Jim Daly

Homecoming Prank Follow-Up and Focus Connection

Last Wednesday I shared with you the touching story of Michigan’s Whitney Kropp. Miss Kropp is the 16-year-old high school student whose classmates attempted to embarrass her by nominating the sophomore to the school’s homecoming court.

Instead, the so-called “prank” turned her into something of a national celebrity.

Miss Kropp’s community rallied to her side. A Facebook page created to express support generated over 125,000 “likes.” The cost of her dress, shoes and flowers were covered by local merchants.

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

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Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids

Three Ways Marriage Improves Your Health

I want to share with you some scientific findings about the family that were culled from nearly 35 years worth of research. The results were analyzed and compiled by two of my Focus colleagues, Andrew Hess and Glenn Stanton. Following is a condensed version of their full report.

The Health Benefits of Marriage

The pursuit of health has become a cultural phenomenon. Diet, exercise, supplements, relaxation and medications have all been touted as the way to achieve good health.

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

Who Would Bully this Beautiful Girl?

Have you heard about the 16-year-old Michigan girl who was voted to her high school’s homecoming court as part of a so-called “prank”?

According to various media reports, Whitney Kropp is a student at West Branch’s Ogemaw Heights High School, north of Saginaw.

At first, Whitney was excited and surprised. By her own admission she’s not part of the “in” crowd and couldn’t imagine why she would have been nominated in the first place.

But then she was told the truth, and the news broke her heart.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: friendship, kids, news, pop culture

Give the Refs a Break

I know what I’m about to say may not be very popular, especially today.

Last night’s chaotic and controversial end to the Seahawks and Packers Monday Night Football game has thrown gasoline on the fire surrounding the performance of replacement officials in the NFL.

And let me just say that I get it. I’m a fan. I watch the games. I enjoy the purity of the sport and don’t appreciate the delays and the mistakes that impact outcomes.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, family, pop culture, pro-life

Why the Presidential Election Could Come Down to Your Vote

When you review history, it’s remarkable how many things have been decided by the slimmest of margins:

Who can forget the presidential election of 2000? You’ll recall that George W. Bush defeated Vice President Al Gore by just 537 votes in Florida.

A race for the Alaskan House of Representatives in 2008 came down to a single vote.

That same year, Al Franken defeated Minnesota’s U.S. Senator Norm Coleman in a hotly contested election. Only 225 votes separated the two men.

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Five Types of Weekend Warriors

Do you have a home improvement project planned for this weekend?

When it comes to fixing or building things around the house, the late writer, Andy Rooney, once identified five categories of people.

Which one best describes you?

1. The person who knows how to do it, and proceeds quietly and efficiently to get the job done right, alone. This is a rare species.

2. The helpless. This person can’t do it, won’t try to do it, and has no interest in learning how.

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

Check Your Motives

Sometimes we might do what’s right—but for the wrong (usually selfish) reason.

I’m reminded of the story of the philosopher Diogenes.

He was once seen sitting on a curb eating lentils and bread, a meager meal by any standard. A fellow philosopher, Aristippus, a man who lived well because he flattered the king, approached him and mocked his circumstance.

“If you would learn to be subservient to the king,” he snarled, “you would not have to live on lentils.”

Diogenes looked up with a smile, tilted his head, and replied, “Learn to live on lentils, and you will not have to cultivate the king.”

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: discipline, faith, relationships

Father-Daughter Dances Are Now Illegal?

Public school officials in Cranston, Rhode Island, have banned all “father-daughter” and “mother-son” activities, citing a threat from the American Civil Liberties Union, according to published reports.

The ACLU had filed a complaint on behalf of a single mother who argued such events were unfair to her daughter, who is unable to participate. A school attorney suggested that Rhode Island law banning gender discrimination makes gender specific activities illegal.

My heart breaks for every child forced to grow up without two parents.

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Five Things You Might Not Know About the Ryder Cup

You’ve heard of the Ryder Cup and might even know a little bit about the storied golf tournament, but do you know anything about the man behind the trophy?

In this age of negotiating naming rights and corporate sponsorships, a youngster recently suggested the Ryder Cup was named after the Ryder Truck Company.

Not quite.

Because many of you are interested in golf and since Focus on the Family will be sponsoring a special event (more on this in a moment) in conjunction with this year’s tournament in Medinah, Illinois, I thought it would be fun to share five things you probably don’t know about the history of the Ryder Cup.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: events, faith, family