Jim Daly

What Do You Think About the Obama Administration’s School Restroom Policy?

Last week’s controversial directive by the Obama Administration to the nation’s public schools and colleges has understandably shocked many parents and students.

In fact, according to a new Rasmussen poll earlier this week, 55 percent of parents with elementary and secondary school age children oppose it while 32 percent support it; 16 percent are undecided.

As I said in my media statement Friday, the move to open up restrooms and showers to gender-confused students undermines parental rights and politicizes our kids’ education.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: news, parenting, policy, religious liberty

Why No News is Good News from the Supreme Court Today

We’re pleased today to learn that the Little Sisters of the Poor will not be forced by the government to compromise their religious beliefs after all.

Allow me to explain.

Rather than issue a final verdict, the U.S. Supreme Court has ordered the lower courts to allow the over two dozen religious organizations and individuals involved in the Zubik v. Burwell case (in which Little Sisters is one of the religious parties) to work with the federal government to reach a compromise that takes care of the concerns of all parties.

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

Twelve Traits Common to Every Happy Marriage

I’ve met a lot of couples who believe the formula for marital happiness is rooted in things like chemistry, fate, or a one-in-a-million shot that you’ll discover your soul mate.

Here’s one that’s mostly overlooked: choice.

That’s right. In the same way that personal happiness is a choice, so, too, is happiness in marriage. It may not always be an easy choice or an obvious choice, but it is something we can choose regardless of whatever obstacles may be working against us.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: marriage, wives

My Thoughts on the Obama Administration’s Letter to Schools Concerning Transgender Bathrooms

Here’s what we sent to the media regarding today’s news. I hope to address this topic – and the issues surrounding it – in greater depth next week. –JD

***

Focus on the Family President: Obama Administration’s Letter to Public Schools Undermines Parental Rights, Politicizes Education of 50 Million Schoolchildren
““There should be a balanced approach – one that does not ignore privacy concerns”

Colorado Springs, Colo. – Focus on the Family President Jim Daly issued a statement reacting to the Obama Administration’s letter to public schools on bathroom use today.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: family, news, parenting, policy

An Innocent Man, a Crooked Cop and the Gift of Forgiveness

Their friendship started in an unlikely way – with a lie and an arrest.

Jameel McGee was walking down a Benton Harbor, Michigan street when police officer Andrew Collins falsely accused him of dealing drugs and arrested McGee. The arrest – and the phony report Collins filed – led to McGee spending four years in prison. During his sentence, McGee lost everything.

While in prison, all McGee could think of was of getting back at the man whose actions had stolen so much from him.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, news

Five Steps to Being a One-Woman Kind of Man

Men, we’re at war.

I don’t think most guys think of their role as a husband or father in those terms very often. That could be why so many guys succumb to the dangers of pornography and adulterous affairs. The enemy of our soul is ruthlessly plotting the destruction of us and our families … and a lot of us seem oblivious to it.

That’s why author and speaker Dr. Steve Farrar compares a man’s role in his home to point men in military conflict.

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

Will You Pray for These Kids?

When I was 9 years old, I was put in foster care. In many ways, it was only another obstacle in a life full of hard knocks.

My parents divorced when I was 5, after Dad threatened to kill Mom with a hammer. My mom soon remarried a harsh man named Hank who loved Mom, but didn’t like us kids. Hank abandoned us after Mom died of cancer. His departure was what landed me in foster care.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, kids, pro-life

The Blessing and Challenges of Adoption

Sometimes I can’t help but smile when people tell me they’re just not sure how the Lord wants them to serve. “Lord, what do you want me to do with my life?” they’ll repeatedly pray.

I grin because, regardless of whatever unique and specific calling God may place on each of us, He’s already communicated many things that He expects from all of us. One is found in Scripture nearly 50 times: to care for the widow and the orphan (for example, James 1:27).

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

Finding Joy in Motherhood

Author Arlene Pellicane describes the average mom’s frenzied day like this: “We wake up, and we’re Mary Poppins. ‘Let’s do this thing!’ we say. But by the time we go to bed, we’re Cruella de Vil.”

A lot of moms might describe themselves with words like “busy,” “stressed,” or “tired.”

One word you don’t often hear from moms is “happy.” Maybe that’s because, by and large, mothers have settled into the notion that busyness, work, and falling into bed exhausted are “just the way it is.”

Arlene’s discovery of what a happy mom is began with a personal encounter that illustrated to her what a happy mom isn’t.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events/ Family and Home Tags: family, kids, marriage, parenting

The Four Things God Wants in Our Prayers

Today is the National Day of Prayer, a wonderful and sacred time-honored American tradition. The effort is headed by the NDP Task Force, led by Focus board member emerita Shirley Dobson, who is celebrating her 25th anniversary in her role as NDP Chairman.

On this eve of this very special day, I would like to pose a few questions.

Why should believers take a day to focus on prayer? Why pray for our fellow citizens, our leaders and the needs and challenges facing America?

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, religious liberty