Jim Daly

Will Child Euthanasia Ever Be Legalized in the U.S.?

You may have already heard the heartbreaking news: Belgium’s parliament voted in favor of a bill allowing euthanasia for terminally ill children without any age limit. Experts expect King Philippe to sign the bill into law.

The move comes only 12 years after Belgium legalized euthanasia for adults. It was a fast tumble down the slippery slope.

As Americans, there’s a certain temptation to read news like this and though we gulp and sigh, we think this sort of thing only happens in Europe, not the United States.

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

VIDEO: Skiing with My Boys

In Friday’s post, I mentioned the need to keep the fun in our marriages. Even as we juggle the many challenging aspects of married life, it’s good to find things to laugh about. Not only is laughter good for the soul (Proverbs 17:22), but I also think it’s God’s perfect medicine.

I like what Victor Hugo once wrote, that “laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”

I know some of you have already had too much of winter.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting

A Valentine’s Message: Be Joyful and Have Fun

A Christian woman a few years into her marriage once reflected back on the days leading up to her wedding:

“As excited as we were to start our new life together, my husband and I were also a little fearful. We had heard from so many Christian couples, and in so many sermons, about how difficult and challenging marriage is. You can’t help but think, ‘Am I crazy to go through with this?’”

She’s right – Christians spend a lot of time talking about marriage in light of the commitment it requires and the sacrifices we must make as husbands and wives.

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

How to Love Singles this Valentine’s Day

All married people were once single – but it’s surprising how quickly we forget what it was like to navigate everyday life as a single person.

Sometimes that “memory loss” is evident in the way we interact with singles. Perhaps, without meaning to, we ask insensitive questions or brush aside their heartfelt fears and concerns with a pithy statement.

Other times that memory loss manifests itself in what we don’t do: We fail to invite our single friends over to dinner at the house.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, relationships

How This Dad Made Sure His 12 Kids Paid for College Themselves

Francis L. Thompson and his wife managed to raise 12 children who not only all have college degrees, but who paid for their education themselves.

Most importantly, their children, ages 22 to 37, all share their parents’ values: self-respect, gratitude and a desire to give back to society.

In a recent article, Thompson shares how he and his wife accomplished such a feat. He provides a lengthy list of things he considers they “did right.” You might not agree with every single item he includes, but you’ll probably think his advice is good food for thought.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, finances, kids, parenting

This Olympian’s Inspiration is His Brother with Cerebral Palsy

Get the tissues out, because this story will tug at your heartstrings.

Canadian freestyle skier Alex Bilodeau won gold at the Sochi Winter Olympics yesterday, the second of his career. And right there cheering him on was his older brother, Frederic. After the big win Monday, the brothers hugged, with Alex lifting Frederic over the fence so they could celebrate together.

Frederic’s support, and the manner with which he has dealt with his physical impediments have inspired Alex throughout his many years of training.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: friendship, news, pop culture

VIDEO: Brother and Sister’s Amazing Bond Captures the Heart of Family

You may have already “met” Trenton Cochran and his sister Lindsay via an interview that’s gone viral. Or perhaps you saw them on Fox & Friends last week.

Ten-year-old Lindsay has a rare condition, spinal muscular atrophy, which confines her to a wheelchair and limits her physically. But she doesn’t face her challenges alone. Big brother Trenton is always by her side, helping take care of her, standing up for her and being her best friend.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, kids, news, parenting

Olympic Commercial Shows a Parenting Truth

Have you caught Olympic fever yet?

Here at Focus we have. Our staff is celebrating “Olympic Fridays” by wearing the red, white and blue. We watch and marvel at the athletes’ prowess – their talent, tenacity, discipline and courage.

And behind these dedicated men and women stand families who helped them achieve their dreams of representing their respective countries on a world stage after a seeming lifetime of training.

I want to share with you a commercial from Proctor and Gamble (P&G) that highlights some of the sacrifices these athletes’ mothers went through to see their children compete at the Olympic level.

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

5 SCOTUS Cases to Watch

History tells us U.S. Supreme Court decisions often have a far-reaching impact on issues we care about – things like life, marriage and religious liberties.

To that end, I wanted to provide you with a list our experts compiled of SCOTUS court cases to watch. I hope this short summary will help you navigate the news.

As always, we encourage Christians to pray for the things that go on in our government. Pray for our Supreme Court justices, that God would grant them wisdom as they hear these cases.

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

Is It Wrong to Meet with Your Ideological Opposite?

I once met with a well-known homosexual activist. I remember feeling the Lord’s prompting to reach out to this man – and pushing off that meeting for months. (I recently shared more about this meeting with the Catalyst conference via video.)

You might have also heard in the news awhile back that I’ve met with abortion rights groups in hopes that we might find a way to realize their stated goal of making abortion more rare.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, relationships