Daly Focus Blog
The man requested to see the well-known preacher prior to embarking on an around-the-world cruise. He said it was urgent. Slumping down in a chair across from the pastor’s desk the visitor explained the reason for his visit.
“I have no zest,” he told him flatly. “I’m really dragging bottom.”
The minister proceeded to inquire about the man’s condition. He was happily married to a good woman. His business was booming. He was in good health.
Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: church, finances, staff
Note: The following post ran earlier this fall to coincide with the release of the inspirational film, Seven Days in Utopia.
Now, just in time for Christmas, the movie is available for purchase on DVD. If there’s someone on your list who enjoys the game of golf and/or needs a little dose of encouragement, simply click here. It would be our pleasure fulfill your order.
In the meantime, let me ask you:
Is there one person you can point to who helped “turn the tide” in your life?
Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, events
To many, Christmas is the season of angels, and I’m not referring to Clarence Odbody, George Bailey’s fictional guardian angel (Second Class) in the perennial holiday favorite It’s a Wonderful Life.
During Advent and Christmas we remember Gabriel’s historic appearances to Zechariah (Luke 1:11-20) and, of course, Mary (Luke 1:26-38), as well as the angel’s message to Joseph (Matthew 1:20). Then there is the angel who appeared to the shepherds (Luke 2:9-14) announcing Jesus’ birth. And finally, we remember the angel who appeared to Joseph again in a dream, warning him of Herod’s intent to kill his newborn son and advising him to escape with the family to Egypt.
Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, faith, promos
It came as a shock last week to learn that Bibles had been banned at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The official memo, issued by the hospital’s Chief of Staff, C.W. Callahan, was blunt and to the point:
“No religious items (i.e. Bibles, reading material, and/or artifacts) are allowed to be given away or used during a visit.”
Yet, just as soon as the stunning and disturbing news spread, the ban was rescinded.
Sandy Dean, a public affairs officer at Walter Reed, tried to explain the origin of the offensive policy.
Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, policy, religious liberty
What do you think about standardized tests?
Writing in this past Monday’s Washington Post, Marion Brady, a veteran teacher and curriculum designer, shared a fascinating story that confirms what many people, including the late Albert Einstein, have long suspected:
“Not everything that can be counted counts,” observed the German physicist, “and not everything that counts can be counted.”
He was right.
In the essay, Ms. Brady relays the story of a longtime friend who agreed to take a state-sponsored 10th grade reading and math exam.
Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: news
Although he struck many of us as something of a curmudgeon, I enjoyed watching and reading Andy Rooney over the years.
Mr. Rooney lived a long and colorful life before passing away at the age of 92 last month. Many of his newspaper columns were compiled into various books. The following essay that I’m going to excerpt, “What Every Kid Should Have Growing Up,” comes from one of his best-selling works titled Sweet and Sour.
Reading over this list, I have to admit that I wish I had all these things growing up.
Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids
By now you’ve probably heard the story of an Ohio mother whose 8-year-old son was taken away from her because of the boy’s weight.
The Cleveland Heights youth tips the scales in excess of 200 pounds. Doctors recommend that a child of that age and height should weigh somewhere between 55 and 60 pounds.
To be fair, I’m not aware of all the facts of the case. I did read that state workers had been monitoring the child’s situation for over a year.
Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family, policy, religious liberty
It happened again last week, this time at a 7-Eleven in Silver Spring, Maryland.
As many as 50 teens and young adults were caught on camera robbing the store. To look at the video footage is to see modern-day anarchy in full living color. The operators of the business were helpless until police arrived.
Officials in cities where “flash mobs” have wreaked havoc insist they’re investigating the incidents and studying ways to prevent them from happening again.
Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: events, family, news, parenting
He arrived at a time when the nation was fearful and fighting malaise, hungry for a hero to root for, eager to find hope amidst the dark clouds of uncertainty.
That the “he” was a three-year-old thoroughbred racehorse made no difference. After all, Americans enjoy rooting for the little guy, especially when that little guy is criticized and counted out by so-called experts.
Do you remember the story?
It was 1938, smack in the middle of the Great Depression.
Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, pop culture
Tomorrow’s celebration of Thanksgiving conjures up so many memories for all of us. As I’ve shared in the past, my recollections of the holiday as a child bring with them a mixed bag of emotions.
While I looked forward to the celebration, we didn’t have much. And, when my parents got divorced, with mom working several jobs just to make ends meet, times were hard. My mom did her best to pull together enough stuff to make it special.
Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: events, faith, family
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.Home
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