Jim Daly

Attention, Boomers!

If you were born before 1961, this announcement is for you.

Focus on the Family will be hosting a very special “Focus over Fifty” conference from March 10th thru the 13th here on our Colorado Springs campus. Titled “Inspired to Thrive” the gathering will feature Tim and Darcy Kimmel, Dr. Del Tackett, Rob Parsons and comedian Ken Davis. I’ll also be addressing the group – even though, for the record, I was born in 1962.

Although different generations share many similar attributes, those in their 50s and 60s enjoy several distinctives.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: events, faith, promos, staff

The Cheap Jerk

Do you use coupons?

According to a recent study, Atlanta shoppers use them more than anywhere else in the country. How does your city stack up?

Before I reveal the twenty most frugal cities, I need to tell you a story and ask a question.

There’s a gentleman who’s been working on the team here at Focus for nearly 20 years. He’s married with three girls. If you ever meet him, you’d love him. Bright, chipper, just a real nice guy.

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

Saved on a Sidewalk

Our broadcast with former Planned Parenthood employee Abby Johnson has resulted in many emotional phone calls, letters and emails to us here at Focus on the Family. (To listen to the entire two-day program, please click here.) Abby’s story is a beautiful picture of what redemption from sin can look like for those who repent, believe and put their faith in Jesus Christ.

One listener, Sandra, wrote with a beautiful testimony of what can happen when a pro-life advocate puts their faith into action.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, pro-life

Chick-fil-A Banned

Indiana University has banned Chick-fil-A from its South Bend campus.

Why?

It’s all because one of the popular company’s restaurants in Pennsylvania has announced plans to donate food to the Pennsylvania Family Institute and Family Life for The Art of Marriage: Getting to the Heart of God’s Design conference.

Translation: According to Indiana University, those who support (or even hint at supporting) traditional marriage are not welcome, and by association, neither are their chicken sandwiches, waffle fries or handspun milkshakes.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: family, homosexuality, marriage, policy, pop culture

Don’t Buy an Airline Ticket On . . .

Earlier this week we were talking with financial guru Dave Ramsey. Dave is an expert at helping families get – and stay – out of debt. In case you missed it, simply click here to listen to our discussion.

In the spirit of helping with family finances, the Wall Street Journal is out today with some interesting news.

Did you know that the very worst time of the week to buy airline tickets is over the weekend?

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WANTED: Your Family Photos!

You probably know Focus on the Family’s motto is “Helping families thrive.”

What you may not know is that our Colorado Springs campus is a significant tourist destination – we’ve had more than 200,000 visitors come through our doors annually for many years running. They come to learn more about who we are and what we do and to share with us how our radio programs and resources have helped them. There is plenty for them to enjoy as they walk through our facility, but one thing is missing.

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You Can Find Hope in Troubled Times

I was recently talking with a friend, and he began to draw a parallel between a mutual acquaintance of ours and my childhood. The person in question is a real survivor and currently managing a rather chaotic existence. He said it reminded him of me and the untraditional life of my youth.

While there are similarities, I suggested there was a significant distinction between the two. Unlike this friend of ours who appears content with his troubled lot, I managed to survive abandonment and loneliness because of one main thing: I lived in a constant state of hope, always praying and dreaming that I might someday, someway, trade chaos for order and an unconventional family life for a traditional home.

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Would You Walk Away from $12 Million?

Would you walk away from a guaranteed salary of $12 million?

Kansas City Royals pitcher Gil Meche did – all because he thought he wouldn’t be ready to play in 2011.

Plagued by chronic shoulder problems, the 31-year-old righthander’s status for the upcoming season was a question mark – but his salary was not. Under the terms of a five-year deal, Meche had one year remaining on his contract. Yet, Meche decided to retire for no other reason than he thought it was the right thing to do.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, finances

Philadelphia Grief

When a tape of an Oval Office conversation from January 23, 1973, was released in 2009, many were surprised that President Nixon expressed ambivalence when talking about the Supreme Court’s decision the day before that legalized abortion.

The White House issued no statement on the day Roe v. Wade was decided. On the tapes, Nixon expressed concern that broader access to abortion would foster “permissiveness” and that it “breaks the family.” Yet, he also said he saw reasons why it might be necessary, such as – shockingly and offensively – in cases of interracial pregnancies.

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

MTV’s Obsession with Child Abuse

On December 29th, the Miami Herald ran a startling headline:

MTV’s Every Detail Etched on Children’s Minds

The article’s author, Ellen Livingston, spoke with myriad teachers and students about the network’s massive influence, almost all negative. John Anderson, a teacher at a private Lutheran School, said he’s worried kids are obsessed with it. He cited the fact that creative assignments often include MTV references.

Livingston asked the question: Knowing that the programming gets “its force from sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll” do parents mind their children spending the best years of their youth in front of MTV?

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, kids, pop culture