Jim Daly

Sexual Purity in Men

Fred Stoeker was in the fifth grade when he saw his mom try to kill his dad. She stood behind him, scissors raised, ready to stab her husband – a serial adulterer – in the back.

Fred’s dad was also addicted to pornography.

And although Fred swore he’d never treat women the way his own father treated them … he eventually did.

It’s hard to shake free from the clutches of the bad examples you’ve grown up seeing.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: husband, intimacy, marriage, sex

3 Revealing Things About “Atheist Churches”

You might have seen some of the media coverage of so-called “atheist churches.”

The concept started with two British comedians, Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans. Jones told the AP, “If you think about church, there’s very little that’s bad. It’s singing awesome songs, hearing interesting talks, thinking about improving yourself and helping other people — and doing that in a community with wonderful relationships. What part of that is not to like?”

The only problem for Jones was, “at the heart of it, it’s something I don’t believe in.”

And so “Sunday Assembly” was born: a “church” where men and women gather together to sing, listen to an inspirational talk and reflect … all without any mention of God.

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

You Can’t “Unfriend” Family

It’s pretty easy to avoid dealing with conflict nowadays.

Do your former college roommate’s views on parenting irritate you? Hide her posts from your Facebook news feed.

Annoyed by the neighbor’s political signs on the front lawn? Sadly, it doesn’t take much effort to avoid interacting with neighbors these days.

Things start to get a little more complicated, however, when conflict exists within the immediate family. Real life doesn’t give you the option to “unfriend” or ignore your spouse, son or daughter, even when there’s something about the family dynamic that can easily bring anger to the surface.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, marriage, parenting

Adventures in Odyssey Fans Will Want to Read This

Do you know someone who’d jump at the chance at having access to Adventures in Odyssey’s entire library of 700-plus episodes?

Are you one of the many college students and adults who secretly listen to AIO on your mp3 player?

Are you a parent of little ones looking for fun ways to invest in their spiritual growth?

If you can identify with any of the above questions, Focus’ new Odyssey Adventure Club is for you.

The Odyssey Adventure Club provides fans with exclusive new monthly episodes and video documentaries.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: entertainment, kids, parenting, promos

The App You Would Like Your Child to Have

On any given Sunday there’s a significant number of folks who pull out their cell phones when the pastor asks them to turn to the morning’s passage. They’re not being rude – they’re just accessing the Bible via their smartphones.

The free YouVersion Bible app is one of the most popular ways to access different versions of the Bible via a smartphone or tablet. In 2013, the app was installed about 49 million times. It was opened 31 times per second, or 1,000,000,000 total times in 2013.

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

Alabama, George W. Bush and a Note

Alabama faces off against Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl tonight, a marquee match-up, to be sure, but not quite what the defending national champion Crimson Tide squad anticipated back in early December when they lost a heartbreaker to rival Auburn.

Following Auburn’s unexpected victory, much of the attention centered around Alabama kicker Cade Foster, who missed three field goals in the game. In fact, he struggled so much, he was benched, and the chance for a game-winning kick was awarded to his freshman teammate.

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

All Things Are Made New

There’s something about a new year that provides a promise of hope and excitement at what will happen next.

But before we consider our resolutions and our dreams, or even our problems from 2013, perhaps it would be helpful to ponder and park on one of the most hope filled passages in the Bible:

“He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:5)

Not some things … ALL things.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith

Protecting Your Family from the Digital Invasion

I recently asked my blog readers if they could do without a handheld device like a smartphone or tablet for 24 hours.

It’s a reasonable question to ask since mobile users check their smartphones an average of 150 times a day.

Digital addiction can be an easy thing to fall prey to, especially since access is all around us. We use computers for work, we carry devices in our pockets and most places offer free WIFI.

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

VIDEO: 7 Ways God was Faithful in 2013

There’s no doubt that God helped Focus on the Family accomplish its mission of helping families thrive this year. There are so many tangible ways He’s guided and blessed our efforts during 2013 that I can’t list them all. I do want to share a few of them with you, however.

1. Our radio broadcast efforts included news-making interviews such as our program with U2 front man and activist Bono, and the launch of a brand-new show, “Everyday Relationships,” with Dr.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: news, technology

The Grand Miracle

Just the other day a colleague forwarded me an excerpt from a marvelous C.S. Lewis essay. It is titled, The Grand Miracle. What wonderful Christmas imagery! I loved it – and thought you would as well:

“He comes down from the heights of absolute being into time and space, down into humanity; down further still…to the very roots and seabed of the Nature He has created. But He goes down to come up again and bring the whole ruined world up with Him.