Jim Daly

Two Good Men Defend Faith and Family in Massachusetts

Today I want to share with you the story of a pair of winsome warriors, as told by Focus’ Citizen magazine. It’s a story of Christ-centered love for country, of cross-generational partnership and of heeding God’s call.

Subscribe to Citizen magazine to get full access to uplifting and informative, public policy-related content such as this. An iPad version of Citizen is available through the iTunes Newsstand. You can also subscribe to the print version for a special rate of only $9.99 by calling 1-800-A-FAMILY.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: policy, promos, religious liberty

How to Break Free from a Troubled Past

We’ve all suffered heartache.

Even if we grew up in a loving home, we were raised by imperfect people who made mistakes, no matter how well-intentioned they may have been. So none of us escapes completely unscathed. It’s the reality of being born into a fallen world.

That’s a truth I know all too well.

I’ve openly shared about my troubled childhood. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s enough to explain that my mother died when I was nine years old.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, faith

VIDEO: This Little Girl’s Life Was Saved During a Football Game

It was January 2010 when word got out that Focus was planning to air a pro-family commercial during Super Bowl XLIV.

Except many in the media were calling it an “anti-abortion” commercial – and many abortion rights groups were irate. Their condemnation was harsh. Many called on CBS to cancel our ad, despite not having even seen it.

The network ignored the spirited petitions urging them to reject the advertisement. It ran as scheduled in the first half.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: parenting, pop culture, pro-life, promos

This Short Video Will Encourage You

It’s a viral video with a local angle for those of us here at Focus on the Family.

The United Parcel Service (UPS) released “Driver for a Day” on Dec. 1, and the heartwarming story of driver Mr. Ernie and a 4-year-old boy named Carson has already been viewed more than 2.4 million times.

Little Carson, who lives in Colorado Springs, is so excited about the packages that arrive to his house that Mr. Ernie decided to make a special delivery just for him.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events

The Secrets to a Happy Marriage

Have you ever heard marriage advice that seemed too philosophical or theoretical?

Deeper understandings about the mysterious union of a man and woman can certainly be helpful. But every once in a while it’s great to hear something practical, like, “Tonight, go home and try this.”

On today’s and tomorrow’s broadcast, “Uncovering the Secrets to a Happy Marriage,” that’s exactly what we’ll do. Take, for example, this idea from our guest, Shaunti Feldhahn: Keep score.

For most of you, I’m guessing the notion of “keeping score” to improve your marriage sounds counter-intuitive.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, marriage

What’s Your Favorite Christmas Memory?

What’s your favorite Christmas memory?

Maybe your mind drifts back to childhood when you helped pick out the family Christmas tree. Or you think of that special gift your parents got you even though money was tight. It could even be a warm kitchen on a cold, snowy day as you baked cookies with your grandmother.

As simple as these and other memories may seem, they’re more significant than you might think. Christmas memories help shape our sense of identity.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, family

2014 Year in Review

On a wall of our offices at Focus on the Family we have a Bible verse prominently posted. It reads:

“All the people rejoiced because of what God had done for the people, for everything had been accomplished so quickly.” – 2 Chronicles 29:36

That verse comes to mind every December when our public relations team compiles a news release of the year’s highlights.

It’s amazing to look back and realize what God has accomplished for His glory and for the benefit of families… all “quickly,” in a year.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: news, promos

Do You Agree with These Parents’ Decision to “Cancel” Christmas?

When John and Lisa Henderson grew weary of the poor behavior of their three boys, ages 5, 8, and 11, the couple decided upon a radical remedy.

They decided to “cancel” Christmas.

No Santa. No stockings. No presents.

“We have not cancelled putting up decorations, celebrating the birth of our Savior, or any of our other heartwarming traditions,” Lisa explains in her recent blog post, which has gone viral and won the family an interview with “Good Morning America.”

But after months of working with their boys to help them curb a growing sense of entitlement and bad behavior, the parents decided to take the money they would have spent on presents and instead “put it towards service projects and giving gifts to others.”

Their goal?

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: parenting, pop culture

Why Marriage is Good for the Economy

I’ve blogged before about the many financial benefits marriage brings to couples, families and society. Along those lines, a recent article by the respected economist Lawrence Kudlow underscores the vital role of marriage in achieving a robust national economy.

In “Marriage Emerges as Key To Economic Growth,” Kudlow describes how the American economy has slowed from a previous average of 3.5 percent per year to a mere 1.8 percent annually – under both Republican and Democrat presidents and congresses.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: marriage, policy

What Kind of “Smart” is Your Child? Unlocking Their Potential

Each day on the daily radio broadcast, John and I have the privilege of interviewing a great variety of people – all of them uniquely gifted by God.

We’ve featured athletes and authors; singers and activists; theologians and politicians… and it’s wonderful to see how they contribute in their own areas, for the glory of God.

By now you might be asking yourself what this has to do with unlocking your child’s potential.

Here’s the link…

All of the luminaries we feature on our broadcast were, at one point in their lives, kids.

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