Jim Daly

Christians at the Intersection of Faith and Laws

What would you do if you were asked to compromise your religious convictions?

For an increasing number of believers in this country, that’s not a hypothetical question anymore. It’s a real-life decision they’re having to make – and the cost for standing for their faith can be high.

Christian business owners who are trying to run their companies according to their biblical beliefs are finding themselves increasingly at odds with our country’s laws and “erotic freedom.” That’s why in today’s broadcast, we’re exploring the challenges to our religious liberties.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, religious liberty

Guest Post: The Schmitts Adopt Abby

For many families looking to adopt, the ride can be scary and expensive. That was the case for friends of Focus on the Family, Jonathan and Amanda Schmitt. The Schmitts’ story is the third in the adoption series I’m running during this November, National Adoption Month. (You can also read parts one and two.)

Here’s the Schmitts’ adoption story, as told by Amanda.

***

Months turned to years and I still wasn’t pregnant. We were beginning to question what was going on.

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

What Would You Tell Yourself?

The other day I found my boys, Trent and Troy, giggling over an old photo album they’d found. After plopping into the couch with them and enduring some good-natured ribbing about old hairstyles and clothing choices their mother and I had once made, one photo in particular grabbed my attention.

It was a snapshot of me with my arm around Troy’s shoulder when he was about five years old. I was immediately struck by how much he looked like me at that same age.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: friendship, pro-life, relationships

VIDEO: Share in a Daly Family Annual Tradition

This month, I’ve written about Focus on the Family’s involvement with Operation Christmas Child in two posts: How Shoeboxes Help Spread the Gospel and This Operation Christmas Child Grew Up and Paid It Forward.

Today I want to share with you how my family is personally involved with sharing our faith through this great program.

Our personal involvement is simple: We pack shoeboxes!

For some years now, we’ve been preparing boxes. We always choose gifts for boys since our sons, Trent and Troy, know exactly what to pick out for them.

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

Guest Post: When It Comes to Adoption, Community Makes All the Difference

We’re in the middle of National Adoption Month, and I’m taking the occasion to highlight various adoption stories of real-life families. It’s my hope that these stories will educate you about both the blessings and the challenges of adoption, and even inspire your family to consider adoption.

We kicked off the series last week with Dr. Russell Moore’s adoption story. This week, I’m happy to have Kelly Rosati, Focus’ vice president over our Community Outreach team, share hers.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, kids, relationships

Guest Post: Dear Parents with Young Children in Church

This stay-at-home mom’s blog post has already encouraged many parents who, week after week, faithfully attend church services with their young children. I hope it encourages you, too.

***

You are doing something really, really important. I know it’s not easy. I see you with your arms overflowing, and I know you came to church already tired. Parenting is tiring. Really tiring.

I watch you bounce and sway trying to keep the baby quiet, juggling the infant carseat and the diaper bag as you find a seat.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: church, kids, pastors

Complimentary CD for Military Families

Today is Veterans Day, when we honor the brave men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. Each one is a hero, and we’re indebted to them far beyond our ability to pay.

On today’s and tomorrow’s radio broadcasts, you’ll meet one of these mighty warriors. U.S. Army Major Scotty Smiley was blinded by a car bombing in Iraq. His inspiring story of recovery will leave you in awe. Please click here to listen.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family, religious liberty

This Operation Christmas Child Grew Up and Paid It Forward

In my post last week “How Shoeboxes Help Spread the Gospel,” I talked about how Operation Christmas Child provides children around the world with what might be their only opportunity to receive the Gospel message. I also shared pictures taken by a Focus staffer of the boys and girls in Senegal, Africa, as they received boxes.

One of the people who attended that trip was Damaris, a young woman who, herself, received a shoebox when she was 9.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, friendship, pastors

Happy Birthday, Rev. Dr. Billy Graham!

Happy 95th birthday, Rev. Dr. Billy Graham!

He’s been called “America’s Pastor” for a good reason: for almost 70 years, Dr. Graham has worked in ministry, preaching, evangelizing, counseling U.S presidents and meeting with world leaders. Millions have come to know Jesus as Savior through his sharing of the Gospel.

Even though he’s had to slow down over the past few years due to health reasons, he has a wonderful new project that will be unveiled today, “My Hope.”

Even at 95, God is using Billy Graham to preach the Gospel and bring men and women to Himself.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, pastors

How to Pass Along a Faith that Lasts to Your Kids

A few weeks ago, I blogged about the misperception that millennials are losing their faith. In that post, I mentioned two facts that will springboard us to today’s topic of faith retention:

1. Young people are not leaving the church in droves.

2. Of all young adults that do leave the church, only 11 percent came from homes where a consistent/serious faith was practiced, whereas 89 percent came from lukewarm or no-faith homes.

In other words, what parents do to build faith into their kids matters.

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