Jim Daly

Grief Without Despair: What Seattle Pacific University Students Taught Me

Earlier this month, a young male started shooting a gun at Seattle Pacific University, a Christian school. Before he stopped to reload his weapon, he had killed one and injured three others.

A 22-year old student, Jon Meis, put himself in harm’s way to stop the gunman from inflicting further harm. Meis used pepper spray to incapacitate the shooter before knocking him down. At that point, other students jumped in and helped subdue the shooter.

Bucking the narrative

Sadly, these stories of public shootings follow a familiar storyline by now.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, news, relationships

Homosexuality and Eating Shrimp: What Does the Bible Say?

Same-sex marriage is in the news. That’s partly the result of various national-level religious liberty debates stemming from Christian photographers, florists and bakers conscientiously declining to participate in homosexual marriage ceremonies – and the lawsuits that they’ve had to face.

With all the conversation on the topic, I’m sure this has happened to many of you: you’re online, reading articles on these stories, when you decide to read the comments section.

“Sure Leviticus says homosexuality is a sin; but it also says eating shellfish and wearing clothes made out of different types of thread are sin.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: church, homosexuality, pop culture, promos

Guest Post: What You Need to Know About Religious Liberties Cases Before SCOTUS

Two cases currently before the U.S. Supreme Court are of special interest to many people of faith because they deal with the issue of religious liberties. I’ve previously asked you to pray for these cases because of their far-reaching implications and because the families behind the companies are committed Christians who need our support.

Cases like these tend to be complicated, drawn-out and tough to follow, which is why I’m glad to have Focus’ judicial analyst, Bruce Hausknecht, guest blog.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: news, policy, pro-life, religious liberty

Is There a Right Time to Start a Family?

The headline certainly draws you in: “Don’t Call Me Grandma: Births to ‘Older’ Moms on the Rise.” The report from NBC News highlights the growing trend of women over age 35 who are having their first baby.

Delaying pregnancy has become the new normal, and there are many reasons why this is so. First of all, men and women are both marrying at an older age. Another reason is many people – most markedly, women – are pursuing college or advanced degrees that pressure them to dedicate time to developing their careers instead of starting a family.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids, marriage, news

Be a Part of Focus Conference Recognized as a “National Best Practice”

Since 2008, 2,774 families have initiated the process of adoption from foster care as a result of the collaborative efforts of our Wait No More program. It’s been amazing for us to see that many of these families are choosing to adopt hard-to-place kids like older children, sibling groups or those with special needs.

Results like this are the reason why the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute has named Wait No More a national best practice in foster care adoption recruitment.

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

Stepfamilies Form Part of Our Christian Faith

Stepfamilies exist for different reasons. Sometimes as a result of marriage after divorce… sometimes because of a marriage after the death of a spouse. Sometimes the stepfamily happens because a baby or child born out-of-wedlock creates a blended family after the marriage takes place.

Whatever the reason, we know this is true: in addition to the issues all families face – the sibling rivalry, economic issues, the occasional spat – stepfamilies often have some added challenges to overcome.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, divorce, family

Happy Father’s Day to All the Unsung Heroes

In my latest book, “The Good Dad,” I spent a lot of time and pages on the importance of dads simply “being there” for their kids.

“Our kids aren’t asking for perfection,” I wrote. “They’re asking for our presence – to show up for the job each and every day. They’re asking us to be there for them, to guide them, to hug them.”

When we’re there with them, accompanying them in the trenches of everyday life, we’re able to serve as a guiding influence over our children.

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

Did a Teacher Make a Difference in Your Life?

The title of “teacher” is a great one. It conveys passing along wisdom, knowledge and nurturing.

Most of us, looking back, can identify at least one teacher who poured into us. It might have been the elementary school teacher who comforted us, or the high school teacher who encouraged us to believe that God made us capable of achieving our dreams. Whatever it was, their care made a big difference in our lives.

He saw my potential

I remember my “teacher.” He was my high school football coach, Paul Moro.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, friendship, kids

Would You Choose a Pet Over a Child?

They call them “fur babies,” and many couples in the U.S. are opting for them. One headline aptly described it this way: “Americans are having dogs instead of babies.”

The United States isn’t unique in this trend. We’ve seen for a while now how birth rates worldwide are plummeting and the number of pets are increasing. Japan, a country where sales of adult diapers outnumber those of baby diapers, has a population of more than 22 million pampered pets versus only 16.6 million children under 15.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, kids, parenting, pop culture

Typing v. Handwriting: Which Would You Choose?

Typing and “quick communication” have taken over our lives.

From the endless emails that are part of many of our jobs to text messages asking if someone can pick up bread and milk on their way home, typing has largely replaced handwriting.

Scientists are beginning to warn us that this move to all things technology isn’t completely beneficial. Last month The Boston Globe’s article “Taking notes? Bring a pen, skip the computer” connected handwriting with memory retention.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, friendship, relationships