Jim Daly

When Less is More

Paul Harvey used to lament that “noise makes news”—which was a pithy way of saying that journalists are drawn to the negative and the sensational. Fortunately, there are exceptions, and I’d like to tell you about one of them.

This past Friday’s edition of the Denver Post featured an extensive story on its front page by a reporter named Electa Draper. It was entitled:

Adoption Initiative Halves Numbers of Kids Needing Families

Admittedly, I’m a bit biased about the story because it highlights the great work our team here at Focus on the Family has been doing.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, family, kids

NCAA Bans Focus Ad

The latest Focus on the Family ad featuring our “Celebrate Family. Celebrate Life” message was banned last week by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Here’s what happened. In short, our agreement with CBS Sports to run the Tim and Pam Tebow ad in the Super Bowl included the placement of banner ads on various Web sites which the network maintains. One of those outlets was a Web site for the NCAA basketball tournament.

I should point out the banner ad had nothing to do with the topic of abortion or sexuality or any other “hot button” issue.

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

The Kindness Club

A couple of weeks ago, Trent and Troy, who go to a charter school here in town, attended a special assembly called “Rachel’s Challenge.” This program was based on the life and story of Rachel Joy Scott who, you may recall, was the first victim killed during the Columbine High School shooting.

About a month before she was gunned down, Rachel wrote an essay for her fifth period class entitled, “My Ethics, My Codes of Life.” In it, she threw out the challenge to treat others with compassion, kindness, love, and mercy.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: kids

Recycling Resources

There’s a difference between being a collector and a pack rat. Whether it’s baseball cards or classic cars, collectors are interested in specific items of interest, value, or vintage. And while they collect things, they’re quick to sell or trade or toss items as needed.

Pack rats, on the other hand, are a different breed. They’re interested in saving everything—forever. Their compulsive hoarding frequently involves stuff most folks understand is worthless—like 6-foot-high stacks of old yellowed newspapers and magazines, or mountains of old clothes that no longer fit bulging from closets or displayed on rows of racks in a back room as if it were Wal-Mart.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: divorce, staff

Write a Tribute to Dr. Dobson

Jean and I were big fans of Dr. Dobson and the Focus on the Family broadcast long before I came to work at the ministry. And while we didn’t have kids at the time, I personally benefited from Dr. Dobson’s insights into marriage—especially since I came from such a dysfunctional home. Considering the fact that my father was a gambler and an alcoholic who walked out on our family when I was six, I had no idea what a “healthy” husband and wife dynamic should look like.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, parenting, staff

When I’m Weak I’m Strong

Over the last several weeks I’ve been putting the finishing touches on my new book entitled, Stronger, which is scheduled to be released this fall. I realize the title might be a bit misleading. After all, it’s not a workout manual, a primer on pumping iron, or getting fabulous abs of steel. While I do have a treadmill in the basement and believe in physical fitness, the idea here has to do with building strength of character.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: faith, promos

The Ultimate Valentine Gift

If you’re familiar with Calvin and Hobbes, you know Calvin is a young boy with a hyperactive imagination. Most of the time we see Calvin conversing with Hobbes—a stuffed tiger who comes to life within Calvin’s head. Together, the duo typically investigates the meaning of life.

In one scene, Calvin asks Hobbes what it’s like to fall in love. Keep in mind Calvin is about six-years-old which is why he’s seeking the wisdom from his older, imaginary friend.

Continue ReadingTopics: Focus Events Tags: events, marriage, promos

Serfdom vs. The Mother of Invention

Townhall columnist John Stossel penned an insightful and unsettling article yesterday entitled, “Hurtling Down the Road to Serfdom.” Here’s what caught my eye. Stossel’s premise is that “we are changing from independent, self-responsible people into a submissive flock. The welfare state kills the creative spirit.”

That’s a strong statement. But Stossel cites data released by the Tax Foundation which documents “60% of the population now gets more in government benefits than it pays in taxes.” Better read that again—it’s unreal!

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: news, policy

Super Bowl Ad Scores Super Stats

The other day a friend asked me, “Jim, was the Super Bowl ad really worth it?” Without question, absolutely yes! Even USA TODAY described our ad with Pam and Tim Tebow a “Touchdown!” The pre- and post-game response has been beyond our wildest dreams.

Take the mountain of “free media” leading up to game day and the on-going post-life presence in YouTube Land and other news sites. Our YouTube channel has already garnered 756,423 views of the in-game spot!

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, events, news

Virgin Territory

During the SEC Media Day last summer, Tim Tebow was fielding questions from journalists when he said something that shocked the press. In between tackling questions about future aspirations, strategy, training, and using his platform to share his faith, Tebow was asked, “Are you saving yourself for marriage?”

Without missing a beat, Tebow answered, “Yes, I am.”

Silence. No follow up question.

Writing for the Washington Post, Sports Columnist Sally Jenkins said, “The room fell into a hush, followed by tittering: The best college football player in the country had just announced he was a virgin.

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: news, pop culture