Jim Daly

Are American Christians Ignoring the Mayhem of the Middle East?

Our 24/7 news cycle is consumed these days with American politicians sparring over the debt ceiling and the implementation of President Obama’s controversial healthcare plan, both important debates to be sure. Meanwhile, the tragic fact that followers of Jesus Christ are being targeted and slaughtered across the globe is given scant attention.

We learned recently of the horrific attack against a Pakistani church by Muslim extremists that killed 85. In Kenya, the jihadists that attacked an upscale mall in Nairobi reportedly killed hostages that couldn’t recite the Koran.

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

Meet Focus on the Family’s V.I.P. Guest

Here at Focus, we’ve been privileged to welcome many influential people for visits. Some are well-known Christian leaders and others are from the entertainment and sports worlds. We’ve hosted politicians and even public figures who passionately disagree with some of what we believe. Whoever it has been, we’ve been delighted to meet and host them on our campus.

As memorable as these opportunities are, however, they just don’t compare to the critically ill young boys and girls who have visited through the years thanks to the work of organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: family, kids, parenting, staff

Fetal Pain Opens Eyes to Preborn Humanity

Recently, a colleague shared an encouraging article with me from Utah’s Deseret News. Titled, “Small survivors: How the disputed science of fetal pain is reshaping abortion law,” the piece does an excellent job of highlighting the humanity of preborn babies.

The article tells the story of twin toddlers, Caleb and Julian, who had been born at 26 weeks and 5 days gestation. Their birth age is noticeably earlier than the 28 weeks milestone the Supreme Court had originally set as the point of “viability” back in 1972.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, pro-life

5 Ways to Sabotage Your Marriage Before It Starts

Most people don’t get married planning to divorce, but the research suggests so much of what they do before they wed sadly leads them to that place.

Part of the reason might be that, as a culture, we’re often more enamored with the wedding than the actual marriage. A colleague of mine once worked in a church office. He regularly encountered heartbroken brides-to-be who made the mistake of booking the reception hall before the sanctuary, only to discover the church was already taken.

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

One Reason Acts of Kindness Go Viral

Even the casual observer will acknowledge there’s an overabundance of sarcasm and biting attitudes throughout the culture today. Horrifying violence and evil are regularly depicted on the news and throughout social media. And in case you haven’t noticed, a growing number of people are cynical of societal institutions.

Then, in the midst of all that, there are the acts of kindness. A glimmer of hope and light, these stories oftentimes spread like wildfire via social media.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: church, events, news

A Unique Way to Encourage Your Children

If you listened to today’s broadcast on the importance of parents encouraging their kids, you may have heard me mention that I keep journals for my boys, Trent and Troy. Since it’s a bit of a passing comment within the broadcast, I want to expand on that remark here in my blog and share with you what my journaling looks like and what motivated me to start.

As you may know, my own father wasn’t around for much of my childhood.

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

VIDEO: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

We get their calls and emails all the time: people who are going through the unthinkable and reach out to us hoping for hope. It’s never easy to understand why these men and women – often through no fault of their own – are hurting so badly.

And, indeed, it’s an age-old question: Why do bad things happen to good people?

A brokenhearted wife who just learned her husband cheated on her.

A family that lost their home in this tough economy.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, events, faith, friendship

6 Ways to Know Your Adult Child is Maturing Well

We receive hundreds of thousands of inquiries every year from people seeking relationship and family advice – and among the top topics are moms and dads asking about their adult children.

Our counselors have helped many parents concerned about their millennial-age kids: Should they take a year off from their studies? Why do they seem like they lack direction? Should they take on more responsibility? Why aren’t they looking to settle down?

It can be a challenging road to walk.

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

This Obituary Will Make You Smile

There’s something beautiful about a life well-lived. When someone consistently lives out their values in a million (sometimes quiet) ways, others notice – and are blessed by the legacy.

That’s the case with Mary Agnes Mullaney, a wife, mother and grandmother who recently passed away at age 85. The family she left behind honored her memory with an obituary filled with life lessons that gave colorful and heartwarming glimpses into Mullaney’s person and character.

“Pink,” as she was called, was the type of person who lived for others.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family, news

VIDEO: The 2 Questions We Should Ask Before War

The situation in Syria is dominating our evening and online news outlets. It can be challenging to think through what type of response, if any, the United States should take in response.

CitizenLink, our sister organization dedicated to issues that impact the family in the public policy world, recently released a video that explores the two questions we should ask before entering any armed conflict. I hope you’ll take a look.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: news, policy, religious liberty