Jim Daly

Getting Organized for Christmas

Is it too early to start thinking about Christmas?

It’s not if you want a stress-free holiday season.

Social media raises our expectations to overwhelming levels. Instead of peace and joy, we feel pressure to transform our homes into Christmas wonderlands. Instead of peace and joy, Christmas becomes a time of stress and “stuff” for many of us, each day filled with lights, decorations, shopping, parties, or family get-togethers.

It’s all wonderful, but it also inhibits us from reflecting more deeply on the hope of Christmas – our Savior.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family

Jim Daly Statement on Yesterday’s Vote on Ohio’s Issue 1

Yesterday’s disappointing vote in Ohio that codified a right to abortion in the state constitution makes clear it’s essential that the critical work of the pro-life movement must carry on with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

No popular vote and no politician can make right the tragic wrong of abortion. This campaign is unlike any other. It’s a rescue mission. We’re determined to rescue women from the lies of an industry that has managed to convince a slim majority of Americans that death is somehow better than life.

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

Look-Alike Couples

I’ve heard that if couples are married long enough, they start to look like one another. I’m not sure if that’s true, but I think couples do often look like the other couples they hang out with.

It may feel more comfortable to be friends with someone who’s just like you, but you’re depriving your marriage of a great chance to grow. Maybe the couple you spend the most time with is also newly married, or is raising teenagers, or is retired.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family, marriage

Finding Heaven: Knowing God and His Love

I don’t know about you, but thoughts of heaven bring me great comfort!

I love the promise in Revelation 21:4: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Finding Heaven: Knowing God and His Love,” we’re taking a unique look at the God of heaven – the Creator of the universe and the Light and Lover of our souls – with John Burke.

Continue ReadingTopics: Uncategorized Tags: broadcast, faith

Conviction

It’s easy to overlook the importance of small compromises. They seem so insignificant. But small compromises eventually turn into big compromises that take us further than we want to go and cost us more than we ever thought possible.

That dark reality is captured in a movie from the early 1960s called Judgment at Nuremberg. The film dramatically portrays the military tribunal that prosecuted Nazi leaders accused of crimes against humanity during World War II.

Spencer Tracy plays Judge Dan Haywood, who leads the trial.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: marriage

National Adoption Month

Few experiences are as comforting and connecting as a family gathered around the Thanksgiving table. Fellowship with family and giving thanks to God for His many blessings is something we look forward to in the Daly household every year.

But the holidays weren’t like that for me growing up. My mother died when I was young, and my stepfather abandoned me and my siblings, so Thanksgiving was anything but a peaceful family holiday. Mostly I remember feeling disconnected from everything that was happening around me.

Continue ReadingTopics: Uncategorized Tags: family, parenting

Your Marriage Can Win the Battle Against Pornography

Did you know:

55% of married Christian men look at porn monthly.

1 in 10 view porn daily.

71% of those who view 7+ hours of porn weekly report some kind of sexual dysfunction.

More than half (56%) of divorce cases involve a spouse having an obsession with pornographic websites.

Mark and Rosie Makinney’s family was nearly destroyed by the poison of pornography. They now help other couples discover the good news that God can heal, restore, and redeem anyone who turns to Him for help.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family, marriage

Are You a Good Listener?

Author and pastor Ted Cunningham says, “Social media is a place where people share their opinions without sticking around for the conversation.”

He’s right. A lot of people like to share what they think, but not many will listen to what you think. Watch closely to how people interact with you, and you’ll see what I mean. Do they ask questions to better understand your point of view? And when you answer, do they really listen?

Continue ReadingTopics: Current Events Tags: family, pop culture

How to Talk to Your Teenager Without Losing Your Mind

Raising teenagers can be both exciting and stressful. There’s a lot going on in their lives. They’re learning how to manage their own thoughts, feelings. and identities apart from mom and dad.

Developmentally, that’s a good thing. But in many families, a teenager’s struggle for independence becomes a tug-of-war with parents who take their authority seriously.

Effective communication with a teenager can be challenging, especially if you’re trying to navigate conflict, emotional triggers, disrespect, and even a few slammed doors.

Continue ReadingTopics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting

Modeling Generosity for Your Children

Do you practice “everyday generosity”?

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Modeling Generosity for Your Children,” father-and-son team Brad and Drew Formsma explain how to use your time, talent, and influence to infuse your children with a spirit of generosity that they’ll carry into their adult years.

They’ll share how to be generous with:

In a “me-focused” culture, our children can develop an other-centered attitude that expresses Christ’s love through simple acts of kindness.