Jim Daly

How to Mourn with the Parents of Stillborn and Miscarried Children

The Gospel Coalition blog recently ran a vulnerably written post where a father described what he and his wife experienced when they lost their child in the womb.

It’s something no one wants to think about, let alone live through. And often, those of us who surround a couple walking through this intense grief feel at a loss as to how to best respond and help.

That’s why I want to share with you John Patton’s post, “How to Mourn with the Parents of Stillborn and Miscarried Children.” It not only explains the pain parents go through, it also provides six wise thoughts on how to help in this heartbreaking situation.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: kids, pastors

VIDEO: This Well-Known Christian Couple Almost Divorced Until…

Dr. Greg Smalley, son of popular author and speaker Dr. Gary Smalley, serves as Focus’ Vice President of Family Ministries. Greg’s office is just steps from mine, and I enjoy our regular interactions. Not only is he a marriage expert and popular author with a doctorate in psychology, but he also has a great sense of humor. He’s a fun guy to be around. Greg and his wife, Erin, have been married for 21 years and have four children.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family, husband, pastors, wife

5 Things to Look for in a Pastor

October is Clergy Appreciation Month, a time when Christians are encouraged to express gratitude to their pastors, ministers and leaders.

But the subject gives rise to a question:

What makes a pastor a leader you can trust and follow and ultimately appreciate, not just every October but the other eleven months of the year?

I’m sure we all have our “non-negotiable” characteristics. I’ve come up with a list of five things (based on Scriptures found in Titus and 1 Timothy 3) that I think Christians may want to look for in a pastor.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: church, pastors

A Father’s Final Act of Love

Over the past few days I’ve found my thoughts turning often toward 13-year-old Gracie Johnson, the sole survivor of a freak Colorado rockslide that claimed the lives of her parents, sister, and two other relatives while hiking this past Monday in Buena Vista.

As a Colorado resident this tragedy may be hitting me especially hard, but you don’t need to be a local or even an outdoorsman to be affected by this widely circulating story. The idea of the unthinkable happening and changing our lives in a moment may be a universal fear, and one most of us would prefer not to dwell on.

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

Remembering Pastor Chuck Smith

By the time I accepted Christ in high school, the “hippie” movement was in full swing, as was the “Jesus movement” – a dynamic uprising of young Christians whose style and manner of worship was pretty unconventional, at least compared with that of the prior generation. Where I lived, many of these new believers were surfers and beach people. They were hungry for the Lord, but they didn’t have much interest in anything traditional – especially getting all gussied up for Sunday church in neatly pressed suits and dress clothes.

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

“Focus Findings” is Where Research Meets Common Sense

We’ve probably all been there – we’re scanning a news article online or watching a story on a magazine news show and we see something that just stops us cold. It’s a declaration presented in fact, and even backed up by “research” that you know is at odds with what Scripture teaches.

“Christian marriages end in divorce at the same rates as all other marriages, so what does it matter if you don’t marry a believer?”
“Marriage is an outdated institution that demeans women.”
“Everyone knows kids do just as well when they’re raised by same-sex parents as by their biological parents.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: church, family, kids, pop culture

VIDEO: What Are You Known For?

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and tell a story via video that will be shown at this year’s Catalyst conference in Atlanta, Ga. If you’re not familiar with Catalyst, it’s an organization that works to shape the next generation of leaders. Its annual conferences have drawn more than 100,000 young men and women eager to learn how to serve and lead others in a Christlike way. My friend, Brad Lomenick, heads up the movement and does a great job of bringing together people this next generation needs to hear.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: church, events, pop culture

How “Grace Unplugged” Director Brad Silverman Engages the Culture

One of my passions is to encourage believers to engage the culture with a Christ-like spirit. It doesn’t matter what you do for a living, you can bless the people around you when you’re open to letting God use you in your sphere of influence.

Brad Silverman is one of those Christians who “gets” that. He’s a writer and director of movies. Some may consider Silverman to be something of an anomaly in Hollywood, but he is faithful to that calling.

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

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