Jim Daly

How Can I Best Oversee My Child’s Social Media Use?

It’s a question we get often from parents – and for good reason.

For many adults, going online and visiting social media sites is simply about checking in with our relatives a few states away, sharing some cute pictures of our own children or connecting with a childhood friend.

The impact of social media on our young people can be far greater, however. For many tweens and teens, sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram bring the stresses of school and peer pressure right to their smartphones and home computers.

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

In Honor of Mom

I haven’t hugged Jan Daly for over 40 years, but her love and prayers have followed me all my life. Our time together was too short, but I’d like to think I inherited Mom’s playful wit and humor. I miss you, Mom.

Jean is not only my best friend and confidant, but a magnificent mother to our boys, Trent and Troy, too. When she walked into my life at a mutual friend’s wedding, it was as if the sun began shining brighter than ever before.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: parenting

Max Lucado’s Big Ego

Within Christian circles, Max Lucado is a household name, beloved for his gentle and inspiring books. The San Antonio-based pastor is a publishing icon. More than twenty million of his titles are in circulation, and his throngs of readers eagerly await each year’s new release. Now at about this point you’d probably expect me to share a story of Lucado’s humility, to tell you that even with his bestseller status, he doesn’t struggle with pride or ego.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, pop culture

Bill Hybels’ Most Expensive Turkey

Have you noticed that most adults share a curious trait?

We can turn almost anything into something gravely serious. It’s no wonder stress-related illnesses have become so prevalent. That’s why it’s good to remind ourselves regularly to take a deep breath, relax, and laugh at ourselves.

Well-known pastor Bill Hybels can teach us a little something about that. He’s passionate about his work and calling, but he doesn’t take himself too seriously. He even proves it from time to time by inviting others to laugh along with him.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: humor

President Obama’s Prayer Proclamation 2013

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, 2013
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Americans have long turned to prayer both in times of joy and times of sorrow. On their voyage to the New World, the earliest settlers prayed that they would “rejoice together, mourn together, labor, and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work.” From that day forward, Americans have prayed as a means of uniting, guiding, and healing.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, policy, religious liberty

From Boston to Aurora to Sandy Hook, a Problem that Has a Name: Sin

The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The headlines have been gruesome and the facts behind the stories are difficult to even read. We recoil at the horrors that seem to be present at every turn these days. The Boston Marathon bombings, the agonizing trial of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell, the shootings at Sandy Hook and the Aurora theater come readily to mind.

Sadly, this road of national tragedy is growing increasingly familiar.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, pro-life

A Great Commercial – Especially for Those with Daughters

Have you seen this commercial produced by Dove?

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How does this strike you?

Do you see yourself as other see you?

More importantly, how does God see you?

My friend Graham Baird is a pastor here in town. In a sermon he recently preached using this video as an illustration, he noted that we tend to under-rate our beautiful qualities and over-rate the things that don’t matter.

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

This Photo is Worth More Than a Thousand Words

Did you catch the dedication of the Bush Library yesterday?

The NBC News Facebook page ran this photo along with the following caption:

For the first time since the 2006 funeral of Gerald Ford all the nation’s former living presidents came together with the current commander in chief to honor one of their own Thursday at the Bush Library dedication.

To be sure, these five men represent very different views and ideologies. As evangelical Christians, we’ve applauded some of the things they’ve done and decried others.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: news, policy

Would You Save a Murderer?

What does grace look like to you?

Grace often shines brightest when the circumstances surrounding it are at their darkest. It’s a person forgiving their spouse the betrayal of their infidelity. It’s extending love to someone who has spewed harsh words and hatred at you. In certain cases, it’s the skilled hands of a doctor rescuing the life of a murderer.

I was struck by that exact imagery recently in the hours following the manhunt of the young man accused of the Boston Marathon bombing.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: faith, news

The Solution to the Gun Debate

Let me be candid.

I’m not a gun enthusiast. It wasn’t part of my heritage or upbringing. Even though I know how to use various firearms now, I’m still something of an amateur on the subject.

Even so, I feel the need to comment on the discussions in Washington and throughout the media recently calling for increased gun control legislation.

From my viewpoint, attention is being focused in the wrong direction.

I don’t claim to be an expert on the specifics of the gun control debate.

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