family Archives

Did You Know This About Duck Dynasty?

Not many families are considered a “dynasty.”

And only one is credited with building a “Duck Dynasty.”

But I guess that’s the way you’d expect a family like the Robertsons to be characterized. After all, the family patriarch, Phil Robertson, turned down an opportunity for a professional football career because it would interfere with duck hunting season.

They’ve also built a highly successful duck call business, have starred in a record-breaking cable television series for several years now, and the men of the family are all well-known for wearing beards that have become something of a cultural icon.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, family, pop culture December 15, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Four Things Good TV Moms – and Real-Life Moms – Have in Common

By now you may have heard that the actress Florence Henderson died last week on Thanksgiving Day. She was best known as Carol Brady, the “lovely lady … who met this fellow” on the iconic 1970s sitcom “The Brady Bunch.”

The show wasn’t a ratings hit during its initial run, but “The Brady Bunch” found its niche when it first aired in syndication in 1975. It’s been on the air ever since.

Some of that success is undoubtedly due to Henderson’s take on the family matriarch, which made Mrs.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, news, parenting, pop culture November 30, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Avoid Christmas Debt

Jean, the boys and I are having a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday together. I hope your family is too.

Although depending on when Black Friday sales began in your neighborhood, Thanksgiving was probably over well before your clocks struck midnight earlier this morning.

The race to Christmas has begun.

With every retailer fighting over your hard-earned dollar for the next four weeks, do you worry it’ll take until next Christmas to get this Christmas paid off?

Americans spent nearly $580 billion last year for Christmas.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, family, marriage November 25, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Story of Squanto You May Have Never Heard

“The story of Squanto is one of the freakiest miracles in history.”

With an introduction like that, I know you’ll want to tune in to our radio program today while you’re preparing Thanksgiving dinner and keeping an eye on the football game.

Our guest, author and radio host Eric Metaxas, will share the true story of Squanto most of you have never heard.

The very founding of our country might never have happened had Squanto not walked out of the woods and had his heart prepared by God like Joseph.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, family November 24, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Who Can You Invite to Thanksgiving Dinner?

A great Thanksgiving-related story out of Phoenix this week, where an accidental text message from a grandma to a young man who wasn’t her grandson resulted in an unlikely inter-generational friendship.

The viral tale reminded me of another story some might call happenstance… but I know was God’s providence. I first shared this entry in 2013… and I think it’s worth reposting today. Hope you enjoy… -J.D.

***

She first saw the elderly gentleman at a cemetery on Thanksgiving morning.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, family November 22, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Download Focus’ Free Resource for Families “7 Days of Gratitude”

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just a week from this Thursday?

Since it’s always a good idea to reflect on the virtue of gratitude – or to talk with your children about the meaning behind the holiday – Focus on the Family’s parenting team has put together a free resource that will help your family prepare for our national day of thanks.

The “7 Days of Gratitude” week-long devotional is designed to help children (and their parents!) develop “an attitude of gratitude.” Because the reality is, creating a thankful heart takes practice.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, promos November 15, 2016 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

Focus and Goya Foods Team Up to Help Parents in Raising Highly Capable Kids

Yesterday I shared with you how schools, community groups and churches can work together to help parents increase their children’s likelihood of success in life through the evidence-based, bilingual program Raising Highly Capable Kids.

Developed to build stronger families by empowering parents, Raising Highly Capable Kids helps parents understand what foundational building blocks their children need to exhibit the positive behaviors – and avoid the negative behaviors – that will ultimately help them do well in life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting, promos October 5, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How to Leave a Godly Legacy for Your Children

Parents, every day you’re passing on a legacy to your children.

What are you leaving them?

Jean and I have two teenage boys at home, and we think a lot about how we can instill them with the biblical values we know will carry them through their lives.

There are countless ways moms and dads can pass their faith on to their children, a lot of them based on the family’s schedule and each member’s unique personality.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, family, kids, parenting September 26, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

This Labor Day, Make Memories with a Family Adventure

Do you have any Labor Day plans?

If you don’t, you might be in for treat this weekend.

Let me explain why.

Some weeks ago, the Wall St. Journal ran an interesting piece, “The Rewards of a Spontaneous Family Adventure.” I’m a big fan of impromptu events, so I appreciated the premise:

“So much of parenting is about structure and setting limits, and all of this is important. Sometimes, though, it’s good to say, ‘What the heck’ and break out of what we normally do,’ says William Doherty, a professor of family social science at the University of Minnesota and author of ‘The Intentional Family.’”

The piece makes the case for throwing caution to the wind every now and then and having a “bit over the top” spur-of-the-moment family event that will give you memories for years to come.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family September 2, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura