Daly Focus Blog
His name is Ethan Hendon, and he’s the son of my niece and nephew, Cassandra and Shawn. Born with a congenital defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, the left side of Ethan’s heart is underdeveloped.
So, physiologically he’s struggling, but spiritually and mentally the little guy is thriving and making a tremendous difference in the lives of others.
Just the other day I received word that Ethan’s school has raised nearly $4,000 in his name for the American Heart Association.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, kids by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
After 72 years under lock and key, the 1940 United States Census was released this morning. Accessing census records has never been easier. All the files have been digitized, a labor-intensive effort that involved scanning millions of documents.
According to the 1940 Census there were 132 million people living in the United States, a 7 percent increase from 1930. Taken in the midst of the Great Depression, the records are particularly revealing. For the first time ever, workers asked about household income as well as the education level of all those in the house.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, news by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Before the railroad, Americans on the move traveled by stagecoach. Given the relative ease of modern-day transportation, it’s difficult to imagine just how uncomfortable it must have been to be jammed inside a small open-air compartment and bounced along an unpaved rocky road on wooden wheels. We can get a sense of the atmosphere, though, by some of the “rules” that were posted inside each coach.
Here’s a sampling:
Abstinence from liquor is requested, but if you must drink share the bottle.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, pop culture by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Is it ever right to wish ill upon someone?
I don’t think so.
The Denver Broncos newly minted quarterback, Peyton Manning, doesn’t need me to come to his defense. But his arrival in Denver has spawned something of a backlash in a few select places, with some actually suggesting that it would suit the Broncos and Manning well if he were to reinjure his neck this coming season.
A thirst for vengeance is an ugly human emotion.
Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, pop culture by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
I mentioned the other day that my colleague and Tim Tebow fanatic, Sue, was pouting over the arrival of Peyton Manning to the Denver Broncos and the subsequent trade of Tim to the New York Jets.
Thankfully, her poutiness was rare and short-lived. But I’m not so sure I can say the same thing about my son Troy who’s been known to pout to either make a point or get his way.
His brother calls it “pouty magic.”
The act doesn’t usually work, but that hasn’t stopped him from trying!
Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, kids, parenting, pop culture by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
The United State Marine Corps has launched its latest recruitment campaign and it touts a single theme:
Chaos.
“We’re going to have a chaotic future in front of us,” said Brig. Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, “which also portends a potentially busy time for the Marine Corps.”
The campaign was launched after research indicated Millenials, their target, strongly resonate with the idea that the military exists to serve those in need.
“Most people hear the sounds of chaos and run in the opposite direction,” intones the ad’s narrator.
Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, news by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
A collective groan went up around the office yesterday when news of Peyton Manning’s anticipated signing with the Denver Broncos was first reported by ESPN. It’s not that the folks around me dislike Peyton Manning, who in addition to being a certain future Hall of Fame quarterback, is also a very good guy.
It’s just that, to quote Sue McFadden, a colleague on my team, “I love my Timmy.” In fact, her Facebook status summed up the sentiments of many, I think:
“I’m allowing myself 24 hours to be pouty over this Peyton Manning thing, then I’ll move on.
Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, pop culture by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
College basketball’s yearly offering of “March Madness” is officially underway. Have you caught any of the action yet?
Many of the games over the next few weeks will be decided at the free-throw line. And although the majority of these shots are made, an uncontested shot from 15 feet away is no “gimme” – unless your name is Bob Fisher.
Mr. Fisher doesn’t play on any team. The Nebraska resident has held the same job with the Department of Agriculture for the past 24 years.
Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, pop culture by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
“Our culture has accepted two huge lies: The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear them or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do.
Both are nonsense.
You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.”
– Rick Warren
Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, homosexuality, pop culture by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
This is not about whether tattoos are a good or bad idea.
Instead, this a true story about a young woman named Debbie whose tattoo has not only saved her life but perhaps even the lives of her small children.
A colleague of mine recently found himself inside a greasy spoon burger joint one late winter afternoon. His waitress at the establishment was efficient and friendly. They struck up easy conversation. When she placed a plate down on the table he noticed a rather distinctive looking tattoo on her forearm.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.Home
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