family Archives

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.

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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

Would You Sacrifice Your Life for Your Brother or Sister?

A heartbreaking yet beautiful story out of earthquake-ravished central Italy deeply moved me, and I’d like to share it with you.

About 15 hours after last week’s 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck the town of Ascoli Piceno, firefighters were desperately searching for survivors among the ruins. Suddenly, a rescue dog signaled that he smelled something.

Rescuers soon found a doll … and two young sisters caught in a life-saving embrace.

Bishop Giovanni D’Ercole shared the story of Giulia and Giorgia during a funeral Mass for 35 of the 290 people killed in the earthquake.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, news, parenting August 31, 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.

https://youtu.be/M41m79VMx2w

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