Jim Daly

Hope in the Face of Violence

The stories and scenes from Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, have become tragically familiar. Once again, a calm and peaceful setting is disrupted by violent gunfire, a massacre wrought by an individual targeting people of the Christian faith.

From Columbine High School and New Life Church here in Colorado, to churches in Charleston, South Carolina, and Fort Worth, Texas, and now, a school in Roseburg, Oregon, a chilling pattern has emerged. Innocent and unassuming people, many of them young students for whom their love of God frames everything else in life, are increasingly becoming the casualties of a red-hot abhorrence of Christianity.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, kids, news, religious liberty

Dr. John Trent’s Secret to Raising Great Kids

If you’ve just recently discovered our ministry, welcome to Focus on the Family.

As our longtime friends will agree, if you explore our websites, read our magazines, or listen to our radio programs, you’ll find a wealth of practical, everyday advice for parents – things like strategies for effective discipline and tips for helping kids thrive with their siblings or at school.

But there may be no more important wisdom we share with parents than the kind of topic we’ll be talking about on our broadcast today.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, family, kids, parenting

Oregon Community College Shooting

We’re deeply saddened by the tragic news of the shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon. News reports indicate the shooter, who later committed suicide, was asking those he captured to state their religion. If they identified as Christians, they were shot in the head. All others were shot in the leg. In total, 12 people have been reported killed and eight others have been wounded. Today’s massacre, which appears to have been religiously motivated, is reminiscent of the Columbine High School shooting where several students were specifically targeted and murdered because of their Christian faith.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, news

Why Kevin Palau is Conservative in His Theology and Liberal in His Fellowship

Yesterday and today’s broadcast features an interview with Kevin Palau, president of the Luis Palau Association, and Sam Adams, the mayor of Portland from 2008 to 2012. As some of you may be aware, Sam was one of the first openly gay mayors in the United States.

Kevin and Sam’s unusual friendship began when the Palau organization went to city hall and said, “How can we help you address critical needs in the community that are going unaddressed right now?”

Sam and his administration were wary.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, church, faith, friendship

How to Resolve Football Season Woes in Marriage

Do you like football?

Not everybody does, of course, a reality that can lead to frustrations in marriage.

My wife, Jean, isn’t a raving fan of the game, but she appreciates the enjoyment the boys and I get from both playing and watching it. That said, we’re not overly “plugged in” to a regimen of watching on television. Because we don’t watch regular TV at all, catching a Sunday afternoon game is a treat.

But what about the husband or wife (women make up 45 percent of the NFL fan base) for whom football is a major passion?

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

One of the Toughest Jobs in America

Let’s imagine you’re looking for a job online and come across a posting that describes the position as follows:

WANTED: Gregarious, dynamic and charismatic leader; excellent teaching and speaking skills required; must be empathetic and a good listener; proficient in conflict resolution, capable of juggling numerous priorities and managing unrealistic expectations. Must be available seven days per week, 24 hours per day. Compensation is not commensurate with experience.

Are you ready to apply?

I can probably guess what you’re thinking – “I’m not crazy, Jim!

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: church, events, pastors

Did You Know This About Darryl Strawberry?

The line that separates the heights of success from the depths of despair is often razor thin.

Take our guests on today’s and tomorrow’s programs, for example.

Darryl Strawberry was a power hitting, eight-time All-Star outfielder who earned four World Series rings. In 17 seasons, he played for a number of Major League baseball teams, including the New York Mets and the New York Yankees.

But his career, and his life, were derailed by substance abuse, prison time, and dysfunctional family relationships that cost him two marriages and estranged him from his children.

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

How to Help Your Kids Express Their Faith

Tracy was raised in an alcoholic home. Her story might have had the same tragic ending as so many who grow up in her circumstances.

But the Lord used a neighborhood family to intervene in her life.

When Tracy was little, she met a girl next door named Missy, who was her age. They became lifelong friends. Missy’s family was kind and welcomed Tracy into their home. The two girls would play all day and have sleepovers at Missy’s house.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, events, religious liberty

Three Ways Healthy Couples Fight

Do you and your spouse fight “well”?

That’s not a trick question. There really is such a thing as “healthy conflict” in marriage.

Here at Focus, we find that couples fall into one of three beliefs about marital conflict. One is the group who enters marriage expecting an unrealistic level of agreement and perfection in their relationship. If they’re truly happy and meant for one another, they believe, there shouldn’t be any conflict. That’s not a very realistic view of human relationship.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, marriage

WATCH: Exclusive Debut of Newsboys Video Kicks Off “Bring Your Bible to School Day”

Last year’s inaugural “Bring Your Bible to School Day” was huge, and this year’s event on Oct. 8 promises to be even bigger.

Just like last year, all 50 states will be represented. But where last year we had about 8,000 students participating, we’re expecting that number to be exponentially higher for the 2015 event.

Think about what God can do through multiple thousands of students, from kindergarten to college, bringing their Bibles to school as a visual way to celebrate religious freedom and share God’s hope with friends!

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: events, kids, pop culture, religious liberty