Jim Daly

Chris Christie and the Nebraska Farmer

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie made an interesting remark the other day. I wonder if you heard it? During a press conference announcing his decision to not seek the presidency in 2012 he said:

We got a FedEx over the weekend, at home, from a farmer in Nebraska, to my children. Asking my children to sit me down and tell me that it was OK to miss their games, their concerts and their events, because my country needed me more, and if they did that, they would be remembered in the history books as the people who changed the course of our country’s history.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family, pastors

‘Hate’ Is Too Big a Word to Be Used with Such Little Restraint

I’m delighted to be in Atlanta today attending the annual Catalyst Leadership conference. I’ll have more to tell you about the week’s events in the coming days, but for now wanted to share with you an essay I wrote on a very significant challenge facing Christians. The following piece was published by CNN’s Belief blog.

Can you please let me know your thoughts and perspective? It helps me to be aware of where you’re at these days on such vital matters pertaining to our public expression of faith.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, homosexuality, marriage

Did You Hear What Ozzie Guillen Said?

Ozzie Guillen was introduced last week as the new manager of the Florida (soon-to-be Miami) Marlins, a struggling Major League Baseball franchise. A former player, Guillen managed the White Sox for the last eight years and regularly made headlines for expletive-laden and eccentric comments.

In fact, a few years ago, when a reporter asked him if he was planning to resign his position, Guillen replied, “I’m not a quitter. When I want to quit, I’ll do a lot of stupid things and make sure they fire me and get paid.”

The Venezuelan-American didn’t exactly make good on his promise, but he did react rather colorfully to the press when contract negotiations with Chicago in late September failed to satisfy his financial demands.

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

Selective Hearing

A thought-provoking story:

It was high noon in Manhattan, and the streets were, as usual, buzzing with crowds, cars, taxis, horns blowing, brakes screeching, sirens wailing. Two men were making their way together through the crowd. One was a native New Yorker, and the other a visiting farmer from Kansas. Suddenly the farmer stopped in his tracks. “Hold on,” he said, “I hear a cricket.”

His friend replied, “Are you kidding? Even if there were a cricket around here, which isn’t likely, you would never be able to hear it over all this noise.”

The farmer remained quiet for a few moments and walked several paces to the corner where a bush was growing in a large cement planter.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith

VIDEO: Behind the Scenes of Courageous

If you’re looking for a convicting, uplifting, encouraging and redeeming film, Courageous, which opens today nationwide, is it.

You’re likely familiar with the makers of this terrific movie, Sherwood Pictures, a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Previous projects include the award-winning Fireproof, Facing the Giants and Flywheel. Focus on the Family is delighted to offer all of these films on DVD. To request your copies, please click here.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, events, faith, pop culture

You Can Make a Difference!

Many of you are already a friend of the family, of course. But I’d like to invite you to take your commitment to families one step further by joining a special group of our most loyal supporters, called Friends of the Family.

“Who are Friends of the Family?”

Friends of the Family are key partners who faithfully support family ministry with monthly gifts.

As a member, you’ll provide families with the help they need most: practical radio broadcasts .

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: finances, promos

Roger Ebert’s Curious Faith

It would have been hard to grow up in America during the past 40 years having never seen or heard the name of Roger Ebert. The Chicago-based 69-year-old film critic was the first movie reviewer to win the Pulitzer Prize, in addition to hosting numerous television shows and penning a syndicated newspaper column.

Mr. Ebert is paid to give his opinion, a job he takes very seriously. Although I prefer to get my reviews from our award-winning Plugged In team, I wouldn’t begin to wade into the deep waters of the movie review business.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith

VIDEO: Tim Hawkins – Things You Don’t Say to Your Wife

Many of you are familiar with Tim Hawkins, the popular Christian comedian. He is a husband and father of four children – and a very funny man.

I’d like to share the following clip with you because, well, sometimes it’s just good to laugh!

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: humor

Leggo My Eggo?

Just a quick slice of life from the Daly household last week; perhaps you can relate?

The other morning I was preparing my coffee in the kitchen and our boys, Trent and Troy, were enjoying their blueberry waffles. Troy, age 9, popped up from the table in the hope of searching out a second helping. But when he got to the toaster on the counter he noticed there was just one waffle remaining.

What was he going to do?

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

A Portrait of Grace

Our daily broadcast today features a fascinating conversation with my dear friend and colleague Tim Goeglein. Tim is currently serving this ministry as our Vice President of External Affairs.

Prior to joining the Focus team, Tim was with President George W. Bush for seven and a half years. He knows Washington – but even more importantly, he knows and appreciates the gift of God’s grace and forgiveness. Today’s discussion is a beautiful story from that era about redemption and a remarkable turn of events.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast