family Archives

WATCH: Two Powerful Minutes of Must-See Video

Tomorrow Focus on the Family’s first movie, “Irreplaceable,” will debut in more than 700 cinemas across the country. Seats are filling up fast (with some theaters already sold out) – despite attempts to censor our documentary.

Just in time for tomorrow’s premiere, we’ve released a powerful new trailer for the film. Check it out below:

As you can see, “Irreplaceable” is far from just your average documentary. Yes, you will leave the theater empowered and equipped better to defend your Bible-based views.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: events, family, marriage, pop culture May 5, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Businessman’s Kindness Towards Girl with Autism Hope-Renewing

You may have seen the headlines:

– Hotel guest leaves nasty letter for parents of crying baby

– Panera Bread kicks out toddler with disability over orthopedic shoes, mom says

– Restaurant bans kids at night, joins others in adding child-free policy

Sometimes it seems like the culture is making our job as parents more difficult. While I understand that some moms and dads can be overly permissive, there are signs that the general public’s tolerance towards children seems to be waning.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, news, parenting March 14, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guest Post: Adoption is Gritty and Glorious

The fourth post in my National Adoption Month guest series highlights The Batura Family. Paul Batura is a longtime Focus team member who currently serves as Focus’ vice president of communications. He and his wife Julie adopted their three boys at birth.

My hope is by highlighting these real-life adoption stories, families who are considering and praying about adoption may learn a little more about the process. I hope that readers will see how God uses adoption – both the gritty and the glorious – for His glory.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, faith, family November 25, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: Children Make a Difference

One of the greatest tasks of any parent is to raise children who care about others, and who show God’s love to their fellow man.

While there is no “10-step” program to ensure our kids will grow up to value “the least of these,” there’s something we can do to help instill this heart of compassion in our little ones. We can create an environment of awareness, and encourage our children when they seek to live their faith.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids November 21, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guest Post: The Schmitts Adopt Abby

For many families looking to adopt, the ride can be scary and expensive. That was the case for friends of Focus on the Family, Jonathan and Amanda Schmitt. The Schmitts’ story is the third in the adoption series I’m running during this November, National Adoption Month. (You can also read parts one and two.)

Here’s the Schmitts’ adoption story, as told by Amanda.

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Months turned to years and I still wasn’t pregnant. We were beginning to question what was going on.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, family, kids November 19, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: Share in a Daly Family Annual Tradition

This month, I’ve written about Focus on the Family’s involvement with Operation Christmas Child in two posts: How Shoeboxes Help Spread the Gospel and This Operation Christmas Child Grew Up and Paid It Forward.

Today I want to share with you how my family is personally involved with sharing our faith through this great program.

Our personal involvement is simple: We pack shoeboxes!

For some years now, we’ve been preparing boxes. We always choose gifts for boys since our sons, Trent and Troy, know exactly what to pick out for them.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, parenting November 15, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Complimentary CD for Military Families

Today is Veterans Day, when we honor the brave men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. Each one is a hero, and we’re indebted to them far beyond our ability to pay.

On today’s and tomorrow’s radio broadcasts, you’ll meet one of these mighty warriors. U.S. Army Major Scotty Smiley was blinded by a car bombing in Iraq. His inspiring story of recovery will leave you in awe. Please click here to listen.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, religious liberty November 11, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

This Operation Christmas Child Grew Up and Paid It Forward

In my post last week “How Shoeboxes Help Spread the Gospel,” I talked about how Operation Christmas Child provides children around the world with what might be their only opportunity to receive the Gospel message. I also shared pictures taken by a Focus staffer of the boys and girls in Senegal, Africa, as they received boxes.

One of the people who attended that trip was Damaris, a young woman who, herself, received a shoebox when she was 9.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, friendship, pastors November 8, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guest Post: Curse God and Die

A few years ago, our public relations team welcomed a spirited young woman as a summer intern. Whitney Williams immediately threw herself into her role, learning to coordinate interviews and write news releases. She even met her husband, Mix, while serving at Focus.

After her stint here, Whitney went back to Texas, finished college and got married.

Those who worked with Whitney were happy to follow her pregnancy on Facebook – and shocked to discover, along with her and Mix, that their baby boy was born with a rare congenital skin condition.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, family, husband, kids, wife November 5, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guest Post: What I’ve Learned About Adoption Since Adopting

November is National Adoption Month, so I want to do something special in this space to observe the occasion. Throughout the month, I’ll be highlighting adoption stories – the experiences of real-life families who have taken that leap of faith of welcoming someone new as their own.

Through these first-hand accounts you’ll see God supernaturally moving in the lives of very normal people. These are men and women just like you and me – people who might have feared the prospect of adoption.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: adoption, faith, family, kids, wife November 4, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura