Jim Daly

Kids in Your Neighborhood

Last Friday’s USA Today ran a rather bleak cover story. Framed by old black-and-white photos of cute little children, the headline read: “In Many Neighborhoods, Kids Are Only a Memory.”

Of course, as birth rates continue to decline in America, neighborhood demographics are bound to adjust. But the shift is even more pronounced in some areas for no other reason that children tend to attract other children. Parents of youngsters are drawn to certain areas because of good schools, access to parks and the fact that adults like to live around friends in similar seasons of life.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: adoption

D-Day in Color

The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead or the next. It was the deep knowledge — and pray to God we have not lost it — that there is a profound moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest.

President Ronald Reagan

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: religious liberty

What I Learned at the Racetrack

There’s an old saying that “almost” only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. If JR Hildebrand and Dale Earnhardt Jr. ever doubted such wisdom, this past weekend has likely cured them of their disbelief.

By now, if you’re a racing fan or even a casual news watcher, you know that Dan Wheldon won Sunday’s famed Indianapolis 500 and Kevin Harvick emerged the victor in Charlotte’s Coca-Cola 600. Both men are highly talented drivers and well deserving of their titles.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: news

The Church of Oprah

Are you a fan of Oprah Winfrey or did you ever watch her popular television program over the last twenty-five years?

In a recent essay in the Wall Street Journal to mark the end of her award-winning show, writer Joanne Kaufman offered an interesting observation:

To watch Oprah, who just wrapped up 25 years of syndicated pastoral work – her last hour of power, number 4,561, aired Wednesday – was to be part of a congregation of true believers.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: pop culture

Best Way to Health, Wealth and Wisdom

For many, it’s the ever elusive dream:

Who doesn’t want to be fit, smart and have enough resources to make ends meet? It’s very often easier said than done. But now, according to recently released census data, the quickest way to happiness is also the oldest way:

Get and stay married.

According to a Heritage Foundation report:

Intact families tend to fare better financially and marital satisfaction has been linked to better physical and emotional health.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: church, finances

No Candy Cane For You!

America has become a peculiar place, especially for people of faith in general, and Christianity in particular.

Last week, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments involving a religious discrimination case out of Plano, Texas. Students of several elementary schools in that district have been strictly prohibited from referencing Christmas and even vague Christian references and symbols.

This means that red and green Christmas colors are banned from the classroom in December, and students who write cards to soldiers or shut-ins at retirement homes are not permitted to write “Merry Christmas” on any of the correspondence.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, policy

Why Same-Sex Marriage Will Fail

The editors of FOXNews.com published the following editorial of mine on their website today. I thought you would appreciate knowing about the piece and would welcome and invite your feedback.

Why the Same-Sex Marriage Experiment Will Not Work

Throughout its grand history, America has regularly been willing to reevaluate cultural norms, especially when the change that challenges the status quo promises to right a wrong or advance and improve the social welfare. Many of these watershed movements have delivered precisely and as powerfully as promised (woman’s suffrage and civil rights) while others have failed (prohibition and no-fault divorce).

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: homosexuality

Would Your Friends Be Shocked?

The latest high profile sex-scandal surrounding the head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahan, brings to mind comments from a previous guest on the Focus on the Family radio program.

Steve Farrar, author of Point Man: How a Man Can Lead His Family, once wrote:

“If you were accused of sexual indiscretion, would your family, friends and co-workers fall down on the floor laughing because the charge was so ridiculous?”

It’s always shocking and sad when a person of influence is accused of a violent crime, as Strauss-Kahan has been for allegedly raping a hotel maid in New York City.

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

When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking

Children are incredibly observant creatures, regularly keying in on that which you think sailed right over their heads. If you’re a mom or dad, you know they’re also astoundingly perceptive, which is why this essay written from a child’s perspective resonated with me. The author is unknown. But I think it will strike you in a similar manner.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting

Will the World End on Saturday?

By now you’ve picked up on the buzz that, according to Harold Camping of Family Radio, the rapture will occur this coming Saturday, May 21st. He’s even gone so far as to predict the exact time (6 PM), though there’s some confusion concerning time zones around the world.

So, May 21st, give or take a few hours.

This isn’t the first time that Mr. Camping predicted the Second Coming. He had previously proclaimed Jesus would return in September of 1994.

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