Jim Daly

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

The Danger of Over-Protecting Boys

Moms, the Lord is depending on your boys to be wolves.

In the first six weeks of a baby cub’s life, a wolf never leaves the den or his mother. She nurtures him and teaches him to take care of himself.

At six weeks of age, the cub leaves the den for the first time. Waiting for him outside is his dad who, day after day, takes the young wolf farther and farther away from the den.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, parenting

From Bullied to Olympic Champion: Tamika Catchings-Smith

Did you know that Colorado Springs, where Focus on the Family is located, is an Olympic city? Our mile-high location and thin air make it the ideal place for more than 10,000 Olympians, Paralympians and Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center located here in town.

That connection helps explain why here at Focus we’re pretty excited about the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In my post yesterday I introduced you to two divers, both Christians, who will be competing in the Rio Games.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, news, pop culture

Two Olympians and Three Videos

Tomorrow millions of families around the world will tune in to watch the opening ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

There’s something special about the Olympics, isn’t there? Cheering on the United States – or whatever your “home” country is – adds a welcomed, unique layer to the thrill of sports.

It’s also interesting to “meet” the athletes and learn their amazing stories. So many of them have overcome seemingly impossible odds to compete in the Games.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home

What Good Dads Can Learn From “Bad Moms” (Guest Post)

The movie “Bad Moms” opened this past weekend in the number two slot, taking in $23.8 million. And despite the bad language and wild antics, the film delivers a lesson… to dads. I’ll leave you with Plugged In’s Paul Asay to share what he learned when he watched “Bad Moms” — so you won’t have to.

And I’d love to hear from you — what summer movie (in the theaters or on Netflix) can you recommend?

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

Why Budgets Don’t Work and Why You Should Make One Today

Conflict over finances can be hard on a marriage. In fact, research shows that couples who argue about money are nearly twice as likely to divorce as those who don’t.

The answer to that dilemma should be easy then, right? Just manage your finances better.

But a lot of couples are surprised to learn that poor money habits are only one part of their trouble. The other part is usually the marriage itself.

Money puts stress on fractures that already exist in a marriage.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, finances, marriage