Jim Daly

An Open Letter About Halloween

Peanuts creator Charles Schulz made a habit of dispensing advice through the mouths of cartoon characters, especially the blanket-carrying Linus van Pelt.

Like any offering of counsel, some of it is to be heeded and some of it is not.

“There are three things you must never discuss with people,” the comic strip’s philosopher/theologian once said, “religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin.”

Since we regularly wade into the first two topics anyway, we might as well go for broke and address the latter.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, pop culture

Two Women, Two Views on Dying with Dignity

Two weeks ago, Brittany Maynard’s op-ed, “My right to die with dignity at 29,” ran on CNN.com. In it, she shared about her diagnosis of brain cancer just a year into her marriage. Doctors told her she had only six months to live.

I can’t imagine receiving such a diagnosis at age 29. My heart breaks for this young woman and her family.

After talking with doctors and her family, she declined palliative care.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, news, pro-life

Is Duck Dynasty’s John Luke Robertson Too Young to Get Married?

America’s favorite duck-hunting family is in the news again.

John Luke Robertson, the son of Duck Commander CEO Willie Robertson and wife, Korie, proposed to girlfriend Mary Kate McEacharn on his Oct. 11 birthday. According to John Luke, both families are supportive and “thrilled.”

While it seems most people are happy with the couple’s plans to wed, there is one thing some people seem to be criticizing: the couple’s tender age.

John Luke is only 19 years old.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: marriage, pop culture

Teach Your Kids to Serve Others with Operation Christmas Child

There are only 57 days until Christmas.

If your kids are like most, they’ve already given some thought to what they’d like to see under the tree.

But have they thought about what they’d like to give?

It’s an important question to ask. The natural tendency to focus on presents can make it challenging for kids to remember and understand that the season revolves around a Savior who said “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

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

Have “The Best Year of Your Marriage”

My wife Jean and I have been married for 27 years.

And although our marriage is getting better with each passing day, not every moment has been blissful. If you’re married, I’m sure you can relate. There are highs and lows and lots of moments in between.

Through it all, though, we’ve challenged ourselves to keep close by seeking to remain in consistent fellowship with the Lord.

We want to encourage those who are married to do the same.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, marriage

Focus and VeggieTales Help Teach Children About Unconditional Love

VeggieTales’ “Beauty and the Beet” debuted last week, and Focus is coming alongside “Bob the Tomato” and “Larry the Cucumber” to help parents teach their kids a lesson in unconditional love.

Amidst the usual vegetable hijinks, jokes, and a new Silly Song, children will see how Mirabelle, the lead singer of her family’s up-and-coming band, chooses to show love and kindness to Mr. Beet, the grumpy manager of the run-down resort where they’re stuck.

Entertainment with a purpose

Since its start in 1993, VeggieTales has lived up to its theme song’s promise: “there’s never-ever-ever-ever-ever been a show like VeggieTales!” Not only do the fun stories appeal to both children and parents, they impart meaningful life lessons and Biblical values to viewers young and old alike.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, family

A Visit with Franklin Graham

Do you struggle wondering if you measure up as a parent?

Perhaps you see other families from the outside, and it’s like watching a highlight reel. Their children don’t squabble, the parents never have a disagreement, and life seems perfect.

But is it really?

Every family has its challenges.

Just ask Franklin Graham, the son of Billy and Ruth Graham.

If the Lord would bless any family with model children, it would be the Grahams, right?

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

Why are These Pastors Being Threatened with Fines of $1,000 Per Day?

Meet Donald and Evelyn Knapp.

Both in their late 60s, the Knapps have owned and operated the Hitching Post Wedding Chapel in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho since 1989. In that time, they’ve performed more than 34,000 weddings. The chapel is conveniently located across from the Kootenai County Clerk’s office, which issues marriage licenses.

The Knapps are more than wedding chapel owners, though. They’re also ordained ministers from the Foursquare Church, an evangelical denomination. They take the tenets of their faith and denomination seriously, including the belief that marriage is a union of one man and one woman.

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

Have You Ever Been Hangry?

It’s such a common feeling they made up a new word for it.

“Hangry” is a combination of hungry and angry – as in, when you’re hungry, you’re more likely to get angry or grumpy. It’s a real thing.

A recent article, “The science of ‘hangry’ – how low blood sugar makes you a monster,” cites a study that found “married couples get increasingly angry and mean towards one another” when there’s not enough glucose to fuel the brain.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, marriage

Freedom of Houston Pastors Still at Risk

Last week’s bombshell out of Houston that its mayor, Annise Parker, had subpoenaed the sermons from area pastors is still causing ripples both inside and outside the faith community.

On Friday, city attorneys revised their demands. Instead of requesting the pastor’s sermons, they’re now demanding “all speeches or presentations” related to the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance. The controversial law, also known as the “Bathroom Bill” allows men who consider themselves women to use the women’s restroom.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: church, policy, religious liberty