family Archives

A Father’s Final Act of Love

Over the past few days I’ve found my thoughts turning often toward 13-year-old Gracie Johnson, the sole survivor of a freak Colorado rockslide that claimed the lives of her parents, sister, and two other relatives while hiking this past Monday in Buena Vista.

As a Colorado resident this tragedy may be hitting me especially hard, but you don’t need to be a local or even an outdoorsman to be affected by this widely circulating story. The idea of the unthinkable happening and changing our lives in a moment may be a universal fear, and one most of us would prefer not to dwell on.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, husband October 7, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Remembering Pastor Chuck Smith

By the time I accepted Christ in high school, the “hippie” movement was in full swing, as was the “Jesus movement” – a dynamic uprising of young Christians whose style and manner of worship was pretty unconventional, at least compared with that of the prior generation. Where I lived, many of these new believers were surfers and beach people. They were hungry for the Lord, but they didn’t have much interest in anything traditional – especially getting all gussied up for Sunday church in neatly pressed suits and dress clothes.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, family October 4, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

“Focus Findings” is Where Research Meets Common Sense

We’ve probably all been there – we’re scanning a news article online or watching a story on a magazine news show and we see something that just stops us cold. It’s a declaration presented in fact, and even backed up by “research” that you know is at odds with what Scripture teaches.

“Christian marriages end in divorce at the same rates as all other marriages, so what does it matter if you don’t marry a believer?”
“Marriage is an outdated institution that demeans women.”
“Everyone knows kids do just as well when they’re raised by same-sex parents as by their biological parents.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, family, kids, pop culture October 3, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Meet Focus on the Family’s V.I.P. Guest

Here at Focus, we’ve been privileged to welcome many influential people for visits. Some are well-known Christian leaders and others are from the entertainment and sports worlds. We’ve hosted politicians and even public figures who passionately disagree with some of what we believe. Whoever it has been, we’ve been delighted to meet and host them on our campus.

As memorable as these opportunities are, however, they just don’t compare to the critically ill young boys and girls who have visited through the years thanks to the work of organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: family, kids, parenting, staff September 27, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

6 Ways to Know Your Adult Child is Maturing Well

We receive hundreds of thousands of inquiries every year from people seeking relationship and family advice – and among the top topics are moms and dads asking about their adult children.

Our counselors have helped many parents concerned about their millennial-age kids: Should they take a year off from their studies? Why do they seem like they lack direction? Should they take on more responsibility? Why aren’t they looking to settle down?

It can be a challenging road to walk.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, husband, kids, parenting, wife September 19, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

This Obituary Will Make You Smile

There’s something beautiful about a life well-lived. When someone consistently lives out their values in a million (sometimes quiet) ways, others notice – and are blessed by the legacy.

That’s the case with Mary Agnes Mullaney, a wife, mother and grandmother who recently passed away at age 85. The family she left behind honored her memory with an obituary filled with life lessons that gave colorful and heartwarming glimpses into Mullaney’s person and character.

“Pink,” as she was called, was the type of person who lived for others.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, news September 17, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: “Will You Spin Me, Daddy?”

Like most young ladies anticipating their wedding day, Rachel Wolf had looked forward to her father/daughter dance since she was a little girl. Recently, that long-awaited dream came true for her. And, as you’ll see in the video below, it was a beautiful moment.

But this dance was far different than most of its kind. You see, Rachel wasn’t really getting married. In fact, she wasn’t even engaged. No, this was a unique wedding dance she and her family had planned so Rachel and her father, James, could share that special moment together before he passed away from pancreatic cancer.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, family, husband, marriage, wife September 13, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Five Ways to Help Your Student Finish the School Year Strong

Have your children been infected with a case of spring fever? Many school kids are already focused on one thing: summer vacation!

But wait. Not just yet. There’s still over a month to go in the classroom, even though in many homes the natives are growing restless. My wife, Jean, calls this stretch of time the “craziest” of the academic year. I think she’s right.

What’s a parent to do? How can you help your distracted student finish the school year strong?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids April 1, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Climb to Calvary – Part V

THE CLIMB TO CALVARY
Meditations on The Seven Last Words of Christ

The Fifth Words

“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, ‘I thirst’” (John 19:28).

Of all seven cries from the cross, Jesus’ fifth statement is the shortest. Christ has now turned from the emotional and mental pain of abandonment (Mark 15:34) to the physical pain of His torture. But in doing so, He is accomplishing far more than trying to quench a physical thirst.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, family March 28, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

For Those Married and Unmarried

A colleague recently shared with me about a medical situation her father once encountered. He suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA) – commonly known as a mini-stroke. Her parents live far away, and she was on a video call with her dad when it happened.

All of a sudden, Dad kept asking me what day and what year it was. He kept asking when my children were born. “Wait a second,” he’d say… “I’m confused.”

After a couple of minutes of this, I asked Dad to put Mom (who was in the other room) on the phone.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, husband, sex, wife February 19, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura