Jim Daly

The Father Who Wished His Son Had Never Been Born

Peter Lanza is still reeling at his son’s death.

That’s understandable because Peter’s son was Adam Lanza, the young man who killed his own mother plus 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School before taking his own life in December 2012.

In a series of interviews with The New Yorker’s Andrew Solomon, Peter breaks his silence and opens up about his son.

Yet there’s only one line in the 7,600-word article that’s making headlines: “Peter declared that he wished Adam had never been born.”

Wow.

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

Compromise Not Always the Best Answer to Marriage Disagreements

Many people think that learning to compromise is one of the keys to a successful marriage.

Would it surprise you to learn that Focus marriage experts Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley disagree?

According to the husband-wife team, compromise – an agreement where each person makes concessions – may not be the best way to help ensure long-term satisfaction in a marriage.

“I hate the word ‘compromise,’” explains Greg. “I don’t want to settle. I want to reach for something better.”

That’s why, instead of compromising, the Smalleys have found that it’s best to find a solution that feels great to both of them.

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

Did You See What This 8-Year-Old Boy Did?

If you were 8 years old and found a $20 bill in a parking lot of Cracker Barrel, what would you do with it?

Many people have asked themselves that after they watched a video featuring Myles Eckert, a young boy whose soldier dad was killed in Iraq just five weeks after Myles was born.

The influence of a father – even one who has been gone so long – runs deep, and it prompted Myles to do something beautiful on that chilly February morning: He decided to take that $20 bill and “pay it forward.”

Watch the moving piece below:

Myles inspired a blogger at Dad Matters, too.

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

Music to My Ears in Nashville

Just two weeks ago I found myself in Nashville, TN attending the National Religious Broadcaster’s Convention. It’s always a good time to reconnect with some old friends and meet new ones as we strategize ways to more effectively and efficiently spread the Good News of the Gospel.

But while I was holed up in meetings at the Opryland Hotel, a team from Focus was across town at the Fellowship Bible Church hosting our latest Wait No More conference.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: adoption, events, kids, parenting

The Man with One Ear

I’ve always been fascinated by the story of Peter cutting off the ear of the servant of the high priest. It’s by no means a major part of the Passion, but it communicates quite a bit in just a few short sentences.

According to John’s Gospel (18:10), the servant’s name was Malchus.

But that’s all we know about this man, except that Jesus stepped in and miraculously healed him.

We don’t know anything about his family, his background or what happened to him after that fateful Thursday night.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith

A Focus on the Family Friend Has Gone Home

Speaker and author Ann Kiemel comforted others with the comfort she herself received from the Lord (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Now this woman with the soft voice and strong faith is in heaven, receiving her eternal reward.

Ann passed away Saturday after a difficult battle with cancer – but most of you know her because she so openly and bravely shared about her battle with infertility.

Through her books (she sold more than 20 million of them) and her numerous times on our broadcast, she told her story of multiple miscarriages.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, broadcast, faith, news, parenting

Guest Post: Oscar Season Reminds Us That Entertainment Shapes Us

It was the late Ingmar Bergman, arguably one of the world’s most accomplished Hollywood directors in history, who once suggested that “No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls.”

He was right.

Film is an incredible medium that shapes us individually, and as such, shapes culture. This Sunday’s Academy Awards celebrated this power and, in doing so, highlighted priorities and passions of a world-famous industry for both good and bad.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, kids, parenting, pop culture

VIDEO: The Best Social Media Product of the Year?

Coca-Cola is rolling out a new product sure to help those of us who might be dedicated enthusiasts of social media.

Well, not really. The giant soft drink company actually debuted a new tongue-in-cheek commercial that nevertheless sends all of us who have a smart phone always-at-the-ready a worthwhile message:

Put down the phone. Look up. Connect with your loved ones and share a “real” moment with them.

What a great reminder to take into the weekend.

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

“Son of God” Jesus Epic Opens Tomorrow

This past weekend at the National Religious Broadcasters event in Nashville, I had the pleasure of meeting with a wide array of Christian leaders, executives and creatives, all looking to help spread the Good News.

Among those I met with were two very good friends, Mark Burnett and his wife, Roma Downey, who we’ve had the opportunity to work with on various occasions. These committed Christians were behind last year’s hit miniseries, “The Bible,” which helped make faith part of the national conversation and compelled many people to dust off their Bibles and read them again.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture

Loving the Prodigal Home

Chief Financial Officer.

The job title alone can be a little intimidating. It might conjure images of a serious, somewhat gruff individual who’s more interested in numbers than people.

I’m happy to say that Focus’ CFO, Dan Mellema, is nothing like the caricature would suggest.

Dan is a warm and friendly man with a real heart for our ministry and the people we help. He’s been with Focus since 1994 and has headed up our finances since 2011.

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