Jim Daly

What We Can Learn from President George H.W. and Barbara Bush’s Marriage

Former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, recently celebrated 70 years of marriage, making them the longest-married presidential couple in U.S. history. Their marriage isn’t just long-lasting – by all accounts, it’s a happy union characterized by both love and friendship.

Of her marriage, Mrs. Bush has said:

“I think we grew together. I think that when you have a child die and you survive, and you’ve been through a war and you survive, and you build a business and you survive, you either grow apart or together.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: family, marriage

How to Pep Up Your Marriage

Did you get married to work a job, to do laundry, or to pay bills? Most people don’t. Yet, many marriages wind up in exactly that kind of “ho-hum” condition. At some point after the euphoria of the wedding ceremony, life settles into a daily grind of routine activity. Careers are chased, children are born, a larger home is purchased with two new cars in the garage.

And, slowly, the romance fades.

What used to be hours on the phone together and regular date nights becomes two people who only talk about practical matters, like finances or the kids’ grades.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home

How Would You Answer This Critical Question?

I decided to sit down with my boys over the Christmas break and have a talk with them.

We’ve already had THE talk about the birds and the bees. Trent is now 14 and Troy is 12. Like it or not, they’re well on their way toward the battles of life.

In fact, we regularly talk about the big issues of sex, drugs and drinking. We have a mantra in our home which both boys can recite.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, parenting

What a Boy Taught This Pastor

January is Sanctity of Human Life month, so it’s very fitting that I share with you some more about a film project Focus has been working on called The Drop Box. I’ve highlighted this touching documentary in this blog before, and you’ll be hearing more about it in the weeks to come. The documentary highlights the work of Pastor Lee Jong-rak who leads Jusarang Community Church in Seoul, South Korea.

The hallmark ministry of Pastor Lee’s church is its care for children that are left in its “baby box,” a warm, safe receptacle where an infant can be left anonymously instead of being discarded in a cold alley or a dumpster.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: events, faith, kids, news, pro-life

Share the Value of Both Mom and Baby with #iseetwo

This year, Focus on the Family is commemorating Sanctity of Human Life month in January in three primary ways:

1. Announcing a new milestone for our Option Ultrasound program

In the ten years since its launch, we estimate that Option Ultrasound has now helped saved more than 300,000 babies! Since its beginning in 2004, Option Ultrasound has provided some 655 grants to qualified pregnancy medical clinics and about $4.5 million worth of benevolent resources to pregnancy centers.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: kids, news, pro-life

Looking Ahead to 2015

A couple of weeks ago I shared with you many of the exciting things God accomplished through Focus on the Family—with your support—this year. With tomorrow being the last day of 2014, it’s appropriate to start looking forward. God has put many plans in our hearts for 2015. We’ll be stretching towards these goals – as well as eagerly anticipating what the Lord might surprise us with. Here are just two of the things Focus will be working on next year.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: news

Doing This Will Help Your Marriage

My wife Jean always knows when I’ve taped a broadcast with author and speaker Dr. Gary Chapman.

It’s uncanny. I’ll walk through the door and, inspired by my time with Dr. Chapman, I’ll ask her something like, “What’s one thing I could do to help you today?” And she immediately knows who I’ve spent time with.

And that’s how God uses Dr. Chapman. He’s a relationship expert, and he helps couples create and maintain an emotionally safe environment in their marriages that is conducive to positive growth.

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

An Unwanted Dog and the Woman She Rescued

Sometimes life’s pain can be so deep we lose ourselves in a fog of uncertainty and confusion. We struggle to see things that were once crystal clear – things like who God is and who we are in Him.

That was Laurie Sacher’s story. Broken dreams had stripped her of hope, leaving behind heartache and nagging questions about God’s character and His love for her.

But then a dog wandered into her life … literally. It was scraggly, blind, and homeless.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, faith

Can I Have Your Favorite Christmas Recipe?

A favorite from a few Christmases ago, this post features many interesting recipes in the comments section. I hope some of these will inspire your family to spend some time cooking up some new memories together this Christmas… and if you think of it, please consider adding your family’s favorite recipe, too! -JD

***

Food ranks high among the many wonderful traditions of Christmas. Depending upon your family’s heritage and where you were raised, you probably have your favorite holiday treats.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, events, family

Our Christmas Video Gift for You

There is something special and nostalgic about Christmas. You may find yourself back in the church of your childhood, lifting a lighted candle and singing the familiar carols of the season, your own kids by your side. Perhaps your children are now grown, and far from home this year. It might be quieter than you want it to be. Or maybe you’re far from home yourself this year, forging new traditions and experiences. Whatever your circumstance, Christmas is coming and the world’s largest birthday celebration is almost here.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: events, family