family Archives

Parenting Simulcast Update

I’ve just reviewed the final numbers from last Saturday’s Focus on ParentingTM simulcast and I must say I’m very encouraged by the turnout and impact. Some 31,000 attendees carved out the time for the day-long seminar. Although assembled in 270 different host churches spread across 44 states and 8 Canadian Provinces, these parents were united in their desire to help their families thrive.

So far, one of the big “take away” messages was the idea of intentionally giving each child the blessing before they go to bed at night.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: events, family, parenting November 20, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Halloween: Trick or Treat or Abstain?

Fans of comedian Jerry Seinfeld might remember his humorous recollection of Halloween. Growing up in Massapequa, Long Island, he remembers being admonished to never accept candy from a stranger. Although contrary to the “Get candy! Get Candy!” mantra running through his little brain, the warnings made sense, he said, until he was suddenly introduced to the October 31st holiday.

“You mean everyone we know is just giving away candy?” he asked incredulously. “What’s wrong with them?”

Many Christians, maybe even some of my readers, might ask the same question.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, family, kids, parenting October 28, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Discovering the Difference between Sorrow and Despair

Is there anything more painful to endure than the death of a child?

Having been orphaned and abandoned as a young boy, I’ve been exposed to my share of sorrow. But, so have you. Nobody on earth can escape the human condition. Troubles roll like the relentless tides of the sea. Or, to quote William Shakespeare, “Troubles come not as single spies—but in battalions!”

If your life is happy and currently free of worry, rejoice—but brace yourself.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids October 27, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A High School Flashback

Several months ago, Jeff Shook, a good friend from my Yucca Valley High School days back in California, stopped by for a visit. Seeing him brought back a flood of memories—mostly good. The good times had to do with the countless hours Jeff and I spent playing football, basketball, and baseball for our school. Jeff was one of those natural athletes you just knew had the talent to go on to bigger and better things after graduation.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, friendship October 7, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Thank You, Lenny!

Everyone I meet has a story to tell. Each of us has an unique background; no two journeys are alike. Some of our stories rival a fairytale. If that’s your experience, rejoice. If your story involves a closely-knit extended family, the kind which, like a scene out of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, gets together and has a great time over the holidays, you are indeed blessed.

If you’ve read my memoir, FINDING HOME, you know about the disappointments and hardships which defined my childhood—from a murder outside of my bedroom window when I was eight, to the death of my mother when I was nine, only to be orphaned a few years later—not to mention much of my family tree remains shrouded in mystery.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, staff September 21, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Mother of All Moments

It could have been a scene straight out of central casting.

When injuries and motherhood caused highly acclaimed Belgian tennis sensation Kim Clijsters to retire from the sport in 2007, many of the pundits assumed she was just another star to have fizzled and faded away all too soon. Sadly, such is the usual trajectory of professional athletes. Of those who actually enjoy their moment in the sun, the time is almost always brief. High profile comebacks often produce headlines, but rarely do they result in historic championships.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, family, news, pop culture September 14, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

NBA’s David Vaughn Rebounds

As a child, David Vaughn dreamed of making it as a player in the National Basketball Association. As a young man, the Memphis native realized his dream by signing a multi-year deal with the Orlando Magic. With a $600,000 paycheck, the former first-round draft pick was living large. On the road, he stayed pampered at the Ritz Carlton. At home, he lived in a mansion and collected far too many cars. Money slipped through his fingers as the purchases for jewelry and clothing skyrocketed.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting, pop culture September 9, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Putting the Pieces Back Together Again

Storm clouds were beginning to gather over the mountains. Rain was coming and the late summer thunder rolled in the distance over the town of Monument, Colorado. I glanced at the clock in the car.

7:00 PM.

It had been a long day—actually a long few days. Turning into the driveway, the running lights swept across the bushes, guiding me into the garage. My ride home from the airport had been uneventful, but I was exhausted.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids, parenting August 25, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Warrior in WAL-MART

Does your community undergird or undermine your role as a parent?

It doesn’t take much effort or energy to find examples of bad behavior in our society. Turn on the television, surf the Internet, pickup the daily newspaper. Because “noise makes news” our kids are regularly assaulted by images and stories that contradict Judeo-Christian values and just plain common decency. We lament how communities no longer hold kids accountable like they once did. How often we find ourselves bemoaning the loss of heroes and colorful characters in our communities to whom our children might look to for guidance and even accountability.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids August 23, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Silence is Golden

A couple of days ago I blogged about our recent family vacation in which the four of us went completely “dark”—we exchanged the television, the radio, and the Internet for some serious peace and quiet. Even if we had wanted to use our cell phone, there wasn’t any coverage. All of the electrical umbilical cords tethering us to the frazzled pace of life had been cut.

This was by design. Jean and I planned the trip to have no contact with the outside world which, for five glorious days, allowed our family to pull inward.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, technology August 7, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura