entertainment Archives

Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman: Between Heaven and the Real World

I hope you’ll join us for our radio program tomorrow and Thursday when we’ll be talking to Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, about their journey with God and each other.

Through an award-winning career in music and the ups and downs of real life, Steven and Mary Beth say they feel “between heaven and the real world.” That phrase has become something of a caption to their lives. Pointing out God’s grace in the midst of a very troubled world is what Steven has tried to accomplish throughout his music career.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, entertainment, faith, marriage April 25, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Chonda Pierce: Laughing in the Dark

Humorist Erma Bombeck once said, “There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain.”

Chonda Pierce has been tip-toeing that line for a long time. She’s been doing stand-up comedy for 25 years and is the top-selling female comic in history. She has a unique ability to describe life’s most challenging moments all while making you laugh out loud with her humor.

Focus on the Family was privileged to have Chonda as a guest speaker at a recent chapel service here at the ministry.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, entertainment, faith April 17, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

This Video Shows the Challenge of Being a Christian in the Secular Workplace

I had the privilege of being with a unique group last week: Christian CEOs. They’re part of a ministry that began within the walls of Focus on the Family. They’re now an independent and self-sustaining fellowship, regularly meeting to pray together and encourage one another in both their faith and careers.

Corporate America can certainly be a challenge for Christians to navigate.

Of course, navigating a secular workplace isn’t unique to just Christian CEOs. Believers who strive to live out their faith at their places of employment must sometimes steer through choppy waters.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, relationships March 8, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

‘The Shack’: Must-See Movie, or Stay Away?

Tim Tebow liked it.

“Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines recommend it.

But blogger Tim Challies refuses to even see it.

I’m talking about “The Shack,” the film adaptation of the 2007 novel of the same name, which is reviving the controversy around William P. Young’s bestselling book about a grieving father who encounters the Holy Trinity … in human form.

The movie debuted in theaters across the nation last Friday, making a very respectable $16.1 million during its first weekend.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, news March 7, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Take a Virtual Tour of the 430,000-Square-Foot Museum of the Bible

As I previously mentioned, I had the opportunity to travel to
Washington, D.C. last week to attend the 65th Annual National Prayer Breakfast. I usually try to “bundle” various activities and
meetings per trip, and this visit was no different. All in all, I spent nearly three days in the nation’s capital meeting with several members of Congress and with media.

During my visit to D.C., I was also able to tour the Museum of the Bible, which is located about three blocks from the Capitol.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, news, promos February 10, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Special Announcement for MercyMe Fans

How many of you are MercyMe fans?

Many of you, I’m sure – because the award-winning Christian band with proven crossover appeal has been releasing hit after hit for two decades now. From “I Can Only Imagine” to Word of God Speak,” MercyMe’s popularity has only grown with its most recent album and its current single, “Dear Younger Me”:

And for you MercyMe fans, I have good news: I’m happy to announce that the band will join us on the Focus on the Family 40th Anniversary Cruise in November 2017!

Topics: Focus Events Tags: entertainment, events, family, promos November 2, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Need a Laugh? Watch these Tim Hawkins Videos

What’s the difference between a poorly dressed man on a tricycle and a well-dressed man on a bicycle?

Attire.

Get it?

Okay, so I’m not much of a comedian. Which is why you’ll enjoy our broadcast today with Tim Hawkins.

Tim finds humor in everyday circumstances. Like the video below about a time when fixing breakfast for his children didn’t go so well.

I guess that sort of thing happens when you see the world the way Tim does.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, entertainment, faith, family August 31, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Ben-Hur: A Great Faith-Based Movie to See This Weekend

By the time the 1800’s came to a close, Lew Wallace’s bestselling novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, was considered by many to be “the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century.” Adapted for film a couple times, most recently in 1959, Ben-Hur became a runaway Hollywood hit, eventually capturing eleven Academy Awards.

Even today, over a half-century later, many critics consider it to be one of America’s greatest movies of all time.

Tomorrow, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey are releasing a new version of the classic adventure for the big screen.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, family, pop culture August 18, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What Good Dads Can Learn From “Bad Moms” (Guest Post)

The movie “Bad Moms” opened this past weekend in the number two slot, taking in $23.8 million. And despite the bad language and wild antics, the film delivers a lesson… to dads. I’ll leave you with Plugged In’s Paul Asay to share what he learned when he watched “Bad Moms” — so you won’t have to.

And I’d love to hear from you — what summer movie (in the theaters or on Netflix) can you recommend?

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, parenting, pop culture August 3, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Pokémon Go: What Parents Need to Know

Today I want to share with you a piece by Adam R. Holz, who works on Focus’ Plugged In team, that will hopefully help you navigate the questions and requests your kids might have about the “it” game of the moment, Pokémon Go.

You can also download our free resource, “A Quick Pokémon Guide for Parents” online. Let me know your thoughts about the game — and our guide — in the comments section!

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, parenting, relationships July 20, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura