a good idea to reflect on the virtue of gratitude – or to talk with your children about the meaning behind the holiday – Focus on the Family’s parenting team has put together a free resource that will help your family prepare for our national day of thanks.

The “7 Days of Gratitude” week-long devotional is designed to help children (and their parents!) develop “an attitude of gratitude.” Because the reality is, creating a thankful heart takes practice.

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The Common ‘Language’ Marriages Around the World Share

“It’s just like an American to think you invented the family.”

That’s what Dr. Lilian Wahomey, a psychologist in Kenya, jokingly said to me over lunch one day. I met with her almost 25 years ago to explore ways Focus on the Family could come alongside families in Africa.

“Do you think our focus on marriage and parenting will be relevant in this part of the world?” I had asked.

With a friendly smile, she reminded me that the core needs of marriages and families transcend language, culture, nationality, and socio-economic status.

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Helping Military Couples Navigate Home Life

“I always say that the loneliest place I’ve ever been in my life is not Afghanistan but in my own bed … with my wife’s back turned to me.”

That comment from veteran Chad Robichaux resonates with a lot of military couples, who sacrifice and endure demands on their marriages most civilians don’t understand.

After 9/11, Chad’s special ops unit did eight tours of duty in Afghanistan. Survival in the war-torn Middle East requires good training and high degrees of adrenaline and emotional intensity.

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Focus’ Wait No More Kentucky Event on Nov. 12 to Feature Linkin’ Bridge

There will be a special guest at Focus’ Wait No More event in Shepherdsville, Kentucky on Nov. 12.

Linkin’ Bridge, the vocal group who made it to the finals in America’s Got Talent’s 11th season earlier this year, will be performing for the 800 attendees looking to learn more about – and possibly start – the process from adoption from foster care.

If you’re not familiar with the group, watch their America’s Got Talent audition:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5-I28L4MUk

Foster care is certainly an issue that touches the band directly, as singer Shon China Lacy spent time in the system when he was 7 years old and his mother was in prison.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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