Jim Daly

The Boy Scouts, Game of Thrones, and a Warning from Canada

A news summary on issues that matter.

Boy Scouts’ President Calls for End to Ban on Homosexual Leaders

When the Boy Scouts began allowing openly homosexual members in 2013 we warned the change would inevitably and eventually lead to the acceptance of homosexual leaders.

Sadly, this prediction has come true.

Yesterday, Robert M. Gates, president of the Boy Scouts of America, officially called for the group to end its ban on homosexual Scout leaders. Speaking at the organization’s national meeting, Mr.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: marriage, news, policy, pop culture, pro-life

Loneliness is a Strategy Against Our Souls

There may be no greater irony in our society than this.

Technology we could hardly have dreamed of thirty years ago is now at our fingertips. We can connect with almost anyone anywhere in the world within seconds in a dozen different ways – from the traditional phone call to email to social media to texting.

And, yet, more and more of us admit to feeling lonely.

How is that possible?

Maybe it’s because the “connection” we all believe we have is really an illusion.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, faith, relationships

Did You Hear What Happened Inside a Waffle House?

At only 5 years old, Josiah Duncan is teaching the country what it means to show love and compassion.

It all started when the Alabama boy and his mom, Ava Faulk, encountered a man outside a local Waffle House, news outlets report. Josiah didn’t understand why the man wasn’t clean. It turns out little Josiah had never heard of homelessness.

He had a lot of questions – but most of all, he was troubled that the man looked hungry.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, parenting

Helping Your Husband Overcome Sexual Abuse

Several weeks back I shared a few thoughts relating to a two-day broadcast we were airing. It was about the sexual abuse many women suffer in childhood, and the pain that follows them into adulthood.

But sexual abuse isn’t a trauma only girls face. It’s also common to boys as well — and it’s terrible for every victim.

Boys are told they shouldn’t cry. Men are supposed to be tough. They’re strong; they’re conquerors. But what do those messages imply to a boy when he has been overpowered and victimized?

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

How a Young Woman Talked About Jesus in a Public School

I want to share some encouraging reports from this year’s Day of Dialogue free speech event.

When I originally blogged about the April 16th event giving Christian students a chance to share a hope-filled perspective on issues like marriage, sexuality and gender-identity issues, I told you we were expecting 18,000 young men and women would participate.

In reality, an estimated 25,000 students took the initiative to lead Day of Dialogue events in schools across the nation.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: faith, kids, news, parenting, religious liberty

The Abortion Worker Who Became a Friend

Let me ask you a question. How do you think Christians should engage a culture that often stands in direct opposition to God’s truth?

There are likely as many different answers to that question as there are people to respond to it. In my view, that says a lot about the creativity and passion of the Christian community.

But, however we strive to influence the culture, I hope there’s one underlying value that guides all we do and say: Jesus offers salvation to everyone.

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

The Secret to Connecting with Your Spouse for a Lifetime

Let me ask you this: Which part of your marriage relationship do you believe will develop the deepest intimacy?

Here are your choices:

Sexuality
Emotions
Spiritual connection

They each have their place, of course, but all things considered, spiritual connection with our spouse will create a deeper, more meaningful connection than the other two areas.

Here’s why: The benefits of spiritual intimacy naturally spill over into the other two areas. A spiritually connected couple will tend to have deeper emotional and sexual connection with one another.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage

To Reduce Poverty, Reduce Divorce

I returned late last night from speaking at Georgetown University’s Catholic-Evangelical Leadership Summit on Overcoming Poverty (#povertysummit on Twitter). While I still have to digest everything that took place, I want to share a bit about the experience with you.

It was an honor to speak to the more than 700 people who attended the conference. At the event, I was part of a panel responding to the thoughts Harvard Professor Robert Putnam presents in his book, “Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis.”

In his book, Dr.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: family, policy, pro-life

Free E-Book and Other Resources For Your Family

For years, Focus on the Family has been offering wonderful resources to help our friends with their marriage, parenting and faith journeys. I want to share some of the items we’re currently offering, or that will be available soon.

1. “Ready to Wed: 12 Ways to Start a Marriage You’ll Love” – Written by Focus marriage experts Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley for engaged couples, this book is full of helpful tips and wisdom to set soon-to-be newlyweds on a straight path toward a healthy marriage.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: faith, family, promos

You’re Not “Just” a Mom

Here at Focus we hear from women who have an identity problem. When someone asks what they do, they say, “Oh, I’m just a mom.”

Moms often have a way of seeing their own shortcomings and minimizing the role they play in their kids’ lives. I don’t believe those perceptions are accurate, but I can certainly understand the factors that drive them.

A lot of young women don’t feel capable of being good mothers. Some had poor role models growing up, and now they fear they’ll repeat the same patterns in their parenting role.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, parenting