family Archives

The Best Things in Life

There are many kinds of success in life worth having. It is exceedingly interesting and attractive to be a successful business man, or railroad man, or farmer, or a successful lawyer or doctor; or a writer, or a President, or a ranchman, or the colonel of a fighting regiment, or to kill grizzly bears and lions.

But for unflagging interest and enjoyment, a household of children, if things go reasonably well, certainly makes all other forms of success and achievement lose their importance by comparison.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, kids March 2, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Ronald Reagan on Fatherhood

What does fatherhood mean today in America?

I guess the same as it always has.

Fatherhood can sometimes be walking the floor at midnight with a baby that can’t sleep. More likely, fatherhood is repairing a bicycle wheel for the umpteenth time, knowing that it won’t last the afternoon. Fatherhood is guiding a youth through the wilderness of adolescence toward adulthood.

Fatherhood is holding tight when all seems to be falling apart; and it’s letting go when it is time to part.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, husband March 1, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Check Out These Photos

I’m delighted to share with you a sneak peek of one of the new Focus on the Family photo walls here on campus. Thousands of you have submitted terrific snapshots and it’s been a blast planning these displays.

But what you see aren’t just photographs. They’re memories of special moments, of times that pass all too quickly..

Moses said it best:

“..do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family February 3, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

If You Had One Day to Live Over

The late UCLA basketball legend John Wooden enjoyed incredible success as a coach. He won ten championships in a twelve-year period and finished his career with an astonishing record of 664-162. A man of strong Christian conviction, Coach Wooden received his eternal promotion in 2010 at the age of 99.

He once wrote something that strikes me as a fitting lesson for parents as well as players and coaches.

Can you relate?

If I could go back and pick one single day in my life – in sports – to live over again, my choice might surprise you.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family January 27, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Some Numbers Are More Important Than a Score

There wasn’t a lot of celebrating Saturday night in our home state of Colorado, but there was definitely – as Luke 15:7 promises – “rejoicing in heaven.” Our beloved Denver Broncos lost a heartbreaker to the New England Patriots, but that result is really inconsequential when souls are won for Christ.

And that’s precisely what happened during the AFC Divisional Playoffs. How do we know? Because people told us.

They were responding to a 30-second commercial from Focus on the Family aired during the game.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids January 16, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Cal Thomas: Angel Unaware

Excerpts from a touching and poignant reflection on the dignity of life from columnist Cal Thomas:

My Brother’s Valuable Life

How does one measure whether a life was a success, or a failure?

Some would measure it by recognition, that is, how many knew the person’s name. For others, the measure of a successful life would be the amount of wealth accumulated, or possessions held. Still others would say a life was successful if the person made a major contribution to society — in medicine, sports, politics, or the arts.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family January 12, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Cal Thomas: An Extraordinary Life

Excerpts from a touching and poignant reflection on the dignity of life from columnist Cal Thomas:

My Brother’s Valuable Life

How does one measure whether a life was a success, or a failure?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family January 11, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Six Steps to a Fulfilling Day

More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice the simple ministry of presence.

Still, it is not as simple as it seems.

My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up in meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family January 10, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

This is Why Children Make You Laugh

It’s common to get caught up in the serious side of life, and how can we not? It’s a rare day that we don’t encounter somber circumstances of one sort or another. There’s illness, relationship dysfunction and the struggle to make the mortgage payment on the very day when the car’s transmission goes up in smoke.

A friend of mine refers to the normal vicissitudes of life as “The Tales of the Never Ending.” Indeed, it would seem that if we’re not careful, there is almost always something going on that threatens to suck joy out of an otherwise happy situation.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, humor January 4, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

As we look expectantly and excitedly toward 2012, I’d love to share with you some ministerial highlights from this past year. I am humbled and grateful to report the following:

Focus on the Family helped strengthen or save 1.2 million marriages in 2011. This figure is part of the 90 percent of projects and commitments Focus was able to fulfill in spite of the year’s economic downturn, which significantly impacted the organization.

The ministry, through licensed professional counselors on staff, provided counseling to nearly 52,000 individuals since January.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, pro-life, staff December 30, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura