Jim Daly

Trusting God in a Difficult Pregnancy

“We’re not gonna have a baby, we’re gonna have a funeral instead.”

There are few events in life that bring more excitement to a couple than the anticipation of a new baby. The height of that joy is rivaled only by the depth of heartache that comes with a troubled pregnancy.

Josh and Laura had three children under five and were pregnant with their fourth. Each of the first three pregnancies had progressed without complication.

But the fourth…

Call it a mother’s intuition – that mysterious and beautiful bond between a mother and her baby that not only connects them physically, but at a heart level.

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

Ben-Hur: A Great Faith-Based Movie to See This Weekend

By the time the 1800’s came to a close, Lew Wallace’s bestselling novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, was considered by many to be “the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century.” Adapted for film a couple times, most recently in 1959, Ben-Hur became a runaway Hollywood hit, eventually capturing eleven Academy Awards.

Even today, over a half-century later, many critics consider it to be one of America’s greatest movies of all time.

Tomorrow, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey are releasing a new version of the classic adventure for the big screen.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, family, pop culture

Five Ways to Improve Bedtime with Your Spouse

If you’re married, chances are you’ve encountered some challenges when it comes to sleeping together – and I don’t mean that kind of “sleeping together.” I mean getting some actual shut-eye.

Who can sleep through loud snoring, after all?

Or perhaps you’re married to someone who can’t stay still – there’s tossing, turning, and even “stealing” the blanket.

What about those couples who have mismatched sleep patterns or preferences – the night-owl who marries the early-bird?

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

The Unique Role God Has for Strong-Willed Christian Women

Men are usually held in high esteem for their strong will. “What a leader!” people say. “He’s bold and lives with conviction.”

But a woman with a strong will is often characterized quite differently. “She’s bossy, controlling, and too self-assured.” It’s as if a woman can only be virtuous if she’s quiet and meek.

I think women and men are identical in this sense – God doesn’t want to rid us of our personalities, He wants to direct it and use it for His purposes.

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

Helping Your Teen Daughter Develop a Positive Body Image

Do you know the difference between raising a “body-conscious” daughter and a “body-confident” daughter?

Recently, I had the privilege of talking with author and speaker Dannah Gresh on how mothers can help their daughters develop a positive body image.

Most moms of teenage girls know what it’s like to watch their daughter break down into tears in the middle of a department store because none of the jeans fit right. Dannah explains that at the core of every girl’s battle with body image are these questions: “Am I beautiful?” “Am I worthy?” “Am I noticeable?”

The trouble is, it’s easy to focus on outward modesty – the length of shorts, the depth of a neckline, and the thickness of eyeliner.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, parenting

Rick and Lynn Raisman are All of Us

If you’re a fan of women’s gymnastics, chances are you’re familiar with Rick and Lynn Raisman, parents of U.S. gymnast and gold medal winner Aly Raisman.

The Raismans have achieved “viral” status thanks to their all-too-obvious nervousness when Aly performs. They squirm and grimace their way through their daughter’s leaps, somersaults, and dismounts – Aly’s mom sometimes even watches her routines through her hands!

If you haven’t watched the Raismans’ reactions, take a look:

As entertaining as it is to watch, if you’re a parent, you have to admit: the Raismans are simply emoting what all of us feel on the inside as our children grow up and journey towards independence.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: news, parenting, pop culture

Should We Be Outraged By Al Trautwig’s Comments about Adoption?

Last night in Rio, American gymnast Simone Biles won the gold in Women’s individual all-around. It’s no wonder – she is the best in the world. For those of you not acquainted with Miss Biles, this video from The New Yorker will help, as will as this one from the New York Times:

But Biles’ amazing athleticism isn’t the only reason she’s been in the news lately.

On Monday NBC announcer Al Trautwig said that Biles’ parents aren’t her real parents.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: adoption, news, pop culture

Are You Equipped to Address Gender-Confusing Messages in Your Child’s School?

Summer just flew by, didn’t it?

Across the country, kids in many school districts have already started the new school year, and plenty of other families are about to start.

I don’t know about your family, but in the Daly home, the back-to-school season is characterized by excitement … and a little bit of anxiety. And I’m not just talking about the boys. Jean and I always feel it, too – what new challenges will our sons experience this year?

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, parenting, religious liberty

Learn about a Serious Risk to Religious Liberty in California… and the Nation

Breaking News: After the radio broadcast mentioned below was aired, the news media has reported that the sponsor of California SB 1146 has decided to – for now – drop the controversial language that threatened Christian colleges in California. The following are Jim’s thoughts on the California situation before the latest news, which are still important for understanding the ongoing threat to Christian education that such laws present.

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If you’re not already aware, I want you to know about something taking place in California right now.

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

Church v. Family: Which Should You Choose?

Christianity Today recently ran a piece with an attention-grabbing headline: “Our Priorities Are Off When Family Is More Important Than Church.”

The basic premise of the article is this: while God loves family, we also see some statements in the Bible that the author says are “anti-family,” such as Jesus’ words in the book of Luke: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple” (14:26).

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home